Yo, peeples! 😄
My story continues, and this week we return to the scene of the crime as we wonder what happened to Glimmer's magic!
Previously in Ep 68:
Part One: In the early light of dawn, Adora departs on her quest, and Catra wakes to the feeling of loss.
I am dedicating this week's chapter to my great friend Lila ( @BeanieAndTheDucks ) to feed her Glimmer simpage, as well as to Darcy ( @DBT15 ) in case she happens to be around to indulge in a little bit of Glimbow!
Hope you all like it!
Let's go!
Glimmer lies peacefully on a smooth plinth, her eyes closed, her body glowing in the double light of the Moonstone hovering directly above, and the morning sunshine streaming in from every side.
She smiles calmly to herself as Bow hovers expectantly.
Bow shifts silently from foot to foot, holding a fist to his teeth and frowning.
With his other hand, he reaches quickly to the quiver on his back and draws forth the very odd-looking fidget arrow that he previously showed to Catra.
He glances at it as if someone else is offering it to him. Then, he shakes his head and replaces the arrow in the quiver. Instead he folds both hands and continues to bite his knuckle.
Bow: [hesitantly] So. [pause] Feeling any different?
Glimmer answers without opening her eyes.
Glimmer: Yep.
Bow: [eagerly] You do?! What do you feel?
Glimmer's little smile vanishes. She opens her eyes and looks directly at Bow.
Glimmer: Bored.
Bow’s face falls.
Bow: Oh.
Glimmer sighs and sits up.
Glimmer: Bow. This is dumb.
Bow frowns more deeply.
Bow: I thought this was your idea.
Glimmer swings her legs off the plinth and stands up.
Glimmer: Well, it was a dumb idea!
She begins pacing back and forth, as Bow looks on, concerned. Her gait is a bit stiff, with some hesitation and a small limp. It’s now clear that she is wearing a light, bronze-colored, jointed framework of elegant design to help support her right leg from thigh to heel.
Glimmer: [waving her arms for emphasis] I’m not a child anymore! I can’t just re-charge and expect my magic to come back!
She stops and slumps a little.
Glimmer: If it’s gone . . . then . . . it’s gone. And I’m just gonna have to learn to live with that.
Bow comes up behind her and puts his hands on her shoulders.
Bow: This doesn’t sound like you, Glimmer. You don’t usually give up like this.
Glimmer turns toward him, frowning in frustration.
Glimmer: [protesting] This is not a usual situation, Bow. And I’ve got to be grown up about it.
Bow: What do you mean?
Glimmer sighs with a wan smile.
Glimmer: [wistfully] Being a princess again was nice, Bow. Fighting together with the others to save Etheria. [pause] But it’s time for me to get back to being a queen. I have duties waiting.
She looks over and sees a guard standing patiently by the entrance to the Moonstone Chamber. Glimmer nods to her.
Glimmer: Yes?
The guard approaches and bows, extracting a scroll from her robes. She hands it to Glimmer with a respectful incline of her head.
Guard: Your duties, majesty.
Glimmer takes the scroll and glances up at Bow beside her.
Glimmer: See what I mean?
With a flick of her fingers, she opens the scroll, which unrolls in generous quantity before her, reaching to the floor and a little bit along it. Glimmer sighs and begins to re-roll the scroll.
Glimmer: [to the guard] Thank you. Please alert General Juliet, and have her meet me in the Council Chamber.
The guard bows and withdraws from the chamber.
Bow rubs his forehead and an eye with one hand.
Glimmer looks up at Bow, her brow crinkled.
Glimmer: I’m sorry. This will probably take a while.
Bow: [nodding] Okay. [he yawns slightly] When should we meet up again? You want me to come to the Council Chamber later?
Glimmer shakes her head with a look of concern.
Glimmer: No.
She takes his hand, laying her other hand on his arm.
Glimmer: [seriously] Bow. You’ve been up with me all day and night and all this morning. You’re exhausted.
Bow: [reassuring] I’m fine. [yawning again] I’m good.
Glimmer: You need a break. [firmly] Go. See your family. Get some rest.
Bow puts his free hand on Glimmer’s shoulder as he meets her eyes.
Bow: Glimmer. What about you?
Glimmer: [brightly] I got plenty of sleep, and [indicating the brace] you fixed my leg up so I can walk okay. And to be honest . . . [she smiles] I think I’ll feel better if I can just focus on something mundane and . . . normal.
Bow: [frowning] Visiting home sounds nice. But . . . I don’t want to leave . . . you.
Glimmer smiles, then takes both of his hands in hers.
Glimmer: Just for a day or two. Then, come right back. Okay?
Bow: [grinning] Okay.
Glimmer: Promise?
Bow: Of course!
Glimmer: Then, that’s settled! [she offers her arm to him] Escort me to the Council Chamber?
Bow: [warmly] Sure.
Bow takes her arm.
Glimmer: [with a twinkle in her eye] And I think . . . [she pauses and wrinkles her brow, pursing her lips as if reflecting] we should probably take the longer way down this time.
She grins mischievously up at him, and he chuckles.
Bow: Hahaha, yeah! Good idea!
