Ryven Elayne was born two years after Helani. She looked like her mother, and had her father’s endless charms. The newest royal family member’s magix capabilities were raw and untamed and unharnessed, and they were only surpassed by one, planetary princess, Ecko Devereux. Every other weekend, when the future Interratonian queen arrived for court appointed visitations, she taught her sister control techniques passed on by her adopted mother, Jasmine; this created an unspeakable bond between these siblings that none dared to challenge.
A few weeks before the new school year began, Ecko went to the “Queen Etiquette School” to speak with the chancellor, the princess said, “Chancellor Chaumers, I’ve got to ask you something.”
“Go ahead, and I’ll answer if I can,” the school administrator said.
“My little sister needs to be on the southern plateau for school, she’s bashful around others she doesn’t know, and has asked me to stay with her until she feels comfortable enough to be there alone. I guess my question would be, “What kind of forgiveness can be given for my being late here, that week?” The royal one inquired.
“I’m not accustomed to that type of question, to be honest. Usually, a student is late, and then, the consequence is given. You’re the first to ever come to me to let me know that you’re going to be late before you are, so this is what I’m going to do: I’ll speak to your instructors about your expected tardiness, and have them mark their books that you were on time. However, there’s one way I’ll agree to this, and that is, you have to promise that you’ll come here every day that first week, no matter how late you are. If the day has ended, you’re still going to let me know that you’ve come by,” she said.
“I don’t have a problem with making that promise, and I appreciate your generosity, Chancellor Chaumers. I must go now, there are many things that must be done in preparation for the next school year that I still haven’t done, and time is eluding me this year. I promise to be here every day that first week, and I hope you have a great day,” the princess said.
“And, the same to you, Princess,” the chancellor said.
After returning to Devereux Manor, she found her mother working outside in the garden, and she offered, “Mamma, would you like some help?”
“Oh, I see you’ve made it back, so what did the chancellor have to say?” The magix educator asked.
“She was surprised to have me there asking for permission to be late the first week of school, but she approved it. She told me that she would let my instructors know what was going on, and that she would have them forgive my tardiness, but I had to make a promise,” the princess said.
“What would that promise happen to be, and did you make it?” Jasmine inquired.
“That I would be at ‘Queen Etiquette School’ every day the first week of school, no matter how late I am. Part of the promise, which I see as beneficial to me, is that she doesn’t care if I cannot be there until after the end of the day, all she wants is to see me that week. So, yeah, mamma, I made that promise”, the princess told her mother.
“Then, it is your responsibility to keep that promise, it’s another matter of the heart I’ve been teaching you children about. Besides, you’ll never set a good example for that little one at your side, if you don’t”, her mother replied.
“I’ve got no problems keeping that promise, I figure it’ll be the least I can do in that situation. I was wondering if we could set another place at the table for Ryven, tonight?” She asked.
“I don’t see why not, but you better be sure you tell Naesys, it’s her night to cook. She’ll need to know”, Jasmine said.
“I thought Balli was cooking tonight,” Ecko replied.
“No, she asked for the night off,” she told her daughter.
“Alright, I’ll go let Naesys know she’s staying for dinner. I’m not exactly sure I’m alright with the idea of growing up, though,” the princess said.
“What does that mean?” Her mother asked.
“It means that you adults have a lot of responsibilities, a lot of running around to do, and it’s exhausting,” the princess explained with a yawn.
“You only went to speak to the chancellor, it’s not like you’ve been out for the entire day. Besides, it’s too late for that, you are an adult” she commented.
“Yeah, well, tell my brain that because it seems to me the darn thing is worn out, and I know I’m an adult. The thing is, my responsibilities are limited since I’m still single, but those elves who have families, have to be exhausted beyond words” the princess said.
“I can see she’s fallen asleep on your shoulder, let me get up from here, and I’ll help you,” her mother said.
“Thanks mamma, she’s actually a lot heavier than she looks, but wouldn’t let me put her down inside the Ground Transportation Unit, so Bugara had to operate it for us,” she told her mother.
“Oh, she’s one of those kinds?” Jasmine inquired.
“What do you mean by that?” Ecko returned.
“Ryven wouldn’t allow you to put her down in the ‘G. T. U.’, that means she’s the bashful kind, and that the first week of school might turn out to be more difficult for the both of you than you are aware of right now. Therefore, I’m going with y’all to school that week, you know I can help her get over that bashfulness, and that I will not be mean to her. There’s no sense in that, but it’s advisable that you allow me to tag along,” her mother offered.
“I was going to ask you to go with us, anyway, so there’s that,” she replied.
The day before school started, Ecko went to the citadel in order to gather her sister, and talk to the queen about plans for the next day. She found her mother in the throne room, and entered, unannounced. The queen saw her daughter immediately, Nulandia relinquished the chair beside Luna, and the princess was invited to sit.
“Hello, mother, good afternoon, I’ve come to talk with you about school, tomorrow,” Ecko said.
