Josh Peterson has just scored the job of a lifetime - or at least the best job he can hope for without leaning on his parents for references - as a janitor at The Magic Kingdom, but when fate intervenes and he finds himself alone with the costume of his favorite Pixie Hollow character, his life takes a whole new turn.

---

A short, long black haired young man shoved a broom around a large empty changing room. He had a bit of a small frame, and while definitely pale, had a bit of Native American to his features, no facial hair at all. He moved deliberately, a little closed off. He just started this job today, and the park was already open so he figured now would be the best time to clean.

When he stopped at the “Pixie” changing area, he noticed five new costumes, one of them being Silvermist’s. He secretly adored Silvermist. He loved all the pixies, but Silvermist was his favorite. He could even do her voice flawlessly - a trick he honed over years of practice thanks to his younger sister.

The craftsmanship of the outfit like all the others was amazing. Disney spared no expense for it’s entertainers. The day before he had spent the entire day at the park getting to know the layout and he watched some of them from a distance. It looked like a lot of fun. He especially thought that Alice and the Hatter really got into character. He knew he could never do that.

He was far too shy, for one, and for another, he had a bad case of gynecomastia, a side effect of the anti-depressants in his early teen years. Still, he refused surgery, binding them during swim practice, and wearing a ‘support’ as he put it, and loose, baggy clothes otherwise.

The entertainers though, were constantly mingling with or going on rides with guests, and even when they were taking breaks, they seemed in character. Being something of an introvert though, the thought of performing made his stomach queasy. Still, he stopped and stared at the beautifully crafted outfits for several long seconds. No one else was going to be coming through for awhile, as Tinkerbell and Periwinkle were both out at Pixie Hollow. What would be the harm in trying it on, just for a second?

He was amazed at how well it fit. It hugged his body perfectly and, with his somewhat messy, dark hair, he looked strikingly like the character. Just as Josh had gotten the wings on he heard the familiar laugh of the Hatter, “Oh over here, the Pixies get their new leaf dresses ready for the day. And oh lookie lookie! I spy a Pixie!”

Josh froze. He didn’t want to turn around, but he didn’t have to. He could see the reflection in the wall mirror of not only Hatter, but Alice, and a number of park guests pouring in with them.

Alice picked up, “I think it’s Tink’s friend Silvermist!”

“Oooh, she’s the water fairy!” Hatter said, clapping excitedly as “Silvermist” slowly turned around, forcing a smile even though he really wanted to make a break for the door and never look back. “I just bet she brews the most magnificent tea!” He turned to Alice. “Good tea begins with good water, you know!”

A few of the really young girls all gasped.

“She does look like Silvermist!” one of the younger girls who was dressed like Tinkerbell said excitedly as she approached Josh to have him sign her signature book.

Josh was never the most masculine boy anyway, and with plenty of practice, knew Silvermist’s voice and mannerisms almost by heart, reenacting various Pixies’ voices for his sister Annabell. All he had to do was endure a few minutes of doing the voice, and then he could change back, and turn in his resignation to avoid causing a scene when they found out he wasn’t even a girl, let alone an actress.

“Well that’s because I am Silvermist, Dew Drop,” he said in his best Silvermist voice as he knelt down to sign her autograph book. He even dotted the ‘i’ with a little heart. “I just flew in from Neverland this morning, and boy are my wings tired.” The girl giggled, delighted, as she hugged Josh. Several more girls took pictures with him and had him sign their books as well.

“You know, I think Tinkerbell needs a break.” Alice announced. “Why don’t we take Silvermist over to Pixie Hollow?”

“Saaay,” Hatter said as he put his hand to his chin in the most animated way possible, eyeing “Silvermist” carefully. Silvermist gulped nervously. Did he read “her”? Was he about to out her in front of everyone?

“Yes?” Silvermist asked sweetly.

“I bet you could help me get my tea pot back!”

Alice looked at the Hatter, shocked. “Tink stole it again didn’t she?”

“YES!” he pronounced loudly as he crossed his arms. “She just-” he paused and made a fluttering motion with his fingers toward his jacket, “Whisked right in and stole it, and after I stole it back fair and square too!” he harrumphed, causing the crowd to giggle again.

“Oh, gosh, that’s terrible,” Silvermist mock gasped. “Tink would never do such a horrible thing would she?” she asked, turning to the semicircle of young girls, and even a few boys, around her for confirmation.

“Nooo!” a few of the young girls answered excitedly.

“Oh, phooey!” Hatter replied as he hooked his arm with Silvermist’s. “Let’s just go see what Little Miss Teapot Stealer has to say about it!”

“Oh, but I haven’t even put on my face yet-” Josh tried to protest, hoping to wriggle his way out of leaving the dressing room.

“Oh nonsense!” Alice replied warmly in her practiced British accent as she walked along on the other side. “You look positively radiant!”

“Must be the don’t drops I made earlier.” Silvermist giggled out naturally, trying to balance staying in character with calculating how to avoid a jail term for impersonating a pixie.

Hatter stopped, put his hands on his hips, and stared down at Josh. “The don’t drops? Oh that’s very clever!” he giggled, and then hooked his arm with Josh’s again so they could continue.

“You mean you’ve never heard of don’t drops?” Josh asked, starting to really get into character now.

“No, dew tell?” The Hatter annunciated carefully.

“Well they’re like dew drops, except that-”

“Except that they don’t!” Hatter replied excitedly.

Alice giggled, “Oh, I get it, they’re dew drops that you don’t drop?”

“OH! There she is!” Hatter exclaimed. “STOP THAT TEA POT THIEF!” he announced loudly, and the chase was on as Tinker Bell, giggling, raced across an open avenue back for the safety of Pixie Hollow.

The three of them along with the group they had been leading gave chase after Tink, and upon arrival, the Hatter called, “Come out, come out Tinker Bell! We have your friend, Silvermist!”

Tink parted two extremely large blades of grass and poked her head out. “Oh hi Hatter! I didn’t see you there,” she said, giving an exaggerated wink to the growing crowd.

Alice looked at Tinker Bell, “The Hatter here says you stole his tea pot again. Is that true?”

Tinker Bell looked shocked and gasped. “What? No of course not! It was an unbirthday gift,” she said with an affirming nod. “Right Silvermist?”

“See, I told you, Tink would never steal anything.” Silvermist added reassuringly.

“Oh it was?!” Hatter replied. “Well why didn’t you say so!”

Alice giggled. “Why, it must be her unbirthday today?”

“It is?! Why it’s my unbirthday too!” Hatter announced proudly. “This calls for tea!” he shouted, and pantomimed pouring a cup of invisible tea for himself, Alice, Silvermist, and a few of the guests as Tinkerbell looked at Josh for a moment.

“If you’ll excuse us though, Silvermist and I must go let Fairy Mary know she’s here,” she said in a practiced, professional tone.

“Oh... If this is about the fishing pole I borrowed, I left a note with Clank,” Silvermist said sheepishly as she followed Tinkerbell. They passed further into Pixie Hollow, and before long Josh found himself in a kind of ‘backstage’ area of the park..

“You’re a lifesaver,” he sighed as he hung his head.

“Who are you?” Tinkerbell asked. “I thought that the new pixies’ auditions were tomorrow,” she stated as they continued to walk through the large backstage-like area. It was the only word Josh could put to it. It was somewhat well lit, a bit like an office hallway, but with props, costume racks, even finished and unfinished set pieces occasionally leaning against walls.

“This was all just a horrible mistake,” Josh answered. “I’m not even supposed to be... I mean... I’m just a janitor. But I saw the costumes, and I just couldn’t help myself, and then Hatter and Alice walked in and dragged me along, and I couldn’t say no so I just played along. I’m so sorry,” he rambled.

“I’m not mad at all, “ Tinkerbell shook her head. “Besides, it’s just me and Periwinkle out there, we could really use another Pixie in the hollow right now.”

Tinkerbell stopped, at that, outside a large oak door. A sign on the door read “Gennine McDonnell,” with “Casting Director” below it, and the iconic Mickey Mouse three circles emblem in between the two.

“Come in,” a slightly older woman’s voice called from the other side. Tink opened the door on a nicely decorated office, with posters of various disney characters on the wall, Disney and Star Wars statuettes on the large mahogany desk, even an empty Goofy costume sitting on the sofa as if someone were wearing it, and a woman with wavy, platinum blonde hair seated at the desk with an iPad in hand. Josh lingered outside, as Tinkerbell entered.

“Tinkerbell, or should I say, Olivia, sweetie, why aren't you out in the park?” The woman asked.

“Come on in ‘Silvermist’,” Tink called over her shoulder. The woman put down her iPad and leaned forward. Olivia had just gotten her undivided attention.

Josh came through the door, slowly but not near as shy as he was when he first donned the costume. He was in character now, and Silvermist was anything but shy.

“Hello Fairy Mary.” Silvermist bowed graciously. “I didn’t mean to dress like this; it just sort of happened... And then the Hatter and Alice whisked me away, and-”

The woman laughed softly. “Olivia, she’s perfect! I just need a name so I can run a standard background check sweetie, and you’ll need to sign a contract with Disney, but we can start you in a basic crash course immediately and have you out in the park in no time.”

“I already had that done, I’m actually the Janitor that was hired a couple days ago.” Josh answered sheepishly in his normal voice. “Peterson, ma’am.”

“Peterson... Peterson...” Gennine said to herself. She picked up her iPad and, with a couple of swipes, had access to employee records and new hires. She looked surprised for a moment
“Olivia, mind stepping out for a moment while I talk to Miss Peterson?”

“Oh of course, I need to get back to Pixie Hollow before Peri gets overwhelmed,” Olivia giggled. “Should I send Christina by if I see her again?”

“Only if she can be spared.” Gennine laughed. “She and Scott are always so busy with the kids.”

“Yeah,” Olivia giggled again as she stepped out, pulling the door closed behind her.

“I’m not going to tell any of them your name is Josh, “ Gennine stated. “It’s not my job to tell them. My job is to hire actors and actresses to play the parts the park needs.”

“I am so sorry,” Josh sighed as he sat down on the sofa, pushing his knees together. The Goofy costume shifted slightly, causing him to jump.

“Don’t be. You are perfect,” Gennine stated, sitting on the corner of her desk with her arms folded slightly, and a rather amused look on her face. “I meant what I said, and I want you to start today, as Silvermist, permanently and for as long as you can work here.”

“I’ll turn in my pass right awa--” he stopped, and then slowly looked up at her. “You... You what?” he stammered.

“You’re perfect,” she repeated. “I mean you sound just like Lucy Liu. You even pull off Silvermist’s looks. Stand up and turn around for me, like do a slow spin.” she asked.

“Um, sure,” Josh said as he stood and spun around slowly, his big, poofy mop of hair following not far behind and getting itself tangled just a bit on the fake wings.

“We need to do something with your hair, but other than that, you’re marvelous, “ She turned back and picked up her cell phone. “Can you get Richards down here to casting?”

“Right away Mrs. McDonnell,” the woman on the other end, presumably a secretary or personal assistant, replied over the phone’s speaker.

“That was the main office if you must know.” Gennine winked. “How much did they start you as an entry level janitor?”

Josh laughed a bit at that. “Um, day shift $8.50 an hour, plus time and a half for any overtime.”

“That won't do for my Pixies.” She grinned as she turned her iPad around for Josh to read his new contract.

“You... you want to pay me how much?” he squeaked out, staring at the revised contract. It wasn’t as if he needed the money, exactly. His parents were loaded, but he had effectively been trying to distance himself, make it on his own. He had even started hunting an apartment, with plans to attend art school on scholarships and grants he had earned in High School.

“Says right there, starting $12.50, with a $25.00 cap, though that’s before adjusting for inflation.” Gennine laughed. “Now sweetie, we can’t have you changing with the boys either, so when you get ready for the day, you need to be in the Pixie booth, is that a problem?”

“No problem, but I... You’re serious?” he repeated. “I mean... about hiring me?” he asked again. None of this seemed real. Part of him even wondered if that had been the “real” Alice and Hatter, and he’d been dragged off down their rabbit hole into Wonderland. At that there was a knock on the door.

“Come,” Gennine called.

A man in his late 20’s early 30s walked in wearing a lavender dress shirt with a dark purple scarf, despite the Florida summer being at its apex, “What can I do for you today Madam?” he sounded like a stereotypical gay British hair stylists to Josh’s ear. Josh was far from homophobic. He simply had met a few, as a dual citizen of the US and UK with wealthy parents.

“Ah, Bobby,” Gennine said brightly as they exchanged a friendly hug. “I’d like you to meet Silvermist. Do you think you can do something with her hair? I’d hate to make her wear a wig when she’s already got such naturally long locks.”

Bobby smiled appraisingly as he walked around Josh, “Honey, I can do anything with magical hair like that,” he said, taking a few ends and pulling on them gently. It wasn’t that Josh didn’t care for his hair, but his mixed heritage and any sort of humidity sent it into an untameable nightmare.

“Excellent. If you don’t mind, I’d like Rachel to do her makeup and nails while you work so we can get her out to Pixie Hollow as soon as possible. I’m also going to have an acting coach meet with her to cover the do’s and don’ts.”

Bobby grinned as he ran his fingers through Josh’s long black hair, “It won't even take long, you have gorgeous hair sweetie.” even Bobby thought Josh was a girl at this point. “A little wild true, but I have a shampoo solution that you’d swear came from Pixie Hollow.”

“We might have to have that costume let out just a tiny bit in the top,” she said appraisingly as she studied Josh another moment, but then nodded. “Alright, just go with Bobby, and Rachel will meet you in the salon.”

It seemed like forever, but it didn’t take either of them long to get Josh cleaned up and back out to the park. The acting coach had trouble believing he hadn’t had any training though - just lots of practice. When he returned to Pixie Hollow, things were rather quiet. The last group of guests had just left, giving the girls a momentary break.

Tinkerbell’s eyes lit up as Silvermist approached. “Oh you look so radiant Silvermist!”

“Those nails are just so you!” Periwinkle chimed in as she came over a moment later. They were a mix of silver and blue, very glittery. “Flitterific,” she giggled.

“Hey Peri, I think we should send our new sister out into the park for meet and greet.” Tinkerbell announced. “Since it’s nice and quiet here.”

“Oh definitely! Everyone needs to know we have more pixies from Neverland coming!” Periwinkle gushed excitedly, before Josh could get a word in edgewise.

Tinkerbell leaned over and whispered in Josh’s ear, “Just relax, stay in character and have fun.”

“I can’t believe this is really happening,” Josh whispered back as they both gave him a friendly hug. “This is a dream.”

“Well off with you, time to go meet your fans!” Tinkerbell giggled, “We’ll be here at our houses when you’re done,” she called over the cheers of excited children making their way into the Hollow.

“Oh ho!” a boy with short red hair called out, “You must be one of the Pixies from neverland.” He was dressed as Peter Pan, and had the unmistakable adventurous Pan attitude. “Um don’t tell me, Silverbell right?” he asked, causing a couple of teenaged girls he had been talking to, both dressed in black, green, and white cheer uniforms, to giggle loudly.

“Silvermist.” Josh corrected with a soft laugh.

“Well I was close anyway!” Peter laughed and put his hands on his hips in that defiant Pan style.

“I’m the Pixie that makes the morning dew. You have to get my name right Peter.” Silvermist giggled.

Peter leaned over to the girls and stage whispered, “She also makes a mean morning don’t, if you ask me.”

One of the girls laughed as she asked, “Can I get a picture with you both?”

“Aww, of course you can!” Peter answered as Silvermist, grinning, approached. Peter put one arm around the girl, and the other hand on Silvermist’s shoulder pretending to lean against her as the other girl raised her camera. “Say fleas!” Peter announced.

“Morning Dew!” Silvermist cheered.

“Did someone say Morning Fleas?” That Hatter said as he and Alice were walking by. “Oh say, I remember you! Uhm,” he said, snapping his fingers repeatedly. “Silverdust!”

Alice giggled, “No silly, that’s our new friend Silvermist.”

“Well that’s what I said!” Hatter laughed. “Ooh, and she’s put her face on too.”

Peter Pan moved over to Alice, “Seems all my friends from Neverland are showing up.”

“We saw Captain Hook prowling around here a few minutes ago,” one of the cheerleaders laughed.

“What?! Where? I’ll feed him to the Croc!” Peter spoke up and pulled his toy dagger out. “Come out Captain Codfish!” he announced.

The other cheerleader giggled. “Down that way,” she said, pointing. Peter turned and bowed deeply to the girls.

“Then if you’ll excuse me ladies, I have a hook to bait!” he laughed cheerily and sprang off in the direction the actor playing Captain Hook had last been seen.

“Oh I know!” The Hatter announced, “Lets play musical chairs!”

Alice giggled, “We don’t have any chairs here.”

“Well that’s okay, we don’t have any music either,” Hatter replied without missing a beat.

“Excuse me.” A woman smiled at the group, “My daughter is a major fan yours from the movies.” she said directly to Silvermist.

“Oh, sure, everyone loves the pixies,” Hatter teased, causing Silvermist to giggle.

“Well today’s her birthday, and she wanted to know if you would take a picture with her.” The woman asked, there was a young 5 year old girl hiding behind her mom.

“Oh, well I’d love to, Dew Drop,” Silvermist said as she knelt down to the girl’s level and smiled warmly at her. The little girl ran out from behind her mom and hugged Silvermist tightly. Silvermist giggled and hugged her back.

The mother of the girl snapped a couple pictures, “Thank you so much I think you just made her entire day.”

“Oh it’s no problem at all,” Silvermist answered brightly. “You have a wonderful day, and don’t forget to stop by Pixie Hollow and say hi to Tink and Peri,” she said warmly.

“Oh I almost forgot.” The Hatter called out and pulled something out of his coat pocket that Silvermist couldn’t quite see in his big glove. “Happy birthday.” he said proudly, and handed it to the little girl.

“I do hope it’s not going to explode,” Alice teased the Hatter causing the girl to laugh out loud.

“What sort of Hatter do you take me for?” The Hatter asked Alice. “That would be just mean.”

“Well you did just accuse Tinkerbell of stealing your tea pot this morning,” Alice replied.

“Well she did, but it was her unbirthday so I forgive her.” The Hatter composed himself as the girl opened the cute ‘Happy Birthday!’ tea party themed card, and a ride ticket came tumbling out. She giggled excitedly, scooping up the ticket, and then hugged both Hatter and Alice.

“Thank you!” she said happily, and then latched onto her mother’s hand again.

Silvermist leaned closer, trying to peek at the Hatter’s pocket.

“Hey no stealing my tea pot! You sneaky pixie you!” The Hatter playfully swatted at Silvermist.

“What?” Silvermist giggled. “I was just peeking!” she said innocently. It was all Alice could do not to giggle.

“Silly Pixies are always trying to steal my tea pot.” He said to Alice. “Now that there’s a Water Pixie around I really need to watch it closer.”

“I suppose I could borrow your hat instead. Back in Pixie Hollow it would make a lovely fishing boat,” she teased. Hatter gasped, grabbing the brim of his hat and pulling it down firmly on his head.

“Well I never!” he exclaimed, “Lets be off away from this thieving pixie!”

“Well in her defense, she did say ‘borrow’,” Alice giggled out as they started off again.

Josh found himself really enjoying his new job. For once people were laughing with him and not at him, and his, let’s face it, girly physique and sweet voice were major assets.

Silvermist had just come off Splash Mountain with the rest of the cheer squad, of whom Peter had introduced two members before, when Aladdin and Jasmine stopped him. “Hey it’s one of those Pixie hollow Pixies.” Aladdin called out. There in a small group of girls was none other than his sister. He had forgotten that he had given her a pass just yesterday.

“I forget,” Aladdin said, “Is it pixies that will grant you a wish if you catch them?”

“Or she might just dump a barrel of water on your head,” Jasmine giggled softly as they approached with the group of girls they had been walking with.

“Wow!” Annabell gasped. “You look just like Silvermist!”

Silvermist giggled, “That’s because I am Silvermist, Dew Drop.”

“Ohmygosh,” Annabell giggled. “Can I have your autograph?” she asked, to a following of ‘Ooh’ and ‘me too!’ from the other girls.

“Sure.” Silvermist answered brightly. There was no way he was going to tell his sister, and really, there was no way he could. It stated in his contract that he couldn’t talk about his job at the park while working for the park. He signed all three of the girls’ autograph books and then posed for pictures with them, with Jasmine holding their camera.

“What’s it like to work with Tinkerbell?” Annabell - Annie to her friends - asked.

“It’s a lot of fun, as long as you stay on her good side, and don’t mess with her mallets. You know how red-faced she gets when she can’t find her tools,” Silvermist giggled softly.

Jasmine giggled at that, “We were over there earlier, and she and Periwinkle were just having so much fun playing hide and seek.”

“Oh that does sound like fun!” Silvermist said cheerfully. “I’ll bet Tink won. She’s so great at finding lost things.”

Aladdin nodded, “I know, I had her help me find my fez the other day. I thought I had lost it in the palace.”

As if on cue, Peter Pan came racing by, stopping only for a moment to snatch Aladdin’s fez right off his head. “Catch me if you can!” he called over his shoulder as he ran off again.

Silvermist giggled, “Oh that Peter!”

“Gaaah, I just had that thing reupholstered!” Aladdin joked. “Get back here!”

Silvermist giggled again, “He and those lost boys are always causing so much trouble in Neverland,” she said as, barely a half minute later, the Hatter and Alice came strolling by. The Hatter had Aladdin’s fez perched neatly on top of his own top hat, and Peter was nonchalantly walking a few feet behind, looking completely innocent.

“No, I can’t imagine what Peter could have wanted you to look in those bushes for, honestly,” Alice said as they got within earshot.

“That silly boy is always doing something silly.” The Hatter laughed.

“Hey!” Aladdin called. “That’s my hat!”

The Hatter stopped abruptly and gave Aladdin a funny stare. “No it’s not, it’s my hat.” he protested.

“No, not your hat, the hat on top of your hat,” Aladdin argued, mock-frustrated.

“I swear Alice.. the people of Wonderland aren’t this crazy, “ The Hatter sighed. “Look street rat, I don’t have a hat on top of my hat.” he insisted. “That would just be silly!”

Peter crept up behind the Hatter at that and, jumping up, used the tip of his toy dagger to knock the fez off the Hatter’s top hat and right into his hands, causing the girls to laugh.

Annie looked over at her friends, “This is like going to your own private Disney movie.”

“Well, would you look at that. Why was my hat wearing a hat?” he asked, turning around, but Peter bolted around to stay behind him, leaving the Hatter spinning in circles.

Alice shrugged, “Maybe the Pixie over there put it on your hat?”

Silvermist giggled as she shook her head. “Oh my no, I’m innocent. I even have witnesses, see?” she said, pointing to the girls.

Annie spoke up, “That’s right she was with us, so there’s no way she could have done it.”

“But how can I trust the word of someone she just said was witless?” Hatter protested, folding his arms, and still holding Aladdin’s fez.

Alice giggled, “I think she said witNESS.”

“Witness? Witness what? I didn’t witness anything, and you can’t prove otherwise!” Hatter answered.

“Oh but you did, you Witnessed a good game of musical chairs with the queen a moment ago.” Alice replied sweetly.

“Oh, I did at that. Who knew an evil queen could be so light on her feet?” he laughed, paused, and looked down. “Oh! Al, I found your fez!” he announced as if nothing had happened, placing it on Aladdin’s head. He stage whispered, “I think that pixie stole it,” as he pointed at Silvermist.

Peter laughed and gently snatched a pouch on Silvermist’s belt then ran around to the girls, sprinkling some of the fairy dust on them, leaving their hair lightly glittered. “Now there we go, some fairy dust and all you need to do is think a happy thought.”

“My awesome sister,” Annie seemed to correct herself, almost saying something else, “For getting us free passes,” she giggled softly. Silvermist couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped. It wasn’t the first time she’d heard that, but it was the first that she didn’t feel compelled to act embarrassed by it.

A white haired girl who looked just like Elsa walked up to the crowd, “You must be Silvermist?”

“Oh!” Silvermist giggled as she turned and curtseyed. “Your Majesty.”

“Oh none of that.” Elsa giggled, “A Miss Tinkerbell asked if I ran into you to send you back to the Hollow. Something about water problems.”

“Oh dear. Peri’s ice machine must be running low. I’d better get over there and get them some more water to freeze before she melts in this heat!” Silvermist said, thinking on her feet.

“I could go as well and just make it snow for her.” Elsa giggled.

“I’d sure welcome the company,” Silvermist giggled as well, as they started off together. “I just loved that ice castle you made.”

Back in Pixie Hollow Tinkerbell took Silvermist into a small shack off to the side. It was pretty nice inside, with AC, there was even a mini fridge with water in it. “We figured you could use a chance to get off your feet and relax. You’ve been going a long time for your first day.”

Silvermist laughed a little as she sat down. “I honestly hadn’t even noticed what time it was. Feels like just a few minutes ago that I left Bobby’s salon.”

“You were out there for about four hours.” Tinkerbell answered. “Pretty good for a first day really, Peri only made it a half hour before she needed a break.”

“Hey Tink,” Silvermist asked, not thinking to use Olivia’s real name, “Do you have family that come to the park?”

“Yeah, my little brother, and occasionally my older sister stops by.” Tinkerbell nodded.

“Is it hard to stay in character?” she asked. “I bumped into my sister, and she didn’t recognize me, but it was a little weird.”

“Not really. I love playing Tinkerbell so much that It doesn’t even phase me when he and his friends come in.”

“I’ve been doing the Silvermist voice for her since the very first movie,” Silvermist laughed. “I guess that’s why I’m so practiced.” She paused, adding in Rosetta’s voice, “I can do Rosetta too, but not as well.”

“Your a natural.” Tinkerbell laughed. “You should think about a career in voice acting.”

“I’m actually a visual artist.” Silvermist answered. “I’m trying to do the starving artist thing, but it’s hard when you still live with your parents,” she teased.

Tinkerbell laughed as she handed Silvermist a bottle of water, “After work Peri and I are going to a little burger joint for dinner. Would you like to join us?”

Silvermist answered without even a second thought as to why it might not be a good idea. “I’d love to, but I don’t have a thing to wear.”

“Oh.” Tinkerbell shrugged, “Well maybe next time?”

“Definitely. I’ll try and find something nice!” Silvermist answered brightly. “I never was all that social in high school, and I promised myself I’d change that in college. Now it’s looking like I might actually do it, and I haven’t even started classes yet.”

“You’re well on your way,” Tink answered as she turned up her bottle of water. “You’re friendly, outgoing, you have the Silvermist character down perfectly, and from what I and the others have seen you’re amazing with kids.”

Silvermist looked at Tinkerbell, “Did the Hatter tell on me?”

“Alice, actually,” Tink laughed. “We bumped into each other on a bathroom break earlier. She was just bubbling on and on about how well our new Pixie was doing.”

At that, Gennine walked into the break room from the front. “Am I interrupting anything?”

“Not at all Fairy Mary,” Tink said jokingly. “I was just telling Silvermist how Alice was bubbling on about her.”

“Periwinkle told me you were both in here. After we give her a quick break, I was wondering if you could take our new Pixie here on the tour trolley over to Animal kingdom for a bit?”

“Oh, that sounds fun!” Tink answered, adding, “As a pixie, or a tourist?”

“As both.” Gennine answered.

“So... touristy pixie,” Silvermist giggled. “Gotcha.”

“Oh!” Tink chimed in. “Since you’re here, I have a small request on Silvermist’s behalf.”

“What would that be?” Gennine asked.

“Peri, Alice and I are going out to dinner tonight after work, and we want to drag Sil along too. Do you think she could borrow something from the wardrobe department?”

“Sure, and how about I give her a small advance so she can pick up some more clothes as well.” Gennine said, winking at Silvermist. “Don’t forget Miss Peterson to read your contract fully, during your breaks. I need it signed by the end of the day.”

“Oh!” Silvermist answered. “I should do that right now so I don’t forget again.”

“RIght over there,” Tink answered before Silvermist could even ask. “Bobby dropped them off after you forgot them in the salon this morning,” she added with a soft giggle as she stood. “And I’d better get back out there before Peri melts.”

“Thanks Dew Drop,” Silvermist called after her, causing Tinkerbell to giggle, as she picked up her contract.

“I haven’t broken the news yet,” she said after Tink left. “I’ve been on my feet all morning doing meet and greet.”

“Ah, you might be sent out again tomorrow for Meet and greet. You’re quite popular you know?”

“I’m a little surprised,” Silvermist said, glancing up. “I mean I’d always heard actors go through a lot of training on how to deal with park guests, but you guys kind of just turned me loose.”

“It’s all about thinking on your feet.” Gennine answered. “Improv. We offer specialized classes for those interested, and the crash course, but since you had a spotless background check, and really nailed the character, I felt comfortable letting you loose as you put it.”

“Um...” Silvermist said, looking up from her contract again. “It says here that I have to present as female even off work?”

“Not ‘have to’ per se, just highly, highly encouraged. It’s to help you relax and transition between your character here more easily. If you need to present as a boy for any reason that’s fine, nobody’s policing you.”

“Oh. Actually I really like the idea...” Josh said, giving her a wry smile. “It’s just I live with my parents still, and... Well, I’m not sure how I’m going to break that one to them. It’s not like they’re anti-gay or anything,” he quickly added. “They’re pretty cool.”

“Oh that’s fine, you can tell them it’s for an acting job?” Gennine suggested, “It’s not really lying to them is it? You just can’t really tell them what kind of acting job it is. We here at Disney are kind of secretive like that.”

Josh laughed a little. “I’m glad we’re on the same page there,” he said, smiling as he flipped the page to the last part of his contract. “I don’t have a problem with it, like I said. I’m really having fun playing Silvermist, interacting with the kids and the other characters.”

“That’s really good to hear.” Gennine answered,. “It’s about having fun, and making people smile. If you’re done, why don’t you head out and give Peri a break so you and Tink can run off to the other side of the park?”

Josh nodded, and, after signing the contract, stood to hand it back to her. “I’ll have a new name for you to add to my roster listing by tomorrow - probably tonight, if I’m going out to dinner with the girls,” he added with a wry chuckle. “Thanks Mrs. McDonnell.”

Gennine laughed, “Call me Gennine, and you should talk to someone if this is going to be the route you want to take sweetie.” She took the contract and headed back to the main building. Josh stood, straightened the hem of Silvermist’s skirt, tousled his hair slightly, and stepped out into the sunshine.

Josh Peterson has just scored the job of a lifetime - or at least the best job he can hope for without leaning on his parents for references - as a janitor at The Magic Kingdom, but when fate intervenes and he finds himself alone with the costume of his favorite Pixie Hollow character, his life takes a whole new turn.

---

The wild adventures tour guide smiled as she announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we have two very special guests. It seems Tinkerbell and Silvermist are joining us today.” Tinkerbell and Silvermist climbed aboard the trolley to a chorus of cheers and claps from the crowd.

“Excuse me,” Tink said, raising her hand, “Is there a 'no being devoured by lions, tigers, or bears' guarantee on this tour?”

“Oh my.” The woman laughed, “Why yes of course Tink, nothing will eat you on this tour I promise.”

“Oh, good! Because Fawn can tell you stories...” she trailed off as she took her seat.

Silvermist sat down as well, “Oh, do we get to see any wild Lost boys on this trip? Or maybe even Tigerlily's tribe?”

“Oh that would be exciting,” Tink giggled.

“We might see some Lost boys on this trip, you never know what’s out there.” The tour guide laughed. “Over 25% of Disney-owned land is actually completely wild nature preserve.”

“I didn’t know that.” Tinkerbell stated. “We spend most of our time in Pixie Hollow, or in Neverland.”

“Wow, me either,” Silvermist half-whispered, genuinely surprised as the trolley got underway, and the official tour began.

After the trolley portion of tour was over, they still had some time to kill in the Animal Kingdom before they were expected back. They meandered around looking at the lion cages since they really was in no rush to go anywhere.

“Hey there’s Silvermist again.” Silvermist heard her sister’s familiar voice call excitedly.

“Oh, hi again!” Silvermist said, waving. “Have you guys met Tink yet?”

“Yeah we met her earlier.” One of the other girls giggled. “She was having a snowball fight with Periwinkle.”

“Losing a snowball fight,” Tink giggled softly. “I may be the Queen of Hide and Seek, but my sister can throw a snowball like nobody else.”

“Tink and I were going to go look at the Bears next. Lions and Tigers and Bears you know.”

“Oh my,” Annie giggled.

“Hey, I thought this was Florida, not Kansas,” a young teen girl with long, strawberry blonde hair in pigtails laughed. She had on a sequined Barbie pink tank top over a white tee shirt, and a pair of wraparound sunglasses on top of her head.

“Ohmygosh, I know you!” Annie squeaked out. “I didn’t recognize you with the pigtails. I LOVED “My Brother Mark”. My sister got me hooked early and we watched like, every episode together.”

