To fall, to fly, or both.

Kiana’s porcelain wings snapped with irritation as she sorted through her treasure box. She had already done this three times, but refused to believe that her favorite jewel was gone. It was an amethyst chip that an ogre had given to her as a sign of friendship.1

Balling her tiny hands into fists, she let out a wail of frustration that resounded through the entire woodland home. 2

The others, who were mostly just waking, instantly knew that Kiana was throwing a fit. The twins, Aubriana and Shaun, dove beneath their beds, seeking cover out of instinct, out of experience. It wouldn’t be long before the floors would begin shaking, and the candle flames dancing. No one was safe, when Kiana was angry. 3

“Who took it?!” She shrieked, and began circling the room she shared, with the messiest fae she had ever known. Regina. Regina, who still slept soundly, despite the disturbance. She was so used to Kiana, that it was almost soothing to her, to hear the clamor around her. 4

“Kiana.” The high-pitched voice found a way to be stern, amidst its sweetness, as Tarin entered the room. She was the head of this mottled household of wayward fairies. She was usually a guiding force, someone with enough age and wisdom to keep hold of the youths she welcomed into her home. But this morning she was exasperated. Too often lately, sunrise was shattered by one of Kiana’s tirades. “Settle yourself.” She insisted, and glanced at the still slumbering Regina. 5

“You will wake everyone.” 6

Kiana folded her arms, and stuck her nose high into the air. “There is a thief, in this place.” She announced dramatically. 7

Tarin’s multi-faceted eyes hardened so quickly and sharply that even in her fury, Kiana knew she had crossed a line. 8

“That is a hateful accusation Kiana. None here would ever take from another, and you know that. We have all been very patient with you Kiana, but I will not stand for you continuing to cause disharmony. I expect that you will be gone by nightfall, and I’ll not hear another word.” 9

“But-“ Kiana began, tears welling as she imagined wandering the woods alone again. 10

“Not another word.” Tarin repeated, and turned her back. As she left the room, Regina just began to stir from her slumber. She would never truly know what caused her long time roommate to finally be expelled from their home, she was only aware that everything had changed. 11

As Kiana fluttered through the moonlight, she held her treasure box jealously close to her. At least, she thought to herself, now no one will steal from me. Kiana was not your typical fae. She didn’t fit the mold, the others did. She was feisty, and quick to anger. Even her voice was deeper than most, and she had no tolerance for silly games or play. As a result she was often an outcast.  Growing tired, she found a soft patch of moss, and was soon lost in a fitful slumber. 12

Falyn crept quietly up the stairs, balancing a glass of milk, three honey squares, and a rather large tomb of magical chants. He hoped no one would catch him in his midnight snack. If he could just keep from… 13

As he reached the top of the stairs, he leaned rather hard on the railing to balance himself, and as he did, the old wood bowed beneath his weight, then gave way. The honey squares and glass of milk went flying as he grasped at the hanging chandelier to keep from falling. He swung on a rope of crystals that hung from the light fixture, back and forth, back and forth, until it too began to give way. The ceiling cracked as the fixture began to fall, and Falyn leapt forward, trying to land on the nearby couch. Instead though, he crashed right through the stained glass window of the home, and landed in a pile of nettles. If the commotion hadn’t woken the others, his painfilled howl certainly did. He scuttled away from the nettles, still grasping his book, and looked up just in time to see one wall, then the other cave in. In a matter of moments the fae shelter was nothing but a pile of dust, and a dozen dirty and quite angry faces turned to look at him. 14

Without waiting to be told, Falyn hung his head, and turned away from the group, trudging off into the woods. He clutched his book gingerly to his chest, and sniffled slightly as his emeraled eyes glistened with tears. 15

He was not well liked in the fae world, which was known for its grace and agility. He was a clumsy fairy, who couldn’t fly. He knew he should be able to fly, everyone else could. But his wings had never unfolded. They were a fragile bundle on his back, of no more use than feathers on a snail. 16

As he wandered deeper into the woods, he couldn’t help but wonder whether he would ever fit in any where. 17

Kiana was startled awake by a leaf falling and striking lightly at her head. She blinked once, and then twice, before fully opening her lavender eyes. Glancing around, she realized she was still in the woods, still alone, and still fuming over her lost amethyst. As she began to sit up, she was struck by yet another leaf. Looking sharply up at the tree branch it fell from, she caught a glimpse of a small figure, huddling close to the trunk of the tree. 18

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” Queried Kiana impatiently. 19

