How I Met Your Monster #35

Ellie

Profile:

Ellie, 26

Fae Princess

Likes: That first layer of frost that spreads across glass when the temperature starts to drop

Dislikes: People who break deals

Bio:

I am in search of many things on this application, but love is not one of them. I'm told my interest in this plane in little more than a passing amusement, but the amusements keep coming.

AD

Are you a tutorial level monster getting tired of being take out early and often? Come join Al's Gym, where we can train you up in a number of ways to bring you to your full potential. We offer strength, magic, and intelligence training to give you a full wheelhouse of ways to keep adventurers at bay. Join today!

When I had agreed to meet with Princess Ellie, I had been musing to myself on the fact that it was a nice warm day. Meeting at the park seemed like the best bet. My first realization of her approach doubled as my wish that I had brought a jacket. The air chilled around me and frost began forming on the grass. I looked around, and I finally saw her.

The Princess of the Winter Court of the Unseelie held herself with great confidence, every step purposeful. Her skin was a pale white, with crysallis spreading against her skin. She wore a thin, light blue dress that reached well past her ankles. Her hair was the white of snow, and icicles formed from her hair, forming a small crown. She was a sight to be held, and she slowly worked her way over to me.

"Your majesty." I said.

"No need for formalities. It will be a long time before I become queen of my court, and until then I prefer to keep things a little lowkey."

I cocked my head and spread my arms around, pointing out the chill that stuck to our surroundings. She smirked at my miming, closed her eyes, and the warmth returned to the air.

"Sorry," she said. "Old habit."

"Well, either way, I would like to thank you for meeting me. I have to say I was incredibly surprised to find a member of the Unseelie Court on Unhinged, let alone the Winter Princess herself. Your bio was a bit vague. You're on the app for amusement?"

She nods, "As you may know, I live in another realm. A realm with limits and rules that are wired into every fabric of it. This plane has rules, but you all break them so much. It's interesting to see what you are willing to do, and how far against your own morals you are are willing to push."

"So, in a way, you are studying us."

She nods, "That may provoke some level of paranoia in you, but I will say that I only do it out of curiosity. The Unseelie have enough on their plate without causing potential rifts with the mortal plane."

"So, no interest in romance?"

She chuckles, but the sincerity in it is gone, "There are many who may one say serve me as a mate. They were chosen when I was born, offerings of families hoping to rise above their station. Soon, I will pick one or many of them. They may serve me well, or they may perish. I have no need or interest in those of you in this realm."

"I was always under the impression that your court was a little more focused on base instincts."

"We are, definitely. The lower you go in Winter, the more likely something will devour you and their only thought the entire time will be hunger. There are those in my court, such as my Knight, who only want to kill and screw their way across many world, but are held to their role. I am in control of my agency. As much as I may want to tear someone limb from limb, or make somebody lay with me, I won't give into that desire for nothing. I am to be Queen, and I must be cunning and plan things out."

"So even though that desire is there, you choose to ignore it."

"That, and honestly, I have yet to find many on this particular plane worth my time. Sure, if I needed a new member of my court, I can choose one of you to be it through a contract or deal. My current Knight was once a vampire from here, after all. But even he does not draw my eye. He will continue to fight for me and the Queen until he is vanquished, and then he will be replaced."

"That's a very interesting system."

She nods slowly, "As I have previously said, there are rules in the Fae Realm that are woven into the fabric of the plane itself."

"Such as never eating offered food of giving your name."

She smirked, "Yes. You may do well if you ever end up there. Eating food without promise of protection is a good way to stay trapped. And offering your name, not just the word, but the intent and meaning behind it, is a way to lose yourself. There are many rules. It is a way for balance to be maintained across all four seasons of Fae."

"What would happen if that balance goes out of whack?"

"It does often, but it always finds a way back. Sometimes the Winter or Autumn Court is weakened, and the Summer and Spring attack. Eventually we strengthen, and balance is found again. We have attacked them, they have attacked us. It is a cycle that continues on and follows the rules of the world itself."

"But I'm sure it wouldn't be impossible to break those rules."

"Of course. And it is very mortal for you to look at the possibility. That being said, as much as one of us would like to have full control, it would only last as long as it takes for our plane to cease being. So we make smaller moves. The Summer Princess and I are great friends despite our differences. I was picked for that reason, as was she. It will help the harmony of the realm."

"What of the Queen's now?"

"They are not as friendly. They vie for control and will continue until one of them manages to. By that time, the other will be close to being on the way out. The hope is that the balance will be found again when myself and Princess Eve become Queen."

"I'm curious, why are you telling me this?"

"I made a deal to meet with you and be interviewed. I offered to do it freely, but don't expect that often. We don't like one sided deals. If we are finished then?"

I nodded, and snow whipped up into existence. The cold air blasted me and I covered my eyes. When the world was still again, I looked and the Princess was gone.

Dear readers, sometimes curiosity pays off. I will be the first to say that I know little of the Fae and their systems, but Ellie offered me a free crash course in learning about them, which is much appreciated. I also liked her view on the rules of the world. There are some here that are constant. Those of us truly from this plane will one day die is one for instance. But we do have a habit of breaking the rules we set for ourselves. And sure, there are typically consequences for those actions, but nothing so severe as the Fae Realm. It's interesting to think about. Until next time.

-Silas D.