It was, in fact, Megan Stuart, a well known, openly transgendered actress, formerly a Disney US star who moved to Australia a year ago, though she had also featured in as a major character in a sci-fi movie “Dark Days” while her Disney contract had been under review for renewal last year, and a made for TV Lifetime movie about a transgendered girl’s struggles filmed on location in Sydney.

Megan giggled as she signed the girls’ autograph books. “You have me at a disadvantage,” she teased. Megan was Annie’s age - about 13 or so, and seemed to share the girls’ love of the park. Famous or not, she was here as a guest.

“Oh! I’m Annie, and this is Gretchen and Crystal,” she said brightly. Gretchen, despite being Annie’s and Megan’s age, had hit puberty already, and in a big way. She was the same height as Annie, but better endowed, like a miniature woman. Crystal was closer to Annie in terms of the spread of baby fat and lack of much endowment. She also wore red glasses, and tended to stay quiet.

“Nice to meet you,” Megan answered. “Did you guys see the ‘Megan in the Middle’ shorts up on Disney.com?” she asked. “It’s not something either me and Jule or the writers are really attached to, just something we threw together in a half hour, and they ran with it.”

“This is so cool,” Gretchen finally spoke up, trying not to act too much like a fangirl as Megan joined them. “I knew from your interviews that you were really down to earth. Your official blog never said anything about you being here in the States though.”

Megan laughed and nodded. “Yup. We kept it under wraps because Juliette and I are filming a pilot for a secret project. I’m here doing some Disney 365 promos. This is actually my lunch break though. Hope you guys don’t mind if I spend it hanging out with you?” she asked. The girls all shook their heads.

“Juliette is here too?” Annie asked hopefully.

“She’s back in Hollywood actually,” Megan said, shaking her head. “But she’s flying over later this week!” she bubbled, as a woman with a headset waved to her. “Oh, just a second,” she said as the woman approached.

“We’ve got everything we need Miss Stuart,” the woman said, smiling. “If you want to take the rest of the afternoon off with your friends.”

“Oh, excellent,” Megan said brightly as she turned back to the girls again. “Shall we?”

Tink and Silvermist followed a bit behind, and Silvermist whispered, “Oh thank god for small miracles. That’s my kid sister i mentioned.”

Tink giggled quietly. “Just relax and let out your inner Sil. You’re doing great.”

Megan looked back over her shoulder as the pixies caught up again. “I gotta say, it’s so awesome to actually meet the Pixie princesses.”

“Isn’t it though?” Annie said cheerfully, turning the proverbial spotlight directly back on the pixies. “It was the major reason I came here today actually. I wanted Tinkerbell and Periwinkle’s autograph. I didn’t realize Silvermist would be here too.”

“We’re expecting even more of our friends from Neverland in the next couple of days,” Tink chimed in. “Even Vidia's thinking of coming.”

“I managed to sneak away early,” Silvermist laughed as Megan held out her phone.

“Say sneeze,” she teased.

“Morning dew!” Silvermist said cheerfully.

“Sneeze!” the others added, as Megan snapped a selfie. “I hope y’all don’t mind if I have my publicist put this on the website?” she asked. The girls all shook their heads.

“As long as we can download a copy,” Annie giggled. “I want to print it off and frame it!”

“Hey,” Megan laughed, “You do that and bring it around my hotel tonight, and I’ll sign it for ya too. Maybe the pixies will sign it too? Or at least my copy,” she winked.

Silvermist giggled. “Sure, we’d be honored.

The group of girls walked through the wilderness park together, wiling away the afternoon, and when they arrived back at the trolley, Megan made sure to give Annie and her friends her private email address so that they could stay in touch. By the time the trolley arrived back at the station, it was getting close to time for the girls to go home, so Annie walked up to Tink and Silvermist, and gave them both a hug.

“I really want to thank you guys for spending so much time with my friends and me. We only just moved here a week ago, and this totally cemented my new friendships,” she whispered so Gretchen and Crystal didn’t hear.

“Oh that’s fine,” Tink answered warmly. “I had to show Silvermist around the park as it’s her first time here as well. We’ll be out in the rest of the park again tomorrow, or she might be with Peri. It’s hard to say day to day.”

Annie laughed. “I think I wanna work here when I grow up. You guys are too much fun,” she said, and then turned to rejoin her friends.

“You okay?” Tink asked, once they were comfortably out of earshot of anyone. Silvermist laughed.

“Yeah... Just trying not to cry a little. Seeing her so happy gives me the warm fuzzy feels. I’m glad she’s making new friends. I just never thought I’d be part of making it happen though.”

Tink took Silvermist into one of the small buildings that said ‘employees only’ that was nearby, “I think you need to wash your face and put on some new makeup sweetie.”

“I swear I’m not normally this emotional,” Silvermist laughed again, giving Tink a hug. “Thanks for looking out for me.”

“It’s ok.” Tinkerbell answered and hugged Silvermist back, “It’s what we do here. We’re pixie sisters after all. Why don’t you head over to see what wardrobe’s picked out for tonight, and I’ll let Peri know you’re joining us for dinner? Remember till you take that off, you’re still Silvermist.”

Silvermist giggled a little as she splashed water on her face. She didn’t quite understand what Tink was trying to say “Well of course I am, Dew Drop.”

“Just know that we’re an inclusive family, and we don’t judge,” she said and squeezed Silvermist’s hand. “There’s fresh makeup in the bin. Just grab whatever you need, and label a ziploc with it when you’re done.”

“Hm? Oh!” Silvermist said, finding a drawer full of ziploc bags with makeup products in them, each labeled with a different actress’ name, as well as unused containers of makeup in every imaginable shade, style, and in the cases of lip makeup - texture.

“They’re all over the park like this,” Tink laughed. “It’s great for emergency touch-ups.”

Unfortunately, since Josh had absolutely no makeup experience prior to this morning, he decided to forego reapplication in favor of cleaning up what was already applied, washing away what he could safely get. “Man, I have got to learn how to do this so I’m not running to Rachel constantly,” he sighed, thinking he was alone.

“Rachael's the best.” A girl called out from a stall next to the sinks causing Silvermist to jump. A toilet flush followed, and a few seconds later Ariel emerged to wash her hands. “Professional makeup can be pretty daunting. Want some help?” she asked.

“Oh, um thanks.” Silvermist swallowed sheepishly..

“It’s no problem. When I first started, I only knew how to apply lip gloss and eyeshadow so Rachel had her work cut out for her!” Ariel giggled.

Within a few minutes, the Little Mermaid had the water pixie looking as good as new again, as well as giving her a few tips along the way, even showing her some shortcuts. When she had finished, she put everything into a ziploc bag for her, signing it ‘Silvermist’, since she didn’t know her real name.

“Now you’re ready to meet your public,” she teased.

“I’m almost ready to head back to Neverland for the night actually.” Silvermist giggled.

Ariel laughed. “You’re lucky. I have to stay in character until tonight, but I get the weekend coming weekend off.”

“I heard there was a mermaid birthday party or something, I’m sorry.” Silvermist said sympathetically.

Ariel nodded. “I don’t mind really. It just makes having a social life hard sometimes, but when you see the look on their little faces, it makes it all so worth it. I wouldn’t trade this job for anything,” she bubbled, giving Silvermist a sisterly hug. “Welcome aboard by the way. I’ve been hearing stories all day about you,” she giggled.

“Is it true that we are encouraged to act in character but also partake in the park as well?” Silvermist asked.

“Oh absolutely. This morning I rode the teacups so many times I thought I’d never stop spinning,” Ariel laughed. “It’s great for the guests to get to ride rides with their favorite characters, or just have lunch together or whatnot. I bet there are a thousand youtube videos of me out there too.”

“Neat! I came as myself yesterday, but this place is so huge that I didn’t get a chance to take it all in.” Silvermist said as they started for the door together.

“Oh no, not you again!” Hatter groaned as Silvermist emerged. “I was expecting a Little Mermaid, not a little tea pot thief!” he teased.

“Oh, but I didn’t take your tea pot, and I only said I wanted to borrow your hat as a boat.” Silvermist corrected.

“Oh that’s right,” Hatter half-mad giggled. “You’re the hat thief. The green one is the tea pot thief!”

“I didn’t take your hat.” Silvermist protested, “I borrowed it and did some fishing in it.”

“But there aren’t any fish in my hat!” Hatter stated firmly.

“Nope, I tossed them back.” Silvermist affirmed.

“Oh, well that’s okay then! Catch and release,” he said, nodding, and tipped his hat to her. Underneath, she could see he had Aladdin’s fez again. “Now, where did I put that Alice...”

“Here I am!” Alice announced behind him as she emerged from a nearby cafe. He jumped and spun around.

“I think Peter put Aladdins hat inside the Hatter’s,” Silvermist mock whispered to Alice, while pointing to the cartoonishly big purple top hat.

“Oh really?” Alice mock whispered back. “Hatter dear! Would you mind taking off your hat for a moment?”

“You’re not going to steal it and use it for a fishing boat are you?” he asked, eyeing Alice suspiciously.

“I’m not tiny enough to use it for a fishing boat.” Alice stated.

“Well you could be if you ate a mushroom,” He insisted.

“Well I don’t feel like eating mushrooms right now.” Alice assured him, daintily placing her hands on her hips.

“Well alright then,” he said, and took off his hat in such a way that the fez tipped and fell into it, hiding it completely. “I think I look better with it on, personally.”

Silvermist giggled and reached over to pluck the fez from inside, and Hatter looked astonished. “Hey hey hey! How did you do that?!”

Silvermist giggled, “It was already in there.” she assured him.

“Was not,” Hatter answered.

“We should return it to Al.” Silvermist changed the subject, “I bet he's looking everywhere for it.”

“That’s a good idea,” Alice giggled as she looked around. “Has anyone seen Aladdin?” she asked, and Hatter chimed in.

“Tall, wears a princess on his arm?”

A cute little Cinderella clone spoke up, “He was over by the fountain,” she said, pointing down the street.

Hatter put his finger in his ear like he was speaking on a non-existent communications earpiece. “Mother duck this is Hat trick, we have confirmation on one bread thief missing his lid, possibly located in the vicinity of the fountain!”

“Who are you talking to?” Alice asked.

“Wha?” Hatter answered. “I wasn’t talking to anyone-” he stopped as Silvermist took off at a fast pace with Aladdin's fez towards the fountain before the Hatter could finish, giggling the entire way.

“Hey! That pixie just stole Aladdin’s fez!” he called after her.

Alice giggled and shook her head, “I think Silvermist has been hanging out with the lost boys too much.”

Aladdin was still at the large fountain, signing autographs when Silvermist approached. Jasmine cleared her throat. “I think Mister Pan has been up to mischief again,” she said in a voice that sounded like she was trying hard not to laugh.

“Some of us Pixies have to be sensible.” Silvermist said sweetly and offered Aladdin his fez back.

“Ah, I wondered what happened to this! I put it down to play musical chairs with Hatter and Alice earlier so it wouldn’t fall off in the excitement, and when I got back it was gone,” he laughed, and bowed to Silvermist. “Milady.”

Silvermist giggled, “It’s no problem. Aladdin, when you see Genie tell him Hi from us!” She waved and, as she wandered off, almost walked right into Goofy. “Sorry,” she said sheepishly.

Goofy gave her an animated ‘it’s okay’ kind of shrug and hugged her, posing for a picture from a nearby park-goer, before letting her go on her way again with a big, goofy wave.

Silvermist giggled as she stopped right outside a soda shop, “I love that Goofy. He's such a great... whatever he is.” she said, casually taking a seat and over a menu. It was a quaint little open air cafe and soda fountain, with round tables set up, and an old fashioned bar counter at the back.

“Oh I left my coin purse in Pixie Hollow.” she sighed. She was due back at wardrobe, but she was really craving something cold to drink. She set down the menu, and started to get up to leave again.

“Oh that’s alright,” a passing waitress said as she stopped at Sil’s table. “Pixies eat free. What can I get you?”

“Oh! Can I get a coke and a chili dog, light on the chili?” Silvermist asked sweetly.

“Sure thing hon,” the woman replied, paused, and added in a whisper, “And if you don’t mind me saying, you look just like Silvermist.”

“That’s because I am, Dew drop.” Silvermist giggled out, winking back. The woman laughed softly as she stepped away to get her order.

As she ate her light snack a couple of young girls sat down with her. They looked to be about 11 or 12, “Hi, can I ask you a question?” the blonde haired girl asked.

Silvermist politely put down her chili dog and neatly folded her hands as she leaned a bit forward. “Well of course you can.”

“If Pixies are so small why are you so big?” The girl asked. She looked like she wanted to believe in Pixies and that Josh really was Silvermist but she was having troubles with the whole pixies are inch high concept.

“Oh, that’s easy!” Silvermist answered in her best bright and friendly tone, while Josh concocted a quick answer. “The same magic that shrinks you to an inch tall when you visit Pixie Hollow makes us human sized when we leave. Tink can explain it better, being a tinker fairy, but it has something to with pixie dust I think...” Silvermist looked just slightly off to one side, the way one of the characters would if they were thinking intently about something, and then glanced back at the girls with a smile.

“That makes sense!” The girl giggled, “Thank you Silvermist.” she hugged Silvermist before taking off with her friend.

“Aww, you’re welcome sweetie,” Silvermist said after the girls. She felt a little guilty inside, but they were told to stay in-character at all times. Besides, there was nothing wrong with believing in magic here.

“That was really awesome Silvermist,” one of the staff at the soda shop spoke up. “Helping them believe in the magic of the park.”

“I heard that when a baby laughs pixies get their wings, but all it takes is someone saying they don’t believe to kill them.” One of the guys that worked there added.

“Unless you clap really hard,” Silvermist added with a nod. “Besides, there’s enough people lining up to tell them Santa, the Easter Bunny, and their other heroes are fake. They should be allowed to enjoy being kids here.”

“Exactly,” an older woman behind the nearby counter said with a chuckle. “You know, you remind us of Tink? You come back by anytime. You’re always welcome here.”

Silvermist, feeling uplifted now, smiled brightly as she cleared her table of its paper plate, taking her half-empty soda cup with her as she started back for wardrobe.

Josh Peterson has just scored the job of a lifetime - or at least the best job he can hope for without leaning on his parents for references - as a janitor at The Magic Kingdom, but when fate intervenes and he finds himself alone with the costume of his favorite Pixie Hollow character, his life takes a whole new turn.

---

The first thing off of Silvermist was her wings. The girls each had their own privacy screens, plus a few more leaned against the wall. Silvermist’s even had a picture of her movie likeness depicted on the front.

Olivia who was Tinkerbell all day called over. “So since it’s against the rules to call you Silvermist outside of work, what is your name? I’m not going to call you Miss Peterson all night because that would make me sound like a teacher,” she teased.

Josh laughed. “Um,” he said, thinking on his feet. “Sarah,” he finally concluded. Sarah wasn’t a name that had any particular meaning to him. It just sounded pretty, and sounded nice with his last name. It was also the first name to pop into his head.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Olivia Harris, and Periwinkle who will be joining us in a few hours is Kelly Brown. I believe Christina is going to be joining us later as well. You know her as Alice.”

“I’m not convinced she’s not the real Alice,” Josh, now Sarah, laughed as she sat down to wash off her makeup.

“Sometimes neither am I. She and Scott are very convincing aren't they?” Olivia came back out in the main pixie booth area wearing a yellow and black skirt and a powder blue tee shirt.

“I felt like a kid getting to meet them in person, once I got over the shock of being caught trying on Sil’s costume,” Sarah sighed sheepishly.

“Oh, Sarah? Don’t take this wrong because you're very very pretty, but I read you. Do you want to let Peri know or should we just keep that between us?” Olivia made it known again that she knew Sarah’s secret.

“Yeah, it’s probably best as few people as possible know that I’m not a real actress,” Sarah answered, again not catching the pitches Olivia was throwing.

“Ok.” Olivia answered. “No matter what, just remember, that Kelly and I have your back. You are a Pixie Princess after all.”

“Still not sure how my parents are going to react to...” she trailed off. “Oops. Um, nevermind.”

Olivia began giggling, “Oh gosh, you thought I was throwing out that you weren't an actress.. I’m sorry Sarah, but I know the other thing as well.”

“... Oh. OH!” Sarah answered, paused, and then asked, “... I wasn’t that obvious was I?”

“Nope, but I had a brother, now a sister, in your shoes. To anyone else, you kinda look like a tomboy getting out of her shell - speaking from experience. You even walk and talk like a girl.”

“I guess I’ve always been kind of androgynous. I never thought of myself as a girl, but at the same time none of this really bothers me either. I’m having so much fun being my favorite pixie.” She giggled as Rachel came into the room.

“So, Miss Peterson,” she said, “I’ve picked out a couple of looks for you to choose from for tonight that I think you’ll look stunning in. Nothing you’d want to wear out of here of course, but you’re welcome to take whatever you like home.”

“Thank you Rachel..” Sarah sighed, and looked in the mirror, “I think I need to move out on my own if this keeps up.”

Olivia perked up, “Hey, I have a spare bedroom at my place. Georgia, my old roommate, moved back to California so it’s me alone in that big apartment.”

“Oh, are you sure you wouldn’t mind? My parents told me I could stay as long as I want, but I don’t want to live under their roof forever, you know?”

“Not at all. I miss having someone else there, plus we have the same work schedule, so we’ll be home at the same times.” Olivia babbled on as she finished getting her street on, including her makeup, which was extremely different than her Tinkerbell persona. Where Tink was a down and dirty tinker fairy, Olivia really liked to go girly.

“Got your cell handy? I’ll give you the address so you can stop by and get ready for tonight there.”

“That would be so amazing,” Sarah answered, taking her cheap-o Android Straight Talk phone from her jeans pocket to hand to Olivia, while she continued getting changed, herself. “I mean I’ll still tell my parents what’s going on and everything, but this is so much less awkward.”

“Oh yeah and I can show you your room too when you stop by!” Olivia gushed. “It’s kinda girly though. I mean Georgia was definitely a California barbie girl. Oh and we so have to upgrade your cell phone. No respectable girl carries around an old brick like that,” she teased.

“An O.G. LG at that,” Rachel chimed in. “I didn’t think they made those things anymore.”

“Clearance special,” Sarah laughed. “Social butterfly, I was not, so I didn’t think I needed anything better.”

“You're a Disney Princess now. Things are definitely never going to be dull for you ever again girl.” Rachel laughed.

“Well, yeah, but it’s not like I’m Cinderella or anything,” Sarah said, trying to downplay her role.

“Oh no, You’re just Silvermist,” Olivia giggled. “Ask any girl in the park to name three pixies, and I guarantee you most of them will list Silvermist right after Tinkerbell.”

“Most girls have a hard time placing who Periwinkle is.” Rachel chimed in.

“Wow, that’s a shame. Peri and the fairy whose name I forgot, who sounds a lot like Selena Gomez, are my two favorites from Secret of the Wings,” Sarah giggled. “But I had a small crush on Selena for awhile, so...”

“Me too!” Olivia giggled. “I got to meet her on one of her birthdays here a few years ago. It was kinda crazy.”

“Oh God,” Sarah laughed as she pushed her hair back and mussed it up a bit to look like the scruffy janitor that came in that morning. “I would’ve fainted dead.”

“Almost did.” Olivia giggled and hugged Sarah, “Come by your new place after you talk with the rents, k? Since we live in Celebration, and work here at the park we get a discount on rent, so your half will only be $250, and whatever food you want.”

“Can’t wait!” Sarah bubbled. “Since I’m getting an advance on my first paycheck because of you guys inviting me to dinner tonight, I’ll pay my part up front as soon as it clears.”

“That’s great.” Olivia said as she picked up her purse then hugged Sarah. “See you tonight!”

“So,” Rachel said as she walked up behind Sarah and grinned. “Need a crash course for tonight, or are you good already?”

“Ariel gave me some tips.” Sarah giggled.

“Oki doki. If you need anything just let me know. I’m the lead makeup artist for a reason,” she said with a wink. “No sense having our newest star look less than her best. By the way, how’s the costume fit, and the shoes?” She paused to grin. “And I promise to leave you in peace after this.”

Sarah laughed, but blushed a little at being called a star. “You’re fine, and they’re perfect, The costume’s a tiny bit tight in the top, but the rest fits like a glove,” she said as she finished removing the fingernail polish and stood. “I’d better put my broom away, even though I won’t be needing it anymore. Thanks for everything Rachel.”

“No problem sweetie. It’s what they pay me for,” Rachel answered with a wink.

“Mom, I’m home.” Josh called out. His sister Annie practically tackled him at the door.

“Ohmygosh you’re never going to believe the day I had thank you so much for those passes!” she gushed in one long stream of consciousness as she hugged him.

“Oh I saw you at the park.” Josh said. “I was kinda busy, but I noticed you got to meet Silverbell and the other pixies.”

“Silvermist!” Annie giggled out.

“I’m teasing.” Josh laughed and hugged her. “You know I know her name.”

“I also got to meet Megan Stuart at the wild safari park thingie.”

“Cool, that must have been wicked,” Josh answered excitedly. He was genuinely excited after all. “Is mom in? I need to talk with her.”

“Oh yeah she’s in the basement doing laundry,” Annie answered, nodding. “I’m gonna go see if Megan emailed me back yet,” she giggled out as she raced upstairs.

“Oh, tell her that the two pixies said they would sign whatever it was she wanted them to sign. She just has to show up when she wants it done.” Josh called as he went downstairs. Strains of loud Euro metal could be heard all the way at the top of the stairs as Josh entered the basement. Their mother was folding clothes with her back to the stairs, oblivious.

“Mom!” Josh called out over the music.

“Oh!” Helen said, startled, and grabbed the remote to turn the music down. “Sorry,” she said sheepishly. “I didn’t think you’d be home this early.”

“It’s ok mom, actually I had an early day since it was my first. Also I meet a girl.. and she asked me to room with her, and not in the sexual way before you go off.” Josh laughed.

She muted the stereo, turning to give him 'The Look'. “I hope she’s not just some random park visitor.”

“No, I work with her.” Josh shook his head. “You can’t even be a mass murderer and work at that place you know the background check they ran on me? It was like FBI, CIA, NSA, MI5...”

Helen laughed softly at that. “You know your father’s lawyer called twice wanting to know, and I quote, who the hell you had angered to get so many background checks crossing his desk.”

Josh laughed, “Disney Parks Entertainment. Anyway my coworkers name is Olivia Harris, and she’s really cool. My part of the rent will only be like $250, and I’m sure she’d have no problems with you stopping by randomly to check on me.”

“Well that’s not bad at all, especially for Florida and this close to a major park,” she answered thoughtfully. “I’d certainly like to meet this girl sometime, but your father and I agreed that once you turned eighteen, we wouldn’t meddle anymore.”

“Well yeah but you’re still my mom, and I know you. You’re going to be checking on me. I even have a 20 dollar bill saying so.” Josh teased his mother. “There is one... other thing, I’m not really sure how to explain. I have a new acting gig,” he trailed off.

“Oh? At the park?” she asked, assuming he didn’t just quit his job after one day.

“Yeah. I’m not really allowed to talk about it because Disney is super secret about their projects, but um, my character is a girl, so... I’ve been encouraged to live as a girl as much as possible.”

“That’s an interesting way of coming out,” she answered half-jokingly. “I’ve been kinda waiting for you to tell me that I had two daughters for a long time now.”

Josh laughed a little. “Seriously?”

“Or atleast tell me you are gay or something.” His mom laughed. “I mean you were pretty adamant about not having breast reduction surgery when your gynacanastica kicked in. And you do wear some pretty lacy bras. I do your laundry remember.”

“Like I told Olivia earlier, I just always considered myself more androgynous. But if I’m being brutally honest, I had more fun today than I have in awhile. I love my character, and if I wasn’t under contract I’d tell you every last detail about her.”

“I’ll talk to your father about it, and we’ll pay for you to see a therapist sweetie. Do it right; don’t do it the easy way.” Josh’s mom hugged him tightly. “We’ll still help you move your things to your new apartment though, if you’re sure that’s what you want.”

“And I’m going to have to yell at Daddy right, I mean he is going to..” Josh paused, “Did I just call him Daddy?”

“The transformation’s already begun,” she said in her best ominous mad scientist voice.

Josh giggled like he had been doing all day, “Ok so as I was saying, I’m going to have to tell Dad.. that I don’t need him paying my rent, I can do it on my own. That’s why I drive a scooter instead of a car. I mean God knows if I wanted a car he’d be buying me one.” he sighed.

“Probably a Dodge Viper too,” she teased, biting her tongue. There was a surprise coming, and with Josh moving, it’d come sooner than expected, but it was almost ready anyway. “I almost dread your sister turning 16.”

“At least we’re not as spoiled as we could be.” Josh admitted. “She’ll be fine. Now I have to go tell the duckling I’m moving in with a girl.” he moaned.

“If you thought my look was bad, wait until her dirty little mind starts working,” Helen laughed after him, adding, “Do you have a name you’d prefer to use instead of Josh, sweetie?”

“I told them to call me Sarah.” Sarah answered. “I should have asked you and dad first though..” he sighed.

“Not at all. Sarah’s a beautiful name, and it suits you. Rolls off the tongue nicely, too,” she added. “I had a friend like you in college you know? Auntie Bev?”

“No way. Auntie Bev?” Josh stopped at the stairs, giving her a shocked look.

“Yup,” she laughed. “But before she settled on Bev, she tried some of the strangest names imaginable. My favorite was Zorlinga. She was on some good drugs that day.”

Josh laughed as he walked up the stairs leaving his mom to finish laundry, “Hey Duck.” he called out for his sister.

“Yo-yo,” she called back. “It’s open, and I’m not like naked or anything,” she giggled.

“Ok thank God.” Josh laughed as he walked into her room. She was sitting on her bed, mixing some fingernail polish to look like Silvermist’s. “I’d have to burn my eyes out if I ever saw that. You need a bit more silver.” Josh corrected her.

“I knew it looked off,” she said. “I guess you got to meet her too, huh?” she bubbled.

“I work at the park Annie.” Josh smiled, “How do you think you got your tickets today.”

“Silvermist stole them from the Mad Hatter’s pocket?” she answered with a knowing grin.

Josh shrugged, “So I just told mom, I’m moving out. I met a girl, and I'm going to be rooming with her, and not in the sexual way perv.” he laughed.

She stopped, looking up at him, and asked anyway, “Who are you and what have you done with my introvert brother who wouldn’t even ask a girl out a month ago?”

“I’m your outgoing sister now.” Josh teased.

Annie laughed. “I know. You look good in silver.”

“Wha ... Oh, don’t tell anyone ok?” Josh asked with a sigh, “It’s against the rules, and now I have to ask my co-worker what to do if you guessed.” He laughed a bit despite himself, and pulled out his crap phone to text Olivia.

“I won’t tell,” Annie giggled. “I don’t want to ruin the mystery. As far as I’m concerned Silvermist is still this amazing pixie who hangs out at the park, who you just happen to sort of look like,” she teased back as she got up off her bed, walked over, and hugged her new sister. “But you still made my whole year today.”

“How long did it take before you knew it was me?” Sarah asked.

“Pretty much from the start. I actually figured the ‘janitor’ thing was just your cover story.”

“Oh hey,” Sarah laughed, “Good idea! I have to use that!”

Olivia texted back, ‘Bag her and tag her, bring her with when you come over, we’ll have to discuss details.’

“Uh oh,” Sarah said. “Looks like you’re going to meet Olivia. She wants to talk about you knowing.”

“That’s fine. I want to meet my sisters new girlfriend anyway.” Annie grinned innocently. “So what do I call you now, when I’m not calling you Yo-yo?” she asked.

“Sarah.” Sarah answered. “I thought it was a good name.”

“Oh that’s pretty,” Annie answered. “Just let me put a cap on these bottles so I don’t forget and jump in bed later, and ruin another blanket.” She giggled, capping the nail polish bottles she had been experimenting with while Sarah ran back downstairs to let their mother know.

“Mom, I’m taking Duck over to meet Olivia if that’s okay?”

“As long as she wears her helmet,” their mother called back.

The pair soon arrived outside an extremely lavish apartment building on the ritzy side of town. Immediately Annabell looked up at her sister and asked, “Are you sure this is the right address?”

Sarah laughed a bit. “Honestly? No, not really. I’ll buzz the apartment and see if she answers, but this can’t possibly be the right address.”

“Hi!” Olivia called out over the intercom, “Sarah?”

“Hey Olivia,” Sarah answered. “I wasn’t sure we had the right address.”

“Oh hey, I’ll have the front desk buzz you in.” Olivia quickly responded. A moment later a large security guard approached the front door and opened it, stepping aside to let the girls in without a fuss.

“Thanks,” Sarah said. The security guard nodded, smiling back and closed the door behind them.

A woman at a large desk near the elevators smiled and stopped them, “You must be Sarah right?” She nodded towards Sarah.

“Yes ma’am,” Sarah answered, approaching the desk.

“I’m just going to need you to sign your name on the lease.” The woman said, adding, “And let you know that you can get your mail here.”

“Thank you. I’m still waiting on the advance on my first paycheck to clear, but as soon as it does I promised Olivia I’d pay my part of her rent,” Sarah explained as she signed, without a second thought, ‘Sarah Peterson’.

“Don’t worry, Olivia’s already paid this months rent.” The woman answered.

“Oh. I guess I’ll just reimburse her,” she said sheepishly as the woman took an electronic keycard and placed it on the desk.

“That card will allow you into the main building as well as elevator access rather than having to use the stairs, and access to your apartment. If you should lose it please notify us immediately so that we can change the electronic lock algorithms. You can also request an additional keycard if you like.”

“Well I’ll talk to Olivia first, but I don’t think it would hurt to let me kid sister have one.” Sarah giggled.

“I’d have to like, take a bus,” Annie laughed as they headed for the elevator. “Thanks though. Actually I think my friends live nearby too.”

Olivia was waiting for them when they emerged on the 8th floor, grinning. “Hi Sarah, and Annabell right?” she asked.

“Annie to my friends.” Annie corrected. “And since you’re my sister’s new girlfriend that makes you a friend-mmmph!” she squealed as Sarah hastily covered her mouth.

“Sorry, I told her we’re just roommates. Mom gave me the same grief,” Sarah groaned.

Olivia shrugged, “It’s all cool.” she laughed as she ushered them into a very posh living room area, the floors were hardwood and polished nicely, there was a massive 120” TV, and entertainment center, as well as a very comfortable couch. There was also a grand piano in the center, further back towards the windows, she could see a small indoor pool through an open door, as well.

“Mother of God,” Sarah and Annie said in unison. It wasn’t as though they weren’t used to a little luxury, but this was less an apartment than an 8th floor mini-mansion.

Olivia laughed, “Blame my folks.” she said and led Sarah over to a set of doors, “The one on the rights mine, and the left is yours, down there is the bathroom and each bedroom has its own full bathroom as well.”

“When you said apartment, I thought you meant... well... apartment,” Sarah laughed.

“It’s a converted apartment, this used to be a luxury hotel that disney built and then gave over to the city when it abandoned it.” Olivia laughed.

“Man,” Annie said as she poked her head around the corner to check her new sister’s room, “I stand by what I said earlier today. I think I wanna work at Disney when I grow up.”

“And with that.” Olivia laughed, “You have to promise on threat of lawsuit that you never speak of your sister being Silvermist outside these walls ever.”

“Already did,” Annie laughed as she turned around to face them again. “But I promise. It’s like I said after she freaked out and texted you, as far as I’m concerned, Silvermist is a really cool pixie who hangs out at the park, and just happens to look a lot like my sister.”

“Good, keep it that way, and when you come to the park, she's just Silvermist.” Olivia laughed.

“Yup. I don’t want to spoil the fun for my friends.”

“I sound a lot like Lucy Liu, I know, I used to get teased in School about it, the boys used to call me Lucy Liu.” Sarah laughed.

Olivia giggled. “If they only knew, they’d be tripping over themselves to ask you out instead.”

“Except I’m not into boys.” Sarah laughed, “I’ve had my fair share of dangly bits. I don’t want them on my partner.”

“Oh, I was serious about my crush on Selena. I’m mostly over it now, though.” She winked at Sarah.

Annie hugged them both, taking that as her cue to give the lovebirds some privacy. “Hey, I’m going to go over to Gretchen’s place. She lives a few blocks from here. I’ll call mom ok?”

“Want a ride?” Olivia asked.

“Na I’ll walk.” Annie said and shook her head. “I hear Celebration is like the safest town in Florida.”

“Oh hey before you go,” Sarah said, turning to Olivia. “Would it be weird if I asked to get Duck a keycard?”

“Nope, Annie, just tell them downstairs that we’re cool with you having a key.” Olivia said.

“Wow, thank you,” Annie answered. “I promise not to like bring friends over and abuse your wifi,” she teased.

“We’ll it’s summer break. You guys can come over use the pool, play games on the PS4 or Xbox One, watch movies, whatever, I don’t care.” Olivia said, and, as Annie left, exhaled. “That went better than I expected.”

