Chapter 21: Neverland Misadventures – Eris
(When: 12ish Years Ago)
Wendy was stunned. She didn't know what to think.
But she knew how to react.
"Gwendolyn..." Wendy turned calmly to her daughter. She forced a kind smile. "Why don't you go join Ariel? It looks like she needs a little help organizing all those gifts. Could you be her personal helper?"
Gwendolyn was torn. She loved organizing and she dearly wanted to help, but separating from her mother in a room full of strangers was unbelievably frightening.
Wendy sensed her distress.
"Don't worry darling. It'll be alright." Wendy directed her daughter at Ariel. "I'll watch until you're all the way there."
Gwendolyn assessed the pathway to Ariel. The distance was short, but it was swarming with aliens.
"Can I run?" she asked.
Wendy squeezed Gwendolyn's shoulders. "Just this once," she said, kissing her cheek. "Try not to bump into anyone. Alright?"
Gwendolyn nodded. Then, clutching a pigtail, she darted into the party. The first few strides were terrifying, but she ran straight to Ariel, pausing only to dodge party guests as they crossed her path.
As promised, Wendy waited until Gwendolyn reached Ariel. Once her daughter was safe, she returned to Eris, the mysterious, self-proclaimed shadow worker.
"If this is at trap..." Wendy said, deciding to ere on the side of caution. "Be aware that my husband and brother know that Ariel and I are here, and they –"
"Trap?" Eris touched her chest. "Why would I harm you? I've waited a long time to meet you."
Wendy frowned. "You have?"
"Yes. I've never met another shadow worker. I thought I was alone in the universe. I thought that I would die in the darkness, mind eaten by the very shadows I controlled. But suddenly...everything changed."
Eris extended a hand towards Shadow. Wendy noticed blood red nails as Eris stroked his cheek.
"Everything changed." Eris repeated, drawing black, feathery strands from Shadow's essence. "This shadow found me. He recognized me as a shadow worker...but he didn't attack. He tried to be friends. I didn't trust him at first – I've learned to be wary of unfamiliar shadows. Shadows to a shadow worker are like bees to honey...compatible...but honey is sweet, and bees sting."
Eris released, allowing Shadow's essence to slip across her fingers. "But this shadow was different. He was...tame. Most shadows are wild and wicked, but this shadow was docile. True, he still had a mischievous streak but he didn't try to hurt me. He showed me memories of his adventures. He showed me memories of his human host, Peter Pan. And...he showed me memories of his shadow worker...his master..."
Eris faced Wendy. "He showed me memories of you. Wendy Moria Angela Darling. A shadow worker...just like me."
Wendy opened her mouth to challenge Eris' credibility, but Eris had already continued. Moving too fast to outmaneuver, Eris grasped Wendy's hands. Wendy stepped back, startled by the feeling of Eris' hands. They felt...odd. Eris' skin was cold, but it was accompanied by a fluid sensation, as if ice water were flowing between them.
What's more, Wendy felt connected to Eris. No...not connected...she felt...open. The moment Eris touched her, Wendy's worst memories poured from her brain and into Eris' hands. Wendy would have tried to stop the surge, but Eris' memories were also flowing into her, and the mental exchange was staggering.
Eris' memories were hazy, but Wendy felt her pain clearly. The feelings were so familiar. She felt loneliness...resentment...and chaos. Wendy recognized them all too well...they were feelings she suffered everyday as a shadow worker.
Distantly, Eris spoke.
"You understand, don't you? You understand my pain, you see it in yourself. Shadow working gives us great power...but it also gives us great misfortune. I've been shunned my entire life...even by my own family."
Eris squeezed. A memory flashed across Wendy's mind,
– Two sisters, Eris' sisters. Both were blonde, their faces were blurred, but their fear of Eris was tangible –
"And you?" Eris probed Wendy's palms, pulling at her memories. "You've been hurt too...haven't you?"
Wendy cringed. A battery of memories appeared, but this time they were hers.
– Mermaids drowning her in a pool – Peter's shadow ripping from his body – Pirates carving SHADOW WORKER into her forearm – Pitch Black manipulating her dreams, controlling her mind –
Wendy stepped back, but Eris held tight.
"Think of everything we can learn together." Eris said. "Think of everything we can share. I've been alone all my life. I've always wanted to meet someone like me. I'm so glad Queen Illysa brought me to you."
"Illysa?" Wendy's awareness snapped to the present. Memories dissolving, she pulled away from Eris and extracted her magical needle. "Queen Illysa brought you here? Why? What is it you want?"
