Callisto's Ramblings

Not-So-Imaginary Friends

It technically wasn't a lie when Katie said she had friends in high places. It just wasn't the conventional use of that phrase.

After all, the attic of the south tower was the highest spot in Eskey Castle. Even if no one used it except the ghosts. They were often the only ones who would talk to Katie. Even if her brother and father had gone missing, no one much wanted to talk to the daughter of a minor noble.

She hissed as the needle poked her finger, for the fifth godforsaken time. "Embroidery is so useless," she complained to no one. Embroidery didn't protect the borders. Embroidery didn't help the threats of invasion.

Embroidery couldn't help her brother and father, "lost" on a "secret mission."

At least everyone else left her alone. It meant she could think out loud, which always helped.

She angrily made a few more stitches in the design, tied off the thread, and dumped the whole assembly on the table. Then she hiked up her skirts and hurried to the base of the south tower, as fast as she could without attracting too much attention. She took a deep breath and climbed the 52 steps, all the way to the top.

Immediately after she opened the door, she felt a warm rush of air that meant Analiese was trying to hug her again - that is, Queen Analiese the First of Eskey Castle, 3000 years ago.

"Oh, my darling Katie! You must have grown at least an inch since I last saw you!"

Katie laughed. "But you saw me last week!"

"Yeah, you could maybe hold off a bit, Your Highness" Kestrel said, but even though he rolled his eyes, Katie could swear she saw a smile on his face. Just for a second, but it was there.

Cobalt trilled as she swooped down and draped her ethereal tail over Katie's shoulders. The miniature dragon made a purring sound as she rubbed in Katie's hair.

"Aw, hey girl! I missed you too." She looked up. "Where's -"

She didn't need to finish that question, because at that moment, Prince Landry and Ebony phased through the roof, surprisingly loud for two ghosts. Even when one was a full grown dragon.

"Katie! Sorry I almost missed you," Landry beamed, sliding off Ebony's back. "I just had to feel the wind again. Don't you love that feeling?" Landry was from an island nation, so he was used to a breeze in his face. He'd been visiting Eskey when he accidentally drowned in the bath. He also had a thing with dragons.

"So, what's going on?" Analiese asked. "You wouldn't be here for no reason, I know that much."

Katie shifted her feet. "Well, I kind of had an idea, and I wanted to run it by you guys." She took a deep breath. "I want to find my family. And I want you to come with me."

Kestrel frowned, Analiese gasped, and Cobalt looked worried, for a dragon, but Prince Landry looked excited.

Katie smiled. "Don't worry, I have a plan."

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A/N

So could you guess what I was paralleling? You probably could, you're smart.

Ah yes, you're probably wondering how a prince from an island surrounded by the ocean can accidentally drown. Ahem. *sarcastic air quotes* accidentally drown. *sniffs* if you know what I'm paralleling and you've seen our weird text posts, I think you know what I mean *sobs* my BEAUTIFUL SON WHYYYY

*tears up* OKAY BYE

~ Callisto