The warm, midsummer night air felt refreshing against my cheeks as it danced along my skin. I again found myself staring off towards the darkening horizon. The stars above sparkled like diamonds, making me smile a little. My fingers were clasped tightly against my chest while I prayed silently to…well…whoever in the sky would hear me. A hazy image formed in my head and I gasped slightly at the memory.

A white horse. As white as the snow in winter that fell playfully around me. Its glimmering white mane floated in the breeze as a longing sigh filled my ears. A beautiful golden horn protruded from its head, glowing brilliantly in the growing moonlight. A pair of large wings flexed in the air as the animal turned to face me. I was suddenly mesmerized by the piercing gold eyes that gazed back at me. Such sadness resided within them. My heart began to ache. I extended my hand out to the animal, wishing to touch it. To make it happier somehow.

"Little Maiden…"

A strange, yet familiar voice whispered as if it was from someone standing right next to me. My hand hesitated for a brief moment. I remembered that voice. The animal flew closer to me, its gaze not leaving mine. My breath was frozen within my throat. Those eyes….those beautiful, penetrating, wonderful eyes…

My fingers stretched from my palm, desperate to touch the velvety nose of the animal as it neared me. The rest of my body was like a statue. Desperation filled me as I reached. Just a little closer…only inches away…

"Lady Serenity! Are you out there?" A high-pitched sound broke my concentration. I gasped again as the beautiful creature fizzled away before I could make contact. My heart pounded like I was running a marathon. What just happened? "Lady Serenity!"

I turned abruptly to see a young woman with baby blue braids dangling along her face. The ends of each braid formed into small balls, which matched the ball sitting at the top of her head. Her blue eyes gave me a look of concern as her hand rested on her hips; the fingers fidgeting with the miniskirt of her outfit. In her other gloved hand was a set of small balls. She tossed them into the air effortlessly. They clacked against one another as they landed back in her palm.

"Oh, hello, PallaPalla. You startled me." I tried to not sound uneasy as I spoke. I did want her looking at me any more suspiciously. The concern in her eyes increased as she approached me. But she shrugged and straightened out the baby blue bow at her chest.

"Sorry, Princess. I didn't mean to do that, but you had us all worried. You didn't come down to dinner. The queen thought you may be sick. So I was sent to check up on you," she said softly. Her eyes darted behind me. "What…were you doing?" I could feel heat rising to my face, but I forced myself to ignore it.

"I was only daydreaming, that's all. Lost track of the time, I guess. We should hurry downstairs, then? I don't want to worry Mom and Dad any more than I have already." I shuffled myself past my friend and headed towards the doorway. Her boots skid across the marble floor as she joined me from behind.

"You sure you're alright?" Her voice was still wrought with worry, making me wince a little. I turned to her and flashed my usual smile.

"Of course. Now let's get some dinner!" I said cheerfully as I practically leapt down the spiral staircase beside my room. In the back of my mind, a nostalgic longing began to formulize.