“What did you expect, a monster?” Sarah asked.

“No, but I didn’t expect her to be so easy going about keeping our secret. Your sister is awesome.”

“Annie and I are really close. I pretty much helped raise her since Dad is always gone, and mom...” she trailed off. “Well, she’s a flake sometimes.”

“Sounds like my parents. Mom’s one of those new age spiritualist types. She means well, but I couldn’t take anymore Enya,” Olivia giggled.

“Oh my mom’s a punk and metal groupie.” Sarah laughed. “Thats how she met our dad.”

“So what brought you to Celebration anyway?” Olivia asked as they sat down on the sofa to continue talking a bit, before they had to start getting ready.

“Oh, we don’t live in Celebration, well I guess I do now, “ Sarah sat down as well in one of the recliners, “We got a McMansion in Four Corners because Mom’s got family there.”

“Ohh,” Olivia answered, and then gave Sarah a sheepish smile. “I guess I should tell you why I’m here, but you’re going to laugh.”

“Whys that?” Sarah smiled.

“I specifically moved here because I wanted to be a theme park entertainer,” Olivia answered sheepishly. “Ever since I was a little girl, and Cinderella took me on a carriage ride through the park, I knew I wanted to live here.” She paused to laugh. “Of course that was a few Cinderellas ago.”

Sarah nodded, but she did laugh just a little bit. “I wanted to work at the park because I’ve been a huge Disney fan my whole life. When we lived in California when I was little, Mom used to take me to Disneyland at least once a month. I really want to be an artist, but acting is fun too.”

“For what it’s worth the company likes to hire in house, so if word gets out that you’re an artist they’ll be beating your door down with projects,” Olivia laughed. “Just ask Alice - err, Christina. She’s done voiceover work for everything from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse to Marvel.”

“Really?” Sarah asked surprised.

“Yeah,” Olivia said, nodding. “Oh, did you see your room?” she added. “You really won't need to bring any furniture other than maybe any specialty furniture you have.”

“Knowing my parents I’ll probably have a new debit card on my nightstand back home by morning with my new name on it, and some ungodly high limit to buy new clothes,” Sarah groaned. “I really try to be independent, even wanted to try the starving artist thing, but my parents...”

“They try to make up for feeling guilty at not always being there. Yeah, I’m in the same boat,” Olivia answered with a reassuring smile. “But at least they care, in their own weird way, right?”

“Yeah, but I feel like crap when I try to refuse.” Sarah sighed as she got up to go and take a peek in her new room. The carpet, thick and plush, was an almost white pink with a huge canopy bed holding up a sleep number mattress. There were other furnishings as well like a solid wood vanity and dresser, and a pair of double doors, currently open, revealing a massive walk in closet. There was also a closed door which Sarah assumed was the bathroom. "Is that a princess bed?”

“Yes,” Olivia giggled as she came up behind Sarah. “Georgia didn’t want to pay the exorbitant shipping to have it moved so she asked me if she could just leave it here for my next roommate to have. Oh don’t worry, the mattress is clean. Georgia was more of a neat freak than me.”

“That was nice of her.” Sarah giggled, as she walked in and put her backpack with her new clothes on the bed. “I think Rachel thought we were going to have dinner with the governor though,” she said as she pulled out a low cut sequined black cocktail dress. “The other one was ritzier than this thing.”

“Oh God,” Olivia said, laughing out loud. “Well, we’re pretty close to the same size. Why don’t you come over to my room, and we’ll get you sorted with a skirt and top? It’s not a fancy dinner. Sheesh Rachel.” Olivia giggled.

“I’ll give her an A for effort,” Sarah laughed as she followed Olivia. “The shoes looked pretty daunting too. I’ve never worn heels in my life.”

“Yeah, no,” Olivia said, shaking her head. “You don’t start off with heels, especially really high ones. You start out with a one, maybe one and a half, then work your way up as you get more comfortable.”

Olivia opened her closet revealing a wardrobe any girl who called herself a Girly girl would die for; Sarah stared in disbelief for a moment.

“Okay, it’s official,” Sarah said, glancing at Olivia. “You’re coming shopping with me later.”

“I planned on it.” Olivia giggled. “I’m going to make you the best girly girl girlfriend on the planet.” she teased.

“Silvermist is a total girly girl from what I’ve seen, and I’m supposed to get in touch with my inner Silvermist...” Sarah trailed off into giggles, not wanting to admit that the thought of going full on super girly girl kind of sounded fun. It was one thing to admit she wanted to be a girl, but somehow ‘super girly girl’ felt a little scary yet.

“I think from all the movies, it’s safe to say Silvermist is the biggest girly girl pixie in the group:Sil or Rosetta” Olivia nodded, “Heck Tink is a tomboy, but I know how to do that. I was a tomboy when I was a teen.”

“Wouldn’t know it looking at this closet,” Sarah laughed. “But that’s true. The first thing she did when she got her new wardrobe was make it as comfortable as possible.”

“Exactly.” Olivia nodded. “And she never complains when she gets dirty.”

“Rosetta is definitely more dainty than Sil, but Sil has that refined lady thing going for her,” Sarah nodded as Olivia pulled her into the closet further to hold up outfits against her, trying to find the right one. Olivia and Sarah settled on a Baby pink black pleated skirt, and a velvet powder pink top.

“Totally girly girl there,” Olivia said approvingly.

“Oh this is cute...” Sarah giggled, turning this way and that to the floor length mirror. “I think it’s actually longer than my Silvermist skirt too,” she teased.

“Probably by an inch or two. I feel like the Pixie skirts are meant to be sexy but kid friendly at the same time, to attract the adults over as well.” Olivia teased.

“I do have one question though,” Sarah said as she sat down on the edge of Olivia’s bed and stepped into a pair of low heels in a muted coral pink. “That guy that plays Jack Sparrow ... He’s not the real Depp is he?” she giggled. “Because damn.”

“I know right?” Olivia laughed. “The mannerisms, lazy speech and everything are so perfect I sometimes suspect Johnny of coming to the park dressed as Jack to mess with people,” she teased, as the intercom buzzed, and a familiar, but unfamiliar voice spoke up.

“Hey, it’s Christina,” the voice said, but absent its faux British accent or high octave fluctuations that were so iconic to the Alice character.

“And Kelly!” Another voice called over top of Christina. Christina giggled.

“Oh,” Olivia laughed. “I’ll go buzz them in,” she said as she raced to the spacious living room area. Sarah got up to follow, albeit slowly. The low heels were a bit like wearing cowboy boots, but she hadn’t worn those since that one goofy homecoming spirit “cowboy” day in ninth grade. It didn’t take her long to adjust though, and by the time the girls had reached their door, she was comfortable walking in them.

Olivia opened the door on two very different women than Sarah remembered. One, about Alice’s height, had honey blonde hair rather than Alice’s platinum blonde, and was dressed in a cute kelly green ‘keyhole’ off the shoulder top and black skirt. The other girl had short red hair, and wore motorcycle leathers, a leather skirt, and a neon pink motorcycle helmet under her arm.

“God damn.” The red haired girl laughed as she looked around. “Princesses playing Princesses.” Though Kelly had been out to eat with Olivia and Christina a few times now, this was her first time at Olivia’s apartment.

“In my defense,” Sarah laughed, “I was told the rent would be $250, so I expected something a little... less.”

“More like a dive.” Olivia laughed. “Miss starving artist,” she teased, causing Sarah to laugh.

Kelly laughed, “It’s all good, really. I live in a dive though, over in Orlando. I had to have my place bombed for roaches.”

“You should’ve said something,” Olivia frowned. “I would’ve offered my spare room to you.”

“It’s not too late actually,” Sarah added.

“No way! I can’t break up the Princesses.” Kelly laughed again. “No it’s fine, really, I’m staying with my Aunt Julie this week while the apartment fumes out. I haven’t seen her or her family since I was in diapers.”

“By the way, just getting it out in the open,” Christina said, stepping closer to hug Sarah. “Your secret’s safe with us.”

“Uh?” Kelly said, confused.

Sarah laughed. “You got me. I’m kind of between genders right now, and if Olivia has her way I’ll be the biggest girly girl on the planet soon - not that I’m complaining.”

Kelly blinked, turning back to Sarah again. “... Whoa. Seriously?”

“Doesn’t matter.” Christina added, “You’re still a Princess, and one of our sisters.”

“Yup,” Kelly said as she pulled Sarah into a hug. “You’re one of us, girl.”

“And don’t let the tough act fool you,” Olivia teased. “Kelly is the sweetest girl you’ll ever meet. It’s Christina you have to watch out for,” she teased.

“My dad’s a Hell’s Angel, so I have to act tough.” Kelly laughed.

“And bite your tongue,” Christina laughed. “I am every bit as innocent as Alice ... Most of the time.”

“More like American Mcgee’s Alice.” Kelly shot back..

“I wanted to do that for Halloween last year, but the boss was worried people might recognize me,” Christina giggled. “It’s a fair point though. I’ve had people ask me if I voiced the Alice ride even on the street. I wish. I’m not as lyrical as Kathryn Beaumont.”

“You almost had me fooled with the British accent, except my dad has a real one.” Sarah said..

Christina giggled. “I went through so much coaching to get that accent to sound British, without sounding too British. It’s especially hard still when I’m laughing - which happens a lot around Scott.”

“Scott is such a ham.” Olivia laughed, “I love that guy like a brother.”

“God me too,” Kelly giggled. “I've only been with the park a short time, and he’s been like a big goofy brother, always looking out for me.”

“We had fun today.” Sarah admitted with a giggle. “He really takes his role seriously.”

“I’m not going to lie,” Christina said. “When you reached in his hat to take Aladdin’s fez, then ran off, I almost peed myself laughing.”

“I totally improvised.” Sarah giggled. “I was just going to tell him it was in the hat, and I was like no, just grab it and run, any self respecting Pixie would do the same.”

“You’re a natural,” Olivia giggled out. “I can’t wait until we have a full cast of pixies running around the park and Pixie Hollow.”

“If they’re half as fun as you three,” Christina laughed, “Hatter might just be driven sane.”

Sarah giggled, “I’d pay to see that.”

“So who’s limo are we taking?” Kelly asked, paused, and grinned. “Just kidding.”

“Don’t look at me,” Sarah laughed. “I rode in on a...” she paused, glancing at Kelly. Kelly groaned.

“Oh God. You’re the dork on the Vespa?” she said, trying to look serious, but then started laughing too. “I’m kidding! Nothing wrong with scooters. They’re cute. Seriously, we’re all friends here. And if anybody gives you crap, Periwinkle’ll kick their asses.”

“Now that, I’d pay to see,” Christina laughed. “We can take my car if you’d like though,” she said, her Alice slipping in just a bit, not in tone or pitch, but in her choice of words. “It’s a 4-door.”

The girls all went down and go into Christina’s car and she drove to a small quiet 24/hr burger joint, “Told you nothing fancy.” Olivia laughed. “You should see the sexy cocktail dress Rachel picked out for her.”

“And the strappy stilts,” Sarah groaned. “I like Rachel a lot, but her idea, and our idea, of a casual dinner are two veeeery different things.”

“Maybe she thought it was a date,” Kelly teased.

Olivia grinned evilly, “Maybe this is a double date.” she teased Kelly.

Christina laughed. “I would never be so devious. Not without getting you drunk first,” she teased back.

“You know, I actually don’t drink. It’s weird.” Olivia laughed. “One wine cooler and I’m out on the floor drooling.”

“Oh thank God,” Kelly laughed. “I was afraid something like that might come up where I’d have to politely say ‘hell no’. I’m hardcore allergic to alcohol. Can’t even take cough syrup with it.”

Christina laughed, “We’re a dry group of friends eh? When we go clubbing, we drink soda.” she hugged Kelly, “You’re safe.”

“It’s all in fun,” Olivia added with a giggle. “But, and please don’t take this the wrong way, but I can’t help but giggle a little at the daughter of a Hell’s Angel being allergic to alcohol.”

“And half Irish, half German to boot,” Kelly added with a giggle.

Christina shook her head, “Really? Oh wow, I feel bad. Last time I went drinking was with my older brother, and his friends and I drank them under the table. But I’ve been dry for a year now. I don’t see any reason to break that.”

“I’ve never even had alcohol, if that helps,” Sarah added as they found a booth to sit.

Olivia hugged Sarah close, “You’re not missing much girl. Shiz is nasty.”

“Aside from putting me in the emergency room,” Kelly giggled, “It tastes like piss.”

Christina grinned, “And you’d know what piss tasted like how?” she teased.

Kelly laughed. “I’d tell you but I’d have to tickle you.”

“Ut oh, busting out the weapons of mass destruction.” Olivia laughed as a young waitress approached their table..

“Hi gals, what can I get you?” she asked brightly despite looking a bit weary.

“Oh hey Sue, I didn’t think you were working today.” Olivia said.

“Oh hi Liv!” Sue replied warmly. “I took a double shift since Lisa’s down with the measles. It’s cutting into my study time, but the money’s worth it.”

“Damn girl, oh anyway, these are my friends from work. You remember Christina and Kelly, and this is our new girl, Sarah. Sarah, Suzanne’s been my regular waitress since I’ve been coming here. If she ever quits I’ll have to find a new diner,” she said jokingly.

Sue laughed. “I’m working on it. Just a few more classes and I’ll be a registered nurse, and I can leave this place behind. But I’ll totally come back once a week for free to wait Liv’s table,” she teased.

“Good. I don’t want to have to break in a new waitress.” Olivia giggled. “I’ll have the usual myself.”

Sarah looked at Olivia and then Sue, “Whats her usual?”

“Medium well burger on a whole wheat bun drowning in ketchup, with a side of garlic fries and a Dr. Pepper,” Sue answered without missing a beat.

“I’ll take the same then.” Sarah said hungrily. “That sounds good.”

“Oh, me too, but make mine well done and cheese please,” Christina asked more than stated.

“Yeah, why not,” Kelly laughed. “Light on the ketchup, heavy on the garlic please and thank you.”

“I’m actually allergic to cheese if we’re being honest.” Sarah laughed. “Most Dairy actually.”

“Ouch,” Christina answered. “I don’t know about you, but growing up I couldn’t live without my sugar coated sugar blasted cereal and milk.”

Olivia stage whispered, “She still can’t. It’s how she stays so perky at work.”

Sarah giggled, “I take medication so I can eat dairy, but I still like to keep it down to a minimum. I hate pills, especially after the horse pills for anti depressants I used to take.”

Christina nodded. “I can sympathize. I know everyone thinks I’m so together now, but I used to have major problems with depression too.”

“My older sister tried to kill herself a couple of times before she finally came to grips with her gender identity issues,” Olivia said quietly. “I can’t pretend to know what she went through, but I understand about depression. You guys are in safe company.”

“How did your parents take it? I bet it was nothing like my moms reaction.” Sarah asked.

“They kind of went through the five stages of grief, but finally accepted it when they realized that it was accept having two daughters, or lose one of them to a graveyard.”

“My mom acted like I was born a girl.” Sarah laughed.

Kelly giggled softly. “Well, you do look the part, and your voice acting was so perfect I had to google you on my break to make sure you weren’t Lucy.”

“I used to get called Lucy Liu in school.” Sarah laughed. “I mean i went to school with like five different guys who had higher timbre voices, but I was the ‘lucky’ one to have the voice and girlish good looks. I wore a lot of baggy clothing.”

“So Olivia gets to date Lucy Liu, and I get Lilith over here huh?” Christina teased, giggling. “No, but seriously, you have an amazing voice and an amazing talent. Anyone that teased you for that should have their head examined after having it slammed in a car door a few times.”

Olivia nodded, “I totally agree, even with the gratuitous violence part too.”

Christina gave her best ‘Alice’ sweet and innocent smile. “Don’t let this get out, but I’m a kickboxing champion.”

Sarah laughed , “Really? I'm not a master or anything but I'm really good at Tai Ji, or more commonly called Tai Chi.”

“I used kickboxing to deal with a lot of my depression and anger issues, but when I discovered acting, it was like I was ‘home’. I knew what I wanted to do the rest of my life.”

“Same with me. I used Tai Chi to focus my mind, and not think about my problems.” Sarah smiled a little at that, excited to meet another martial artist.

“Yeah, exactly,” she said as Sue brought out their drinks. “I might bother you to teach me someday. I’ve wanted to expand my studies without going back to kickboxing. Having an Alice with super toned muscles would be ... unsightly.”

“I still do this ritual every morning.” Sarah winked at Olivia at that. “I’ll definitely try to make sure I’m clothed and quiet.” she teased.

Olivia laughed. “Oh, the apartment’s entirely soundproofed.”

“Reeeeeeally,” Kelly said, grinning evilly. “What were you and your last roommate doing again?”

“Georgia played guitar,” Olivia laughed, “Pervert.”

“Plus you saw the grand piano,” Sarah laughed. Kelly shrugged, still grinning.

“Can’t blame a girl for fantasizing. Georgia was hot, even though I only met her once before she moved.”

“She was also straight as Merida’s arrows.” Olivia laughed.

“The deathknell to every potentially great relationship,” Christina laughed. “If I had a dime for every time I found a nice girl, amazing friendship, who had a huge crush on my brother... God, no wonder I had depression issues.”

Sarah laughed a bit at that. “I kept fighting with my sexuality as well. I was like, I’m a boy, liking girls is alright, but at the same time, I was like um, I’m not a boy, I like girl stuff too much to be a boy. So liking girls shouldn’t be ok. I mean I beat myself up over it forever. I’m still not sure 100% who I am yet, but I know where I’m headed.”

“I’ve got names of really good therapists if that helps,” Olivia said. “My sister went through several before she found someone who really listened.”

Sarah nodded. “My mom said if I found one, she and dad would pay for it, because I sure the heck can’t afford it on the park salary. I snuck a look at the bill for the one I saw in High school, and holy hell they’re highway robbers.”

“A-freaking-men to that,” Christina laughed raising her glass. “$250 an hour to listen to me whine about my problems meeting lesbian girls. Kickboxing turned out to be cheaper, and way more fun.”

“The one my parents sent me to, was $450 an hour, and he was a dick.” Sarah laughed, “All he ever said was ‘And how does that make you feel?’, never tried to help beyond prescribing meds.”

“Maybe I should become a therapist,” Kelly laughed. “I’m not a dick, and for 450 bucks an hour I’ll listen to anything anyone has to say.”

“I really wanted to tell the ass, it makes me feel like ripping my weiner off and shoving it down your throat.” Sarah giggled. At that moment Sue approached with their burgers. She either didn’t hear Sarah, or chose not to let on that she heard, as she simply smiled warmly.

“Let me know if you need anything else,” she said brightly.

“Thanks Sue.” Olivia giggled.
“Thank you,” Sarah echoed. “Oh can I get a little saucer of Ranch?”

“Sure thing,” Sue answered, and stepped away again.

Sarah blushed deeply, “Oh God, I didn’t mean for her to hear that.”

Olivia was nearly in tears laughing. “She’s heard far worse from me, trust me.”

“I’m sure you never said you wanted to rip your weiner off and shove it down someones throat before either.” Sarah giggled, still blushing.

“True, but this is where I come to unwind after work. Sometimes I’ll drag Christina and Scott here, or a girls’ night like this. If the air isn’t blue, someone’s not trying hard enough,” she teased.

“I’m a little surprised you like girls though, Christina,” Kelly added. “The way you and Scott interact I totally thought you were... y’know...”

“And why’s that?” Christina laughed, “You know Scott’s gay right?”

“Seriously?” Kelly and Sarah answered in unison.

“Seriously, hes been with his partner for a few years now. I think they met in school.” Christina said.

“I’m hoping we can make this a regular thing,” Olivia said around a mouthful of hamburger.

Christina grinned, “Oh I don’t know if I want to interupt your date nights with the new girl.” she teased.

“Well, that’s why Kelly’s here too,” Olivia teased back.

Kelly shook her head, “Ok Seriously, what's up with the whole that’s why Kelly’s here thing?” she was either really dence or really dence.

“I’m sorry,” Olivia answered. “It’s just-”

“Shhh!” Christina said.

“But-”

“SHHH!” Christina answered, blushing.

“No, I’m not going to sssh about it.” Olivia giggled, “Kelly, Chris has a massive crush on you. There the cat’s out of the bag now.”

“It’s why I get so damn tongue tied every time Scott and I came by Pixie Hollow the last couple of days,” Christina sighed.

“Really? I mean I thought we were all adults here. You could have just told me.” Kelly giggled. “I always thought you were out of my league. I mean, apart from thinking you and Scott were dating.”

Christina laughed. “Um... Ditto, actually... I play this innocent, sweet, lovable character, and don’t get me wrong, I adore playing her, but I was afraid you’d think that was how I really am too.”

“Bah, the last time we were here, you were trying to describe how girls can write their names in snow with pee just like boys can.” Kelly laughed. “I know better than you being sweet and innocent.”

Sarah had to take a moment to process the mechanics and logistics of girls writing their names in snow. Christina laughed.

“Okay, so I overcompensate a little when we’re ‘unwinding’... Truth be told, I’m not really at either extreme, but somewhere in the middle, and I really want to get to know you better.”

“And since cats are out of the bags.” Olivia laughed, “The moment Christina brought that cute pixie to the hollow, I knew I had to make her mine.”

Sarah blushed deeply as she slowly put down her hamburger. “I don’t have any cats to let out of bags, but um, I’m really excited about sharing an apartment with the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met, who also happens to be smart, funny, talented, and loves kids and entertaining as much as I do?”

Christina and Kelly laughed, “I think she’s proposing to you Olivia.” Christina spoke up.

“Hey,” Sarah laughed. “I don’t propose until the second date.”

Kelly laughed, “How many girls have you asked to marry you then?” she teased.

Sarah counted on her fingers, then on the other hand. Christina raised her eyebrows as Sarah continued counting for a few more seconds. “Counting Olivia? This is actually my second date ever, and I only just found out it was a date a few seconds ago.”

Olivia giggled quietly. “Sorry for tricking you and Kelly.”

Sarah laughed. ‘Oh I don’t mind. I’m having fun, and the company is great.”

“And I don’t have to go home and take a really long, really cold shower tonight,” Kelly added. “So I’m good.”

“No, she can come to my place and take a nice warm relaxing swim in my bed with me.” Christina teased.

Kelly said, in her best Mad Hatter impersonation, “But I don’t know how to swim.”

“Oh then I can give you mouth to mouth resuscitation after saving you from drowning.” Christina teased again.

“Ooooh, my daddy warned me about girls like you,” Kelly giggled. “I’m so glad he was right. You sure you’re alright with dating a biker chick though?”

“I watch Sons of Anarchy.” Christina giggled. “I know it’s just TV, but I’ve heard it’s pretty close. I’m fine it, really. Besides, I know it’s just an act,” she added with a wink.

Sarah laughed, “I like that show. SamCro forever.”

“Weirdly, me too,” Kelly laughed. “You’d think I’d hate it or be indifferent, but it’s really good.”

“I cried when Opie died.” Sarah frowned. “What made me even more sad was Jax wasn’t very sympathetic towards his death, even though those two were like best friends throughout their school years.”

“I think it was an act,” Kelly said, nodding. “He had to hold it in to keep up appearances when in reality that would’ve shaken anybody up. But that’s coming from someone who lives on keeping up appearances,” she teased. “Peri is like, my ‘Oh thank God I don’t have to be Kelly Brown for awhile’ mode.”

“You do an awesome job with that.” Sarah said, “I mean we didn’t get to hang today, but when we did you were really into being Tink’s sister.”

“I even shadowed Olivia for awhile to try and pick up some of her quirky mannerisms that she puts into her role.”

“That’s awesome because in the movie, they had never met before and they acted almost alike.” Sarah giggled.

“They even had those weird cotton balls on their shoes,” Christina laughed.

“Yeah.” Sarah giggled, “It was like no matter how far they were their beings were almost touched by each other, not much is said of what her job is in the ice kingdom, I bet shes a tinker fairy too.”

“That’s like the one thing that bugged me about that movie,” Kelly said, nodding. “Every other season’s fairies have specific jobs, but winter fairies just kind of existed as they were presented.”

“I hope they make a follow up eventually, and explain more.” Olivia nodded.

“Gosh me too,” Sarah said, “But I have to give them props for explaining Hook’s origins in Pirate Fairy.”

“I agree that was a good movie,” Olivia said. “I had to watch it twice.”

“And this is why I love you guys,” Christina laughed. “We went seamlessly from sex jokes to our favorite parts about Disney movies.”

“Violent ripping penis’ off and shoving them down throats, to beating boys heads in car doors too.” Kelly laughed.

“We should get more actors to hang out here,” Sarah laughed. “Make it like our version of a cop bar.”

Olivia laughed, “I think they’d throw us all out of here on our ears.”

Josh Peterson has just scored the job of a lifetime - or at least the best job he can hope for without leaning on his parents for references - as a janitor at The Magic Kingdom, but when fate intervenes and he finds himself alone with the costume of his favorite Pixie Hollow character, his life takes a whole new turn.

---

After dinner, as the girls walked back out to Christina’s car Sarah received a text from her mother that she had a surprise for her, asking her to stop by as soon as she could. Sarah groaned as she sat in the backseat of dark red Buick Regal.

“Mom wants me to stop by the house. She has a ‘surprise’ for me. What did I tell you?” she laughed. “I guarantee it’s a new debit card.”

“Hey,” Kelly laughed. “Don’t knock free money, honey. If your parents want to give you a hand being you, I say go for it. This is your chance to reinvent yourself.”

“What’s the address?” Christina asked, grinning. “We’ll do a blitz shopping trip before we head back to Olivia’s, if that’s okay with you guys.”

“Sure!” Olivia giggled.

Kelly nodded. “I wouldn’t have said anything if I minded. I wanna get Sarah some body spray too so she’s not stuck using Brute,” she teased. “Plus I think it’s sweet Olivia gets to meet Sarah’s mom already. I’m not letting my parents anywhere near Christina.”

“Crap,” Sarah groaned, sinking into the seat as they pulled into the driveway. “My Dad’s home.”

“I thought you told Gen your parents were cool?” Olivia giggled out, squeezing Sarah’s hand.

“Oh, they are,” Sarah answered. “But that doesn’t make this any easier.”

“We’ll go with you,” Christina said, stepping out of the car. She opened Sarah’s door for her, and Olivia gave her a nudge, causing Sarah to whine and step out.

“I guess with Kelly there at least I won’t feel completely awkward,” Sarah teased causing Kelly to laugh.

“Oh shush,” she shot back. “Be glad you can be yourself around your parents now. If anyone ever found out I play a Disney pixie I’d be dragged out of town hogtied to a bike and dumped on the outskirts,” she teased as they walked up the long garden path through the landscaped front yard. “Man,” she added as they reached the front door “Am I like the only non-Princess princess?”

Christina laughed. “I live in a penthouse now, but only because I work my ass off as a voice actress.”

Sarah took a deep breath, slid the key in the lock, and opened the door. “Mom, Dad? “ she called almost hesitantly.

“In the kitchen.” Sarah’s mom called back.

“I hope you don’t mind, I brought some friends from work. We were out having dinner when you texted me,” she said as she approached the kitchen.

“Thats fine.” Helen called out as Sarah rounded the corner. “Your dad’ll be in from the garage in a second- Oh my... You look beautiful,” she gushed.

“Whoa!” Annie said, coming in from the kitchen’s other entrance. “You look hot!”

“Thanks,” Sarah laughed, blushing as she motioned for the others to come in too. “Annie you already know Olivia. Mom, this is Olivia, Kelly, and Christina. Guys this is my Mom, Helen, and my sister Annie.”

“It’s nice to meet you all,” Helen said, adding, “And I’m sorry if I interrupted your evening plans. You really didn’t have to rush over.”

“Nah, we wanted to,” Christina answered. “Olivia wanted to meet you.”

At that, Kelly put an arm around Sarah’s shoulders. “And we wanted to let you know your daughter’s safe with us,” she teased, grinning while trying not to giggle as she let go again.

Olivia nodded, “She really is. We’re very protective of each other, and the older actors in the park are way worse at being overbearing too. Like you should meet the actress who plays Maleficent. She’s like mother hen.”

“Oh Gosh yes,” Christina laughed. “She’s almost scarier out of character than she is in character. But I think the lady who plays Cruella De Vil is a sweetie.”

“And they drink less than Auntie Bev,” Sarah laughed. “At this rate I may keep doing this full time while I work on my art on the side.”

“Is that my new daughter I hear?” Rick asked, every bit the Essex accent Sarah had warned them about, as he came into the kitchen, wiping motor oil from his hands with a disposable shop towel. “Wow,” he said with a big laugh. “You look beautiful. I’d give ya a hug but,” he trailed off, motioning. He was dressed in an old flannel shirt over a gray tee shirt, and looked very much like he had just been waist deep in rebuilding an engine.

“Hi Dad,” Sarah said sheepishly. “These are my friends from work, Olivia - my new roommate, and Kelly and Christina.”

Christina laughed, “Wow, you weren't joking when you said your dad had a British accent. He could almost pass for Bert.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he laughed, adding, “Oh I got a present out in the garage for you Sarah dear.”

“Oh boy,” Sarah said. “Well at least it’s not a new platinum card.”

“Nah, yer mum’s holding that for you,” he teased.

“Actually I put it in your new girls best friend on the counter.” Helen shot back, pointing to the small white purse on the counter. It was sitting conveniently placed next to an unopened Straight talk iPhone 6 box.

Annie coughed. “The phone was my idea because I’ve seen that dinosaur you’re using now.”

“Oh, nice!” Sarah giggled. “I can keep my old number this way. Thanks guys,” she bubbled. “So what’s in the garage?” she added as she picked up her new purse and put her driver’s license she’d been carrying in her small skirt pocket into it.

“Go look,” Rick answered. “Key’s in the ignition.”

Sarah poked her head into the garage. Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes wide as saucers as she found a mint condition 1968 soft top convertible Mustang awaiting her.

“Mother of God!” Sarah practically yelped. Rick laughed.

“Before you protest too much, I’ve been working on this little surprise for months. I just finally got the last parts I needed last week and had it brought over while you were out. I figured since you’re moving, now was the perfect time rather’n wait for your next birthday.”

Annie grinned, “I want a Dodge Viper on my 16th,” she teased.

Sarah and Helen both laughed laughed as Sarah jumped in the driver’s seat, running her hands over the steering wheel slowly. “Wow... She’s perfect.”

“All new leather interior.” Rick said proudly as Sarah got out again and carefully hugged him, not wanting to get oil on Olivia’s top in the process. For all that she complained of wanting to be independent, she really did love the new car.

“Thanks Daddy,” she giggled out, which surprised him a little, but he smiled.

“You’re welcome. Think that’s the first time you’ve thanked me since you were Annie’s age though,” he laughed. “And I really love the daddy thing. Annie uses it all the time too: sounds better than ‘Dad’ to my ear.”

“I’m rubbing off on her already,” Annie giggled gleefully. “Now to get more pink into her wardrobe.”

Olivia grinned. “Too late. I think pink is her favorite color,” she teased. Sarah stuck her tongue out at Olivia..

“Well, pink and dark blue,” she shot back and winked..

Kelly leaned over to Sarah, “How many tats does your dad have anyway? You sure he’s not a biker?”

Sarah giggled. “More than what you can see, and nope, roadie. Alice Cooper, Metallica, Nightwish...”

“Ex-roadie.” Rick answered, overhearing the girls’ whispers. “I got my own gigs now. But you’d be surprised how often I cross paths with the biker scene, usually in bars.”

Sarah giggled, “Dad’s from West Essex but he’s been around the world.”

Rick laughed, “My dad was worked at the steel mill till I was 16, and I worked at the steel mill till I was 18 and took off as a roadie for a punk band called Rancid. I wasn’t going to work myself to death for rubbish pay.”

“Oh, and mom’s an artist,” Annie added. “Abstract paint, sculpting, you name it. We have a sweet art studio.”

“Oh, which reminds me,” Olivia chimed in, “The other half of our floor is just empty space. A previous investor started renovating it, but then fell derelict on the lease. If you wanted you could probably rent it as a studio.”

“Oh sweet, but the rent’s got to be more than what we’re paying for ours? I mean crap our apartment looks like a mini mansion.” Sarah giggled. “Ours has to be way more than $500, for that matter.”

Olivia smiled sheepishly. “Well... a bit... My parents are paying part, and we get a Disney discount because it’s in Celebration. Actual price is closer to three large a month, but right now I only pay $750.”

“If you’re paying $750, why am I paying $250? I mean that’s not fair of me.” Sarah asked.

“Well, you said you wanted to try the starving artist thing,” Olivia teased, giggling. “Really though it’s just because I wanted a certain new roommate badly enough to bribe her.”

Sarah laughed. “In my own defense, I’m paying my way through art school on scholarships this fall, and the money from work is going toward what that doesn’t cover.”