Falyn ducked his head, as he clung tightly to the bark of the tree. 20

“I-I-“ He cleared his throat shyly. “I thought maybe you’d help me.” 21

“Help you what?” Kiana responded without a hint of warmth. 22

“Uh..” He stared at the long way down to where Kiana stood. “Help me, get down.” 23

Kiana folded her arms. “I don’t have time for silly games, just fly down here.” 24

Falyn sniffled slightly, he was used to others not being very nice to him.25

“I… uh.. I can’t.” He hung his head shamefully. 26

“You can’t?” Puzzled, Kiana flew up beside him. She glanced over his wings, and noticed that they were still folded tightly, as the infant fae’s were. She bit her tongue before making a cruel remark about a fairy who couldn’t fly. “I see.” She clucked her tongue lightly. “Alright then, take my hand.” 27

Falyn looked up at her with widened eyes, surprised that she did not mock or tease him. He took her hand in his own, and Kiana flew them both to the ground. 28

“What are you doing out here, all alone?” He asked. 29

She shrugged her shoulders lightly. “I like to be alone.” She stuck her chin out stubbornly, and added in a spiteful whisper. “It’s better than living with thieves.”30

“Thieves?” He gasped. It was not often in their community that anyone would risk disharmony by stealing. He guessed she had lived in a horrible place. “What did they take?” He inquired in a whisper of morbid curiosity. 31

She gestured to her treasure box. “Only my favorite jewel, given to me by a great ogre, who I rescued from the swamplands.” 32

Falyn blinked at the odd idea of a fairy rescuing on ogre. “Oh.” He offered without much interest. He was not much for jewels or trinkets. 33

“It that all you have to say?” She snapped. “It was the most beautiful piece of amethyst, it shone when there was no sun, and its color could never be compared.” 34

Falyn stared at her for a long moment, then smiled just a little bit. The expression lit up his emerald eyes with a merriment that was rare. 35

“Like that one?” He pointed to the base of her neck, where a perfect amethyst chip hung on a silver chain. 36

Kiana glanced down at what he was pointing at, and was stunned to see the very jewel she had been searching for. Then she remembered. She remembered finding the chain, and attaching the jewel. How could she have forgotten? Flustered for a moment, she clutched her hand over the amethyst. 37

“Oh.. well.. that’s beside the point.” She frowned, realizing that she really had overreacted. Eager to change the subject she glanced at the book he held. “What’s that?” 38

He blushed faintly, and hugged the book to his chest. 39

“They’re magical chants.” 40

“Magical chants?” She scrunched her nose at the idea. “Whatever for?” 41

He dug a toe into the soft moss, and glanced away. “To learn to fly..” He mumbled. 42

“Well that is the silliest thing I have ever heard!” She laughed. 43

Falyn’s cheeks reddened, and he turned away. “Who cares what you think?” He stuck his tongue out at her, and began to stomp off. 44

Still laughing, she called after him. “Wait, wait.. come back.” She chased after him. “Please?” She landed right before him, stopping him in his tracks. “I wasn’t laughing at you.” She said quietly. “I just thought it was strange.” 45

“You would.” Falyn remarked coldly. “But then, you can fly, so what do you know?” 46

Kiana took offense to his tone and responded sharply. “I know you can’t learn to fly from some silly book of witch’s spells.” 47

“No?” He shot back. “I suppose you have a better idea?” 48

“I do!” She announced in her usual dramatic way. She snatched him by the arm and flew with him up to the nearest branch. Just as Falyn began to get his footing, she shoved him hard from behind. 49

He tumbled, and shrieked, his arms flailing as he fell. 50

“Fly!” She hollered with joy. A second later though, her brows furrowed as he came closer to the ground. “Fly!” She demanded, but was answered only by the solid thunk of Falyn’s face meeting the forest floor. 51

He groaned miserably. 52

Kiana’s hand flew to her mouth in horror, and confusion. She really had thought that would work. After all, it was how she had learned to fly. Fluttering down to his side, Kiana studied him quizzically. 53

“You really can’t fly.” She stated sadly. 54

Falyn lifted his head slightly and glared at her. “Did you think I was lying?” 55

Kiana couldn’t help but giggle just a little as he stared up at her with a dirt streaked grimace. “I’m sorry.” She murmured. 56

He refused to accept her apology. She had just shoved him off a tree branch, and thought it was funny. She was just like the others. Standing, carefully, he dusted himself off, and began to stalk away. 57