“Alright, I’m listening,” her mother said.
“I thought since you’ve never been to either of the magix plateaus that Jasmine and I could take the burden of getting Ryven to where she needs to be, and you won’t have to worry about that. Unless, you wanna tag along in order to learn part of the process,” the princess offered.
“Is it necessary for me to be there?” Luna inquired.
“No, but I thought maybe you’d want to attempt something different when it comes to Ryven, show her you’re better than what most think about you, but I guess some of that negative talk is not far off,” she told the queen.
“What are you babbling about?” The queen asked.
“Nothing, mother, if you don’t know, who does? You look confused, but I’ll leave you to ponder what I just said to you when I’ve got your permission to take my sister home with me,” the princess said.
“As long as I don’t have to go, you’ve got my permission to take your sister with you, but I have a question,” Luna said.
“Ask your question, mother,” Ecko said, sarcastically.

“When are you taking her?” The queen inquired.
“Today, as soon as possible, because I want to teach Ryven some more techniques Jasmine taught me before the sun goes down,” the princess replied.
“Alright, Nulandia, Morty is busy right now, will you please gather the young one for her?” she asked her maid.
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll find her, and bring her in here,” the maid said.
“If you don’t mind, I’ll go get my sister, it’s nothing against you, but it’ll be faster if I get her. Then, I can leave directly afterwards,” Ecko said.
“That’s alright with me, as long as your mother doesn’t mind,” the citizen said.
“Whatever she wants to do is fine with me. The sooner she leaves, the better. Her attitude is a drag,” the queen said.
As much as she wanted to stay there, and chew her mother out, the princess was learning patience with beings she considered to be ignorant. Luna, in the princess’s mind, was the most ignorant being she knew. Therefore, in order for the future planetary queen to find inner-peace, she allowed the current queen’s words to fade away as she left the throne room. Jasmine hadn’t only been passing on techniques for harnessing magix capabilities, she recently ventured out to educate her daughter in the ways of the “Pin & Pang”, and those lessons required the princess to walk away from any situation she could find herself in legal troubles over.
The Southern Magix Plateau buzzed with activities and games and other sounds of delight, there was an air of frivolity, and the royals were drawn in. The sisters held hands as they found their way around, and Jasmine stayed close to them. It had been seven hundred years since the educator had seen the place, it seemed nothing was the same as her memories, and she felt overwhelmed.
Then, she saw the Wizardry Mistress Phoenix, the female elder who had been appointed to the position of “Gate Greeter”centuries before, and she’d stayed loyal to it. Seeing her previous instructor welcoming students to the plateau was comforting, among all the things time had altered, she was a constant.
Jasmine advised, “Baby girl, Ryven, walk over to the elder who’s standing by the gate, please, I want you to meet her. She’s a great reference point whenever you get lost because she knows where everything is, and can tell you the fastest way to get somewhere. Mistress Phoenix is also capable of getting a student lost, so it’s always wise to stay on her good side,” she told the child.
“Jasmine Starshine, what are you telling that child about me?” The mistress asked.
“Who’s Jasmine Starshine?” The princess inquired.
“I haven’t heard that term of endearment since graduation day, and I’d forgotten about it since then” the magix educator responded.
“What does it mean? Does it have a meaning?” Ecko asked.
“You must be Jasmine’s daughter,” the mistress said.
“Yes, I’m Ecko”, the princess responded.
“The term of endearment was placed on your mother because when she attended school here, nothing ever seemed to get her down. When everyone else was upset that recess had been canceled due to rain, your mother found a positive side to that rainy day. A lot of us elders told her that she was ‘the silver-linings of dark dark storm clouds,’ Then, one day someone called her ‘Starshine’, and it stuck,”Mistress Phoenix explained.
“I brought Ryven, the little one, over here to meet you because I know how new students can get turned around the first couple of years they’re here, and I know how to set someone on the right track,” Jasmine said.
“Oh, yes, I can do that, and I can get them lost,” the mistress replied.
“That’s what I was telling her about you, that you are the one being on this plateau who it is advised to stay on their good side because a student could ask directions to the library, but they could wind up in the “Black Woods”, if you’re sore with them,”the educator explained.
“I have only given bad directions to one student, but I’ll never live it down” the mistress said.
“That’s because of where the kid wound up in the end”, the former student said.
“Why, where did they wind up?” Ecko inquired.
“Uh, well, that’s not important, right now, is it?” Mistress Phoenix asked.
“No, it’s not important, but I’m curious to know”, Ryven said.
“Let Starshine tell you. I don’t want to discuss it any further,” the elder said.
“I’ll fill you in, but later. She’s still upset by the whole thing, so we’ll change the subject,” Jasmine said.
“Okay, whatever you think is best,” she whispered.
“Anyway, now you know exactly who to come to when you get lost,” Ecko replied.
