Blissfully unaware of my tormented feline companion, I, Archer Flamewheel had what was undoubtedly the most luxurious experience of my entire life. After being pampered, made-over, and massaged so deeply I felt like my muscles atrophied into jelly, I rested peacefully in the warm milky-rainbowy pool, my back pressed against the shell shaped base of a mermaid-titty statue. I took big huffing breaths, the pool smelled of vanilla and sea-salt, and I needed to absorb it into every pore and crevice in my body. 

I had never been so relaxed, but somehow I was also giddy with excitement after having so many people dote on me and pay so much attention to me! Me of all people!! I never understood the appeal, Andromeda was always so demanding for attention, I never thought there might be any left for me. But here, in the Fae Realm, there was no Andromeda… only me. I had always felt so low and undeserving, but after being stripped bare and pampered by 14 beautiful women just for existing, I  might be starting to get it a bit. Only a bit. 

“Oh Aaaarcherrr!” Girla’s sweet voice rang like a bell through the thick miasma of milky steam, “are you ready to see the new you?” 

My heart beat loudly in my chest. Was I? Was I truly ready to see the new me? 

I stood up slowly, expecting my muscles to ache, but after being pulverized by… I did the math quickly in my head, 30 small hands, I was surprised at how light and limber I felt, even my broken arm wasn’t aching. I gingerly tested it, raising it, ready to wince at pain that never came. I smacked my arm a couple times against the tail of the mermaid statue. I was healed! Was it the mysterious water? I pondered what kind of magic could heal a broken bone in one makeover montage as I raised myself out of the pool. 

The steam parted around me, lingering tastefully around my coochie-region and breasticles. I shuffled awkwardly towards  towards Girla’s voice, trying not to slip on the wet mother-of-pearl beneath my feet. I found her standing in a circular room. I imagined that it must have been originally a room for socializing, and perhaps gossiping? A cushioned bench followed the curve of the small domed room, interrupted only by the arched entranceway. The room now appeared to be fashioned into a dressing room, with silk gowns in every colour adorning the walls. A full length mirror ornamented with small starfish, sand dollars and scallop shells stood opposite to the entrance. I could make out my emaciated silhouette reflected through the steam. Like a spooky child ghost in a horror movie, Girla suddenly appeared behind me. I startled, instinctively reaching towards a hidden blade behind me, but all I felt was my own wet flesh. 

I blushed at my own foolishness as Girla giggled and guided me into the room, 

“Step towards the mirror Dear, don’t be shy!” 

I did as she directed, and stepped forward through the mist, but stopped abruptly. 

I stared deeply at myself. Taking in everything I saw. 

My lavender eyes shone distinctly, contrasted against my luxurious hair that cascaded down my shoulders. What I used to consider a mousey brown, tangled and dull, was now a rich chocolate brown, flowing and shining. My skin was supple and moist, a natural blush graced my soft cheeks. I gazed down to my chest, did I go up a cup size or two? Not sure, but I could even swear my scars from all my training had faded, leaving only the slightest whisper of white lines against my skin. The dirt had been cleaned from under my fingernails, and overall I glowed like the hottest ovulating woman in the world. I was beautiful. 

My heart sank. 

 I didn’t actually notice any of those things. If I were a normal well adjusted person, maybe I could see myself as others see me, but I’m not! I couldn’t. I have too much trauma!  All I saw was myself staring back at me, too skinny, hair too unruly, pale like a haunted doll that’s been bleached by the sun, and somehow my disgusting lavender eyes were standing out even more than they had before. I looked down at my arms in dismay. They used to be covered in small knicks and scars, a testament to my hard work training to be the skilled bowsman I am today. I used to curse my scars, but now that they’re not there I feel like I lost a part of myself. 

A fleeting thought passed through my mind. Too quiet to even register as a real thought. Could I have been beautiful all along? Did nothing change in my appearance because it was actually my perception of myself that was flawed? I shook my head, nahhh! Couldn’t be! Andromeda always loved to remind me that I was born fugly and I’ll die fugly. 