Helen laughed a bit at that. “She wants to be independent, but I keep telling her she doesn’t have to be. We have money for both girls, and plenty of it. We just purchased a few houses in the neighborhood here to renovate and flip.”

“I’m even checking out my new friend Gretchen’s private school here,” Annie giggled. Sarah laughed.

“I guess it’s something I’ll bring up with my new therapist. Olivia’s going to get me some names to look into.”

“My older sister went through the same thing Sarah is now, only my parents were a lot less supportive,” Olivia added as Sarah led the girls with her parents in tow through the kitchen.

“The art studio’s back here,” Sarah said as she led them to a spacious back end first floor room. The open area had hardwood floors with a lot of plastic or drop cloth down under various art projects, canvases of various sizes, with still more paintings stacked against the wall, and the odd “junk” sculpture - one a topiary-style giraffe made entirely out of soda bottle lids, and another a 1960s-style sci-fi robot sculpture assembled from old broken appliances.

“Whoa,” Kelly said, looking around. “Did you do all these?” she asked, glancing at Helen, who laughed.

“A couple of those are Sarah’s.” Helen shook her head. “And Annie is more into clay sculpting. We all worked on Will - the robot statue though.”

“Pretty much anything Disney in here was my doing,” Sarah said sheepishly. “Except the cute porcelain statues. Those are all Annie.”

“Speaking of which,” Annie said as she rushed over to her sculpting area, grabbing a nearby tarp and throwing it over the entire table. “I’m working on a surprise for the Pixies. I can’t have you going and telling them what it is before it’s ready,” she teased.

Olivia giggled and leaned over to Annie, “We’re not allowed to turn down gifts at work. We’re supposed to ask people if they’re sure like a billion times. But we’re not allowed to refuse the guests.”

“Good,” Annie giggled out. “Because it’s something I want you each to have when they’re ready.”

“One time at work Scott and I were walking around, “ Christina spoke up, “And some customer tipped us like $500. We tried to refuse him a ton of times, but he refused to take no for an answer We eventually took it per policy, but you have to report it to Gennine.”

Kelly laughed. “You two are like the face of Disney World. I don’t care what anyone says about the mouse. It’s totally you two.”

Christina laughed, “We actually get that alot too.” She paused, and added in a perfect Minnie Mouse voice, “Of course, I’m the bow behind the mouse on the Clubhouse! Teehee!”

“Oh my God,” Annie laughed. “There was this little girl I babysat for back in Cali who watched that show religiously. You’re really Minnie?”

Christina nodded. “I also have a bit role in the new Star Wars Rebels as frightened peasant #2 fleeing the Storm Troopers.”

Sarah giggled, “I submitted some art to Disney for Star Wars Rebels. Don’t know if they’ll want to use it though.”

“Oh wow really?” Christina said excitedly. “Oh I hope we get to work together! It’d be nice to be able to talk about what we do out in the open for a change.”

“Hey, you should show them your Star Wars costume from last year.” Annie grinned, “Sarah had made an entire Ashoka outfit for halloween last year.”

“Well, I’m short, she’s short...” Sarah giggled out. “I can’t do Ahsoka’s voice very well though. The inflection’s just too different.”

“Hey,” Olivia said, “Now that we have two cars, why don’t you come with us Annie?” We’re taking Sarah shopping.” She grinned. “I get to ride with Sarah in the stang though.”

“Oh! Can I?” Annie squeaked excitedly.

“I gotta be honest,” Annie said from the backseat as they pulled into the mall parking lot. “I’m having trouble believing you’re really the same person. The old J--sibling person would have never accepted a debit card from Mom and Dad, let alone a Mustang,” she giggled.

“I don’t plan on going too crazy on myself,” Sarah laughed. “Kelly needs this too.”

“You thought so too, huh?” Olivia laughed. “I’ve been telling her she needs to stop living in her dad’s shadow and be herself, but hearing her say it out loud, I think, it’s the first time she’s finally admitted it.”

“Kelly’s dad is some old school biker dude,” Sarah explained to Annie as they stepped out of the car. She made sure to put the top back up before turning on the alarm. “But she told us at dinner that her character is her chance to escape from being Kelly. Kind of like how mine was for me today. I felt free for the first time in ages.”

Annie giggled. “Oh God. Poor Kelly. We’re going to Barbie her too, huh?”

Olivia laughed. “I figure between you, Sarah, me, and Christina, she can’t fight us all off.”

“Well, it’s really cool of you guys to include me like this,” Annie said brightly as she hugged Sarah, as Kelly and Christina joined them.

“Since you know our dirty little secret,” Kelly said, “We have to keep an eye on you now,” she teased.

“I know Sarah’s. I haven’t pegged you guys yet,” Annie laughed. “But I have a suspicion about Christina with that ‘face of the park’ thing.”

“... Oops,” Kelly said, and then giggled as they entered.

“So” Annie giggled, “My sister the pink fufu girl artist.” she teased.

“Talking about yourself again?” Sarah shot back playfully. “I might pick up a new digital art pad while we’re here though.”

Annie smiled, “You really should pick up a new laptop too. If you guys think her phone was a dinosaur, you should see the brick she used for a laptop”

“Before it finally crapped out,” Sarah added.

“Oh oh, let me guess!” Christina squealed. “It had Windows Vista installed.”

“Nope, Windows 95.” Sarah sighed.

Christina stared blankly at Sarah. Annie giggled. “No, she’s not joking. 256 meg hard drive and all.”

“How did you even... I... I don’t even,” Christina stammered. Kelly laughed.

“You broke our computer geek.”

“The drawing software I have is 95 compatible, and I had 1gb of ram.” Sarah commented. “It does the job.”

“Well,” Christina finally said, recovering from her momentary lapse of being unable to even, “At least it wasn’t Windows 8.”

“I like 10 so far. it’s turning out to be a really nice OS.” Annie said. “Early beta, but still, it looks sweet.”

“Oh me too. It goes in cycles of crap, good, crap, good. Windows 7 was amazing so I knew 8 would be garbage. And now 10’s coming along brilliantly. You’ll even be able to stream xbox one games to your PC in 10 if the industry rumors hold true.”

Annie nodded, “I use the latest greatest build on my laptop, I’m in the know for 10.” she teased.

“You just lost your sister, and I just lost my girlfriend,” Kelly teased, giggling.

Olivia giggled, “At least I’m on the same computer page as Sarah. Windows 95 is about where I’m stuck in my head.” she teased.

“Good lord,” Annie groaned. “You two were made for each other. But for what it’s worth 7 and 10 aren’t massive leaps from 95 the way 8 was with the Metro UI thing. Well I mean if you use the right software mods.”

“I can play video games and navigate an iPhone better than anyone though.” Olivia winked.

“Speaking of iPhones, I should activate mine and donate my old one.” Sarah giggled and pulled out the phone she had stuffed in her purse with her license and credit card. “I should probably talk to that therapist about what to do to legally change my name and stuff too...”

“That part’s really easy here,” Olivia said. “You can even get your license changed to ‘F’ without a ton of hassle.”

“One of us, one of us,” Kelly chanted, causing the others to laugh.

“If she only knew?” Olivia giggled out as Sarah activated her new phone.

“... Knew what?” Kelly asked cautiously.

“Oh nothing.” Olivia grinned, “You’ll find out soon enough.”

“Oh come on. You kept me in the dark about the girl of my dreams liking me. You owe me one,” Kelly giggled.

“Really?” Annie asked as she glanced between Kelly and Olivia. “So like, you’re all three..”

“Four, “Christina giggled softly. “But yes. The vast majority of Disney actors and actresses are perfectly normal individuals, some transgendered, some gay, some are even Republicans,” she joked. “We come from all walks of life.”

“Wow... Now I don’t feel so weird,” Annie sighed, sounding relieved. Sarah put an arm around Annie’s shoulder and hugged her.

“You want to talk about it?” she asked. Annie shrugged.

“Not really a lot to talk about. I accidentally kissed a girl, and I didn’t really hate it,” she said sheepishly.

Olivia giggled, “I kissed a girl, and I liked it, her cherry chapstick.”

“Watermelon actually,” Annie giggled out. “I love that song. She didn’t say anything about it though so...”

“How do you accidentally kiss someone anyway? I’m like genuine curious,” Kelly asked. “I mean, because most people are scared off by the biker babe look so they never get close enough to accidentally anything, so I have no experience here.”

“I was coming around the corner from the bathroom as she was coming out of her bedroom, and we like literally bumped into each other, and our lips met,” Annie said sheepishly. “I mean it wasn’t that magical fairytale moment, but I didn’t feel revolted or anything.”

Sarah giggled softly. “Sometimes, my young padawan, a kiss is just a kiss. If you didn’t feel anything from it, good or bad, then you shouldn’t read too much into it.”

“Yeah, if you count that sort of thing I had my first kiss when I was six,” Christina giggled softly. “Your first real kiss is intentional, and if you’re lucky, it’s something you’ll never forget. That’s not to say there’s not potential, but your sister’s right. You shouldn’t stress over it if you don’t think it meant anything.”

“Or unlucky, if your braces lock and you have to drive to the orthodontist’s like that,” Olivia giggled.

“Thanks guys,” Annie giggled softly as they headed for the women’s clothing department of Macy’s. “I feel a lot better.”

“Gah, that was expensive.” Sarah sighed as she and Olivia had made it home and she tossed all her bags on her bed. “Even bed sheets cost a fortune these days.”

“They’re worth it though. But can I ask you something?” Olivia giggled. “Did you already shave your legs before?”

Sarah laughed. “I became a swimmer so I’d have an excuse, but there wasn’t a whole lot to start with. Why?”

“Oh, I was about to say ‘once you start shaving’ - rough sheets are hell on sensitive recently shaven skin, but then it hit me that your legs look better than mine.”

Sarah giggled, “I don’t grow face hair, and I think I have like one or maybe two hairs that grow in my pits, but thats about it.”

“Your Mom’s Native American isn’t she?” Olivia asked. “She definitely looks Cherokee.”

“Half, but yeah,” Sarah answered. “My grandfather on her side is some kind of tribal council. We’re kind of the black sheep of the family,” she teased.

“I knew it,” Olivia giggled out as she helped Sarah to start hanging up her clothes. “I’ve got a genuine Indian Princess for a roommate,” she teased.

Sarah giggled, “There’s really no such thing as Indian Princesses. It’s kind of a white thing.”

“So Pocahontas wasn’t historically accurate?” Olivia mock gasped. “Disney lied to me! Oh speaking of which, Kelly and I are going in early to watch auditions for the new pixies. Now that you’re one of us that means you’re invited too.”

“Cool. I still can’t believe Gennine hired me on the spot to play Silvermist.” Sarah giggled as she put an outfit for tomorrow on the closet knob. “But then I can’t believe I got to spend the afternoon hanging out with Megan freaking Stuart, either.”

“Don’t let her good looks fool you,” Olivia laughed. “Gennine is actually a former Broadway talent scout and agent. She’s one of the best in the business, so if she hired you on the spot, it means she saw something and didn't want to let it get away.” She winked. “Expect acting classes to start next week after we get the full pixie troop together.”

“I guess I was already technically under contract,” Sarah added. “But still... I expected to be thrown in jail for impersonating a pixie,” she giggled out.

“Oh it’s only a $0.50 fine.” Olivia teased. “It’s good to know you can swim, though. That’s an important quality in a water pixie. Oh, and,” she giggled out, “I got you a present while you weren’t looking.”

“Uh oh,” Sarah laughed as Olivia reached into one of Sarah’s bags, pulling out a smaller bag that had been hidden under one of the shoe boxes. “What is it?” she asked, opening the bag. She reached her hand inside, and pulled out a cute dark blue two piece bathing suit. While not covering as much as a full one piece would, it was hardly extremely skimpy either, striking a nice balance between covering a little, while showing off one’s assets.

“I figured since we have a pool that doesn’t get a whole lot of use from me, someone should be able to use it. And you said dark blue was one of your favorite colors,” she added with a giggle.

“Well atleast it’s not pink, and don’t ever expect me to wear that in public.” Sarah answered, laughing.

“That’s entirely up to you. I like a one piece myself just because I’m a little body shy,” she said as she cleared the bed of the empty bags to help Sarah put on her new sheets. “I wonder how Kelly’s aunt is handling the sudden influx of shopping bags though,” she added, trying not to laugh.

“Well it might be hard to hide whats between my legs.” Sarah giggled trying to make it sound bigger than it really was.

“Oh that. There’s prosthetics to make that disappear,” Olivia giggled out. “Before her surgery my sister Laura wore something like that just for her own self confidence, but for a long time she didn’t even want to go full surgery route, until she met her girlfriend - now wife Sophie.”

“Well I don’t like my dangly bit, and as soon as I can get it off the better. I’ve kinda came to that realisation today.” She turned to Olivia. “I mean I know it sounds sudden, but being accepted - as Silvermist, and then as Sarah... There’s just no turning back, but I feel like I’m lying, still, too.”

Olivia walked around the bed, wrapping her arms around Sarah, and gave her a soft peck on the cheek. “I just want you to know, whatever you decide to do, you have everyone’s complete support.”

“Well incase my partner wants kids, I think it’d be best if I saved some huh?” Sarah giggled.

Olivia laughed at that. “Oh, good idea. For me, I definitely want kids someday, hopefully after I’m too old to keep playing Tink, and passed the torch on to someone else. A pregnant Tinkerbell just wouldn’t look right to the kids, y’know?” she teased.

“I don’t care when I have kids, I love kids.” Sarah giggled. “They keep me feeling young. That little girl today that was having her birthday, made my day.”

“A little bird told me you brightened another little girl’s day at the soda shop too. The manager was moved to tears, even.”

“She was a preteen, on the verge of disbelief.” Sarah sighed. “I just told her that the magic that shrinks them when they go to Pixie hollow, grows us to their size when we leave.”

“That’s pretty much exactly the story we use when visitors ask,” Olivia giggled out as they walked out to the living room again. “I forgot to tell you, but I keep fresh fruits on hand, juice and soda in the fridge, and I’m a wheat thins addict, not because they’re healthy, but because they taste sooo good.”

“Good to know.” Sarah giggled, “You don’t have to worry about me drinking your milk, or eating your cheese.”

“Oh, that’s right, you’re allergic,” Olivia nodded. “I’ll have to remember that when I’m cooking.” She paused, and grinned. “God, it’s so good to have a roommate again. I just hope you don’t hate the piano,” she teased.

“Actually I like piano music,” Sarah answered. “I love listening to classical when I’m painting. It helps me focus. There’s something to be said for a good piano or keyboard rock song too though.”

“Georgia and I used to jam sometimes,” Olivia laughed as she sat down on the overstuffed sofa. “My parents made me take lessons for years, but I’m kind of glad they did. Between the music lessons and drama club, I nailed the Tink role first try.”

“No drama club here, and I can’t play an instrument to save my life, but Annie says in the shower I can carry a tune,” Sarah giggled.

“Your voice is like any musical instrument,” Olivia said with a nod. “From what you’ve told me, you’ve had years of practicing it, doing character voices. I bet you sing beautifully.”

Sarah blushed a little, but started to sing, “When you wish upon a car, whether traveling near or far, just make sure to wash your hands when you leave the rest stop.”

Olivia giggled, “Wow, that’s not even a song, and you made it sound like one I think you’ve been hanging around Scott too long already. You should hear his rendition of ‘Let it Go’.”

Sarah laughed at that as she put an arm around Olivia, laying her head on her shoulder. “You know what this day has been?” she asked. Olivia grinned and lay her head against Sarah's.

“Yeah. Perfect.”

Josh Peterson has just scored the job of a lifetime - or at least the best job he can hope for without leaning on his parents for references - as a janitor at The Magic Kingdom, but when fate intervenes and he finds himself alone with the costume of his favorite Pixie Hollow character, his life takes a whole new turn.

---

Sarah was the first to wake up. She put on a bra and a pair of boxers and went out into the livingroom to start doing her morning tai chi routine. She had her new iPhone set up on a speaker dock, with some quiet Zen meditation music playing, and in short order began her stretches.

A good ten minutes in, Olivia crept into the room, still dressed in a pair of pink fuzzy pajama bottoms and a neon pink camisole top. She watched Sarah for a couple of minutes, until Sarah turned around, and stopped abruptly.

“Oh! Um,” Sarah said sheepishly. Olivia giggled.

“No, don’t stop. It’s beautiful. Can you teach me to do that sometime?” she asked, adding, “I don’t want to interrupt you.”

“Sure,” Sarah laughed a little. “I’m not certified to teach, but I am technically qualified. I’d be honored to teach you, or anyone else interested.”

“Great,” Olivia said, almost grinning. “How do you take your coffee? I’ve got lots of different creamer flavors.”

“Girl scout thin mint?” Sarah asked.

“That, I keep in bulk,” Olivia laughed. “Oh, and how do you like your eggs?”

“Over easy or scrambled. Sunny side up creeps me out,” Sarah answered as she returned to her morning routine. “Thanks Olivia. I’ll start the coffee tomorrow morning before I start my tai chi regimen.”

“No problem. I’m usually up early to get ready for the day anyway, and today’s special, with the auditions,” Olivia called back as she disappeared into the kitchen. Sarah didn’t see her again until she finished her routine, and wandered into the kitchen herself.

Olivia had just finished scooping up a heaping plate of scrambled eggs with some delicious-smelling sausage and toast on two plates, placed on the kitchen’s breakfast island bar, alongside two cups of coffee and two tall glasses of orange juice.

“Whoa. What did I do to deserve all this?” Sarah asked. Olivia just grinned.

“We’re on our feet all day in the Florida heat. A good breakfast is super important. Once we fill out the roles for Fawn, Rosetta, Vydia, and Iridessa we’ll have a Disney 365 interview thing to do as well, probably in a couple of weeks depending how long casting takes.”

Sarah laughed around a mouthful of egg. “I guess they don’t all just magically appear in the Pixie room like I did, huh?”

Olivia giggled, “Nope, you came straight from Neverland. We’re also going to discuss the possibilities of adding Zarina to the cast - you know, the Pirate pixie? We’re meeting with some of the writers to talk about if it’d be a good idea”

“I think that would be perfect.” Sarah said, pausing to sip her coffee. “She’s one of my favorites.”

“Personally I think she’d add a little sass to Pixie Hollow. She’d be fun to have around,” Olivia giggled. “Plus she’d give Mike a run for his money on harassing poor Captain Codfish,” she teased.

Sarah giggled, “Oh poor ol' Captain Codfish. I hear the mascot costumed people are rotated regularly? How come they don’t do that for the Pixies, they just tell the kids we’re sleeping or back in Neverland?”

Olivia tilted her head in thought. She’d never really thought about it. “You know I’m not actually sure. I’ve been playing Tinkerbell since I was 18. Same with Christina and Alice,” she said with a giggle.

“Yeah the faces stay the same, but I hear like Mickey and Goofy they’re always rotating.” Sarah shrugged. “I’m not complaining or anything. I was just curious.”

“Oh no, I know. Now I’m curious too,” Olivia laughed.

“Oh God I forgot I have a car now,” Sarah groaned. “I need to apply for a car spot not a motorbike spot for work.” Sarah sighed.

“I usually walk to take the bus, both are pretty safe things to do here.” Olivia giggled, “Oh but I think your vehicle pass covers one each. If you don’t mind the company, I wouldn’t mind riding in style with you. I’ll even help pay for gas.”

“Nah,” Sarah laughed. “If you’re riding with me, it’s my treat. But you have to provide your own sexy sunglasses,” she teased.

“Ooh, you drive a hard bargain,” Olivia giggled as they finished their breakfast, and Sarah automatically started to gather their dishes, loading them into the dishwasher.

“Wow. I couldn’t pay Georgia enough to do the dishes,” Olivia mused as she watched.

“I’m kind of OCD about cleaning,” Sarah answered. “I even have a special way of loading the dishwasher to get everything completely clean. Drives my parents crazy, but it works.”

“Sarah, you and I are going to get along wonderfully,” Olivia giggled out as she stood, walking around the breakfast bar, and leaned over to kiss Sarah’s lips softly. “I need to get a shower really fast, then I’ll be ready after I get dressed.”

“Ok, that was my first kiss, and I liked it.” Sarah winked and giggled. “Me too, won’t take long to get ready.”

Olivia giggled softly as she lingered for a moment and kissed Sarah again. “You taste like thin mints,” she teased, giving Sarah a warm hug before they both stepped out of the kitchen to their respective bedrooms.

“I think the wings are the easiest part.” Silvermist stated as she finished getting ready and started off towards the interviews with Tink and Peri.

“You know they’re even waterproof?” Tink giggled. “I mean you still can’t fly when they’re wet, but they’re made not to just melt in the rain or if you fall in the fountain.”

It was still somewhat early, and not many people were milling about the park just yet. Most of the actors and actresses weren’t out and about yet either, leaving quite a different feeling from the busy day Silvermist had had before.

Before long Sarah found herself in a large room that looked more like a movie studio than anything. There were cameras and a large green screen, and to her surprise, those cartoonish folding chairs really did exist, and there were three of them, named Tinkerbell, Periwinkle, and Silvermist, set up for the girls to watch the auditions.

“... I thought she was joking when she called me their newest star,” Silvermist, in her Silvermist voice, stage whispered to the other two, aware that not only crew, but potential new cast members were milling about nearby.

“Nope, all us Pixies are stars.” Tinkerbell giggled.

A blonde haired girl who couldn’t have been older than 18 approached them at that, and spoke in a soft Southern accent that would make her a perfect Rosetta. “Would it be weird of me to ask you guys for an autograph?” she giggled sheepishly. “I mean being that I’m here to try out too...”

“Oh no! We’d love to sign your book for you.” Tinkerbell said shaking her head. “Right girls?”

“Oh absolutely, Dew Drop,” Silvermist giggled, and the girl looked a little shocked.

“I swear you sound just like her. That’s amazing.”

Periwinkle giggled, “That’s because she is Silvermist, silly pixie.”

“Thanks. I’ve wanted to work here since I was little. Wish us luck!” she said, not wanting to say ‘me’ since the other girls were hoping for their chance to shine as well.

Silvermist grinned. “You got my vote, Rosetta.”

“Aw, thanks Buttercup,” the girl answered in her best Rosetta - which wasn’t far off from her normal sweet voice, or the actual character’s.

“You know we all get to help in picking the Pixies right?” Tinkerbell actually whispered not stage whispered.

“Oops...” Silvermist giggled.

“No that’s perfect, I think she’ll make an awesome Rosetta, what about you Peri?” Tinkerbell asked.

“Other than that she’ll have to wear an itchy wig like me,” Peri teased, making sure they couldn’t hear her whisper - Tink and Sil could barely hear her for that matter. “I definitely agree.”

“Well we have our first Pixie.” Tink giggled softly.

Gennine smiled as she came over to the girls, “None of you have any water. Are you thirsty at all?” she clapped her hands, and a short young woman with black hair and glasses came out of nowhere, it seemed.

“Yes ma’am?” she asked.

“Whoa,” Silvermist stage-whispered. “I want to learn that trick.”

“Alessa, would you be a dear and chase down a cooler of bottled water for the girls and our auditionees?” she asked sweetly.

“Sure thing,” Alessa said, and quickly disappeared into the crowd as the girls sat down in their respective Star marked chairs.

“Once she gets back we can begin,” Gennine said in a friendly, but professional tone. “While we wait, I just want to stress to you all that you don’t have to be a professional actress. You just have to know your character. You have to be your character, to believe that you are Rosetta or Iridesca, or Vidia.” She pointed to Silvermist. “Sil, come here a moment dear.”

Silvermist hopped up off her chair and approached. “Yes Fairy Mary?” she asked, getting a small giggle from the crowd.

“Why don’t you tell them a little bit about what you do?”

“Oh! Well, I’m a water fairy, which means I’m in charge of the springs and rivers, but we also paint the don’t drops.”

“You mean the dew drops?” Periwinkle called from her chair.

“Well those too,” SIlvermist giggled softly. “Sometimes I help Rosetta water her plants. Oh, and one time I helped Tink play this hilarious prank on Fairy Gary where we filled his kilt drawer with dew drops to overflowing. He was so mad his face turned as red as Tink’s when she stubs her toe.”

The crowd erupted into laughter as Silvermist took her seat again. Even Gennine was laughing now.

“That’s what I’m talking about. Improvisation. It’s all about relaxing and having... fun,” she trailed off, as a familiar hat bobbed around behind the crowd, and she watched as Alessa returned, with the Hatter and Peter not far behind. Each of the guys had one handle of a massive ice chest, its contents sloshing around loudly as Hatter skipped along behind, jostling it about.

“Oh no! It’s the hat thief again.” The Hatter spoke and grabbed his hat as they sat the chest down.

“I’ll have you know I put it right back where I found it,” Silvermist replied putting her hands on her hips. “Tink still has your tea pot though.”

“But it was an unbirthday gift.” Tinkerbell protested.

“It was?!” The Hatter replied. “Well that’s okay then! Just don’t let it happen again,” he nodded firmly, then turned to Periwinkle, “Good day Miss Winter Pixie. Would you care for some tea?”

“Oh, I’d love some iced tea,” Peri replied with an excited grin.

“Oh perfect, We have a water fairy and a winter fairy, so we can have iced tea now!” The Hatter did his iconic laugh.

“Would you two like to stay for the auditions?” Gennine asked. “We’re searching out more pixies for the Hollow.”

“Oh no I couldn’t impose, I think Alice is waiting outside.” The Hatter hooted.

Peter laughed. “And I have a codfish to skewer. Besides, Tink always sees red when I interfere in Pixie business,” he teased.

Tink stuck her nose up in the air and then stuck her tongue out at Peter, “Go play with your lost boys.”

Peter laughed as he approached. “Oh don’t be such a flitterbug. I found you a lost thing,” he said, as he took her hand and placed a shiny new quarter in it, before he grinned, tipped his hat, and then vanished into the crowd.

Tink held it up for everyone to see, “Oh my! it’s a gear I think? See, it’s got the little things on it that make it turn.” she turned it in circles.

“Oh wow,” Silvermist giggled. “Now you can finish that automatic seed planter for Rosetta.”

Periwinkle smiled proudly. “Everyone loves my sisters inventions.”

“It wasn’t always that way Peri, I remember when Tink first started making them, they would always blow up.” Silvermist giggled.

“I tried so hard to be any other pixie but a tinker,” Tink laughed. “That bird still hasn’t forgiven me.”

“She almost had water fairying down, but she couldn’t get the dew drops right.” Silvermist nodded, “She kept dropping them. That’s why I call them Don’t Drops.”

Gennine grinned, whispering to Alessa, “This gives me an idea. Who do we have auditioning for Rosetta?”

“Carol Marks, and Vanessa Small.” Alessa whispered back. “Carol also said she wanted to try out for Fawn.”

“You,” she said, pointing to Carol. “What do you remember most about Tink trying to find her special talent?”

“You mean besides Vidia talking her into trying to round up those nasty brushlings?” Carol laughed. “It took me three weeks to coax that baby bird back out of his shell. Even then I had to break out the premium seeds from Rosetta’s garden.”

Gennine laughed softly. “Get her outfitted as Fawn,” she said. Just like that. No word of an acting coach or classes. Tink gave Silvermist and Periwinkle surprised glances as she turned to Vanessa, the blonde haired girl with the southern accent.

“And you, what about you? What do you remember about Tink trying to find her Talent?”

She had an idea in her head of what the Pixie Hollow fairies would look like fully realized. Out of the dozens of girls there, a few really fit. There was one in particular, a girl named Jade, that she was hoping would show up for the auditions as well.

“Weeell, I’d have to say either watching her frantically dropping don’t drops,” Vanessa giggled, “Or the look on Vidia's face when Queen Clarion ordered her to round up the brushlings. Now don’t get me wrong, Vidia is a great gal now, but she was hardest on Tink at first.”

A black haired girl put her hands on her hips. “Now hold on, I wasn’t any harder on Tink than anyone else. Besides, we’re friends now. Except when she interrupts my pollination and makes me spill dust everywhere...”

“I said I was sorry,” Tink giggled at that.

“I know,” the girl answered. “It’s just fun reminding you once in awhile.” She had just enough attitude in her tone to sound like the reformed Vidia.

Gennine leaned closer to Alessa and whispered, “Get those two outfitted as well. I want to see what the girls think.”

Alessa nodded, and Gennine wandered over to the three. “It’s your show girls, what do you three think so far?” she whispered.

“That girl is Vidia,” Silvermist laughed softly. “She has the attitude down perfect.”

Tink nodded. “That blonde we’ve already decided is just perfectly flitterific for the part of Rosetta.”

“Absolutely agree,” Peri chimed in. “We had her pegged as Rosetta before the auditions even started, but we wanted to give you a chance to do your job,” she teased.

“The other girl has a great Fawn aura. She’s mellow like Fawn, very down to earth kind of girl,” Silvermist added.

“And you,” Gennine stood straight and tall, and pointed to Jade, who had been nervously watching the whole affair. Jade had medium dark skin and dark hair, and a small frame, very slender. “What do you remember about Tinkerbell learning her trade?” she asked.

The poor girl stared nervously at Gennine, frozen in place. After a moment, she parted her lips to speak, paused, and then slowly backed up, turning to leave. Silvermist frowned and got up to go after her.

Gennine sighed, “I didn’t mean to scare her off like that. Tink, why don’t you go help Silvermist. Peri help me sort through the other girls in case they can’t get her to try out.”

“Um, sure thing?” Peri answered, trying to stay in-character, while not entirely sure what just happened.

“Hey, wait up,” Silvermist called after Jade.

“I was stupid to even show up here,” Jade answered without looking back.

“Why do you say that Iridessa? We need you here.” Silvermist protested.

“Because I’m not,” she answered. “I can’t... I can’t act. I get stage fright in front of more than three people. I don’t know what I was even thinking coming here,” she answered.

That wasn’t her only reason. She didn’t want to tell Silvermist that the address she had given Gennine was for a battered women’s shelter.

Of course Gennine knew. And on the one hand, hiring her could lead to more trouble later, but on the other hand, her background check was spotless. She had excellent grades in school, and even had acting experience despite what she claimed now. But Silvermist and Tink didn’t know that.

Tinkerbell cut them off at the pass. “Stop right there,” she said as she brandished one of Peter Pan’s plastic swords.

“Eep!” Jade let out a startled squeal that sounded just like Raven, the voice of Iridessa in the movies.

“Did you know I was scared of the crowd here too when I first came here from Neverland?” Tinkerbell asked as she giggled and dropped the sword, “Ooops.”

“The first time I appeared in front of a crowd, I thought my heart was going to explode out of my chest,” Silvermist added. “All I wanted to do was disappear into the wall like some kind of... I don’t know, one of Fawn’s camouflage lizards.”

“But you’re different,” Jade argued. “You look like the characters, you even sound like them.”

“So do you.” Tinkerbell giggled. “Stop and listen to yourself, hold your head straight and say, "It might be the sparkliest thing I've ever seen: and I've seen a lot of sparkly things”

Jade sighed and shook her head a little.

“Come on, Dew Drop. Don’t be a Don’t Drop,” Silvermist coaxed, causing her to laugh a little.

“It might be the sparkliest thing I’ve ever seen,and I’ve seen a lot of sparkly things,” she said in a half-whisper that added to the authenticity of the scene she was mimicking, echoing the real Iridessa's surprise.

“See!” Tinkerbell said excitedly. “Try her other famous line, You shouldn’t take light so lightly.”

“... You shouldn’t take light so lightly?” she said, and then repeated it. “You shouldn’t take light so lightly.”

“There you go. Now lets go back to show Fairy Mary you’re the real Iridessa.” Silvermist announced.

“Okay, but if I blow fairy dust on her shoes, it’s on you and Tink...” Iridessa answered nervously.

“More confidence. Come on, Iridessa, you can do it,” Tink tried to pump her up.

“I’m not a professional actor either,” Silvermist whispered very quietly. “But I adore Silvermist. She’s by far my favorite pixie. If I can do it, you can do it.”

“Okay... I’ll try,” she sighed as she followed the girls.

Alessa smiled as the girls returned. “Ok, lets try this again from the top.” She seemed to be acting in Gennine’s place, though where Gennine had gone was anyone’s guess. “What was the funniest moment you remember about when Tink was learning her place in Pixie Hollow?”

Jade cleared her throat a bit. “Sorry... I had some pixie dust caught in my throat before. Funniest had to be when I was trying to teach Tink about being a light fairy and she ended up giving herself a light butt.”

Jade giggled as Tinkerbell put her hands on her hips, sticking her tongue out at her as Gennine emerged, giving Alessa a break.

“But my fondest memory is when she accepted her talent as a tinker and made all our lives a thousand times easier.”

For show they ran through the other girls but Alessa was back in the dressing room getting the new fairies ready for the park, much to the existing pixies’ surpries.

Gennine smiled as she opened her arms broadly. “Ok everyone thank you all for showing up, but we got our pixies for now. Please don’t feel like you’ve been defeated as there are always openings for other characters throughout the park.”