"She wanted to meet you." Queen Illysa appeared at Wendy's shoulder. Reflective eyes flashing, she steered Wendy and Eris away. "And I thought it was a good idea. Come...let me introduce you in private."
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Queen Illysa escorted Eris and Wendy from the baby shower. Normally, Wendy would have flagged Ariel to the situation, but she was too busy rebuking Shadow for socializing with Eris ("How many times have I told you? Don't talk to strangers!")
But there was another reason Wendy didn't alert Ariel. She was curious. Despite her initial surprise, Wendy was fascinated with Eris. Not only was Eris a shadow worker, but she seemed genuinely pleased to make Wendy's acquaintance. She wanted to be friends because Wendy was a shadow worker.
Correction: Eris wanted to be friends because Wendy was a 'fellow' shadow worker.
Very few people had admired Wendy because she was a shadow worker. Some people respected her, but there was always a caveat.
For instance: Headmaster Mickey had called her magical power 'a gift' but cautioned against its dangers. Hiccup (Fantasia's Viking Chief) was spellbound her abilities, but his interest was purely academic (were it up to Hiccup, Wendy would be subject to every scientific experiment known to man). Even Jim and King Arthur, two of her greatest allies, harbored a healthy fear of shadow working.
But Eris did not. It was strange, but interacting with Eris made Wendy feel...accepted. Almost warm. The feeling of camaraderie was tantalizing. So, although Wendy didn't fully trust Eris, she was willing to listen.
Queen Illysa stopped. "In here." she said, motioning to an empty court chamber. "Quickly. The party won't last much longer."
"Pitty." Wendy muttered, sliding past the queen. "It was going so well."
Wendy didn't see, but Queen Illysa smiled. Pleased that Wendy was astute (albeit sarcastic) she shut the door.
The party chatter faded as they entered the court chamber. It was a large, intimidating place. The walls were thick and all windows were drawn, heightening the feel of secrecy. The judge's bench, bailiff stand, and jury box were elevated above the opposing counsel tables, which were surrounded by blood pressure, heart rate, and brainwave monitors (medical lie detectors).
Wendy found the setting amusingly apropos.
"As I mentioned," Queen Illysa said, positioning herself between Wendy and Eris, "We don't have much time, and I'm sure you both have many questions. But fist, I owe Wendy an apology..."
She turned, facing Wendy. "You must realize by now that Ariel's baby shower was a front. The main purpose of the shower was to get you here, so I could introduce you to Eris."
Wendy leaned against the plaintiff table, arms crossed. Shadow mimicked her stance as she responded. "Your deceit is clear as a bell. But tell me, Your Majesty, was it too terribly difficult to send me an invitation?"
"No." Illysa replied. "It was too dangerous."
Wendy glanced at Eris. "Dangerous?"
"Yes." said Illysa. "And for a number of reasons. First, I couldn't risk the message being intercepted. From my understanding, shadow workers are a feared and ostracized group of peoples. If my subjects found out that I had two shadow workers in my capitol headquarters..."
Illysa shook her head. "Well, there would be a panic, and panics lead to revolutions. And I don't plan on being impeached from office until I do something deliberately wrong."
Eris scoffed. "Panic is an understatement. I can't even order a latte without accidentally shadow working the barista."
"I know what you mean." Wendy agreed (in-spite of herself). "I once went to a restaurant called Tiana's Palace, had a soda, excused myself to the lavatory, and then almost single handedly shadow worked the entire—"
Wendy stopped, suddenly realizing that she and Eris were bonding over a common experience. Had there been stuffed animals and chocolate ice cream, it would have basically been a sleepover party.
"Well...in any case..." Wendy turned to Queen Illysa, redirecting the conversation. "What were your other reasons? Why was it too dangerous to tell me the truth? Why did you lie?"
Illysa deliberated a moment. Then,
"I didn't think Lord Hawkins would approve."
Wendy frowned. "Approve? Approve of what?"
"Approve...of you..." Illysa inflected her voice, as if she were waiting for Wendy to admit something. But Wendy was at a lost. However, when she looked to Shadow for help, Shadow pointed to Eris.
Eris answered smoothly. "We know you're using shadow working to find Captain Flint and Captain Hook. Shadow told me. I told the queen."
Wendy's stomach churned.
"I see." she said, glaring at Shadow. Withholding a reprimand, she returned defensively to the queen. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, I don't think Jim would disapprove. Shadow working was his idea in the first place."
