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by Queen of Sanctuary Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there lived a Queen named Aille. She was a popular and beautiful Queen, if given to strange clothing and an addiction to certain video games. The people of her kingdom loved her, and tolerated the fact that she chewed on straws and stayed out too late. They thought she was intelligent and wise, and couldn't remember a time before she was their Queen. But the Queen was saddened, because her closest advisor and friend had moved to another kingdom far away from her, and she was lost without his guidance. Yet, she was happy for him, because he had gone to become Emperor, which was really quite grander than Queen when you got down to it. She didn't mind that part, really. She was happy as Queen. But she did mind that he had to go and be Emperor somewhere else. Every day she consulted her magic polar bear head, named Fizzgig, which had been a present from the Emperor, whose name was Justinian. The polar bear head told her that no matter how far away the Emperor went, she would be comforted by little reminders of him. That, and whenever she played Super Puzzle Fighter. Just when she needed him, the polar bear head said, he would be there in spirit. Fizzgig helped, but she was still a sad Queen. Her subjects grew worried about her, and so one day they invited her to a grand Ball. It was a masquerade ball, held by a group of artists called Toreadors. The Queen liked balls, and liked dressing up even more. She decided to go as a Baroness, since it wasn't really like a Queen but she at least wanted to stay somewhere in the royal hierarchy. After all, she was still Queen, and one had to keep up appearances. Princesses had really been overdone. So, she wore her Baroness costume, and went to the ball. It was a big affair, and there were all the things one expected from a ball: music, food, dancing, prizes, even perfectly royal purple and black balloons. But even though all her subjects told her how wonderful her costume was and fawned over her, she missed the Emperor even more. For he was a true master at costumes, and she knew his would have outshone them all. As the evening wore on, and she danced with the others and made merry, she wished that she had thought to bring Fizzgig with her, to reassure her again that the Emperor was close in spirit. Late into the night, she found herself sitting beside a lovely young woman with purple wings, like a fairy. The girl was small and dark-haired, unlike the Queen who was tall, and of late was blond. The girls' name was Lady Rachel, and the Queen found herself enjoying conversation with her. After a time, Lady Rachel said that she had something to show the Queen. It was both a companion to her, she explained, and tonight was a work of art. With that, she set something large and furry down upon the banquet table. At first, the Queen did not know what she was looking at. The creature, for she assumed it was with the fur, was adorned with strange clothing including a belt, a single sandal, what looked like a men's tie, and random other objects. Lady Rachel told her the creature was named Mr. Foo. Politely, the Queen smiled and nodded, examining the creature as one would any fine piece of art. But after a moment, noticing that where the creature should have a head, there was nothing but sewn red cloth, the Queen said, "That's so interesting that he has no head. Why, at home I have a bear's head that has no body. And it is also sewn the same way. I call him Fizzgig." Lady Rachel gave the Queen a surprised look. "Is it a white polar bear's head?" she asked. "Yes, it is," the Queen answered, at the same moment realizing that Mr. Foo was indeed a white polar bear underneath all his accessories. "Did a man named Justinian give it to you?" Lady Rachel continued, a sparkle in her eye. The Queen gasped at the mention of the Emperor's name. "Yes, he did!" she exclaimed, then realized what Lady Rachel was saying. "Dear lord," the Queen replied, "You have Fizzgig's body!" "You have Mr. Foo's head!" the Lady Rachel said at the same time. Both ladies were cheered by the realization that they had found the two disparate parts of their bear, and by the knowledge that the Emperor had chosen to bestow the two of them with such special gifts. They quickly exchanged stories of how Fizzgig and Mr. Foo had been given by the Emperor. The Queen especially was gladdened to know that Fizzgig had indeed been correct. Right when she needed him most, the Emperor had been there for her in spirit. She felt a special kinship with Lady Rachel, who had known the Emperor like the Queen herself did. After that, the Queen still missed her close friend, Justinian, but she was happy to have Fizzgig, Mr. Foo, and Lady Rachel to share the memories with. And whenever she was very sad, she would hold the polar bear head close and tell herself he was never too far away as long as she remembered him.
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