Vera starts running. She feels her hair brushing against her dress, and stops for a few moments to rest. She looks at her hair, completely tangled and untidy. She sighs. She ties her long hair into a ponytail, trying to keep it as neat as possible. When she finishes, she keeps running. He feels a drop of sweat running down his cheek. A hand grabs her and stops her. He looks at the girl who caught it. The light blue hair and the ears characteristic of water nymphs did not give any information, but Vera looked at her between surprised and happy.
Stretcher!
At your command Your Majesty - answers Camilla with a mocking bow. Vera giggles.
You know that I am not yet declared a "princess" as such. - she calls out to him with a scowl. Then she puts on her usual expression - What are you doing here?
Do you think I'd miss my best friend's coronation? - says Camilla. Vera looks at her sternly - Well, the ceremony for the leader's younger sister. Or the queen - she shrugs - For me it's pretty much the same thing.
Well, not to me. - Vera claims. Camilla looks at her with a mischievous smile. - What's the matter?
You know that the ceremony is only 10 minutes away, right? - Camilla laughs, while Vera's face pales.
This is NOT funny! - she claims, as she starts running faster than before. Camilla follows her. As she runs, she sees all the other nymphs walking. Some excited, some nervous, some just walking, with no apparent emotion. She sees some girls playing, while their mothers talk to each other. Vera smiles, as her mind goes
Several years ago, when she and Camilla were playing near the Great Lake, while her mother and sister watched them. Vera sighs. Her mother...

The last time I had seen her was when she was 7 years old. She and Camilla were playing, while Selene was a bit far away, talking to other nymphs. Her mother was away from everyone, talking to herself. At the time I had thought it was because of all the pressure of being the leader of the water nymphs. It was quite understandable, since there was only 1 leader, and in total there were about 200 or 250 water nymphs. She just ignored it, and kept playing with Cam. Now, at 13 years old, she would have wished she hadn't. If he hadn't ignored her now he would have known her whereabouts. And that wasn't all. Rumor had it that the Fire Nymphs had had to change leaders, as their previous leader had been killed.
Vera opened her eyes, returning to reality. She had arrived at the cave, or as she liked to call it, the headquarters. Camilla looked at her happily. Vera forced a smile. More than happy, she was quite nervous.
This ceremony was to make the nymphs believe that everything was fine. On the other hand, her sister needed to have a little hope. She was only 21 years old, and although there was no minimum age to be a leader, with her mother missing and the constant rumors of the deaths of different leaders, her sister was under more pressure than ever. Vera looked up, where her sister (or rather her leader) was sitting in a chair. The whole cave began to quiet down, including some inaudible whispers.


As you know, I, Selene Irvette, have a younger sister - she bowed her head to Vera - Vera Irvette, here present. In this ceremony ... - Selene began to explain, but Vera already knew the whole speech. The ceremony was that Vera should lead an excursion outside the lands of the water nymphs. These expeditions were not very common, but they served to discover resources and new lands. The expeditions were led by the queen, or leader. More than a ceremony, many considered it a "test", to know if the descendant or relative of the leader was prepared to rule, or at least have the basic knowledge. Camilla and some other nymphs would accompany them. This was comforting to Vera, as she did not like to leave the only place she knew.

When she finished her speech, Vera felt that all eyes in the room, previously directed at her sister, were directed at her. Vera left quickly. Even with Camilla, she had a lot of pressure. As she walked, she heard some whispers, obviously directed at her. She sees Camilla approaching.
Come on, don't tell me you got nervous so quickly. - Camilla says, playing with her rollers.
It's hard not to, Cam. - Vera responds, as she takes small jumps. Camilla smiles.
If you're so nervous, you better go talk to your sister. - Vera shakes her head, but then nods, sighing.

Selene was braiding her hair, or
except that it looked that way from Vera's view. She had not wanted to bother her sister, as Camilla always helped her, at least with not very important problems. Selene looked away from her hair, focusing her eyes on Vera. Vera's eyes open. Selene smiles, gesturing for her to sit next to her. Vera walks undecidedly, but finally sits down.
Then... - Selene says as she begins to comb Vera's hair. Vera smiles. - What did you come here for?
It's... It's... - Vera sighs. - It is normal to feel so nervous? - Vera says. Selene smiles.
You're small and not ready, of course it's normal.
So... do you think I can't do it? - she says, as a hopeful look appears. Selene sighs, shaking her head.
No, I'm sorry little sister. - The glow disappears from Vera's eyes, although she still has the same hopeful smile - it's a tradition, we can't break it.
Vera closes her eyes, pensive. She really didn't want to do it, but her sister was right. And besides, who were they to break the traditions?