As the others filed out, Alessa approached again. “She’s doing much better now that she’s over her stage fright. I don’t know what those two said to her, but it made an impact.”

Silvermist did a pixie dance, “What I was told when I first flew here from Neverland: just relax and be yourself.”

Gennine chuckled. “Thank you for going after her, Silvermist. I don’t normally get so attached to potentials, but I just have a feeling about her.” She left out the part about Jade’s background check revealing that she needed this job, but the rest was true as well.

Silvermist nodded, “Just like the three of us knew that Rosetta was Rosetta.” she giggled.

“So what’s up with shoving the girls right out into the park anyway?” Peri finally asked, now that they were alone. “I mean it worked out for Silvermist, but won’t the execs be kind of upset?”

She and Tink had, after all, gone through standard training on how to walk, talk, even sign autographs like their characters - quite recently in Periwinkle’s case.

“Oh, they’ll be receiving training,” Gennine answered with a grin. “But Silvermist’s ... unique situation gave me an idea on how to improve the training process. Each of them has an extensive acting background, so I’m focusing on character specific details instead. It’s a gamble, true, but the suits hired me for a reason.” She winked at the girls.

“Jade told us she didn’t have any acting background,” Olivia said, frowning. “Why would she lie about something like that?”

Gennine shook her head. “Non-professional acting. She was in her school’s drama club in high school, however she’s never done anything on this scale,” Gennine half-lied. It was the truth, from a certain perspective, but not why Jade lied to them initially, nor why she seemed so nervous.

“Are the writers still debating whether to bring Zarina over?” Olivia asked, changing the subject. She seemed to accept Gennine’s explanation, as did Sarah and Kelly.

Alessa sighed at that. “Turns out we can’t put a pixie out in the park unless she’s been in at least two movies, Periwinkle being the exception.”

“Technically I was in Zarina’s story, though,” Periwinkle chimed in.

“True.” Gennine nodded. “Once the new pixies have had a chance to settle in, I’d like you three to take them with you and go enjoy some of the park together.”

Alessa laughed. “You know, you Pixies are literally like the easiest jobs in the park. You get to play around all day. Granted so do Alice and the Hatter. But you guys literally just get to goof around.”

“It’s great isn’t it?” Tink laughed. “I didn’t expect we’d find the others so easily though.”

Gennine laughed, “That’s because Pixies are supposed to be free spirited and do what they want. That’s part of why I’m not focusing so intensely on the face training as well.”

Peri giggled. “What we want, eh? I want to throw a snowball at Maleficent!”

“Oh I think we can arrange getting you some snowballs.” Gennine laughed.

“Yay!” Peri cheered and clapped. “I knew we could have them around Pixie Hollow, but only because of the stage magic required to make it snow in Florida. I wasn’t sure if that worked elsewhere.”

“There’s several areas with it setup, I’m sure we can arrange something.” Gennine laughed.

“Oh,” Alessa spoke up, “We have a few Disney and ex-Disney stars milling around the park today, so if you run into any of them feel free to have some fun. It’s not a requirement of course,” she quickly added, “I’m just passing along the staff memo.”

“Try to stay in character of course,” Gennine added. “We had to let a Prince Charming go last year because he couldn’t stay in character when there were famous people about.”

“Oh,” Tink giggled. “I thought you were talking about me hiding in the bathroom, before Selena Gomez’ birthday bash, having a panic attack last year.”

“Nope. If you can’t do it just hide.” Gennine laughed as Rosetta entered the room, her long blonde locks replaced by Rosetta’s trademark perfect brunette curls.

“Gosh, I just flew in from Neverland, and boy are my wings beat,” she said as she took a bottle of water from the cooler. “Fawn and Iridessa weren’t far behind. I think Fawn got herself distracted by a lost chipmunk,” she giggled.

“Ut oh, we might not see Fawn for hours then.” Silvermist nodded.

“Sorry, sorry,” Fawn called as she came into the room with Iridessa.

“We had a minor chipmunk related emergency,” Iridessa stage-whispered.

Tink bounced up and down, “Was it cute?”

“Adorable!” Fawn giggled. “I knew pixie magic made us bigger. I didn’t know it made the chipmunks bigger, too.”

“Oh! you meet them already?” Tink giggled.

“How are you holding up, Dew drop?” Silvermist asked Iridessa.

“Better. I still think I’m going to blow pixie dust,” she giggled quietly. “But I’m getting better.”

Tink leaned over to Iridessa and mock whispered, “Just watch how Silvermist handles things, and do what she does. She’s got a good head on her shoulders.”

Silvermist laughed. “It’s easy as one, dew, three.”

“The hollow is actually closed today.” Gennine called out, “Due to cleaning, so all of you girls will be out in the park today once you’ve had time with the coaches. Once they release you into the wild, Tink, Peri, and Sil will take you around.”

“I’ll warn the Hatter,” Alessa giggled softly. “But ... then again ... it might be more fun not to...” She grinned impishly.

“I have to say,” Rosetta spoke up, “I was expecting a lot worse than a few hours of coaching. I’ve heard horror stories - no offense Fairy Mary.”

Gennine laughed softly. “Yes, I was just discussing that with the girls before you came back. I realize this is highly unorthodox, but your roles are highly unique as well. I’ve been watching Tink and Peri, and now Sil, and it’s made me realize that, with your specific characters, the more you relax and forget that you’re actresses, the more easily you interact with the crowds.”

“Besides,” Alessa chimed in at that, “Your background checks are impeccable.”

“Indeed,” Gennine stated. “Now let’s get you in to see your coaches. Fawn, dear, I’m going to pair you with a signature coach as well. Your As look like o’s, which is fine for most things, but we want signatures to look just right.” She winked.

Fawn laughed softly as she stood at attention and saluted - which looked entirely too Fawn-like for the others to not laugh. “Yes ma’am Fairy Mary!” she answered, grinning.

Josh Peterson has just scored the job of a lifetime - or at least the best job he can hope for without leaning on his parents for references - as a janitor at The Magic Kingdom, but when fate intervenes and he finds himself alone with the costume of his favorite Pixie Hollow character, his life takes a whole new turn.

---

“Pixie emergency!” Silvermist called out as she ran towards the nearest employee restroom, Iridessa in tow.

Rosetta looked up from signing an autograph and gave Tink a glance, before returning her attention to the small crowd of girls.

Tink popped her head in the door, finding only Silvermist, and a closed bathroom stall. “Everything alright?”

“Dessa had a bit of pixie dust problems, but luckily nobody noticed.” Silvermist nodded.

“Just a dry heave... I told you this was a mistake,” Iridessa groaned from the bathroom stall.

“You’ll be fine.” Tink said as she walked in. “First day jitters. When’s the last time you got some water?”

“About when we started.” Dessa stated.

Silvermist nodded, “I was going to take her to she Pixie Soda shop.”

“Good idea. It’s not that hot yet, but something cool to drink will help a lot.”

“Maybe something light to eat too.” Silvermist agreed.

“I... kind of skipped breakfast,” Dessa answered sheepishly. “I was too nervous.”

“Thats no good at all.” Tink sighed, “You have to eat and drink regularly doing this, Dessa, otherwise you’ll end up really blowing Pixie dust.”

Dessa couldn’t help herself and giggled a little as she emerged from the stall, making a beeline for the sink to wash her face. “You guys are great... You know that?”

“We’re Disney Pixies. We have to stick together.” Silvermist echoed Tink’s previous statement to her.

“Exactly. Like Alice we’re not ‘official’ princesses, but we are park ambassadors. We’re everywhere,” Tink giggled. “And everyone looks out for us because of that, too.”

Silvermist showed Dessa a quick trick with her eye makeup and then showed her how to put the makeup away as Ariel had shown her. “I learned that from a mermaid,” she giggled out. “Well, one of them anyway. You’ll probably end up having zip lock bags all throughout the park.”

“I know I do,” Tink laughed. “I want you to stick with Silvermist for awhile, ok?” Tinkerbell stated. “Pixie orders,” she teased. “We’ll meet up at the Pirates of the Caribbean after you’ve had time to eat and drink something.”

Silvermist took Iridessa to the same place she had eaten before, and smiled waving to everyone, “Hi! I brought a friend from the Hollow. Everyone meet Dessa. She needs some ice water and something light to eat, if thats ok?”

“Hey, welcome back!” the manager, an older woman with graying reddish brown hair said warmly. “In case she forgot to tell you, pixies eat free, so stay as long as you want, and have as much as you care to,” she said.

Silvermist giggled, “Can I get a coke and a light chili burger.” she paused, “And the story why we Pixies get to eat free here.”

“Coming right up. And we’ve got a nice baked potato with your choice of toppings that should go down easy, Miss Dessa.”

“Thanks.” Iridessa smiled sheepishly.

Silvermist whispered, “Dessa’s got the first day to earth jitters bad.”

The manager chuckled a bit as she placed the girls’ drinks on the bar for them, while the short order chef hustled and bustled about in the back preparing their orders. “Ah, I know just how you feel. When I first started working here I was just a waitress looking for some extra money on the side. My first lunch rush, I spilled three drinks, dropped two trays, and almost fell on a customer. I just knew I was going to get fired.”

“Really?” Iridessa perked up a little. “What happened?”

She laughed. “Walt walked through the doors, walked up to me, and said “Katie, you’ve got to relax, or I’m going to have to start charging you for the dishes.”

“You knew Mr. Disney?” Dessa gasped. “You don’t look old enough.”

“Aww, thanks sweetie. I’ve been working here a long time, and I only met him just a few months before he passed. I was just 16 when I started. Oh, and to why Pixie’s eat here for free.” she added, “Because cherie, my niece loves Pixies, and your Tinkerbell was so kind to her when she got lost in the park once, that we instantly made it policy.”

“Awww,” Silvermist giggled. “That’s our Tink,” she said as the chef passed two plates over the back counter, one laden with different toppings alongside a sliced open baked potato - from a pile of cheese to sour cream and a big gob of butter - both in separate cups, as well as another cup of bacon bits, so Iridessa could pile them on however she liked.

“You can wait till the Pixies eat sweetie.” they heard a woman say to a little girl as she gasped and yelled ‘Pixies’.

Silvermist laughed softly as she stood and walked over to the table. “Hi there Dew drop,” she said warmly.

The cute young girl smiled brightly and her eyes lit up. “Hi Sibmerist.” She giggled. “Pixie howwow was kwozed.”

“Yeah,” Silvermist giggled, “Fairy Gary has his dust keepers sweeping the place to get any latent dust for reuse, so us pixies are wandering the park today - more than usual.”

“Ohhhh.” The little girl answered..

The girls mother smiled wryly. “Would you mind signing her book, and we’ll let you go back to eating. I’m really sorry.”

“Oh, no it’s fine, really,” Silvermist giggled softly. “I’d love to!” she said, as Iridessa came over to sign it next. “Our first duty is to you. We just stopped in for a quick snack.” She leaned closer to the pair and stage whispered, “This is the place to be for pixie spotting.” She winked at the girl, who giggled delightedly as Iridessa joined them.

“Dessa! Dessa!” The little girl giggled as Silvermist passed the girl’s autograph book over for her to sign next.

“Well hi there Sunbeam,” Iridessa giggled. “Are you having fun today?”

The little girl nodded, “Uh huh.”

“You know, I think I have... Somewhere...” she said, pretending to dig through her leaf pouches where she kept her light. “Ah there you are,” she said, producing a universal free adult+child meal pass. “A Mad Hatter dropped that earlier,” she winked.

“Oh that Hatter loses all sorts of things.” Silvermist giggled, “He blames me for stealing his hat; can you believe the nerve of him?”

“Noooo,” the little girl giggled.

“You tell him the next time you see him.” Silvermist said, grinning just a little, “That Silvermist could never take his hat. You think you can do that for me sweetie?”

“Otay!” the girl giggled excitedly as Silvermist and Iridessa each gave her a hug before returning to the bar..

Kate had a big grin, watching the girls sit down again. “You Pixie girls melt hearts.”

Iridessa giggled softly. “I... I can’t believe I just did that. That was so much fun.”

“It gets easier and easier as the day goes by. Just make sure before you come here tomorrow from Neverland you eat a good breakfast, and drink plenty of water.” Even Silvermist was beginning to question Gennine’s methods. Jade was doing well so far, but a few days of the kind of coaching Tink and Peri talked about would have done her some good, she thought.

“Yeah... I’ll do that,” Dessa answered sheepishly.

Kate spoke up at that. “Stop by first thing, if you want. We serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner here.”

Iridessa brightened a little at that and nodded. “Thanks, I think I will. Maybe a nice big stack of pancakes dripping with syrup...”

“Now you’re making me hungry,” Kate laughed softly. “I’ll make sure Greg has some ready and waiting for you with a tall glass of orange juice on the side.”

Iridessa reached her hand across the bar to squeeze Kate’s. “Thank you... I mean it.”

“Oh look!” Silvermist giggled as they were on their way to meet the other pixies, but they just had to stop. “It’s Wendy Darling!”

“Oh, Silvermist and Iridessa from Neverland!” she said brightly. Unlike Alice, she had a very natural upper class British accent. Uptown London to Sarah’s trained ear, having spent some of her formative years there when she was younger, and her sister just a baby.

“Wendy Wendy!” Silvermist cheered, “We must find Peter Pan!”

“That dear, silly boy,” Wendy laughed. “I’m sure he’s around here somewhere, probably up to mischief again,” she said with a sly grin.

“Like always, fighting Captain Codfish I’m sure.” Silvermist giggled and sprinkled some fairy dust on Wendy from her small pouch. “The other pixies are over at Pirates cove. Would you like to join us?”

“Oh! Well normally I simply detest pirates,” Wendy laughed, “But if I have all of you to protect me, then I’m sure I’ll be just fine.”

“I didn’t see you here yesterday.” Silvermist stated, “Did you come here from London looking for Pan?”

Wendy laughed softly as she walked with the pixies, and a couple of tourists with video cameras. “Why yes, actually. Peter has been sending me letters for ages of his grand adventures, so I finally agreed to come for a visit, and perhaps to stay awhile.”

“Oh! Are you moving to Neverland, Wendy?” Iridessa asked. “Neverland will be much more fun with you there.”

Wendy laughed softly. “I do so miss it you know, the never meals and the enchanted neverwoods. I think I shall have to consider it strongly, if only to keep Peter in line,” she teased, getting a giggle out of the videographers. “How are you liking the mainland Iridessa?” Wendy asked cheerfully.

“The flight in was a little bumpier than I remember,” Iridessa giggled quietly. “But Tink and Sil helped me get back on my feet.”

“Oy, more pixies,” a man who could pass for Johnny Depp’s double said as he turned to a lady pirate by his side. “Tell me you see them too?”

“OH! It’s Captain... Wait you're not Captain Codfish,” Silvermist stated as she walked around Captain Sparrow, looking him over carefully.

“I am not, nor have I ever been a codfish, cuttlefish, or swordfish,” Jack replied. “I am in fact the one and only Captain, Jack Sparrow, and who might you be, flittery... pixie thing.” He turned to Angelica again, at that. She glanced away.

Silvermist giggled, “Do you have a hook?” she grabbed Sparrow’s sleeve. “How about a peg leg?”

Jack wrinkled his nose slightly in distaste. “Not last time I checked. You sure you’re not thinking of Barbosa then love? Big, carries an undead monkey, wears a very fetching hat.”

Silvermist put her fists on her hips. “You’re not the same Captain that hates Peter Pan, so you’re ok. I’m Silvermist, and this is Iridessa and our friend Wendy.”

Angelica, who had been watching the whole display with mild amusement, finally leaned over, arms folded, and stage whispered, “I think she likes you.”

“We pixies like everyone.” Silvermist nodded.

Wendy curtseyed nervously. “You’re a pirate then?”

“Am I a pirate...” Jack echoed with a distasteful, disbelieving tone. “Wait, am I a pirate?” he asked Angelica.

“You pillage, plunder, steal ships from under English noses... Yes, I think you qualify as a pirate - barely.”

Jack nodded approvingly, and then, as if only just catching the ‘barely’ remark a moment later, stared disbelievingly at Angelica.

“He’s never been to Neverland!” Iridessa stage whispered, nodding firmly. “I would definitely remember that twiddly beaded beard.”

“What? I never!” Jack laughed. “I make it a point never to sail to places where I’ve never been, therefore I could never have been to Neverland.”

“Well if you ever go.” Iridessa stated, “It’s the second star to the right and straight on till morning. You seem nicer then the pirates we have. Maybe you can keep them in line.”

“Me? I’m dishonest, and a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest, honestly,” Jack replied with a slight grin. “I believe the rest of your pixie crew boarded ahead of you, but seeing as I couldn’t get Angelica to confirm nor deny that I was in fact not seeing pixies, it’s taken me a moment to reconcile that I’m indeed seeing you now.”

“Don’t look at me,” Angelica answered. “You and your wild fantasies about pixies on the Black Pearl...” she said, trying not to grin. “But if there were pixies aboard, it would be nice to have more of a woman’s touch around.”

“Oy, there will be no touching of pixies aboard my ship,” Jack insisted. He then turned back to Silvermist, reaching a finger out to touch her forehead.

“Boo,” Silvermist said, and Jack jumped slightly, causing the gathered crowd to giggle.

“Right then, hide the rum and let’s make sail!”

“Ready to make sail!” Angelica barked, causing Jack to jump again.

“I hate it when she does that,” he grumbled.

Silvermist giggled as she and Iridessa rejoined the other Pixies aboard the Pearl. “That’s not captain Codfish. Did you know that?” she mocked whispered.

“Nope, he’s much more fun!” Tink giggled.

Peri added, “We made him think we were just figments of his imagination.”

“I think that girl human likes him,” Iridessa stage whispered and giggled..

“Oh! Speaking of girls,” Silvermist pulled Wendy into the group of Pixies. “Wendy’s here!”

“Wendy, Wendy!” Tink said excitedly. “it’s been ages!” she bubbled as she hugged the poor girl.

Wendy giggled softly. “It’s been too long, Tinkerbell," she said as the ‘show’ began.

“Right then!” Jack said as he stepped to the center of the deck. “Pirating! Pirating is all about attitude, and thinking on your feet. Unless you’re sitting down, in which case it’s about thinking on your backside.”

“Arrr,” Silvermist giggled and pulled an air sword. “Avast ye.” She was really getting into the pirate pixie thing at that moment.

“Now, see,” Jack said, doing the stereotypical Jack Sparrow double-finger point, “There’s a figment of me imagination who gets it.”

“Tie the bilgerat to the mast and um...” Silvermist looked to Angelica for help.

“Let the Lost boys get him?!” Tinkerbell called out.

“I was going to say... twist off his toes one by one, but that sounds more fun,” Angelica laughed. Suddenly the ship creaked and shuddered hard, and one of the extras posing as a crewman let out a startled yelp as he fell from the rigging into the water.

“That wasn’t supposed to happen,” Jack said, trying to remain in-character. Without even thinking, SIlvermist sprang to her feet. The man floundered to keep his head above water, so she took a deep breath and dove off the edge to save him.

“Lower the longboat!” Jack shouted. “Man and pixie overboard!”

The extras, some of whom were in fact trained for this sort of emergency, threw out a floatation device while others quickly worked to lower a period-looking but quite functional longboat to the water. Meanwhile Silvermist had the man in her arms, keeping them both afloat as best she could as they began to swim the short distance toward the floatation donut together.

As the ‘pirate’ extras helped the man into the longboat, Angelica stuck out her hand to help pull Silvermist in after him.

“That was either the bravest, of craziest thing I’ve ever seen,” she said, trying to keep in character. “You’re a hero.”

“I’ll drink to that,” the half-drowned man laughed as he lay back in the boat, letting the others haul the boat back up with them in it.

“I’m not a hero, I’m just a pixie.” Silvermist shook some of the water off herself. The crowd seemed to think otherwise though, as the moment Silvermist stepped back on deck, everyone, from guests to actors, clapped and cheered, and Jack approached, removing his hat.

“For service above and beyond the call of duty of what I am now certain is not a figment of me imagination, I name you... Silverbust, or whatever it is, honorary pirate for life. I’ll even give you me hat,” he said, as he placed the hat squarely on her wet head.

“You don’t have to.” Silvermist giggled. “It’s a Pixie’s honor to help those who are in need.” she covered her face and sneezed shivering a little. The water was quite refreshing, but she had gotten some up her nose and it tickled badly.

“Oy, let’s get you back to shore then ey?” Jack said. Angelica nodded.

“There are some blankets in the cabin,” she said, gently taking Silvermist’s arm. The other man had already been led back there as well. Silvermist was actually surprised to find the ‘captain’s cabin’ was in fact a very modern looking medical area, where one of the other extras was checking over the man who had fallen over.

“Oh but I’m just flitterific. I don’t need anything.” Silvermist answered. “I’m just glad he's ok.”

“Thanks to you,” the man laughed softly. “It’s not that I can’t swim, but in all that pirate swag, and the shock of being thrown over, it all happened so fast. I owe you one, Miss Pixie.”

Angelica closed the door, though she kept her accent, which suggested to Silvermist that it was her real one. “Let’s at least get you dried off and make sure you’re okay,” she said as she took down a clean, white towel and offered it to Silvermist.

“Really, I’m fine. It’s no different from taking a refreshing dip in the pool, hot as it is out there,” she giggled.

“That was really crazy, and brave.” Angelica said, “And you are doing such an awesome job even now of staying in character.”

Sarah laughed a little. “I’ve had some lifeguard training,” she finally admitted. “I guess it just sort of took over when I saw him fall. The water looked deep enough for a safe dive, so I just jumped right in.”

“It’s a real lake. The only danger is the track, but you had more than enough clearance off the sides. Just don’t ever do that off the back,” the woman who played Angelica advised, as someone knocked on the door, and Wendy poked her head inside.

“Everyone - literally everyone - wants to have their photo taken with the heroic water pixie before we disembark.” She giggled.

Silvermist giggled softly as she finished drying her hair as best she could. “Ok.” She followed Angelica back out, to another round of cheers. “It’s nothing any water fairy wouldn’t do.”

Silvermist and her Pixie Hollow friends posed for several pictures together, with guests, with Wendy, even with Jack and Angelica. A Security guard came up after everyone got off the boat,

“We’re closing the boat ride down for the day. We have a couple divers to come in and look at the ship to see what happened.”

Angelica nodded. “We’re at a loss as to what happened. It almost felt like the boat hit something, but there’s not supposed to be anything down there for it to hit. We’ll stay here and greet guests for a little while longer.”

“We should find Fairy Mary and report what happened, before she hears some ghastly second hand report,” Rosetta giggled.

“I agree.” Silvermist answered. She was still wearing Jack’s hat.

“Where did you learn to save people like that Silvermist?” Fawn asked excitedly. “You were amazing.”

“Oh, it’s a water pixie thing,” Silvermist giggled as they started off together, not wanting to break character. “I’ll tell you the whole story after we get back to Neverland.”

Iridessa nodded, “Must be. I was terrified when he fell in.”

“You know,” Vidia spoke quietly, “That’s the second accident involving that event, but the first one was fatal. I think you really saved that man’s life.”

“Oh there you are!” came an older woman’s voice as Maleficent approached them. “You have the entire kingdom in a tizzy young lady. Bothersome pixies,” she said with a smirk, but winked at Silvermist. “Your ‘Fairy Mary’ is looking everywhere for you. I suggest you make all haste to Pixie Hollow.”

“On a scale of one to ten, how much trouble am I in?” Silvermist asked. The queen simply laughed.

“Yes, trouble. I wonder what fiendish punishments she’ll have for you, for saving a man’s life?” she said, trying not to grin. “Now, run along, little pixies. I have a princess to poison.”

“Wow,” Tink shivered a little. “Was the Queen smiling? We’d better get back to Pixie Hollow.”

The girls made their way back as quickly as they could, though with the sheer size of the park, it took them awhile, especially as news began to spread, and more and more stopped them to ask if ‘it was true’. Silvermist stopped a couple times to take more pictures with some of the guests that were on the ship as well, but they finally arrived outside Gennine’s office.

“Come,” Gennine called as Silvermist knocked. She poked her head around the corner.

“Ah, Silvermist, there you are,” she said. If Silvermist’s wings could droop, they probably would, as she came into the office. “You’ve had a busy day,” she said, and then paused to laugh. “Oh, heavens girl, stop looking so nervous. I just want to know one thing. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Silvermist answered, brightening a little. “I almost lost a shoe, but the pirate is ok , and that’s what that counts.”

“You’ve probably heard, one of our actors was killed in a similar fall back in 2009,” Gennine sighed. “If you hadn’t gone in after him, it would have been two, and the deathknell for the Pirate attraction for certain.”

“I’m a lifeguard,” Sarah answered wryly, breaking character, since it was just Gennine. “It’s just what I do when I see someone in trouble.”

“It’s a good thing I sent you girls out on the park then.” Gennine stated. “Well the big wigs heard about it already, and they’re wanting to do a big Pixie party tonight for all you girls. So until then, consider yourselves on a well deserved break. You can stay and go out into the park as your characters or as yourselves, or you can go unwind if you prefer.” She grinned proudly.

Silvermist emerged from the room and smiled broadly at the girls, “We can go back to Neverland till tonight. Disney is going to throw us a big party, fireworks and everything. Gennine says we can either go out and relax in the park as our pixies, or go back out as ourselves. I kinda want to return Jack’s hat to him.”

“They’re still over at the lake doing photo ops,” Alessa stopped to speak up at that.

“I want his autograph so I’m switching to my street clothes.” Sarah giggled. “I’ll tell him the wind blew his hat to me or something silly so he can’t refuse.”

Tinkerbell laughed, “I guess its paid time off, so lets all get undressed and go out and enjoy the park?”

“Sounds like fun!” Rosetta bubbled excitedly, causing Fawn to laugh.

“Okay, now I’m sure of it. You are Rosetta.”

“You guys go ahead,” Iridessa said. “I think I’m going to find a nice quiet corner to hide in until tonight.”

“Oh no I can’t let you go alone.” Rosetta frowned, “We’re friends after all.” she said, giving Iridessa a big hug.

“B-but we only just met,” Iridessa not so much protested, as questioned Rosetta’s response.

“So? We’re best friends.” Rosetta answered.

“Can’t have flowers without lots of wholesome sunshine, Dew Drop,” Silvermist chimed in at that. Iridessa giggled a little.

“Thanks guys. I need this job... I mean I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t absolutely want to be Iridessa too, but... I’m just going to stop talking now.”

Tink giggled as she put out her hand, and Silvermist, recognizing the familiar gesture, put hers on top of Tink’s, and soon the others followed suit.

“Faith,” Tink said.

“Trust,” Periwinkle added.

“And pixie dust!” they all said in unison.

A bit later Sarah, now dressed in a short white floral skirt and a bright blue tanktop, approached the two pirates who were standing in the shade and chatting quietly when Jack looked up.

“... You look somewhat familiar. Have I threatened you before?” he asked. Sarah laughed.

“I drank all your rum.” she answered.

“Ah, that would explain why the bloody rum’s gone,” he answered, as Sarah dangled his hat on the tip of her finger. “Oy, now where did you get that?” he asked, as she stood up on her tiptoes to place it on his head.

“You wouldn’t believe it, but I was just having a stroll near Pixie Hollow, when the wind blew that right in my face. It is yours, isn’t it Mister Sparrow?” she asked sweetly, and Jack laughed.

“Captain! Captain Mister Sparrow, errr, Jack,” he said. Angelica was trying hard not to laugh now.

“So Captain Mister Sparrow, could I get your autograph, since I found your wayward hat?” she half-teased. “Yours too, Miss Angelica.”

“Oh, um, sure I suppose.” Jack pulled a couple of his locks of hair aside, straightened the hat, and signed the book, handing it to Angelica. “Are you sure you didn’t find that from a figment of me imagination?”

Sarah giggled. “If it was a figment of your imagination, then I wouldn’t have been able to find it,” she answered sagely and nodded. “But if I did find it from a figment of your imagination, I’m sure she would want you to have it back. A captain’s not a captain without a proper hat.”

“Now, you see,” Jack said, turning to Angelica, “This is a figment of me imagination who gets it.”

Angelica laughed and leaned over and whispered, “Your hair's still a bit wet sweetie.”

“Eep,” Sarah giggled as she touched the top of her head.

“Bloody good thing it’s real... Well... real imaginatively real. A wig would’ve gone off into the drink the way that figment dove off the ship like that.”

Olivia, who had been watching the entire exchange nearly in tears from laughter, finally spoke up. “Jack, Angelica would you mind posing for a picture with her?”

“Ah, it would be an honor and a pleasure,” Jack answered. “In front of me Pearl then?” he asked as the three of them moved into the sunlight, where the ship now sat awaiting a dive team inspection, and posed for a couple of pictures.

Sarah gasped quietly as she looked at her book, touching Olivia’s shoulder to get her to look too. Not only was it signed ‘Captain Jack Sparrow’, it was also signed ‘Johnny Depp’. Sarah looked up again, and Jack grinned and tipped his hat, bringing a finger to his lips afterwards.

“Oh my God,” Olivia whispered.

Sarah giggled and wiggled her finger, and then cupped her hand to Jacks ear, “You're invited to the Party tonight if you want to come, thank you so much.”

“Oh a party. I love parties. Especially rum parties. Or rum without the party,” Jack rambled, and Angelica laughed.

“We shall be there for certain,” she said.

“Yes, we will,” Jack added, nodding.

Sarah gave Jack and Angelica a hug, waving over her shoulder as she and Olivia walked away, “Oh my God, That really was Johnny depp.. Annie’s going to freak.”

“I’m having trouble not freaking,” Olivia giggled quietly. “I knew something was off. I mean the actor who normally plays Jack is good, but that was perfect. I told you I thought Johnny sometimes snuck in,” she whispered.

“I really want to experience that attraction properly,” Sarah sighed. “Hopefully they’ll fix it.” They stopped at the pixie soda shop and Sarah pulled out a $20. “Can I get a coke please?”

“Sure thing sweetie,” Kate replied warmly, doing a doublet ake. She stared at Sarah for a moment or two, but then just grinned. “Well what do you know, you’re my thousandth customer today. Drinks are on the house,” she said, as she poured up a fresh soda, as well as what she knew to be Tink’s favorite drink - vanilla coke.

“Oh thanks.” Sarah giggled and put the twenty away, but pulled out a $5 and put it in the tip jar.

“You girls enjoying the park?” she asked warmly as she placed their drinks on the counter for them.

“Oh we were on the Pirate ride earlier, and got to meet Jack Sparrow.” Sarah giggled.

“Oh and this brave pixie jumped off the boat and saved some guys life.” Olivia added..

The Hatter’s familiar squeak chimed in at that, “You know I heard about that. As Bob as my witless I’ll never call her a hat thief again.”

“I was here a few days ago, and I meant to get your autograph, can I get it now Mr. Hatter?” Sarah asked and offered him her book.

“Wouldn’t you rather have a manualgraph?” Hatter asked with a grin as Alice crept up behind him.

“Teasing pretty girls again I see!” Alice said, causing Hatter to jump right off his seat, swat at the air in an animated fashion, and spun around with his hands on his hips.

“Why I never! I was simply giving her my manualgraph!” he protested.

“I’ll take yours as well Alice if you don’t mind.” Sarah giggled.

“Oh!” Alice giggled. “Well that’s certainly different then! Of course you can have my manualgraph... But what is a manualgraph exactly?” she asked, looking between Sarah, Olivia, and the Hatter. The only one of the two who actually knew, who Sarah was, was Alice.

“Don’t ask me,” Hatter answered. “She’s the one who asked!”

“No, I asked for an autograph,” Sarah laughed. “You asked me if I wanted a manualgraph instead.”

“I did?” he asked, looking up from signing her book. “Are you sure? You might have a tea cup in your ear? I could check?”

“Oh I’m good, but I believe you did.” Sarah giggled.

“Well if you insist. The customer is always wrong,” Hatter nodded firmly, making an elegant show of writing ‘Hatter’ before he finally looked appraisingly at the signature with his tongue out to one side, and then crossed the t’s. “There. Alice?” he turned entirely the wrong way to look for Alice, who tapped his shoulder.

“I’m over here,” she said, and he jumped again.

“Oh don’t sneak up on me like that! Silly girl,” he giggled, passing the book to her.

“I didn’t sneak up on you - at least not this time,” Alice giggled. “You know perfectly well that I’ve been standing here the whole time.”

“I know perfectly well that you snuck up on me is what I know,” Hatter protested. “Accusing me of harassing pretty girls was it? Why I never!” he repeated.

“Never indeed,” Alice laughed. “Except for Wendy, Tinkerbell, Silvermist and Rosetta, Jasmine, Anastasia and Drusilla!”

“Now wait just a minute, hold on!” Hatter interrupted.

“What?” Alice asked as she passed Sarah’s book back to her.