I forced a smile across my face, and turned towards Girla, “wow thanks so much I look so….” I tried to articulate a nice descriptive word to commend all their effort, “clean.” 

Girla’s pleasant smile fell in disappointment. I panicked! “No no no like I look soooo good wow my hair is so soft and brushed, oh wow look you got all the dirt, blood and shit out from under my nails, I’ve never been able to do that before!! And wowwwww my face looks sooo good, is it ozempic? No? Wow you guys did such a good job I am so happy!” 

I continued babbling until Girla’s pleasant smile returned to her face. Phew. I couldn’t stand this cutie patootie thinking I didn’t appreciate her and her girls. 

Girla seemed satisfied and summoned girls 1 through 4 to the room to help her present the elaborate dresses that were displayed around me. One of the girls pulled a soft chemise down over my head, while another pulled white stockings up past my hips and tied a feather light pair of leather booties around my ankles. The coordination was actually kind of impressive. 

“I can dress myself!” I sputtered. I had loved the attention I was getting, but I was starting to get overwhelmed and want to go back to my lonely hermit ways. 

“Nonsense!” Girl 3 trilled, “as our future Queen we could never let you dress yourself!” I gulped. Queen.  In the midst of the excitement, I forgot why I was here. 

I sat quietly in my chemise while they presented me with dress after dress. If andromeda were here she’d be frothing at the mouth and hyperventilating, but the silks and fineries were lost on me. I didn’t care about fashion or looking good like other girls my age did. But, seeing as Girla and the girls spent so much time working on my appearance, I owed it to them to attempt enthusiasm. 

At least that’s how I felt until they presented me with a gown the colour of  deep ocean. I held my breath as I reached my hand forward, tracing the simple yet intricate embroidery that lined the scooped collar. I had to have it! 

The girls screamed in excitement, as they helped me into it, lacing it up the back. The bodice was fitted against my torso, the neckline scooped below my collar bone. The skirt of the dress parted perfectly over each hip, giving me free range of motion. The embroidery from the neckline continued down in a V-shape towards my naval, which Girla fashioned with a white leather belt, and connected with a round silver buckle. “Hehe. Perfect for supporting my quiver of arrows.” I snickered out loud. 

They tucked my sleeves into leather forearm cuffs so they don’t get caught up when I perform my sick archery skillz, and finished the look by pulling back the top half of my hair and fashioning it into a complex braid, weaving a silver ribbon through the hair as they went.

 Once again, they presented me with the full length mirror. Damn! I might be fugly but my outfit is fire! It’s so practical and flexible! And also pretty? Maybe I like clothes now?? I shook the thought away, no! This is a fluke. I am surely nothing like other girls.

One of the brownies bowed low and presented me with my beautiful gorgeous Stacy-bow, which I secured confidently to my back. 

Almost as if summoned to drive the plot forward, Callon appeared in the doorway, illuminated majestically from behind by the soft lights in the main bathing chamber. 

“This is MUCH better, Archer Flamewheel.” He strode towards me, and cupped my chin from behind, staring into the mirror with me. 

“Now do you see you as I see you?” 

“Erm.. yeah I guess so.” I still had no idea what that meant. I’ll just agree with everything he says so he likes me. 

He smirked, and turned my chin towards him, yanking me back uncomfortably so I had to clumsily reposition myself to avoid having my neck snapped off my body by his lean, strong, muscular hands. 

I stared deep into his magenta eyes as his lips parted and he leaned towards me. I instinctively scrunched my eyes shut and leaned towards him, puckering my lips into a kissy face. it’s happening he’s going to kiss me! My very first kiss! It’s so sudden, but I’m not mad about it!

But the kiss never came. 

I opened my eyes shyly, to see him staring past me into his own reflection.

 Wow he’s so deep and mysterious, I swooned. 

After a couple of minutes, he took his eyes off himself, and spun around on his heel. Stopping in the doorway to turn back to me with a dramatic flourish. 

“Archer Flamewheel. Are you ready to find out who you are?”