“Oh, wait!” She called again, and this time as she landed just in front of him, she placed her tiny hands to his chest to stop him. “I said I was sorry, please don’t go.” 58

He eyed her with half-hidden malice. “Why not? I’m clumsy enough without having you shove me out of trees.” 59

Kiana reached up and dislodged a piece of moss that had wound into his dark hair, smiling as sweetly as she could. “I didn’t mean for you to get hurt. I promise I won’t do that again.” 60

He shook his head, shying away from her touch. “Oh no, next time it’ll be a cliff.” He stepped around her and continued deeper into the woods. 61

Kiana watched him walk away, and after a moment, her eyes lit up with an idea. “Wait!” She called again. “I promise, I can help you learn to fly!” 62

Falyn hesitated. There was nothing more he wanted than to fly. Glancing cautiously over his shoulder he watched her. 63

“Without shoving you off of anything.” Kiana added quickly. 64

After a moment of consideration, Falyn turned back to her. 65

“How then?” He asked. 66

“I’ll show you.” She promised, and wound her fingers through his. “I’m Kiana, and you are?” 67

“Falyn.” He replied, still studying her skeptically. 68

“Well then.” She nodded firmly. “We have lots to do.” 69

Kiana drug Falyn all around the forest, introducing him to birds, and insects, and even flying fish. She told them all of his problem, and they all had their own advice to give. But as the moon rose high in the sky, Falyn’s wings were still folded tightly, and they were both beginning to lose hope. 70

They climbed up on to a rock near the lake, to rest. Falyn hung his head. 71

“It’s no use Kiana. I will never fly.” 72

Kiana poked him soundly in the ribs. 73

“Don’t say that Falyn. All faes can fly.” 74

“Not this one.” He stated miserably. 75

“Didn’t your mother ever teach you?” Kiana asked tenderly. 76

“No.” Falyn whispered, his expression darkening. “She never had the chance.” 77

“You mean-?” Kiana began, but couldn’t finish the horrible statement. 78

“Yes.” Falyn admitted. “Not a moment after I was born, she was gone. I learned to walk on my own-“ 79

“-But no fae can learn to fly on their own.” Kiana finished. Her own mother had spent hours with her, until she was sure Kiana was ready, and then had shoved her off a branch. At first she had been terrified, but she knew that her mother would never do anything to hurt her. She trusted that she could fly, and she did. 80

“I’m sorry Falyn.” Kiana murmured, and curved her arm around his shoulders. She rested her head against his neck as he stared off into the moonlight. His stomach churned with loneliness. He knew he would never be accepted in the fae world if he could not fly. 81

“You know..” Kiana murmured. “I’m not a very good fairy either.” She admitted. 82

“What do you mean?” Falyn questioned. He had never met anyone with such poise and grace as Kiana had when she flew. 83

“I am mean and awful sometimes.. I scream, and yell, and stomp. I accuse others and create disharmony.” In the shadows cast by the moonlight she felt safe enough to explain how horrible she truly was. 84

“Oh Kiana,” Falyn lifted her chin so that she was forced to look directly into his eyes. “That doesn’t make you a bad fairy. It makes you..” He considered a moment, then smiled. “An interesting one.” 85

“Really?” She asked with little hope. 86

“Really.” He agreed as he looked deeply into her eyes. “You hold a passion to big for a fairy, that’s all, and sometimes it explodes.” 87

Kiana giggled. She thought an explosion was a fitting description for her fits. 88

As she laughed, and the light danced in her eyes, Falyn swallowed thickly. A warmth began in his chest, that he had never felt, it was like a tiny flame, but it produced more heat than the sun. 89

“Kiana..” He hesitated, as she gazed back at him. 90

“Falyn you know what?” He shook his head, unable to speak. 91

“I don’t care if you ever fly.” She whispered this, and leaned in gently to place the softest kiss to his lips. 92

The tiny flame within his chest, erupted, and his whole body vibrated with the reaction. He had never experienced.. love? He guessed that was what this was. As he drew her back close to him, to continue the foreign embrace, he did not notice the sudden tingling in his wings. 93

They shook slightly, then began to unravel, spreading wide in the most beautiful hues of magenta. 94

It wasn’t until both Falyn and Kiana had allowed their eyes to open once more, that they realized they were several feet from the ground… and Kiana’s wings, were still casually folded. 95

“Falyn!” She cried, and clung close to him, as an awed expression consumed his features. 96

“Kiana..” He breathed.. “You have taught me how to fly.” 97