“You specifically said pretty girls!”

“Yes?” Alice replied.

“Well how can you include the Tamerlain sisters on a list of pretty girls? That’s like including pixies on a list of fruit trees,” he replied with a giggle. “Oh! Cinderelly!” he called out, racing off after Cinderella as she walked by, and began singing, “Cinderelly Cinderelly night and day it’s Cinderelly!”

Alice giggled as she watched him go. “And off he goes again. I suppose I had better make sure he doesn’t get into any trouble.” She smiled brightly at the girls. “Do enjoy your stay though!”

“Thanks Alice.” Sarah giggled, pausing to sip her coke. “I wonder what the other girls are doing.”

Olivia laughed, “We all agreed to break off in small groups, but I think it was more so that we could have a second date.” she winked, “Darn that Pixie.” she teased.

“Those pixies are trixy,” Sarah laughed as she lay her head on Olivia’s shoulder. “This really is the happiest place on earth. And I’m still trying to hold in a fangirl scream at meeting you know who,” she squeaked out.

“Hey!” Peter Pan snuck up behind the two, “Did you know if you kiss that you’ll grow up?”

Sarah jumped slightly and giggled. “Then it’s a good thing we haven’t any kisses,” she answered with a grin. “Oh, Peter, would you sign my book?” she asked.

“Oh sure, I’ll sign it!” Peter replied. “Have you two seen Wendy? She just came in from London today.”

“We have,” Olivia bubbled. “She was on a pirate ship earlier, surrounded by pixies!”

“But Pixies are good.. And Pirates are bad.. Were they helping Wendy fight the pirates?”

“Oh, these were good pirates,” Sarah said with an affirming nod. “Captain Sparrow and his crew were giving a pirating lesson aboard the Black Pearl.”

“Until the ship struck a reef and sent someone overboard,” Olivia added. “And one of the pixies had to dive in after him.”

“That sounds like the pixies I know. Risking their lives even for a smelly pirate!” Peter laughed, handing Sarah’s book back to her. “If you see Wendy, tell her I’m looking for her, and that I’d like to give her a kiss,” he said with a grin as he held up a thimble on the tip of his finger.

Sarah giggled, “Sure thing.”

“Never a dull moment,” Kate laughed softly. “Can I get you a refill?”

Sarah nodded. “Sure. One more please.”

Vanessa, the pixie formerly known as Rosetta approached Olivia and Sarah, “Got a 9-1-1,” she sighed. “I know that Kelly said not to bug you guys but I mean it’s a serious 9-1-1.”

“I knew it,” Olivia groaned. “I knew Kelly was up to something.” She shook her head. “What’s up?”

“It’s Jade. I was talking to her to see if she had a place to stay or if she was already rooming with someone and she locked herself in a stall.. and I’m not talking in the public restrooms either.. the other ones.”

“I’ll go with Vanessa, you find Gennine?” Sarah asked Olivia.

“I dont think we should involve Gennine at the moment.” Olivia shook her head, “But is Kelly with her still?”

“Yeah, Kelly, Carol, and Morgan are with her trying to calm her down. I feel so fuckin’ awful,” Vanessa sighed. “If only I’d kept my trap shut.”

“It’s not your fault,” Sarah shook her head as they started off together. “Any one of us could have said it. I mean we were just talking about my housing situation yesterday.”

“... And now I’ve made it worse making a big stupid scene,” Jade sobbed as the girls entered the private actors’ restroom. She was sitting on the floor, with Kelly and Morgan - aka Vidia, sitting on either side of her and holding her, and Carol kneeling close by and holding her hand. “I should’ve never come here... I don’t belong here... I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Shh, yes you do,” Kelly said. “You’re a perfect iridessa. You’re a better Dessa than I am a Periwinkle. I mean I’ve got tattoos I have to cover with waterproof makeup before I’m allowed out of the dressing room.”

Jade looked up as Sarah, Olivia and Carol came in, and frowned. “Carol I’m so sorry... I didn’t mean to make you run off like that. I just...” she stopped to catch her breath, choking back a sob.

“No, it’s okay. I went to find Olivia. I was worried about you, that’s all,” Carol said as she knelt in front of her. “Jade, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

“It’s not your fault,” Jade sniffled. “I’m just scared that if they find out I’m homeless that they’ll fire me. I need this job. I’ve been turned down so many times, I didn’t know where else to apply. The people at the shelter said I can stay as long as I want, but I’ve been there three months now, ever since...” she trailed off, at that and shook her head.

Carol shook her head, “You're not homeless anymore., I have room for you. And if my roommate Starla gives shit, I’ll smack her down. We stick together right? Pixie dust and all that.”

Jade laughed a little as she wiped her eyes with a piece of what once might have been tissue, now covered in running mascara and eyeliner. “Thank you...”

A female security guard popped her head in, “I’m going to have to ask you girls to leave-” but Sarah shook her head and showed the woman her employee badge. The woman frowned. “Oh... Oh I’m so sorry,” she said. “I’ll watch the door if you need some privacy,” she quickly added.

“Just a sister emergency.” Sarah nodded as the guard closed the door again.

“I’m sorry I’ve been such a flake to you guys,” Jade sniffled as she slowly got to her feet, with Morgan and Kelly’s help, and then hugged them both, followed by Carol, Vanessa, and then Sarah and Olivia. “I was just so scared...”

“For what it’s worth, Gennine probably knows already,” Olivia spoke up at that. “She does serious background checks on all hires. If she hired you, it’s because she believes in you as much as we do.”

“It’s true,” Sarah laughed a little. “My Dad’s lawyer called wanting to know who I pissed off to have both FBI, CIA, and Interpol background checks being run on me.”

“Interpol? Really?” Jade cracked a smile and laughed.

Sarah nodded. “Gennine is a former Broadway talent scout so she knows what she’s looking for. Granted that also makes her a little eccentric sometimes,” she teased. “But we all were included on the decision to hire you, and Fawn, and Rosetta, and Vidia. We literally would not be whole without you.”

“And we really do take care of each other,” Kelly added. “These two knuckleheads took me shopping the other night because I mentioned how Periwinkle gives me a chance to step outside my old life, stop being this tough biker chick and be someone more fun, and less intimidating.”

“And now she’s thinking about moving in with a girl from the park you’ll meet later.” Sarah giggled.

“Yup,” Kelly laughed. “If I can weasel out of my lease it’s a done deal, all thanks to these two, and now, our little family’s even bigger. But even if Vanessa couldn’t help, someone else would. Even Maleficent would give a kidney if it meant saving one of our own.”

“Thanks guys...” Jade sniffed again as Morgan offered her a fresh tissue. “I... I’m really not used to this. I mean it’s bad enough being half black and half Japanese, but add being homeless on top of it and it’s like you don’t exist anymore,” she sighed as someone knocked on the bathroom door.

“It’s Merida - could someone pass me my bag?” a young woman with a thick Scottish accent called through the door.

Jade glanced over, at that. “It’s okay... I’m... I’m okay now. I’m sorry for ruining your date, guys,” she sighed as Sarah opened the door, motioning for Merida to come inside.

“You didn’t ruin anything sweetie,” Olivia answered. “It wasn’t even a date despite what Kelly said,” she added with a dry laugh.

“Sorry,” Merida said sheepishly. “Dinna mean to interrupt but my wig tape is inching south at an alarming rate.”

“It’s fine.” Olivia answered, “Just some family problems,” she continued as she handed Merida her bag.

“Oh, I know from family problems,” Merida answered as she tossed her head forward to let the wig dangle, so it could be removed without getting hair in the tape. “Half my family’s crazy, the other, in a prison or a graveyard,” she said as she worked quickly to tear off more tape, clearly trying to take as little time as possible. “If there’s anything I can do,” she added, as she began to press the wig into place against her wig cap again, “Please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Sarah grinned a little. “Come to the Pixie Party tonight? If you don’t have plans of course.”

Merida laughed. “Oh, aye, me, a bottle of wine, and the Daily Show. Shall I come as myself or as Merida then?” she asked, straightening her wild mop of fiery red hair.

“Oh, either,” Sarah giggled.

Merida smiled and turned to Jade, the most distraught-looking of the bunch, and gave her a hug. “Hang in there sweetie. We’re all here for ya,” she said, and then quickly put away her ziplock bag and turned to leave.

Jade cocked her head slightly and then laughed. “... I just got a hug from Merida. I think I want to live here.”

“C’mon,” Vanessa said as she took Jade’s hand. “Let’s go out into the park together this time. I’ll buy you guys ice cream.”

“With sprinkles?” Jade asked. “Ooh I like sprinkles,” she said, momentarily reprising her Iridessa voice, which caused a chorus of giggles.

Josh Peterson has just scored the job of a lifetime - or at least the best job he can hope for without leaning on his parents for references - as a janitor at The Magic Kingdom, but when fate intervenes and he finds himself alone with the costume of his favorite Pixie Hollow character, his life takes a whole new turn.

---

When Disney throws a party, as Sarah quickly learned, they really throw a party. More than just a little fireworks show to light up Cinderella’s castle, this apparently, was to be a short notice concert in the Pixies’ honor including stars like Debby Ryan as well as many other disney stars that were in the area that could be called in - including Megan Stuart and her co-star Juliette.

A huge stage had been hastily built in front of Cinderella’s palace, but there was also a large open space in front of it for interacting and mingling with park guests and Disney stars and starlets alike, with the entire area decorated in Pixie themes, from Rosetta’s buttercups to Silvermist’s don’t drop lily pond, to a mini snow storm. The girls arrived early, just as Megan appeared.

“Oy,” Megan called. ‘When you guys throw a party, you go all out, eh?”

Silvermist giggled, “Pixies party hard.”

“Make no wonder they named a tube filled with concentrated sugar after you,” Megan laughed. “That was an amazing thing you did today though.”

A bunch of Pirates stormed the stage including the extra that almost drowned and Jack approached the microphone and called, “Where be that figment of me imagination? Not the green one with the hair up to... well,” he said, holding his hand above his head to poke fun at Tink’s hair bun. “The watery one what lost me hat after I gave it to’er.”

Megan whistled loudly, and a spotlight shone down on her from the stage rigging. She pointed at Silvermist at that. “Here she is.”

“Ah! There she is hiding with the other figmentations,” Jack said sloppily and lazily. “Bring yourself up here then love. You other figments too! We’ll make it a figment party, hey?”

Laughter erupted from the quickly growing crowd, and a cameraman with a very expensive, very professional looking camera panned to follow Silvermist and the others as they moved toward the stage.

“Aye watch your step there, it’s not the fall that gets you, but the sudden stop,” Jack said, and when the pixies approached, he continued. “I’m sure everyone here knows what happened today, but for those that don’t, let me spin you a tale of the high seas you’ll scarcely believe.

“There I was minding me business when these pixies come wandering up wanting to ‘ave a ride on me blessed Pearl. I turns to Angelica and I says, Angel, love, do you see the little pixies too? She says ‘Jack, do I look like I see pixies?’. So I figure, oy, it’s the rum, right? Then two more shows up!”

He continued to retell a rather colorful version of the story, embellishing a bit here and there, especially the bits about the ‘shark infested waters’.

“But make no mistake, as I live and breathe, this young err, lady... pixie... figment of me imagination thing, saved a real life today.”

The extra whose life she had saved approached now, holding up a gold medallion on a pink and white striped neck band. It read ‘Hero and Honorary Pirate for Life’ around the edges, and otherwise looked like a replica of the cursed Aztec gold coin featured in the first Pirates movie.

Silvermist bowed as he placed it around her neck and whispered. “Thank you again. I owe you my life.”

Jack grinned, raising his hands in the air to encourage the crowd to cheer as he handed her the microphone.

Silvermist shook her head, “I’m a trained water fairy, and it’s what we do. Only professional water fairies should ever do that. I was just in the right place at the right time, but I appreciate this so much. Thank you all.”

“Right then!” Jack announced. “Let the partying and the culmination of consumption of massive quantities of what I have been assured is not rum, but that looks a lot like rum begin!” he announced, to the beginnings of the first fireworks display of the evening, his pirate crew making their way off-stage while everyone was distracted.

“Ah,” Angelica said as she brought a large tray full of pirate mugs over to the girls. “Now this is what I call a party. Reminds me of Tortuga, only with less splitting of skulls,” she laughed.

“You’re sure there’s no alcohol in these?” Periwinkle asked.

“Not a drop of the devil’s nectar,” Angelica replied. “It’s some concoction involving roots or something, I didn’t really ask too many questions.”

“Oh thank you.” Periwinkle bubbled. “Beer of roots is quite tasty.”

“Pssst Peri.” someone called.

“Yes?” Periwinkle asked as she looked around, after taking a sip of her root beer. Alessa handed her a snowball, and pointed to the queen.

“Ooh!” she squealed excitedly, jumping up and down. She snuck closer, doing her best over animated trying to be sneaky strut, and threw the snowball. It was quite real, and quite cold, and broke apart like a really good snowball does. Maleficent spun around, glaring at the Mad Hatter who happened to be close by.

“What did I do?” Hatter asked innocently. Periwinkle nearly doubled over laughing and scurried away again, leaving the crowd of guests that had seen her antics in stitches.

Silvermist giggled and hugged Peri, “That was funny.”

“Wow,” Iridessa said as she leaned over to look more closely at the pirate medallion. “That’s the sparkliest thing I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen a lot of sparkly things.”

Silvermist giggled, “It’s pretty and sparkly. “ She flipped it around, “I can't wear it when i'm working with the water though. I might sink.”

“Oh, I know!” Tink giggled. “I’ll build you a box so you can display it somewhere!”

“Oh I can display it in my hut in Pixie hollow!” Silvermist bubbled as Megan stepped up onto the stage and the dance music cut out.

“So I heard you pixies like to party!” she cheered.

The Pixie Hollow pixies raised their glasses and cheered. Megan laughed.

“Oh come on now, I know there’s more pixies than just the seven of em out there. Tonight everyone’s an honorary pixie,” she said, getting more cheers from the crowd now. “Aye that’s better! We’ve got a big night tonight, but don’t worry. I won’t be your Emcee for too long. We’ve got someone else in mind for that.”

At that, Juliette stepped out onto the stage. Juliette was Megan’s height, and as blonde as corn silk, though unlike Megan, Juliette had only a very faint hint of Sydney in her accent. “Hey guys,” she said into a headset microphone.

“You guys know my BFF Juliette right?” she asked, getting more cheers and applause. “Oh, she’s not Emceeing,” Megan joked, getting a laugh from the crowd. “But she’s graciously offered to hum a few bars with me.”

“Well, you know,” Juliette said, “I was just in the neighborhood, and I can’t resist a cool party. Plus pixies. I love their stix.”

Everyone laughed and Silvermist giggled, “It’s just packaged Pixie dust you know.”

“No wonder you guys are always so hyper,” Juliette teased back. “You wanna start?” she asked, pretending as part of the act, that they hadn’t planned their song.

“Oh, why thank you,” Megan answered. “Let it goooo!”

“Whoa, no no no!” Julietet stopped her. “I don’t care if we are Disney stars, we are not doing that one.”

Megan giggled, and the music to their real song began.

The party ended on an extremely high note with a culmination of two bands - The Jack Phillips Experience, an old school UK Punk band, and Sarah’s dad’s band performing a hardcore, high velocity punked up version of “A Dream is a Wish” to a truly epic fireworks display.

The girls returned to their dressing room shortly afterwards to find a number of Disney stars hanging around, including Megan and Juliette, and several large boxes of pizza. Annie and her friends were also present, seeming to have made a new friend in Megan.

“Wow,” Silvermist giggled. “That is a looot of pizza.”

“We figured we’d call dibs on the after party,” Megan laughed.

The Pixies all giggled, “Twinkle Twinkle little star,” Silvermist started singing for no real reason, other than to get ‘A Dream is a Wish’ out of her head.

“How I wonder what you’re at!” Hatter sang out as he emerged around the corner with Peter in tow behind a large ice chest full of sodas and bottled water.

Alice giggled as she came in with Wendy behind the boys. “I do hope we’re not late?”

“See you sing that song and Wendy always shows up.” Tinkerbell giggled.

Wendy laughed. “Well, as I’m returning to Neverland with you and Peter this eve, it only made sense to wait. Besides, I do love a good after party. And a little bird told me that a new Pixie fan club would be meeting here too...” she trailed off and grinned at Annie and her friends.

“Oh?” Silvermist looked at Annie and gang, “Fans? I don’t feel air coming from them. Tink, I think your invention busted again.”

“Oh!” Hatter said helpfully, “Maybe the batteries are dead!” Annie and the girls giggled loudly.

Tinkerbell walked up to the girls and began walking around them slowly, “Hmmm, I think the doodad in this one is out of alignment. ” She poked Annie gently.

“That tickles!” Annie squeaked and giggled.

“Eeep! It talks.” Tink jumped back.

“Not that kind of fan, silly pixies,” Alice giggled softly. “Admirers!”

“But it’s not really official or anything,” Gretchen spoke up at that. “It’s just us right now. It was Annie’s idea.”

Silvermist approached Gretchen and eyed her up, “Sure, blame the short one. That’s how it always goes huh Dessa?” she called over to Iridessa.

“Yup, we blame you all the time,” Iridessa teased back.

“Hey!” Silvermist put her hands on her hips, “It’s always Tink’s fault, not mine! Getting us in trouble all the time.”

“Now just a darn minute,” Tink giggled. “It’s not my fault my inventions sometimes ... explode.”

“I think we should talk to Fairy Mary though,” Rosetta spoke up, “About making these Buttercups our official fan club.”

“You might be right Dew Drop: not sure what offical fans will do though,” Silvermist said as she shook her head..

“They can follow us around and keep us cool!” Periwinkle helpfully suggested.

“I need to make your snow machine portable huh?” Tink asked.

“More snow would mean more snowball fights!” Peri answered, giggling.

“Ah hah!” Hatter interrupted at that. “So it was you!” He pointed at Gretchen. “You threw that snowball at the evil Queen!”

“I saw the whole thing.” Silvermist admitted, “That girl there.” She pointed to Annie, “Did it.”

“No way!” Annie said shaking her head. “Crystal did it!” She pointed to their quiet brown-haired friend with glasses, who had been watching the whole exchange.

“It’s always the quiet ones.” The Hatter spoke. “Just wait till I tell the queen!”

Alice looked at the Hatter, “Not that queen right? I do like my head on my shoulders.”

“Oh my no, not that one!” Hatter laughed as he played with Crystal’s hair. “It’d be too much a tragedy for such a pretty head to be rolling around like a croquet ball!”

“Besides,” Crystal spoke up hesitantly, reciting a line from Alice in Wonderland, “It wasn't me, it was the three.”

Periwinkle looked shocked, “Are you blaming me?” she wiggled her toes, causing the tips of her soft shoes to bobble. “I have pretty shoes it could never have been me.”

“Hmmm, methinks she doth protest too much!” Hatter announced, stroking his chin in an over-animated fashion. He leaned over sideways to the girls to stage whisper, “I thought it was her all along. Or that water fairy. She’s a tricky one.”

“Me?” Silvermist made a pouty face. She leaned over to the girls and mock whispered, “He leaves his hat around once, and I use it to go fishing, and now he think’s I'm devious.”

“Oh, no, not devious,” Hatter laughed. “Just tricky. Trixy pixies. That’s what they say.”

Alice looked at the Hatter, “Who say?”

“Who say what?” Hatter asked.

“Trixy Pixies.” Alice stated.

Hatter looked shocked. “Alice! That’s a horrible thing to say!”

“But you said they say it.” Alice protested.

“I said who say what?” Hatter asked, looking a mixture of confused, and half-mad - or rather, his usual self.

“You see what I have to deal with.” Alice giggled with the girls. “You just said that they say Trixy Pixies, and I asked, ‘Who says?’”

“Who’s on first?” Hatter asked, grinning.

Peter laughed, “No sense in making sense of that mad hatter.” he danced about behind the girls, “You know, you girls should come to Neverland and never grow up. You could join the lost boys.”

“Oh Peter,” Wendy laughed. Crystal giggled.

“I wish. But I want to grow up someday. Just not any time soon.”

“Eeew growing up is gross.” Peter groaned.

“Not me,” Annie laughed. “I’m never growing up, no matter how old I get.”

Peter laughed. “See, she gets it! That’s the spirit!”

“Well... When you put it that way...” Crystal giggled out.

“Wouldn’t it be more fun if you had more lost girls in the group Wendy?” Peter asked. Megan and Juliette shared a glance and giggled. Megan put her finger to her lips.

“Shh,” she whispered. “Not till the focus testing.” She didn’t want to let the cat out of the bag too soon.

“It would certainly be nice to have more girls to talk to,” Wendy laughed. “Not that I don’t enjoy the lost boys’ company too.”

“Who’s your favorite? Nibs and I go on lots of adventures together personally, but he would be so lost if I left him in charge.”

“My favorite?” Wendy asked. “Oh, definitely Toodles. He’s always losing his marbles,” Wendy giggled. “What about you girls?” she asked. “Whose story is your favorite?”

“I could never pick just one,” Gretchen said. “Yours and Peter’s, and Pixie Hollow, and I’m a huge, huge Wizards of Waverly Place fan,” she admitted sheepishly.

“Oh yeah?” Selena Gomez spoke up at that, poking her head over Gretchen’s shoulder.

“Eep!” Gretchen squeaked, surprised. “Yeah. I want to be an actress like you someday. You’re so natural and believable.”

“My favorites are Pixie Hollow and Alice in Wonderland,” Crystal admitted quietly. “I drive my older sister crazy... I’ve watched the original 1951 animation so many times I know it by heart.”

Annie grinned, “I like Peter Pan and the Pixie hollow girls, I really hope that they do a cross over movie someday.”

“Oh I hope so too.” Peter laughed. “We can go on some grand adventures with the other new Pixies like Tink and I used to.”

Tink laughed. “Like that time I had to save you from the bowels of Hook’s ship by squeezing through the lock and switching the doodad and the spring.”

“I should be getting home,” Gretchen sighed as she glanced at her watch. “10 pm curfew. Mom will be barging in any minute if I don’t.”

“Awwww, “ Silvermist pouted. “We can talk to her. You’re safe with us Pixies.”

“We can have a sleepover at my house?” Annie suggested. “Your Mom’s already met me a few times, and I know my parents won’t mind.”

“I can try.” Gretchen pulled out her phone and dialed. “Hi mom.”

Silvermist took the phone, “Hi Mrs. Mom, I’m Silvermist.”

Gretchen’s mother laughed a bit. “You know, Gretchen was right, you do sound just like her.”

“Thats because I am her.” Silvermist giggled. “We have your daughter here in Pixie Hollow, and she wanted to stay the night at her friend’s house.”

Gretchen looked a little panicked at Silvermist asking for her. “Oh God,” she moaned quietly. “I’m so dead.”

“Oh, well if it’s Annie or Crystal, then that’s fine. But no boys,” she said with a soft chuckle.

“Thank you Mrs. Mom. No boys are allowed over at Annie’s place. I know Annie’s adults very well.” Silvermist replied and handed the phone back to Gretchen, winking.

“Really? It’s okay?” Gretchen asked as she got her phone back.

“Yes but I want Annie’s mom to call me right when you girls get there ok?”

“Sure, no problem. We got invited to an after party thing by Megan Stuart, so we’re hanging in the dressing room with the pixies and some other amazing famous people I never thought I’d get to meet-”

“Hi Mrs. Mom,” Selena, Megan, and Julietet called over Gretchen’s shoulder at that.

“But I promise we’ll go straight there after.”

She hung up her phone, and squealed. “Ohmygosh.” She hugged Silvermist at that. “You really are magic,” she giggled. “My Mom’s like so overprotective.”

“I’d kind of trade my mom for yours honestly,” Annie said. “I mean I love my Mom to death, but my sister practically raised me.”

“I’m sure your Mrs. Mom loves you.” Silvermist suggested, completely in-character, but the sentiment behind it was real..

“Oh I know she does,” Annie laughed. “I just wish she wasn’t such a free spirit sometimes. Worst part is I’m just like her,” she said jokingly. Gretchen laughed.

“That’s what I like about you and Crystal though. You’re not like my other so-called friends from school. You guys are like... well... normal.”

“Normal being a relative term,” Crystal answered. “A shy computer geek afraid of her own shadow.”

“Hey!” Peter laughed. “Shadows are nothing to sneeze at. They’ll run right off and make you trip over yourself to catch them if you’re not careful.”

Wendy nodded, “I watched Peter’s shadow trip him once.”

“Oh, how dreadful!” Alice spoke up around a mouthful of meat trio pizza. “As strange as things are in Wonderland, I’ve certainly never heard of a shadow coming alive!”

“Of course not!” Hatter laughed. “That would just be silly!”

“You think it’s silly till it happens to you.” Peter nodded.

“My dear boy, shadows do not alive come,” Hatter said as if he were reciting lines. “That would be like using ketchup for something besides hat polish. It simply isn’t done!”

Wendy shook her head, “I wouldn’t have believed it either but I saw it with my own two eyes.”

Megan leaned over to Annie and whispered, “Are they always like this? Not that I’m complaining,” she added with a wink and grinned. “This is a riot.”

Annie laughed and whispered back, “Pretty much, at least every time we’ve seen them.”

“Believe it or not, this was actually only my third trip to Disney World, so this is the most time I’ve spent with the characters. Let us know when your official fan club gets off the ground. I want to join too.” She hugged Annie, and then Gretchen and Crystal

“Hey, me too!” Juliette laughed.

Silvermist looked at Gretchen and Crystal and noticed they were back busy talking with the other pixies. Noticing the chance, she gave Annie a hard stare.

Annie noticed her sister was staring her down, like she did so many times in the past. After looking around, Annie nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders, because she hadn't a clue what she did wrong this time.

Silvermist looked around and started fake type on her hand.

Nodding Annie pulled out her phone, and called her parents.

"Hello, Mommy? It's Annie..." Annie started to say before Silvermist grabbed the phone from her.

The others noticing another entertaining phone call came back towards Annie.

"Hello Mrs. Mommy, this is Silvermist." Sil said with a giggle.

"Well hello to you too..." Helen said a little shocked at it not being Annie anymore.

"We have your little Duckling here in Pixie Hollow, and she and a fellow duckling need picked up, before Fawn becomes too attached to them,” she teased. “We had to stop Fawn from taking a chipmunk under her wing earlier. So I hate to know what she would do with two abandoned ducklings."

"Oh," Helen laughed, not only recognizing her own daughter now, but the message she was trying to pass along too. “I’ll be right there.”

"Oh, Mrs. Mommy, don't believe any rumors about me being a hero either!"

Quite a few people in the room called, "But you are!"

"I will pass the doodad back to your Duckling." Silvermist said with a blush.

"Hi Mommy. Call when you get here and we’ll be right out there. Yeah it’s Gretchen and maybe Crystal?" she asked, glancing at Crystal, who looked nervously at her feet.

“Oh um... Well Gretchen was my ride, so I’ll need a ride home...”

“We can stop by her house on the way home and ask her parents,” Helen laughed.

“Mom says we’ll swing by your place and ask.”

Crystal brightened a little at that and nodded.

After the guests had all left, Sarah and the girls sat around their dressing room for a little bit longer, talking, laughing, and unwinding, when Gennine and Alessa came through the door.

“Don’t worry, it’s just us,” Gennine called from the door.

“Oh hey,” Sarah called. “There’s still some pizza if either of you are hungry.”

“Ooh, I haven’t eaten since lunch,” Gennine said, picking up a slice of deep dish supreme.

“The big wigs are eating you girls up,” Alessa giggled quietly. “Guest happiness is up 15% over last week alone, and the pixie pirate party was a rousing success.”

“We’re going to have you spend more time in the park for awhile,” Gennine added, “While we continue to renovate Pixie Hollow.”

“Renovate?” Olivia asked curiously. “I thought you were just cleaning?”

“Yes. We’re adding new huts, and I guess the big wigs want more pixies.” Gennine chuckled. “Silvermist’s is going to be extra special...” she grinned almost deviously, and Alessa couldn’t hold in her laugh.

“Scott’s going to have a heart attack. He has no idea. We’re having a hut sized replica of his hat built for you, with fairy style doors and windows installed.”

“Oh my gosh!” Sarah laughed, “That’s just great.”

“Well, I think that’s everything, except...” she paused, and Jade gulped nervously. “Something about a new fan club?” she asked, grinning. Jade breathed a relieved sigh.

“Oh it seems some Disney stars, and some regular girls decided to create a Pixie fan club.” Sarah giggled.

“That’s delightful,” Gennine laughed. “I love it. We’ll have to look into how we can support them from the back end. Maybe Alessa can help them with a fansite kit or something. We don’t want to get in the way too much though. It’d spoil the fun. But It seems Pixie Hollow is going to get much bigger.” Gennine winked, “You girls have a wonderful evening, “ she paused, glancing at Jade. “Oh and a little birdy told me that you have an address change Jade?”

Jade gave Gennine a wry smile and nodded. “Vanessa’s... asked me to be her roommate,” she answered.

“Ok, I’ll just update your file with Vanessa’s address then.” Gennine smiled warmly at her. “I'll update yours with Olivia’s as well.” she said as she looked over at Sarah.

“Oh, um...” Kelly spoke up hesitantly. “I’ll um, be moving in a couple of weeks too. Christina’s got a spare room, and I’m kinda tired of living like a cockroach in my old place.”

“Well let me know so we can update your file as well.” Gennine laughed. “Oh and Sarah, next time someone falls into the pond, jump right in. I have it on record you have lifeguard training, but the big wigs want me to have you go get it updated for legal reasons.”

“Yes ma’am,” Sarah giggled a little. “I’m due for CPR recertification this year anyway so I’ll kill two birds with one stone.”

Carol - her hair still in a Fawn braid, gasped. “Oh no you won’t! There will be no killing of sweet little birdies while Fawn is on duty!” she teased.

“Hmm,” Sarah answered. “Then I’ll paint two ladybugs with one Ladybug painter-majig?”

“Much better,” Carol nodded approvingly.

“I was thinking,” Olivia said. “Since the Pixie Hollow attraction is expanding anyway... Would it be possible to have a story time event once in awhile? Like the one in Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure, a little stage magic to make the storyteller more ‘authentic’, that sort of thing. It wouldn’t have to run all the time, just once in awhile.”

“I think that can be arranged.” Gennine chuckled. “We were actually thinking about making Periwinkles snow machine real as well.”

Kelly laughed. “We managed to get our hands on some crushed ice and had a mini snowball fight yesterday. I’d love to do that more often.”

“Oh that reminds me!” Alessa said, somewhat more animated than her usual reserved, bookish nature. She rushed over to one side of the girls’ dressing area. “Guess what just came in tonight? It’s just a prototype right now, but it shows potential...”

She threw aside a plain looking sheet to reveal what looked like a rolled leaf with a lens in the open end, buried deep She held it out, and flipped a tiny switch causing a rainbow to appear on the wall next to Jade, who squeaked. “It’s Iridessa's lightcatcher! Of course her real lightcatcher just caught the sunlight. This is more of a light projector - a flashlight with a hidden prism to break up the light.” She giggled.

“We’re still working on ideas to replicate Silvermist’s water talent,” Gennine laughed softly. “But the special effects guys were able to put this one together more easily. The ‘leaf’ was a prop we had lying around that they folded over the insides. The real thing will be much more sturdy.”

“Wow, it even feels like a leaf,” Jade said as Alessa handed it to her. “Oh, um... And I have an idea for Silvermist’s dew drops...” she said quietly. “I’m not really sure how you’d carry them around, but ... When I was a kid I used to make sugar polymer bubbles. My 3rd grade science teacher showed me how They look like regular bubbles, but you can touch them, push them around, and they don’t pop so easily.”

“Oh, that’s clever,” Gennine almost giggled. “I’ll pass that along right away. Tomorrow before your shift, I have the planning people coming to my office. They want to show you girls what the new Pixie Hollow’s going to look like.”

“This is so exciting,” Kelly bubbled. “We get to goof off in the park even more, and Pixie Hollow’s getting a facelift!”

“Oh one last thing.” Gennine said, “Sarah, you’re off tomorrow.” she winked.

“Oh,” Sarah giggled. “Um, thank you? But I already had the afternoon off.”

“Sure, but I want you to come in and look at the plans with the girls.” Gennine laughed, “You’ll have to take the paid day off up with the big guys in the main office.”

“Well I guess I can use the time to find out how much our landlord wants for the extra space on our floor, get my sister to help me set up my new digital art pad, maybe sneak some snowballs in for Peri,” she joked.

Vanessa laughed as she leaned over and put her hand on Sarah’s shoulder. “Honey you earned a day off. We’ll cover for ya. You just enjoy yourself.”

Josh Peterson has just scored the job of a lifetime - or at least the best job he can hope for without leaning on his parents for references - as a janitor at The Magic Kingdom, but when fate intervenes and he finds himself alone with the costume of his favorite Pixie Hollow character, his life takes a whole new turn.