"But..." Eris corrected, a little smugly. "...Shadow said it was a secret. He said you didn't want anyone to know."
"And yet he told you." Again Wendy glared at Shadow. "Funny how his interpretation of 'keep it a secret ' seems skewed."
Shadow shrugged. Bashfully he crawled under the table.
Wendy continued. "I had good reasons for not telling Jim. While I do believe it could work, shadow working is risky. Shadows very easily attract other shadows, just as unhappiness spirals into greater unhappiness. I wanted to protect Jim, Ariel, and Peter, so I decided to work alone. Just in case. After all...shadow working is...is..."
Wendy quieted. Queen Illysa nodded understandably, reading her mind.
"Dangerous." Illysa finished. "Shadow working is very dangerous. However...Captain Flint and Captain Hook are also very dangerous. And I don't want them running around my Etherium. So...here is what I propose..."
Queen Illysa leaned forward. Conspiratorially, she lowered her voice. "I want you to find those pirates. Both of you. Combine your powers, do whatever you have to do...but do it in secret. Wendy, you will search one end of the galaxy on your ship. Eris, you will search the other. Shadow will help Eris relay messages back and forth."
Illysa straightened. "Are we agreed?"
Eris nodded instantly, but Wendy held her reservations. She regarded Eris ambivalently, trying to match the shadow worker's eager smile with the uneasy feeling in her gut.
"Why do you want to help?" Wendy finally asked.
The shadows stirred. Eris looked hurt.
"Because...we're the same." she answered. "And I've always wanted someone....like me."
Wendy didn't speak. Eris' answer was simple...but it was perfect. Wendy understood completely.
Eris knelt. "Please...." Delicately, she pinched Wendy's shadow. Wendy stiffened straight as a knife, but astoundingly, nothing happened. Her shadow tingled but that was the extent of Eris' shadow working; it was as if Eris were withholding the unhappy thoughts from springing to life.
"Please..." Eris repeated, rolling Wendy's shadow between her fingers. "Trust me. Let me help you. Let me be...part of your world."
Flash. A memory of Ariel (speaking those words) flickered across Wendy's mind. The intent was clear (Eris wanted Wendy to understand her feelings) but Wendy was still doubtful. Besides...shadow working another shadow worker's shadow? That seemed rude.
However...Wendy was still curious. And truthfully...she also wanted what Eris wanted. She wanted...someone like her.
So Wendy consented. But she consented with stipulations.
"Fine." she said. "You may help me. And I thank you. But..."
Wendy flicked her wrist. Immediately, Shadow swept her shadow from Eris' grasp.
"But I am in charge." Wendy continued, maintaining eye contact with Eris as her shadow floated safely to the ground. "You follow my rules so no one – including yourself – gets hurt. Captain Hook is a devilish, dangerous man, and he has associated with a shadow worker called Facilier for years. They know all the shadow working tricks, so we must be carefu–"
KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
"Queen Illysa!" Agent Pleakley (the queen's alien expert on humanoids) knocked urgently on the door. "You are needed immediately! Immediately! There's a human emergency! A human emergency!"
"Damn it. My bio tracker." Illysa pressed a blinking jewel in the center of her decorative body chain. Striding to the door she explained: "I turned my tracker on in case you two didn't get along. It's doubtful I would have survived a shadow working fight. Yes Agent Pleakley, I'm here! Now...what is the human emergency?"
Agent Pleakley spluttered in an alien tongue. Queen Illysa listened...and then her eye brows rose.
"I see." Calmly she turned to Wendy. "Ariel is having her baby. Right now."
Wendy's mouth dropped. She looked at Eris.
"Go." Eris said, drawing Shadow to her side. "I'll meet you later. Shadow will guide me to your ship."
Wendy nodded. "Yes. Meet me in the crow's nest. But remember don't allow anyone to see you. Be...discrete."
Eris smirked. "I usually am. But you had better go. Hurry. Good luck. And...Wendy...."
Eris touched her temple. "I hope you make some happy memories tonight."
Wendy paused before answering. "Yes..." she finally said. Timidly, she offered a very small smile. "Thank you...Eris. Take care. I look forward to fully making your acquaintance."
Eris waved optimistically as Wendy departed with the queen. When they had gone, her smile contorted into a laugh.
"So do I Wendy Darling..." Still laughing, Eris dug her fingers into Shadows brow. "So do I."