Feline Walks On Two Legs

"I've never seen those fae before. Where do you think they're from?" A craft fairy whispered curiously as the guys stepped into the stage.

"I've never seen makeup like that, either. But it IS a good fit for the windswept exotic theme!" A water fairy whispered from nearby.

Kalim looked out with a mix of excitement and nervousness across his face, "Wow, big crowd out there! Taking it in from the stage, it's kind of imposing."

Hearing this, Jamil sighed in exasperation, "Just stay calm and walk down the runway like we practiced."

A nature fairy pointed out excitedly at the three, "What pretty outfits. Ooh, and look at the detail in the embroidery! It's like they've sewn the light of dawn into their clothing!"

The craft fairy nodded as they watched the group step onto the catwalk, "Now I'm curious what kind of show they'll put on."

In response to the praise, Jamil nodded with satisfaction"The outfits seem well-received."

Leona huffed arrogantly, "Guess Crewel acts like a know-it-all for a reason. His fashion sense even goes over well with the fae."

"Okay, now to pump up the hype!" Kalim cheered. It's time to show what Instructor Vil's been training us for. Let's do it, Jamil!"

Jamil huffed a confident smile on his face watching Kalim jump into the beat, "Hmph. Don't get too carried away, Kalim."

Immediately, Jamil hopped in after them with a bright smile on his face. Both danced to the beat with enthusiasm and upbeat rhythm as their bodies turned and swung to the beats of the music while flowers shower down around them as they do so.

"Wow," The craft fairy noted in awe as he stared at Kalim's dance moves, "it's like that one's dancing on air! Is he a wind fairy?"

"So far, so good!" Kalim cheered with a bright smile on his face.

Jamil jumped, "Now for something bold—going from a windmill to a ninety!"

"He's spinning while barely touching the ground... I've never seen such tempestuous choreography before!" A water fairy cried out in awe.

"This is intense!" A nature fairy cried out excitedly, "Let's go get a closer look!"

"This is..." Pyro muttered with his mouth agape before turning to the princess with slight excitement surfacing from the stone face, "Milady, these humans and the beastman are amazing!"

"They sure are, aren't they?" Peony wore a soft smile as she watched them in awe then whispered softly to herself, "To think that guy was the one who choreographed this performance..."

In the past, he had always said she was too tomboyish in that she would always charge into problems without looking twice or neglect her own appearance for other's safety. Not prioritizing her own appearance each time, she would always get scolded by him saying how come she can't be like the other girls in this aspect of beauty?

Peony smirked softly as she whispered in nostalgia, "Those who prefer to view me as how I look rather than who I really am are as blind as a worm and have no ability to see beauty. Those who sees talents and power like pearls can see all the beauty and ugliness this world has blessed upon the soil."

She turned to the confused Pyro and smiled proudly, "The choreographer and designers is a human student and the teacher of this school. They've taken the theme of the gala and the designs to construct one with the sole audience being fairies in mind. For this, they've done a lot of research looking for those with fae blood running in their veins for any information on the topic of what fairies likes and dislikes. Then, they used the dark faes perspective of light faes to translate their words so that they can better understand the context. As a fairy yourself, you know that most light faes and night faes do not get along. They took this into account when gathering information as they understand our two kingdoms have a difficult time getting along and the difference in tastes. They later combined this with what they know and brought in humans who have lived in dark fae kingdoms to assess the outfit."

"So much research done for our event..." Pyro muttered in awe.

Peony laughed, "You should've seen the looks on their faces when they tried to drag an individual with half fae blood into this. They nearly got chomped by him. I told them that they should've sent someone else to ask him."

"Princess..." Pyro sighed in exasperation, "You're having fun in other people's miseries again..."

"It wasn't misery, though." Peony sneered, "It's not like they came out beaten half to death, this time."

"This time..." Pyro repeated her words in exasperation, "If only someone could please correct her sense of humor..."