---

“It’s weird,” Sarah said as she joined the other pixies in Gennine’s office. “Being here and not being in costume. It’s only been a few days, but I already feel naked without my wings.”

Tinkerbell nodded, “We know how you feel. It feels weird not having you as Silvermist.”

“I think I’ll ask the people in charge to give me more warning before I get another day off,” Sarah laughed, trying her hardest not to use her Silvermist voice.

Tinkerbell leaned over to Sarah and hugged her. “Going to miss you. But have fun ok?” she said, as three people, two younger men and one woman in her mid-20s all wearing suits came into the office.

“Sorry to keep you waiting ladies,” the woman spoke first as one of the guys set up an easel to display their concept sketches. “As you girls may well know only 35% of the park has been developed and 25% is set aside for natural reserves right?”

“Oh!” Tinkerbell spoke up at that. “We just learned that the other day actually, from the Wild Safari tour guide!”

Sarah nodded as the woman smiled and continued, “You girls also know that Pixie Hollow sits at the edge of part of the undeveloped land right? But its kind of small for 3 fairies, let alone all of you.” She pulled the cover off the first image which was an overhead concept of the entire Pixie hollow from the movies, scaled down somewhat.

Sarah nodded. “Admittedly I’ve spent most of my time out and about so far, but I could see how having the full pixie cast could get a little cramped.”

“As you can see, the park wants to do the entire Pixie hollow - or at least the main part centered around the Pixie Dust tree. The idea is to create a “mini” Pixie Hollow.” she paused, turning to a second concept sketch. “We also want to add a Pixie soda shop.” She pulled the next board out, showing the design for the soda shop. “Kathleen wants to run it, and the girls and guys that will work there will dress like Pixies as well.”

“OH!” both Sarah and Tinkerbell squealed in unison.

“Aw that’s so flitterific!” Peri squeaked out.

The woman laughed softly as she flipped through some more designs. “We want to get people into Pixie Hollow, to really experience it. Tink’s workshop will be completely interactive, and her ‘doodads’ and crazy inventions will be the centerpiece there.”

“Gennine even made a suggestion by one of you girls, that we do an interactive “Bubble” type thing for Silvermist’s area.” one of the guys spoke finally.

“Oh that’s right,” Sarah piped up. “Iridessa had this great idea to use... what were they called?” she asked, looking over.

“Sugar polymer bubbles. I guess you could use a biodegradable plastic for a more durable bubble that would be less sticky. We used corn syrup in the soap solution though. The effect’s just like Silvermist’s ‘dew drops’.”

“We’ll have the lab guys look into it,” The woman said thoughtfully. “It’s a cute idea, definitely something that would go over well.”

The other man nodded. “These by far are your most interactive fairies to date Gennine. Even the fairies at Disneyland aren’t as active as these girls.”

“They’ve been a joy to work with, and it hasn’t even been a week,” Gennine laughed softly.

Tinkerbell nodded. “I can’t wait to see what everyone’s doing a month or even a year from now.”

“As long as we’re still together,” Iridessa giggled softly. “Oooh, is that Rosetta’s garden?” she asked as they put up a new panel of larger than life, tree-sized tulips surrounding a pixie hut with a ‘normal’ flower bed along the walkway.

Morgan, the girl playing Vidia, laughed out loud. “Oh my Gosh... And I see little Lizzy’s 'fairy trap' cottage in the background. I’m guessing that’s Vidia’s.”

“We couldn’t resist,” one of the guys laughed. “Right on both counts. Iridessa’s was a little harder to really visualize. Her home is never shown in the movies.”

“So we had to really put our heads together on this one,” the woman continued. “I want to stress that this is just a concept, and we are absolutely open to any input on any of these that you girls might have. So with that being said,” she put up the next poster.

Iridessa gasped sharply, covering her mouth with both hands. The single story round hut depicted sparkled gold all over. Its low, sloped roof was a darker shade of yellow, with the same color used on the sun shaped windows, in addition to having a sizable sun roof window. Even the doorknob sparkled, some kind of faux crystal.

“It’s so sparkly!” she managed to get out. “Oh I love it!”

One of the men smiled and spoke up, “Inside the Tree we’re going to have a break room, and some other things, but we’re also looking at making a place for a real Fairy Mary and Gary. I know you girls refer to Gennine as Fairy Mary, but we’re going to ask one of the older actresses to come in and act in.”

“We saved the best for last,” the woman continued, as they put up the last poster. Although Sarah already knew about the Mad Hatter’s hat, she wasn’t also expecting to have her own little lily pad pond. Directly across the pond sat a tree stump hut with little squirrels and other furry woodland creatures, unmistakably Fawn’s. No doubt they were planning some animatronic magic there.

“This is amazing,” Tink bubbled excitedly.

“We also heard you wanted to add an event hall for storytelling,” the woman added.

“Unfortunately we don’t have a sketch for that yet, but we were thinking along the lines of the event hall in the movie, only large enough to accommodate many visitors.”

“We have access to some pretty advanced projection tech, so the stage magic will definitely be doable,” one of the guys added. “Gennine’s going to begin casting calls soon for lorekeeper pixies in the next month or two.”

“So, what do you think?” the woman asked. “Any suggestions or ideas you’d like to see? Oh, and I just had a thought. Tinkerbell is always tinkering, finding new ways to improve the lives of her fellow pixies. What if we take that delightful polymer bubble idea, and apply it to a portable bubble wand? We can call it the Dew Dropper. Make it look Tinker-made, with some tech under the hood so to speak.”

“Oh, I love it!” Sarah said excitedly. Two days, and she was already the biggest girly girl of all of them, even beating out Rosetta the only one that was even close to girly as she was was Olivia. “The Dew Dropper.” She repeated, and giggled. “I can already see the backstory behind it. It allows Silvermist to condense her pixie magic more quickly, producing more dew drops faster.”

“With a place in the bottom to screw in a bottle of your polymer bubble soap so it’s completely hidden,” one of the guys said, almost as excited as Sarah at the concept. “Like a bubble wand on steroids. We can hide soap throughout the park so you’ll never need a refill.”

The woman laughed now, clearly as enthusiastic as the other two. “We’ll put them in the break rooms, and have the janitors make sure they’re always full.”

“This is great,” Vidya laughed. “Now if only wind machines were portable,” she said jokingly.

“We can rig something.” The man who was excited about Silvermist’s wand stated. “We have some really handy tech guys.”

“They don’t take light lightly,” Iridessa giggled.

After the meeting Sarah wandered over to the soda shop to get a soda. She had places to be and couldn’t just goof off today, but she could spare a few minutes. “Hi, Kathleen,” she said warmly as she approached the counter.

“Hello dear,” the woman replied with a chuckle. “I don’t suppose you’d buy the ‘thousandth customer’ twice in a row would you?” she teased.

“Maybe the 5th customer or the 10th.” Sarah giggled. “The park’s not busy enough for the thousandth yet.”

“Ah hah,” she said with a laugh. “Congratulations, you’re our tenth customer. It’s on the house,” she said as she set Sarah’s cup on the counter. “Did you hear the big news?”

“I heard that Pixie Hollow is getting bigger. And I heard some girls and guys that work here might be joining the Pixie race as a uniform.”

Kathleen laughed. “Indeed. We talked it over with the Pixie Builders’ Union and Fairy Mary, and they’ve agreed to let us relocate to Pixie Hollow. Seems since Tink’s friends have come over from Neverland they’ve been making some waves across the park, and gotten the attention of some important people.”

Sarah nodded, “That water one saved some guy’s life; they had an amazing party for her.”

“Yes, I’d heard something to that effect,” Kathleen chuckled. “She’s a real hero. We here at the future Pixie’s Pop Stand couldn’t be prouder. We’re naming a drink after her, you know?” she winked, at that. “I just hope she likes blue raspberry soda,” she added with a soft laugh.

“Oh I think that might be one of her favorites besides coke,” Sarah giggled. “What’s it called?”

“Oh, good! We couldn’t find anything palatable in a silver, but blue fit the bill nicely. We’re calling it the Silvermist Twist. Should have our first stock in tomorrow.”

“Well you know her favorite color is blue. If I see her I’ll let her know to stop by tomorrow,” she added with a giggle. “I have lifeguard recertification this morning at one of the park hotels, so I’m just killing time until then, myself.”

“Oh, goodie goodie!” The Hatter’s familiar laugh echoed in the mostly empty little shop. “There are always lives in need of guarding, and pockets too!”

“Oh hello Hatter. Alice near or far?” Sarah teased.

“Both!” Hatter laughed. “The last time I saw her, she was doing this,” he paused, running in place and waving his hand frantically, then shouted, “Mister Rabbit! Oh Mister White Rabbit! I’m almost sure I saw her run in here!”

“Let me guess; the Rabbit was fretting about being late?” Sarah asked.

“That silly rabbit’s always running late. Or was he always after their lucky charms...” Hatter said thoughtfully, stroking his chin.

“Maybe we should buy him a new pocket watch?” Sarah laughed as she drank her soda slowly, she had some time to kill.

“Nonsense! I’ll just fix the old one! All we need is some butter, jam, bread crumbs, and mustard!” Hatter laughed goofily. “Oh! Oh there she goes!” he said, as Wendy walked past, sporting an Alice band in her hair rather than her usual ponytail.. “Say, that’s not Alice. That’s the other London girl! Wendy Wendy you’re quite trendy! How does your Alice grow?”

Sarah laughed, “She’s going to sic the Lost boys and her brothers John and Michael on you if you keep teasing her so.”

Wendy stopped and put her hands on her hips, giving the Hatter a look. “I beg your pardon?”

“Sorry, but I haven’t any more to give. I loaned the nice girl at the bar over there my last pardon already,” he said, pointing at Sarah.

“He was making fun of your hair band,” Sarah motioned on her head like a headband over the top of her head.

Wendy shook her head. “Well that’s not very nice!” she scolded him.

“It was funny though!” Hatter giggled.

“I think it looks rather lovely on her.” Sarah spoke, approximating her dad’s accent as best she could.

“Now, there, you see? The nice West Essex girl thinks it looks just lovely. Better than that silly thing on top of your head at any rate,” Wendy teased him back. Hatter looked aghast.

“Why, my dear lady, I’ll have you know I had my hair cut by the royal Barber last February 31st!”

“I’m surprised he didn’t take your head off.” Sarah giggled.

“Well he does moonlight as the royal headsman. Double dipping don’cha know,” Hatter said with an affirming nod, getting a giggle from a couple of guests who had been watching the mini show.

“I’m ever so parched,” Wendy said. “Hatter, would you be a gentleman - for a change,” she teased, “and buy a lady a drink?”

“Why certainly!” Hatter replied. “Find me a lady, and I’ll buy her any drink she wants.”

Sarah gasped. “Oh my.” she pointed to Cinderella who was walking close by, “You just made fun of ‘Ella.”

“Oh? I thought I was making fun of Wendy, but if you insist! CINDERELLY!” he called, waving his hands over his head. “Cinderelly Cinderelly I can’t remember the words Cinderelly!” he said in a sing-song tone. Cinderella paused and gave Hatter a look, and he took a few steps back. “Only teasing!” he said, getting a laugh from her.

“Honestly, you’re a bigger rogue than that Peter Pan,” Cinderella teased back.

Sarah giggled and started to sing,, “A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you are fast asleep.”

Hatter had sat down halfway through the song, his elbows on the counter, hands crossed, chin resting on them and watching dreamily. “I wish I knew where Alice ran off to!” he giggled.

“Here I am!” Alice announced as she emerged from the kitchen, causing Hatter to jump off his stool.

“How long have you been back there?!” he gasped.

“Oh, right about the time you insulted dear Wendy,” Alice replied as Kathleen poured Wendy a tall cup of Sprite, and Alice, giggling, placed a handful of coins on the counter. “This one is on me,” she said brightly. “We London girls have to stick together.”

“You do?” Hatter asked as he looked between the three of them - Sarah, Wendy, and Alice. “Well I think I have some glue here somewhere...” he said and began searching his pockets.

Sarah laughed as she stood. “I suppose I should get over to the hotel for my lifeguard training before I’m the one who’s late for a very important date. Alice, Wendy, it was a pleasure as always. Hatter...”

“Hmmyeees?” Hatter asked, grinning. Sarah laughed.

“Don’t ever change.”

“My underpants?” Hatter asked, leaving the guests in stitches, and Sarah almost in tears from laughing as she started out from the soda stand.

“I love that guy,” she mused to herself.

All in all, Sarah’s lifeguard and CPR certification classes went quickly and painlessly. She had to be the first to break the ice by screaming ‘Are you okay?!’ to the CPR dummy, as no one else really wanted to be the first to feel foolish, but otherwise things went well. After classes, she continued to talk for a bit with the hotel’s pool safety instructor and lifeguard for a bit.

“Thanks for everything Sonya,” she said at length. They had been the better part of thirty minutes talking about water sports on Florida’s beaches and how they compared to the west coast. Despite being a trained, and now recertified, lifeguard herself, Sarah had never been surfing a day in her life.

“Hey no problem, and if you ever want to learn to surf, just let me know ok?” Sonya laughed.

“Oh sure! It’s always sounded fun, but I just never took the time to learn, you know? But I heard the surfing’s pretty bad here in Florida though?” Sarah asked.

Sonya laughed. “It is and it isn’t. It’s not the 20 foot swells you’ll hear about in the islands, but honestly, you’d have to be crazy to tackle a wave like that your first time. The swells can be inconsistent sometimes, but when you get a good one, it’s a sweet ride. Great for learning.”

“Thanks for the heads up.” Sarah answered cheerily. “I’ll give it a try next time I’m at the beach.” She definitely wasn’t ready for her two piece in public by any means, but that was a bridge she’d have to cross sooner or later.

“Ok.” Sarah said to herself pulling out her new mini-tablet. Sarah was the worst kind of Luddite, but she promised her sister she’d try. “Check that off my todo list. Next, see Doctor Lindsey Parsons. And I have got to stop talking to myself,” Sarah sighed out loud. “... Like that,” she added.

“Your mad as a Hatter!” The Hatter spoke up. “Only mad people talk to themselves - just ask Alice!” he said, pointing to the opposite side from where Alice was standing.

“I’m not mad.” Alice protested.

“You sound angry to me,” Hatter laughed.

“And evil.” Peter spoke up from behind Sarah. “She sounds really evil.”

“Are you three stalking me?” Sarah giggled out.

“Why would I do that?” Hatter asked.

“Hoping I might lead you to the hat thief?” Sarah answered.

“Another hat thief?!” The hatter proclaimed and lept off to look for the hat thief.

Alice giggled, leaning over to Sarah to whisper very softly, “Tinkerbell asked me to watch out for you while you were still here.”

Sarah laughed, giving Alice and Peter a hug. “I had a hunch it was something like that. I don’t mind,” she whispered back and winked. “Certification went great by the way.”

“I couldn’t find the hat thief, but I found the nicest mermaid!” he said, one of the park’s Ariels holding onto his arm gracefully.

“This nice Hatter promised to help me find Eric,” Ariel laughed softly.

“I did?” Hatter answered. “Oh I did! I think I did... Didn’t I? Yes. I did.” He nodded affirmatively.

Sarah looked at her watch and pulled a white rabbit, “Oh gosh, I’m late.” she still had a little bit of time to get to her appointment but not much.

“Funny, I thought you were a Sally.. Susan... Stella...” Hatter teased, waving as Sarah rushed off. “Do stop in for tea sometime!” he called after her. Sarah laughed.

“Lady Grey if you have any!” she called back over her shoulder as she rushed to her car.

It was a thankfully short drive to Doctor Parson’s office, though she wondered, when she arrived, if she had the right address as she entered the office lobby.

It almost looked more like a business office than her idea of a therapist’s office, with polished marble floors, a lavish fountain, and a high ceiling with various flora and decorations along the walls. A young woman with her strawberry blonde hair in a bun, sitting at the front desk, glanced up as Sarah approached.

“Hi, can I help you?” the receptionist asked.

“I think I’m in the wrong building,” Sarah said sheepishly. “I’m looking for Doctor Lindsey Parsons’ practice?”

“Oh!” the woman laughed softly. “We get that a lot. Doctor Parsons’ practice is on the third floor. Just take the elevator up, and you’ll find the sign on the door just as you step out. Oh, there she comes now actually! Doctor Parsons,” the girl called.

A rather attractive woman in her early to mid 30s wearing an expensive business skirt suit approached the front desk with a Starbuck’s cup in-hand that smelled of English toffee. “Yes?” she asked.

The receptionist motioned to Sarah, who smiled warmly. “I’m Sarah Paterson,” Sarah introduced herself.

“Oh you’re my 2:30.” Lindsay said. “My earlier appointment cancelled on me, so I couldn’t resist,” she said, raising her cup slightly. “Come on up and we’ll get started.”

Her office was very beautifully decorated, much like the lobby and reception area, but at the same time felt quite modern: no dusty bookshelves in sight, unlike Sarah’s last experience with a therapist.

“It says here on your papers, your real name is Josh? You sure don’t look like a Josh. Actually you're the first I’ve seen that could actually pass without help from makeup or other prosthetics as a genetic girl in a long time.”

Sarah giggled. “I know, I’m kind of weird. The breasts are even real - side effect of taking anti-depressants since I was 10. Actually this whole thing started because I... kind of got caught trying on the Silvermist costume at Disney, and they thought I was the actress hired to play her,” she said, half-nervously.

Sarah never liked therapists, especially after her last one pumped her full of pills as a “cure” for her depression rather than trying to help her get to the heart of what caused it. Granted it eventually worked out in the end, but she still half-expected Dr. Parsons to write her off as some kind of nut case.

“Well,” Lindsay said thoughtfully as she sat down, “Why don’t we start with that? Tell me about how you became Silvermist?”

Sarah nodded as she sat down as well. “There’s not a whole lot to tell, really... I mean I’ve always been ‘the girly boy who sounds a lot like Lucy Liu,” Sarah laughed. “My grandfather is Cherokee, and unlike my Mom’s brothers, I could never grow a beard even during that short period where I tried really, really hard to, just to fit in better. Well once the gynecomastia started, things got even more confusing...”

Lindsay listened, occasionally making notes, as Sarah’s ‘not a whole lot to tell’ continued into a longer and longer story, finally culminating in what had happened over the last couple of days, moving in with Olivia, being ‘encouraged’ by contract to dress female outside work, and how much more ‘right’ it felt than trying to hide it.

“Well,” Lindsay said thoughtfully. Sarah resisted the urge to cringe, fully expecting her to ask how that made her feel. “With your permission I’d like to have a blood test done. From what I’ve seen so far, I believe you may have naturally low testosterone levels.”

“Really?” Sarah asked. “Is that even possible?”

“Ordinarily when puberty hits, it’s like opening a floodgate. In your case, I suspect it was more like a trickle. These things do happen,” she said, quickly adding, “Now, I don’t want you to think I’m trying to discourage you from self-exploration. Quite the contrary actually. Had you walked in here and told me your name was Josh upfront, I would be working with you to find a way to safely explore dressing and living as a woman part time. ... How long have you been living as Sarah, exactly?”

“About 5 days so far, both at home, at work and in public.” Sarah admitted. “But like I said, I have looked like this even in boy clothes since middle school. I’ve worn a bra since I was 14, except in swimming when I’d bind them and wear a heavy cloth tank top or jersey or something.”

“Well, I don’t want to rule out the possibility of self-imposed gender confusion based on circumstances, however I also don’t believe for one second in the nature vs. nurture nonsense either.” She chuckled. “I’m going to ask you to fill out a questionnaire for me. There aren’t any wrong answers. It’s just going to help evaluate your state of mind, if that’s okay?”

“Sure.” Sarah answered, and Lindsey handed her an expensive tablet PC.

“Take as much time as you need, dear. I’m just going to step out for a moment to phone your mom and get some more background information - medical history, that sort of thing,” she said, trying not to make Sarah sound like a minor, but since it was her parents’ dime, Sarah didn’t mind either way.

“That’s fine,” she answered, already deep in the quiz.

By the time she had returned, Sarah was already 3/4 finished. It wasn’t that she was rushing at all, but the answers just seemed entirely obvious to her.

“Your mother is an interesting woman,” Lindsay chuckled softly as she returned.

“Interesting as in the Chinese proverb of interesting times? Yes, very,” Sarah giggled. “I love her, but she’s... an artist. I guess I am too though.”

“You mentioned you like to swim. Win any medals or trophies?” she asked.

Sarah nodded. “Several regional, but I could never quite make the times for national meets. My coach thought I was throwing them on purpose.” She trailed off. “... He was kind of right. I ended up quitting competitive swim and went into lifeguard volunteer work instead.”

“You prefer to protect people than to compete?” Lindsay asked.

“Well, yeah, that’s part of it. I was also embarrassed. All those shirtless guys, and here’s me having to wear a tank top to hide my breasts. I was ashamed, and I hated being ashamed. My whole life I’ve been like, at odds with myself. I was supposed to be a boy, but I looked, sounded, hell I even walk like a girl.” Sarah sighed. “But I also like girls, which I saw as a boy thing, and confirmation that I was still a boy.”

“You know it’s okay to be a girl, and like girls?” Lindsay asked. Sarah laughed.

“I know. I mean I realize it now, but when you’re 16 and afraid to ask a girl out because you don’t want your breasts to bump hers...” She turned to hand the tablet back to Lindsay. The doctor began to glance through Sarah’s answers as they continued to talk.

“How do you feel about yourself now, compared to five days ago?” Lindsay asked.

“I like being Sarah, I have more friends now than I never did before.” Sarah answered with a shrug. “I feel more... relaxed and open. Honestly when I put on that costume, I think somewhere deep down I knew there was no going back. I actually kind of feel naked with out the pixie wings. Seeing myself as a girl - metaphorically I mean, “Josh” didn’t go away. It’s more like he never existed, like it was just a mask, you know?”

“Well,” Lindsay said, after another moment or two of thought. “I’m going to be completely honest with you Sarah. I don’t like recommending anything drastic for any patient so soon after I’ve met with them, but yours is ... a very unusual circumstance. I’m going to ask you to meet with me at least twice a week for the next month. I’m also going to place you on a testosterone blocker as soon as it’s convenient for you to have a blood screening.”

Sarah shrugged, “Todays my first offical full day off from work, so today would be a good time as any right?”

“Excellent,” Lindsay answered. “I’ll call ahead and let them know you’re coming. You just turned 18 a few months ago, right?” she asked. Sarah nodded. “Just making sure,” she chuckled. “I don’t think you’re in danger of having a massive testosterone surge this late in your teen years, however the reverse isn’t necessarily true - your body is still growing and changing, and the introduction of higher concentrations of estrogen - even if it’s just the absence of T, could still affect your bone structure.”

“Like a more feminine figure?” Sarah asked hopefully. “That’s fine with me.”

Lindsay took out her smartphone and, as she waited for the other party to answer, she wrote out the address for Sarah on a slip of spare notebook paper, handing it over to her. “Jane, this is Lindsay. Is Doctor Harris in her office? Oh that’s perfect. I have an important blood screening I need done for testosterone blockers and a general hormone level check. The name is Sarah Peterson. I’m sending her right over from here. Thank you Jane.”

“This wouldn’t be any relation to Olivia Harris by any chance?” Sarah asked. Lindsay chuckled softly.

“I believe she has a younger sister named Olivia, yes.”

“Oh,” Sarah giggled out. “We have a lot to catch up on then. Thank you Doctor Parsons,” she bubbled as she hugged the woman. “I’ll let my supervisor know that we need to set up a schedule with you soon.”

“If it helps, I can also do on site sessions.” Doctor Parsons winked, covering the phone briefly..

“Oh that would be great. We keep really weird hours right now especially since Pixie Hollow is closed for renovations. Oops... And I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone about that.”

Lindsay chuckled and shook her head, setting her phone aside. “She must be getting a late lunch. And don’t worry - Doctor-patient confidentiality. I can’t reveal anything said in these sessions unless I believe your or someone else’s lives are in imminent danger. Your secret’s safe with me. I would, however, like to share the results of that questionnaire with a colleague of mine for a second opinion, with your permission of course?”

“Oh,” Sarah nodded. “Of course, that’s fine. I’m just relieved you never asked me how any of this made me feel. My last psychiatrist was of the old school of thinking drugs and asking that stupid question solves everything. I found Tai Chi a much better therapy,” she laughed softly. “Thank you again Doctor. You’re every bit as wonderful as Olivia said you’d be.”

Josh Peterson has just scored the job of a lifetime - or at least the best job he can hope for without leaning on his parents for references - as a janitor at The Magic Kingdom, but when fate intervenes and he finds himself alone with the costume of his favorite Pixie Hollow character, his life takes a whole new turn.

---

By the time Sarah arrived back at her new apartment, complete with a new band-aid where she had donated some blood to Olivia’s sister’s lab, Olivia had just finished thanking a tall man wearing a tool belt. “Everything alright?” she asked as she approached, and Olivia giggled.

“Great. We have something called a ‘ten gigabit fiber hard line’ now.”

“You’re welcome!” Annie called from further inside.

“Whatever that means.” Sarah laughed. “Sorry I’m late. The vampires took enough blood to make me get really dizzy.”

“Oh it’s fine. Jane - the receptionist - texted me that you’d be a little late because Nessa was making sure you ate your entire cookie,” Olivia teased. “Oh I got a quote on the other half of the apartment for you. The landlord said as long as you’re willing to finish the renovations they’ll be willing to let us have it for an extra grand over what we’re paying now - before discounts of course.”

“Wow,” Sarah answered as she came inside. “That’s a little more than I expected. I mean we have to pay to finish the renovations, and I don’t need a mini mansion sized art studio that badly.”

“Too late anyway,” Annie called. She sounded like she was in Sarah’s room. “Mom and Dad already agreed to pay for it. What happened at the doctor’s anyway?”

“They had to take a second blood sample to confirm something,” Sarah said as she walked into her room. Annie was sitting at a newly installed computer gaming table, complete with a braced L-shaped foldaway section, presently holding a new digital art pad on a stand. It even had a cup holder on the side. There was also the matter of the behemoth computer and large monitor. Annie was sitting in a cushy executive computer chair, grinning up at Sarah.

“I didn’t need anything that big Annie.” Sarah sighed. “That looks like it should be in a government facility somewhere calculating Pi.”

“I had to go with a big tower to fit the quad-crossfired R9 290X cards in there,” Annie answered. “Basically what that means is you can run Photoshop while playing two games in 4k resolution at 30fps simultaneously, and it won’t even break a sweat.”

Sarah turned to Olivia, “Leave it to my little sister to make me a computer that could run the United States government.” She giggled a little as she put her arms around Annie from behind the chair.

“Christina is going to scream when she sees this thing,” Olivia laughed.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about you wanting a laptop too,” Annie added. “I’m having one custom laser engraved like mine, with the Pixie Hollow gang. I wanted to do just Silvermist, but I was afraid that would give you away.”

“Smart idea.” Olivia giggled. “So did you like Lindsey?”

“Oh God,” Sarah laughed. “The woman’s amazing. She really made me think about things I hadn’t thought about before, like how I went into lifeguarding from competitive swimming.”

“Told you, I even seen her a couple times, shes damn good at her job.” Olivia giggled.

“She said she thought I might have a major hormone imbalance too, which your sister’s lab confirmed. They said that if my t levels were any lower I’d be a natural woman,” Sarah giggled. “So I get to start blockers to just finish the job already.”

“So your body’s producing low test and high estrogen?” Annie asked.

“Well, low both, but they did warn me - both the therapist and the endo actually - that with an absence of T leaving the concentrations of E to grow, I might see subtle changes like bone structure.”

“You already have the hips.”Annie winked. “It’s why all my friends in school used to think you were my sister anyway, and why you walk like a girl.”

“She’s got you there,” Olivia giggled. “Bearing in mind I’ve seen you in a bikini now, so you can’t argue with me.”

“Oh my God. You got her in a bikini?!” Annie squealed. “I’ve never even seen her without a top on. I mean not to sound like a perv or anything,” she quickly added, then laughed. “Just saying.”

Olivia giggled, “Yup, she wears that blue one on the bathroom door swimming after her morning rituals she still needs to teach me.”

“Oh, wow, I didn’t even notice it. I guess I was distracted by,” she paused and put her cheek to the massive PC tower, “Sweet, sweet technology.” She giggled as she got up from Sarah’s chair. “Anyway I’ll get out of you guys’ way. I’m almost done with that surprise. I just need to paint and glaze them.”

Sarah put her arms around Annie and pulled her close, kissing her on the forehead. “Tell Mommy and Daddy I said thanks. I feel guilty that they had to pick up the tab on my studio now on top of paying for my therapy though.”

Annie shrugged as she hugged Sarah back. “If it’s what you want - the studio or being a girl - then that’s what matters. Personally I liked you before, but I like you more like this. You’re less closed off,” she teased. “You guys have fun. My ride should be downstairs.”

Sarah laughed and turned to Olivia, “Thanks for ratting me out on the bikini thing.”

“My pleasure,” Olivia giggled out. “We’re planning a Pixie water park day. So you’re going to have to get used to that thing.”

“Who’s we?” Sarah laughed.

“Oh, Periwinkle, Tinkerbell, Iridessa, and the rest of the girls.” Olivia winked.

“Oh, I guess I can think about it,” Sarah answered, adding, “But only if you do too, Miss body conscious. You’ve got a figure I’d die for... Almost.” She giggled.

Olivia ran to the couch and tossed a couch pillow at Sarah, “Why you!”

“Why me?” Sarah answered in her best Mad Hatter impersonation, “Because!” She ran over to Olivia and tickled her. “You know I meant I’d almost die for your figure, not that you almost have a figure I’d die for!” she giggled out over Olivia’s laughter.

“You did?” Olivia asked in her bright, cheerful Tinkerbell voice. “Well I guess that’s okay then!”

“How did Dessa do today?” Sarah asked as she flopped down on the sofa, pulling Olivia down with her.

“Much better. She almost lost it once, but after that, she was awesome. We had her take pictures with this really large crowd of birthday goers.” Olivia said. “She handled it, but after is when she almost lost her pixie dust. Oh, and Vanessa’s roommate was really open and welcoming if you were wondering about that too.”

“Yeah, I was actually because if she wasn’t, I was going to offer a room in the new studio for her.” Sarah giggled.

“I think Vanessa was just worried because Starla’s one of those people who literally has a phobia of change. Like she was telling me how she freaked out once when she changed the shower curtains.”

“Wow.” Sarah shook her head. “I don’t mind change. I mean if not for change - and taking a crazy chance, I wouldn’t be here now, with an amazing job.”

Olivia giggled. “Yeah, that was a pretty big risk in retrospect. I’m glad you did though. You’re a natural born actress. Oh, not to change the subject, but I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve got a pot roast and garlic potatoes in the oven. I figured anything we don’t eat we can make sandwiches out of later.”

“You’re a woman after my own heart,” Sarah giggled as Olivia stood to head for the kitchen.

“Should be ready in a couple of hours,” Olivia called back.

“Hey, is it me or is just about everyone at the park is pretty awesome?” Sarah said as she followed Olivia into the kitchen. “I haven't met everyone yet, but it doesn’t seem to matter about anything. Everyone makes you feel like family.”

“Even the security people are amazing,” Olivia agreed. “And Gennine is like the greatest boss I could ever ask for.”

“Except that one guy, when I was there my first day, before I went to work, he was kinda rude.” Sarah shrugged. “But I haven't seen him since I started.”

“Really?” Olivia sounded genuinely surprised. “If you have a name, tell Gennine pronto. Doesn’t matter if you’re an employee or a guest, that kind of crap toward others reflects badly on us all.”

“I don't really remember. I mean he wasn't really rude rude, he was just kinda you know.” Sarah shrugged.

“Well, if you wouldn’t want him acting that way toward a guest then it should still be reported,” Olivia answered. “I understand you don’t want to get him in trouble, but this isn’t like high school sweetie. If someone’s being paid to do a job, and they’re half-assing it, then they need to be shuffled for someone who will do it better.”

“Oh I know, If I ever saw him again, I'd ask him what was up first, and try to get to the bottom of it, then if that didn’t work report it.” Sarah nodded.

Olivia giggled. “Oh, well nevermind then. Sorry, I’m so used to coaching new actors. I had to give this speech to Vidia this morning because a security guard hassled her for being in an employee only area, you know, where she belonged.” Olivia winked.

“Isn’t that just them doing their job though?” Sarah asked. “The girls are new so I'd expect that, even toward me.”

“Well,” Olivia trailed off, shaking her head. “This went a little beyond that. Don’t repeat this okay? There’s an official report going up the chain, so we can’t talk about it yet. But there were f-bombs involved.”

“Really? I hope Morgan didn’t drop any.” Sarah shook her head.

Olivia stifled a giggle. “No. She was the subject of them, as in ‘Who the fuck are you and what the fuck are you doing back here’ variety. Morgan showed her pass, and the guy backed off.”