“Oh, and, don’t let me forget, the Intern, Alasse, she is quite a character, can be found wherever Mistress Phoenix is located, and enjoys teaching others how to perform prestidigitation tricks. It helps to break the ice,” the educator said.
“I’ve found new students aren’t so anxious after they learn a little hand-magix. Would you like to try something?” The intern asked.
Before she knew it, the youngest member of the royal family learned how to perform a magix trick, and she felt more comfortable opening up to the mistress and her intern; she’d studied magix on different levels, but hadn’t ever considered learning magix tricks on a lower level, which she was finally beginning to understand.
A few minutes later, Ryven performed a trick which caused a coin to disappear, and it was found behind Jasmine’s ear. Though the magix educator knew how the trick was done, in order to help the young royal elf feel accomplished, the elder pretended to be surprised. It was a matter of the heart she could live with being a distortion of the truth, as long as it allowed the girl to have confidence, the educator would rest easily with a tiny white lie.
For the rest of that first week, Ecko walked her sister to the front gates of the Southern Magix Plateau, and Ryven was confident enough to continue further on her own; having someone who could teach her basic magix skills, helped make separating from her sister a smooth transition, and that left the princess plenty of time to arrive at her school without being tardy. Each day that week, though she was on time, the princess went to the chancellor’s office to inform the school administrator of her presence, and classes resumed as per normal. Jasmine slept-in late since her sons were both home, Azleal spent most of the daytime at the arena, and Yuri entertained Goldenrod’s baby, Strawberri.
In the afternoon, the magix educator would pick up Ryven from the “Ground Transportation Unit,” they would have lunch together, and both would fall asleep. When the princess’s day came to an end, she carved out time in the schedule for practice at the arena, and the royal siblings taught each other techniques taught by others in the magixical community.

**************************
As the youngest royal family member became a teenager, she began to identify with elves at school, and she would ask Ecko for her approval. One evening, Ryven introduced the Citizen Elf, Terrin Matthews to her sister, and she said, “You know how much your opinion matters to me, and he means as much to me as what you think of him.”
“I like him, he’s good to you, and that’s what matters to me”, the princess said.
“I’m glad to hear you say that, because he’s going to ask you for permission to take me to the prom, since Kouper is busy trying to fix things between mom and Karpora” she said.
“As long as he’s alright with my standing in for our dad, I’ll grant him permission to take you, but I have a question,” the princess said.
“What’s your question?”Ryven inquired.
“What would’ve happened if I had told you that I did not approve of him?”Ecko asked.
“I would’ve thanked Terrin for a lovely time, and he could’ve found his way out,” she told the princess.
“Wow! I didn’t realize. My opinion means that much to you, that’s flattering” the princess said.
“Your opinion means everything to me,” she said.
“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but you two seem to have forgotten about me,” Terrin said.
“Oh, I’m sorry, myself, sweetheart, I was the one being rude, and not giving you an opportunity to speak,” Ryven said.
“That’s something I’ll learn to live with, especially if I want to be in your life,” the citizen said.
“I understand you want to take my sister to the prom,” the princess said.
“Yes, ma’am, I do,” he said.
“Do you mind if I ask you some personal questions? I mean, standing in for our dad, I know he’d want to know these things,” Ecko asked the young male.
“Sure, what would you like to know?” He inquired.
“How did you two meet?” The princess asked.
“On the Southern Magix Plateau, we’ve got several classes together,” he said.
“Where are you from? I can tell you’re not from North Bosp by the sound of your accent,” she said.
“I was born on Anivir, but my parents moved our family to Afertin right after I was born. Dad got a better job offer, and mamma followed him, loyally,” he said.
“I like you, and you have my blessings to take her to the prom,” Ecko said.
“Thanks, sissy! I love you!” Ryven said.
“No problem. I love you, too. Terrin, if you’re hungry, I can have a place set for you at the table, it’s gettin’ to be dinner time,” Ecko offered.
“That would be great, I’m starving,” the citizen said.
************************************************
Ryven wore a light blue gown with her hair in a french-braid that Ballista managed, and her shoes were black with a small heel. Terrin wore a tuxedo that matched her blue, and black shoes donned his feet. Her flower was also blue, but it was navy. Pictures were taken, and they were given a daylight curfew.
The next morning when they arrived at the manor, the young elves found a place to stretch out, and she fell asleep with his arm under her head. Ecko knew they’d be tired from the night before, and she did not question them.
The princess, though she was curious to learn what happened, had chosen to allow her sister to want to talk with her. She would not pry into Ryven’s business, an example their mother would not set out of spite, but one she would uphold.
Ecko did not want to bother her sister with questions, and chose to begin some regular routines at the arena. It was a welcomed distraction from all of the ideas which continually filled her mind, patience would prove to be virtuous, but in due time. Since the princess knew her levels of curiosity could be unnerving, she distracted herself with choreographed sparring lessons, and allowed the day to become that night.
Eventually, Ryven sought out the princess, because they needed to talk.