"But, you and father enjoy my sense of humor." Peony chuckled teasingly.

Hearing this, Pyro sighed in dismay. Even so, seeing her highness like this, puts him at ease as she no longer seem depressed unlike prior. In the end, can it be said that cultivation is truly good for her highness?

Thinking this, Pyro can't help but hesitate. For her loved ones safety, she began cultivating from a young age and steeled her heart against others, but, before her people and loved ones, she kept a tight lip and a mask on her face. Those in the palace who raised her alongside her parents knew this better than others, but this is also why the palace cannot help but worry for her safety as she is still very "frail" like a blooming flower in the cold snow. All feared they would not grasp her should she come in contact with water in the case that it would put her small flame out. Every year, her parents displayed great favor towards their beloved daughter showering her with love and freedom which most nobles and royalty do not get to have. And, every year as the new Spring comes, the palace secretly gave a small space in their wishes to pray for her survival and happiness. Yet, the princess herself does not pray for these things for herself or for them. Instead, she prayed for good harvest and more time for her plans. All else, she sought out to achieve through her own hands and feet with a confident smile and a determine look on her face. Always doing her best to bring back results. Always doing her best to put a smile on their faces no matter where they are. Even if it means being an unsung hero of it all.

This year, the queen announced that they would hold the fairy gala in the school grounds for three years in a row and special ones at that. Many knew that the queen was doing this for her daughter while others knew but simply wanted to watch the princess's performance at the end of each galas.

This year, can they make her highness perform on the first day, though? It's been so long since her last opening dance before her condition took over her. Thinking this, he softly petted his fire proof box hesitantly. If so, it will be good for the queen as well...

He whispered quietly as they watched the brilliance of the dance of men before them. All the efforts placed into this one show displayed before her majesty and the princess... Pray the world that this will satisfy her majesty and brighten up her highness...

As Jamil and Kalim danced and twirled on the long stage, she watched as Leona walked forward with graceful strides and balance.

He's gotten better. As she thought this, she could see Jamil whispering to Kalim secretly and read their lips. Jamil whispered, "The queen's turned her attention our way!"

"Okay, one more push!" Kalim smiled wider.

Hmph. Peony secretly snickered softly. Amateurs...

Suddenly, the two were pushed aside as Leona walked further from their line arrogantly, "Step aside, boys."

Shocked, the two looked to Leona in surprise as he smirked, "Let me show you how it's done."

Hearing this, Peony raised a brow curiously, "What is he planning to do..."

"All right, fairies—feast your eyes on THIS." Leona strode forward with elegance and bold steps as though all in the world has stopped to stare upon his overwhelming presence yet he continued forward without batting an eye on their direction but forward.

"My word..." The craft fairy gasped breathlessly, "That fairy in the middle has a downright overwhelming presence!"

"What a bold stride. So refined and self-possessed!" The water fairy gasped in awe.

"Nobody would guess he just barely learned how to walk properly on two legs." Peony whispered with a chuckle just as Jamil said the same.

"You mean he just got this down recently?!" Pyro looked to her in disbelief.

"I saw a few process of his steps to this point." Peony chuckled, "It took me one life time to get to where I am. Balancing water vases on his shoulders and head while the other two practiced balance on stilts. They were splashed with water from head to toe and stumbled many times to get to where they are today. The tenacity of humans and mortals are both a scary yet beautiful thing to see. It makes one sit on the edge with expectations and anxiety. Will they bloom or will they wilt? It all up to the last minute. Hehe. Their trainer is incredibly strict and has an eye for beauty in gesture and movement. It would seem that his choreography does not disappoint. What do you think, Pyro?"

"It's amazing..." Pyro responded breathlessly, "Ah."

Seeing his startled expression, Peony smiled, "It's rare for you to be impressed. it would seem that they succeeded after all."

"Goodness, what land is that fae from? Even his couture has such a lovely design." They could hear her mother gasp in awe as she continued to stare upon their figures.