“Ouch.” Sarah laughed.

“She was a little shaken up by it. And honestly, the guy could’ve just been having a bad day. If that’s the case nothing might happen, or he might get shuffled to night shift for awhile, or something. They’ll work with him to deal with it. But that’s why I was a little on edge when you said that. I thought it was the same guy. But if it wasn’t that bad then it probably wasn’t,” she added.

“Oh this guy wasn’t that bad, he was just a little off.” Sarah laughed.

Olivia giggled a little. “I’m sorry. I get paranoid sometimes. Even with all the background checks they do, sometimes weirdos slip through the cracks you know? With so many kids visiting every day, I’d rather be too cautious. But I don’t go on witch hunts or anything either,” she quickly added. “None of us do. We just try and look out for each other, and make sure problems are healed before they get too bad.”

“I know.” Sarah giggled and hugged Olivia from behind. “You can stop apologizing. I don’t think you’re crazy,” she teased.

“Good, because sometimes I wonder,” Olivia laughed as she leaned back into Sarah a bit. “I really like you. I don’t want to scare you off being all neurotic or anything.”

“I already knew you were neurotic. That’s what happens to be my favorite qualities about you.” Sarah teased and giggled.

Olivia laughed. “Oh God, really? I guess it does help when I’m playing Tinkerbell though,” she teased back, shaking her head.

“That smells really good.” Sarah said as she let go of Olivia, heading toward her room.

“Sure, sniff and run,” Olivia called after her. “I’ll let you know when it’s ready.”

Sarah sat down at her new computer and stared at it. After several seconds she finally called her sister. There was a login prompt staring back at her, and she had no idea what to do with it, and by now Annie had long gone. “How do I log in?”

Annie paused for a second before answering. “You shouldn’t need to? Oh gosh unless I left the administrative profile running...”

“It’s asking me to login.” Sarah giggled.

“Oh! Oh sorry,” Annie laughed. “God I’m a blonde today. I blame the paint fumes. Anyway just enter Sarah as the user, and you can password lock it later if you want.”

“Thanks Annie.” Sarah said as it logged in for her. Her familiar start menu sat in the bottom left corner, though the sleek new appearance of Aero would take some adjustment. Annie had set up all the icons she would need right on her desktop though.

“Oh Sarah?” Annie spoke up at that. “I took the liberty of installing a program called Classic Start Menu. It basically restores your old Start Menu style you like so much. I use it too because it’s just more productive than the newer crap,” she giggled out.

“Looks good.” Sarah laughed, “Give mommy a hug for me,” she giggled as they hung up. “God I hate computers.” she giggled to herself as she loaded up one of her comics that her sister saved from her old computer and began to “ink” it in using her digital art pad.

“Hey, Olivia?” Sarah called.

“Hmmm?” Olivia asked as she appeared in the doorway. “Oh wow! That’s really good!”

“Thanks,” Sarah giggled out as she moved to the side for Olivia to see the big monitor better. “I wanted to ask you about this actually. I heard working for Disney basically means you sign over the rights to anything you create?”

“Not really true. You have to be careful of what you do, like you’re not allowed to use disney characters, and stuff, but I think you’ll be safe.” Olivia shrugged. “Something you really should ask Gennine. I’m not really creative enough to have run into it,” she giggled a bit.

“Oh, good idea. It’s probably just an asset protection clause, like that lawsuit with the Bratz dolls awhile back.”

“Oh! I love Bratz!” Olivia bubbled. “I still have mine in their original boxes because I didn’t have the heart to throw them away. But I’m one of those girls who slept with a huge net full of stuffed animals above her bed.”

“Annie has the whole line of Monster High,” Sarah giggled. “Nothing against Barbie or anything, but I prefer Bratz and Monster High too. Oh, and those cute Ever After High dolls, but that’s a given.”

Olivia grinned. “Who did you vote for Thronecoming Queen?”

“Raven Queen,” Sarah answered without missing a beat. Olivia giggled.

“Me too! I just really wanted to see her win after all the drama over her trying to be herself.”

“Good lord,” Sarah giggled out. “I don’t want to think about how much this thing cost Annie to set up.”

“It even has a blu ray burner,” Olivia said, pointing to the front panel. “But just think of the wonderful art you’ll be able to create. I bet I can use my camera to digitize your paintings once you get the studio set up as well.”

“Oh, you’re a photographer?” Sarah asked. Olivia grinned.

“Am I a photographer... I’ll show you my camera after dinner. It’s the only thing I own - besides the piano - that’s probably close to as expensive as this beast of yours,” she teased before going back to check on her roast.

An hour or so later, she poked her head in to let Sarah know dinner was ready.

“Have I told you that I’m falling in love with you.” Sarah giggled as she sat down to eat dinner with Olivia.

“You say that now,” Olivia teased. “You haven’t met my family yet. God willing you won’t,” she added dryly. “To tell the truth I was afraid I came on too strong the other night with that crack about wanting to make you mine when I saw you,” Olivia giggled out.

“Whatever.” Sarah giggled. “I’m just glad someone likes me for me.”

“You’re smart, funny, adorable, amazing with kids, sweet, caring, and an artist. What’s not to like?” Olivia answered, taking a sip of her lemon honey iced tea.

“Same could be said about you?” Sarah answered.

“Oh, yeah,” Olivia balked. “Neurotic, obsessive-compulsive Pixie seeks like-minded roommate to drive crazy over dishes.”

“Great with kids, and adorable.” Sarah added. “You forgot to add those in.”

“That’s true,” Olivia giggled. “I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t love entertaining kids. But it’s not like I need money, so I figured, might as well do what I love.”

“Same here, but I do want to try it on my own, you know? I hate when my parents push stuff on me. I mean I’m kinda mad at them for renting that other side even.” Sarah sighed. “But how do you tell them no? it’s so hard.”

Olivia nodded. “I know. I gave up a long time ago. My parents are what people call old money. Like, really old. Old country old,” Olivia said sheepishly.

“Oh, I’m dating an English princess?” Sarah teased, echoing Olivia’s previous ‘indian princess’ crack. Olivia out her tongue.

“I’ll give you English. I’ll have you know I’m German nobility.”

Sarah laughed. “So is the current,” she used finger quotes, “‘English’ royal family.”

Olivia snorted, laughing as she rolled up her paper napkin and tossed it at Sarah. “I’m serious though. I’m about one death in the family short of some kind of bullshit title I didn’t earn. It’s embarrassing. I think that’s why I like Tink. She’s a laborer, not afraid to get down and dirty.”

“My dad is like best friends with a bunch of really famous people.” Sarah sighed, “When I was little I thought Mick Jagger was my dad. Nobody bothered to correct it until I was seven. They thought it was cute.”

“Ouch,” Olivia answered. “No wonder you’re so... strained with them.”

Sarah nodded. “But enough about that. I want to hear you play that gorgeous piano.”

Josh Peterson has just scored the job of a lifetime - or at least the best job he can hope for without leaning on his parents for references - as a janitor at The Magic Kingdom, but when fate intervenes and he finds himself alone with the costume of his favorite Pixie Hollow character, his life takes a whole new turn.

---

Sarah looked around the hallway from their dressing room exit. “I feel naked,” she whined in SIlvermist’s voice, closing the door again

“What kind of water fairy is afraid of a bikini?” Jade teased her in Iridessa's voice, but then added, “I know how you feel. I haven’t worn a swimsuit since I was twelve.”

Tinkerbell giggled. “You girls look flitterific. Seriously you’re worrying about nothing.”

“You’ll be fine!” Vanessa said as she emerged from a side bathroom. “You remembered to use waterproof makeup right?” she asked, and then giggled, “Because I almost forgot.”

“Yup, Tink did mine.” Silvermist nodded.

“Working on it,” Morgan called from one of the makeup stations. She paused to apply her waterproof lipstick then spoke in Vidia’s voice. “I know I’m supposed to be a fast flying fairy, but you can’t rush perfection.”

Tinkerbell broke into song, “You’re so vain, you think this song’s about you..”

“Hey!” Vidia called. “It’s that song someone wrote about me!”

Silvermist giggled, “I Think it was written before you were born Vidia.”

“I dunno, the timeline on Pixie Hollow’s pretty murky. I’m still trying to figure out if we came before or after the Lost Boys. We came before Hook for sure.”

“Weren’t we all there when you were born?” Silvermist asked glancing at Tink..

“That depends on what origins you go by.” Tinkerbell grinned.

“See,” Vidia laughed as she stood. “That’s what I mean. It’s all so murky. It doesn’t help that in the Tinkerbell story,” she used the word ‘story’ just like they did in-character when working with guests, “All the talent fairies look like clones.”

Gennine laughed, “Tinkerbell was originally created by Peter Pan’s first laugh. And the other fairies are deliberately ambiguous to show the focus on Tinkerbell, who looks absolutely nothing like the other Tinkers.”

“Hi Fairy Mary,” Silvermist bubbled. “Thanks for approving this water park day. This is going to be so much fun.”

“No problem. The props and wardrobe department had a field day, making appropriate swim wear and then attaching the wings to they wouldn’t come off.” Gennine laughed. “The only project I think they enjoyed more was making the functional Mickey Mouse scuba suit.”

Periwinkle emerged in an Asymmetrical one piece swimsuit. Her right arm, which bore all her tattoos, was covered in a sleeve even despite the waterproof makeup, with the other shoulder and arm were bare. “I love mine,” Kelly giggled out. “It’s so Peri!”

“Yeah well you didn’t get stuck with a cutesy two piece.” Silvermist sighed.

“Next time, get yourself inked,” Peri winked. “But I’m thinking of maybe having some of mine removed.”

Alice came out wearing a darling one piece swimsuit herself, in Alice blue, and poked Periwinkle in the stomach. “Don’t you dare have any of those removed.” she said matter of factly.

“Beats wearing ten pounds of makeup on my arm every day,” Peri sighed. “I love my ink, - they’re traditional Celtic art - but I love my job more.”

Alice giggled and hugged her., “Well we all love your tattoos, and did I hear someone out here singing my song earlier?” she asked as someone knocked on the dressing room door.

“It’s me, Annie,” she called through the door.

“We’re all decent, except Vidia, she looks like the Evil queen right now.” Silvermist called back.

“I’m working on it!” Vidia said in her best agitated Vidia voice, trying not to giggle as Annie came in, carrying a large box.

“20 pounds of makeup later, and she’ll still not be ready.” Tinkerbell sighed. “Ooh, what’s in the box? Is it a lost thing?”

Annie giggled. “Better. Oh, Alice, good you’re here too!” she said excitedly. “That means I’ll just have to track down the Hatter later,” she said as Gennine helped her carry the unassuming-looking cardboard box to a prop table. She turned to the girls and grinned.

“Gather around, my pretties, for I have a tale of wonder to tell. It begins with a baby’s laugh...”

The girls all watched excitedly. Even Sarah hadn’t seen what her sister had been working on all this time. Annie reached into the box, and produced a porcelain, hand-painted statue of Tinkerbell at her table, hammering away at a whatcha-ma-call-it. “A rare talent indeed,” she said, presenting the figurine to Tinkerbell.

All the girls gasped. “That’s so beautiful,” Carol - Fawn - bubbled.

“But Tinkerbell soon found she had friends in her new home,” Annie said in her best storyteller voice. She produced another statue, this one of Rosetta hovering daintily over a flower with one hand on the petal, coaxing it to open. “Rosetta, garden fairy who brought the spring wildflowers to the mainland.” She handed the statue to Rosetta. The girls all gasped again at the beauty of the statue.

Annie giggled. She had put hours of work into sculpting and hand painting these, and she was thoroughly enjoying the art exhibition. “Silvermist,” she said as she produced a statue of Silvermist, sitting on the edge of a large purple top hat, with a bamboo fishing rod in her hands, “Water fairy who had to go fishing for Tink’s don’t drops.”

Alice giggled, “Oh my gosh the cute little pixie stole the hatter’s hat!”

The short stories behind each statue - Fawn, playing with an adorable baby skunk twice her size, Iridessa, who taught Tink not to take light so lightly, gathering light in a lightcatcher just like the prop that had been made for her life-sized self, and Periwinkle, holding the Periwinkle blossom Tinkerbell had given her. She saved Vidia’s for last.

“Vidia I had the most trouble with because her talent, fast flying, is hard to capture in just one perfect moment, but I think I found it,” she said, taking out a statue of Vidia, her arms wide, and a tornado of pollen at her feet, no doubt moments before Tink interrupted her in the story. She presented the statue to Morgan.

“This is beautiful,” Morgan said, blushing as she hugged Annie. “It looks just like me - before Tink made me spray pollen everywhere,” she joked. “I love it.”

“But our story doesn’t end there,” Annie said, trying not to giggle. “For you see, on the Mainland, Tinkerbell and her friends - and sister,” she added, grinning at Peri, “Found new adventures, and new friends. A London-born girl of high society, who took a trip down a rabbit hole,” she produced a statue of Alice, sitting on a mushroom with her dress puffed out about her, her legs lost in a mountain of petticoats underneath. She handed the statue of Alice to Christina.

“And a Mad Hatter,” she said, taking out the last statue - a perfect likeness of the Hatter in his orange coat, green tie and 10/6 purple hat, sipping a cup of tea that had been sliced in half long ways. “Silvermist borrowed his second best hat,” she added with a wink as she placed it on the table. “I’ve been working on these every chance I could get.”

Tinkerbell looked at Silvermist and put her hands on her hips, “You never said your sister was more talented than Walt Disney.” she teased.

Everyone laughed as Sil shook her head. “Honestly, I had no idea she was working on these. She wouldn’t let me near the studio,” she giggled softly. “These are simply darling.”

Alice smiled brightly. “We should call the Hatter in to get his.” She then called out, “Mr. Hatter!”

Hearing his cue, the Hatter emerged from an adjoining door dressed in an orange and white striped swimsuit that looked positively right out of the late 1800s, complete with trademark purple hat atop his head. “Did someone call my name? Say!” he said as he took big, animated steps.

“That looks like you!” he said, pausing to catch himself, as he very nearly broke character for the first time. “And that looks just like me! I’ve been copied and shrunk!” he gasped.

“Did you see your hat Mr. Hatter?” Alice asked. “Your Pixie friend borrowed your good one again.”

Hatter tilted his head as he looked down at Silvermist’s statue appraisingly, and without missing a beat, he half-mad laughed. “Oh no, that’s only my second best hat. Besides, she had a lot of don’t drops to fish up,” he said, winking at Annie, who giggled as she picked up his statue to offer it to him.

“I’d like you all to have these. I brought them by early so you wouldn’t have to carry them around for very long.”

“Thanks Annie,” Iridessa said, giving her a tight hug. She was almost in tears. “This is so beautiful. You’re the real special talent here,” she said, as the girls, and even the Hatter, gave her a hug next, thanking her for the beautiful gifts.

The girls had spent the better part of the morning at one of WDW’s many water parks, cooling off in the hot summer sun. Silvermist was holding a little girl’s hand who was scared of going in the water. It was only a small in-ground wading pool, however, and Silvermist stepped in first and sat down, letting the cool water partly wash over her legs as she smiled up at the girl.

“See sweetie, there’s nothing to it.”

The girl looked nervously at Silvermist. “But you’re a water fairy...” she said shyly. Silvermist giggled.

“Exactly. Who better to trust with water?” she asked. The little girl’s mom watched and smiled approvingly from the side of the pool.

The girl’s eyes lit up at that, and she jumped into the pool. It was shallow of course, barely a foot and a half deep if that, but the splash was enough to re-moisten Silvermist’s hair, causing her to laugh too.

“See, nothing to be afraid of at all huh?”

“Wooooooooohoohoohoohoo!” Tinkerbell squealed as, at the large pool over, she rode down a waterslide with an older girl just in front of her. Megan laughed, bringing the mother of the little girl Silvermist was helping a tall glass of iced tea.

“Thank you so much sweetie,” the woman said warmly. Megan grinned and shook her head.

“It’s no trouble, really,” she said as she placed a fresh towel on the small table next to the woman’s lounge chair.

Iridessa walked over to the kiddy pool, and looked at the little girl who was with Silvermist, “Is there room in there for a light pixie?”

“Yu huh!” the girl answered excitedly, bobbing her head ‘yes’ vigorously.

“Good. I hate big scary water rides.” Iridessa stated as she slowly dipped her toe in the water, pretending to be afraid of the pool..

“It’s okay,” the girl said, patting Iridessa’s hand. “Silbermist is here. She makes da water be nice!”

Iridessa began to relax. She had become quite adept at her role especially when it came to young kids, and sat down in the pool. “Water is always safe when there’s a water pixie nearby.”

Silvermist overheard the girl’s mother at that, as she leaned close to Megan and whispered, “Is it true she saved a drowning man in the Pirate Cove lake last week?”

“100% true,” Megan whispered back. “I heard she dove right in without a thought. She’s a bloody hero, that one.”

Silvermist leaned over to the little girl, “Are you ok with Iridessa while I go play a prank of Tinkerbell?” Tinkerbell had by now swam to the edge of the pool, her back to the wall and her arms stretched out, relaxing for a moment.

The girl giggled, bobbing her head. “I’ll make da water be nice to her.”

“That’s my lil water pixie in training.” Silvermist giggled and got out of the pool. Taking a page from the Hatter, she took big, animated sneaking steps over to the bigger pool where Tinkerbell had just swatted a beach ball back to a group of teenagers.

She grinned and put a finger to her lips, causing the girls and guys to laugh quietly as they watched to see what was coming. Silvermist sprinted, closing the distance, leapt, and shouted “CANNONBALL!”, landing just near enough to Tink to completely drench her.

“EEK!” Tinkerbell squealed.

Silvermist giggled, “You have to watch out for those cannonballs, Tinkerbell.”

“Oooooh you!” Tinkerbell laughed, splashing Silvermist. Neither of them heard Megan sneaking up until it was too late, and the shout of an Australian accented ‘CANNONBALL!’ followed, drenching them both.

Silvermist giggled hard. “Hey no fair!”

“I’m Aussie, love. That’s like, half-pirate right there,” Megan laughed as she came up for air, throwing her hair behind her.

Peter Pan, dressed in his normal costume, stopped next to the pool. “Did you say Pirate?”

“Oh, Peter!” Tinkerbell giggled. Peter put his hands on his hips, grinning as Megan climbed out.

“That’s right, Lost Boyo,” Megan said defiantly, putting her hands on her hips like he had. This was entirely unplanned, and yet it was. It was something Megan, Juliet, and a few other insiders put together at the last minute to build hype and get the rumor mill going ahead of the big announcement.

Peter eyed Megan, “You're one of Captain Codfish’s pirates aren't you?”

Megan laughed. “Nah, I’m more like Angelica or Jack. No killing lost boys for me,” she lied and winked, grinning.

“Oh then I have no problems with you,” Peter laughed. “Tink’s friends all say those pirates are nice.”

Megan giggled, sitting down on the edge of the pool as Juliette, dressed in a lilac two piece bikini, came strolling over, her long blonde hair in a single braid, interwoven here and there with mock mistletoe leaves, and a mistletoe berry-looking ponytail clip holding it in place at the top.

“But she’s one of Hook’s pirates right?” Peter looked the new girl up and down suspiciously.

“Wha, me?” Juliette asked innocently. “A nasty, smelly, vile beetle-eating son of a guttersnipe pirate?”

Peter laughed out loud. “Oh, you must be a lost girl!” he announced rather loudly. “Calling a pirate such names.” he gave an approving nod.

Juliette laughed, taking a theatrical bow. “I learned from the best,” she said as she sat next to Megan, moving her hand behind Megan’s head and pointing down at her with an innocent grin as she slurped her cherry slushie.

“Ah I knew it!“ Peter announced with his hands on his hips in that trademark Pan pose. “Tootles told me about you two! You’re Trixie and Red aren’t you?”

“Isn’t he the one that’s always losing his marbles?” Megan asked Juliette. Juliette laughed and nodded.

“Quite so yes.”

They both stood up again and turned to Peter, and answered in unison, “Maybe?” Both grinned innocently now.

Peter looked at Tinkerbell, who was barely holding in her laughter by now. “Twins just like The Twins.”

“We like it here so much,” Megan began.

“We’re thinking of staying,” Juliette finished. Both girls giggled.

Viral marketing was a beautiful thing. Even if the girls weren’t true Disney faces, they were in a way, in that they had a new top secret project in the works involving Pan lore.

“When we’re not running amok over Neverland,” Megan added.

“Tootles was right. You two are trouble.” Peter laughed, and then looked around. “Oh, I think I smell a codfish! I must be off!” he said, taking off his hat to give the girls a gracious bow, and then took off towards the Magic Kingdom.

“What was that about?” Annie asked as she came swimming to the edge of the big pool.

“Oh just a project that Juliette and I are going to ask the Pixies here to join us on - generating some viral marketing, you know? We might even invite this one girl we know, I think she’s like a Pixie hag or something.” Megan teased.

Annie laughed as she hopped up out of the pool next to Juliette. “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t have asked. I keep forgetting the big guys are like, super secret about this sort of thing.”

“Actually during the Pixie lunch break Fairy Mary’s going to gather the girls to talk about it. Why don’t you come with them?” Juliette half-whispered. She wanted Tink and Silvermist to hear, but not too many others if it could be helped.

“Oh, I-I couldn’t,” Annie stammered. “I mean I’m just-”

“Just a really cool artist who makes for a killer storyteller?” Megan grinned. “I seriously regret missing out this morning on story time, but I couldn’t find my sandals. I hope you’ll repeat that performance sometime?”

Annie blushed deeply but nodded. “Sure, I mean if you really want.”

Gennine smiled as the girls filed in Annie in tow behind them - almost literally. Megan and Juliette each had her by the arm. They didn’t want her to miss this. Megan and Juliette had literally grown up in show business, and making acquaintances came easily to them both. Making true friends, people who liked them for who they were and not for their fame, wasn’t always easy. Annie had made a big impression on Megan though, and the three of them, as well as Gretchen and Crystal for that matter, had become fast friends.

“This doesn’t happen often, but the guys upstairs, wanted to know if you girls would be interested in reprising your roles on T.V.” Gennine stated once the girls were all inside. “Disney’s doing a big budget T.V. Series about new Lost Girls, to add to Peter’s collection of Lost children.”

“Yo,” Megan said as she raised her hand.

“Ho,” Juliette chimed in immediately afterwards. Both girls grinned.

“That’s what Peter was talking about!” Tink laughed. “I almost peed when Juliette “lost girl” started lost boy swearing.”

“We started filming the Pilot about 2 weeks ago, but we had to put filming on hold because Juliette and I have a movie contract that we have to finish.” Megan spoke. “Just some last minute scenes we need to reshoot though.”

Juliette looked at Annie, “We’re going to need more Lost girls as well, if you’d be interested.”

Annie squeaked a little, cleared her throat, and calmly asked in her best West Essex accent, “Do I need to talk like this then?”

“You don’t, but it helps.” Megan laughed.

Annie giggled softly. “It’s kind of a miracle I don’t talk like that all the time. My Dad’s from Essex, but I’m told I sound more Northern when I do it. But I’d love to.”

“Hard part’s going to be convincing our publicist to relocate to the States for filming,” Megan laughed softly. “Once we wrap on the movie back home, we can focus full time on filming the new show. We were hoping you’d say yes, so you and the pixies could film your scenes without us, and then we could hustle back here for the wrap-up, after our characters are rescued from Captain Codfish.”

“Gosh... I don’t know,” Iridessa squeaked. “I mean clowning around in the park is one thing, but a TV role?”

“C’mon, Buttercup,” Rosetta said reassuringly. “If you can face ten thousand people an hour without flinching, you can stare down a little ole camera or two right?”

“Well okay, but I’m not cleaning up if I blow fairy dust,” Iridessa giggled softly. She hadn’t had an incident since the first day, and only Silvermist knew about that one. “I’m in.”

Tinkerbell nodded. “Me too.”

“And me,” Silvermist said, sticking out her hand. Tinkerbell giggled, placing her hand on top of it, and the others followed. “Faith.”

“Trust,” Tinkerbell giggled.

“And pixie dust,” they all said in unison. Juliette fan girl squealed. She had never seen this in person.

“They did the thing!” she giggled, paused, cleared her throat, and smiled. “... Sorry.”

Annie giggled, “I love it when they do that!”

So, what did you think so far? Pretty crazy how a dumb janitor who thought he’d try on Silvermist’s costume could discover so much about herself so quickly. But like the Magic Kingdom, it’s not over yet. For one thing, Olivia’s parents don’t know she likes girls. That’s going to make for an awkward Thanksgiving... I won’t get into that here, you’ll have to wait for that one. For now, my first set of memoirs is complete. Hope you enjoyed the ride so far! Oh, and in case you were wondering, yes Jade’s doing fantastically, but I’ll save that for later, as well!

And don’t worry. There is a lot more to tell, like how Megan became Megan... But I’m getting ahead of myself. Or is that behind myself? Oh, whatever. It’ll all make sense later. Gotta run for now though. Olivia needs me!

From all of us at Pixie Hollow: Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust!

XoXo,

While proofreading the MotK story, this news article came to me, I hope you enjoy.

Pixie Saves Drowning Pirate

Walt Disney World, Heather Smith, Staff Writer

Tuesday morning the Pirates of Caribbean ride hit an object on the track it follows under the water. The ride jerked after it hit the obstruction, causing an actor playing a pirate to fall in the water. Laden down with a heavy costume the pirate was unable to stay afloat, and was being quickly pulled to the bottom of the lake that the ride is in. Actresses playing Disney Pixies from the Tinkerbell franchise were on board the ride at the time. One of the actresses, playing Silvermist, quickly dived in the water to save the pirate.

Attempts to get the actresses name, and pirates name were repeatedly returned with the same answer. Disney has told us that the pirates name is Red the Pirate, and the pixie’s name is Silvermist. We were given a statement by Steve DeBell, from the Walt Disney World Public Relations Department, that the ride hit an snapping turtle which decided the track was an good place to take a nap. No serious injuries were reported, other than the now dead turtle. The pirate was checked out in the in house medical clinic and released. DeBell stressed that at no time were any park guests in any danger. The pirate fell in the water only because he was up in the rigging of the sails about 20 feet above the water. He apparently lost his hand hold when he experienced the unexpected small jerk. This was not the first time such an incident has happen on the ride. In 2009 the park experience an fatal drowning of an actor for the same circumstance.

The ride was shut down for the afternoon while divers checked the underbody of the ship, and track out. Witnesses say that all the pixies, which there was about seven of them on the ride, were missing that afternoon. That evening the normal evening fireworks and show was changed to Pixie Rocking Party in honor of Silvermist. All pirates and Pixies were observed in attendance of that show. A pirate, assumed to be Red the Pirate, personally gave Silvermist an medal of honor. The pixie stressed that she was a trained water fairy, and you shouldn’t try what she did at home.

The State Department of Workplace Safety and State Department of Amusement Parks both said that nothing was reported to them about the incident. Both also commented when we report the incident to them that it sounds like too minor of an incident for reporting. SDAP said that they require reporting of incident having serious or fatal injuries, or damages over a certain dollar amount. FWS reported that they require reporting of injuries that cause the worker to be off to recover and fatal injuries.

Attempts by this reporter to interview Silvermist yesterday at the park were not successful. The other pixies reported that she was in neverland fixing a water problem. It was assumed that the actress who plays Silvermist was not working. It is unknown if she was giving a day off in reward, or that was her normal off day.

The ride was observed to be back up and operating like normal yesterday. Since all the pirates, except for Jack Sparrow, look basically alike, it is unknown if the pirate which was saved from davey jones locker was in attendance or not.

~oOo~

Annie had just walked in a gas station down the door from her house to buy some drinks, and happen to glance at the newspapers as she went by. She did a double take after seeing her sister, or her sisters alter-ego, staring back at her. After grabbing a small stack of papers, which turned out to be three, she grabbed the drink she was going to get, and after paying, high tailed it home.

Picking up her phone she called Gretchen up, “Change of plans, Gret, I am going to be 25 to 45 minutes later than I agreed to meet up at the Kingdom, I will explain later...”

“Can you let Crystal know? …”

“See you later.”

Running in to her room at the house, she dropped one paper on her bed, and grabbed the swipe card to get in Sarah and Olivia’s apartment.

After finally getting back the bus stop, opposite the gas station she was in earlier, just in time for the bus towards Celebration.

On the ten mile ride to towards her sisters mansion, she read the article that caught her eye. She thought it was good but extremely short on details.

“Next stop 500 block of Celebration Avenue,” the loudspeaker announced.

She ran in the apartment, and set a paper right where Olivia and Sarah would see it.

As she walked to her catch the bus to the Magic Kingdom, she typed a text message to her sister.

“S, I left u a present of the paper variety @ ur house, A” She was well aware that her sister probably wouldn’t get it till at least her lunch break, maybe later in the day.

Once back at the bus stop, she noticed she had a hair more than 5 minutes to catch the correct bus to the transportation center.

~oOo~

Gretchen glanced at her phone after hearing the ding for a text message.

“@ monorail - A”

“meet @ gate, currently @ Peter Pan’s Flight - G, C”

“Crystal, Annie is at the monorail.”

“About time, I wonder what took her so long?” Crystal asked rhetorically.

~oOo~

Just outside still closed Pixie Hollow the three girls ran into Alice and Hatter.

“Hey it is those fans again, I wonder if they replaced the batteries yet, or if they need more mustard?” Hatter surmised as they walked towards the girls.

“Hi Hatter and Alice,” Gretchen said as the 3 walked past the two from wonderland in a brisk walk towards where Gretchen had last seen Peter Pan, Silvermist and Periwinkle having a snowball fight.

Getting there, the found no Silvermist, but Periwinkle and Tinkerbell were signing autographs for a couple of young twins.

Annie went up to Tinkerbell after she was done, and asked “Where is Silvermist, Tink?“

“Oh, it is my broken fan, I still have to adjust that doodab!” Tinkerbell said as she poked Annie on the forehead.

Tinkerbell noticed the picture of Silvermist staring at her in the newspaper that Annie held tightly as she giggled.

Trying hard to not grab the paper and read it, she replied she should be back in few, she flew to pixie hollow a second.

"How is a raven like a broken fan?" Hatter said to Crystal.

"I don't know?"

"They both need more ketchup," Hatter said as he handed Crystal a packet of ketchup.

"Oh Hatter," Alice sighed.

"Broken fan is right, I make more wind than they do ... Hmmp"

"Hello Vidia."

"I heard at least a dew drop was looking for me?"

"Silvermist!" the three shouted.

Walking up to her briskly, "We got you a present," Annie said...

"Does it come from Tinkerbell? She always makes the best stuff, Rosetta show the dew drops your light catcher that Tink made for you."

While Gretchen and Crystal were distracted by the light catcher, Annie gave Sil the newspaper. "I left another one at my friends Olivia's house."

Tink hearing her friend of name looked instinctively towards where Sil and Annie were talking.

"Tink look at this found thing," Sil said to Tink.

"We should go see Fairy Mary about it."

~oOo~

Sitting around the break room table Wendy said to Silvermist, "Well I do say! You're famous" as she handed the newspaper to Alice.

Trying to change the subject, "Alice what you doing after work? Tink and I are thinking about another time out with friends. Be advised though that Annie probably will be there. She needs to be spoiled with attention once in a while."

"Only Annie, not the rest of the fans? When I next run in to Peri I will check with her."

"Yep only Annie, as far as I know Gret and Crystal don't even know what department I work in, and I like to keep it that way. ... How about you Hatter, you joining us this time, or do we keep it a woman's night?"

"I have to check with the partner."

"Bring him, you won't be out number as much."

"Anyone else want to join us?"

"Me me me," Peter Pan said waving his arms around, "wait what we talking about?"

"Going out to eat as our friends, bring Ariel, I have a few things I would like to discuss with her."

"I will check with her next I see her"

"Why are all my characters on break at the same time?" came a loud voice into the room.

"Sorry Fairy Mary, I at least will get right back out there."

With that Silvermist, and quite a few others ran out towards the park.

12 year old Mark O’Malley had been practically typecast as the dopey sidekick because of his role in the runaway hit Disney production, “My Brother Mark”. But while on the set of his older sister Krissy’s much darker sci-fi movie production, a misheard comment leads to a whole new branch in his career, and in his life.

Authors' note:
This story is a work of fiction as a prequel to the story, Magic of the Kingdom. In fact, Ashleigh (AKA Dark Kitten) and I started working on this story long before we started MotK. Like that story, everything here is a complete work of fiction.

Any resemblance to actual personalities is coincidence only, and use of celebrities like Selena Gomez and Debby Ryan were kept to a bare minimum out of respect for them and their work.

Disney corp. has no official stance on transgender actors or actresses, and we did not in any way consult with Disney or its subsidiaries, but have the deepest respect for Mr. Disney's legacy. :-)

So with all that out of the way, please enjoy the story! We certainly enjoyed writing it!

♥

Zoe & Ashleigh