"I hate this!" Brigid stomped on the ground, crushing the innocent grass beneath her boots. The rolled parchment in her hands crinkled.

Aiden watched his elven friend storm back and forth. He was sitting cross-legged under a massive, literal blue tree. One of the Sapphire leaves fluttered and gently landed on his head.

"Why are you getting so worked up about it?" Aiden picked up the shimmery leaf from his hair and inspected it, "It's just a dinner party."

A magic twig fell over his head. "Ow! What was that for?"

Brigid's head snapped in his direction, her eyes blazing.

"So- Sorry..."

Aiden shrunk back slightly, wishing he'd turn into one of those mystery blue leaves. It had just been a few weeks since he accidentally fell into Avalorn. But it was long enough to realize things were pretty much the same as they were back on Earth, minus the pointy ears, magic trees, and exploding cauldrons.

"Just a dinner party? JUST!" Brigid threw away the parchment, which swayed and landed beside her feet. "Father's gonna call all those high elves! Those hoity-toity, out-of-Avalorn snobs who cannot stop talking about how important they are! OH! And don't get me started on Lady Evaline! 'Oh Brigid darling, haven't you grown into a fine elf?' Are you kidding m—“

As if on cue, the tree showered its luminous blue leaves on her, covering her head to toe. Brigid looked like a walking blue hedge.

She glared up at her magical companion. “Seriously?"

"Hey..." Aiden tried to stifle a laugh, but his faint snort betrayed him. "What if it turns out different this time?"

He balanced his luminous leaf into his knee as Brigid sat beside him under his enchanted shade. She drew her knees close and propped her chin over them, still fuming. Another shimmery leaf made its way over Aiden’s head.

"I don't like it." She mumbled, her anger slowly giving away.

Aiden raised his hand, hesitated, but gently pulled aside her curtain of blonde hair away, giving her a supportive look. “It’s okay. We’ll figure something out.”

She let out a long, drained sigh, resting her head against the magical bark. Leaves swayed overhead, rustling faintly. Golden sunlight shimmered and spilled its way in through the Sapphire canopy, making swift intricate patterns over her face.

“C’mon Brigid, think.” She muttered to herself.

In an instant, Brigid’s mismatched eyes lit up, immediately dispelling her gloom.

“OH RIGHT! THAT’S IT!” Brigid sprung up, scattering leaves everywhere.

Aiden flinched. More leaves rained down on him.

“Which is….?” he asked, plucking a leaf out of his sweater.

“You're coming with me!”

Now Aiden really wished a branch fell over his head.

“B- but-" he stammered, his voice cracking from panic. "I can't- I can't just waltz in there! I can't do that- You know!?"

Aiden fluttered his fingers awkwardly in air, mimicking elvish magic.

"Don't worry, you'll be my guest." She beamed, mischief burning in her eyes.

"I... don't know Bridge. I'm just some round-eared human. Not exactly magic-y." he ran his hand through his hair.

"...please?"

Brigid leaned closer. Aiden could see his hesitant reflection in her large eyes. She looked at him pleadingly, just the way he looked at his mom for candy when he was younger. His heart sank at the memory of it.

He took a deep breath, letting in the cool Avalorn air. The leaves rustled again as if nudging him forward. Seriously. Who let this tree to play his wingman? or wingtree. Whatever it prefers.

"Alright, I'll do it," he muttered.

"Yessss!" Brigid exclaimed,jumping up and twirling around, leaves gently swirling around her as if to celebrate her victory.

Aiden sighed and looked up at the blue canopy. "I hope I don't regret this..."