The Gilded Wing Art Gallery

[Henry Mills]

"Oh," Henry said after he listened. "That was nice of him, I guess." The boy shrugged and turned back to the paintings. "Do you like swans, Sara?"

[swanprincess]

She nodded simply, "My father took me once to see some, and I've been fascinated with them ever since. Something about them really speaks to me."

[Henry Mills]

"I think you're a swan-type of person," Henry agreed. "That and the paintings is why I asked. Um..." He might as well bring it up now. "Have you ever heard the story of the Swan Princess?"

[swanprincess]

Sara looked at him curiously, "I know a little bit about the ballet version."

[Henry Mills]

"That's a start," Henry said, before he launched himself into explaining the story. "A princess named Odette was cursed by a sorcerer to be a swan by day and a human by night. She could never leave the immediate surroundings of the lake, because she'll die if she wasn't in the lake before the sun rose." He then took a deep breath. "I think you might be Odette. You know, because of the swans and the paintings."

[swanprincess]

As Henry explained the story, Sara listened quietly. Her eyebrows rose as he finished, and she gave a little chuckle, "Me? The Swan Princess?" she gave a little laugh again. At the seriousness of his expression, however, she sobered up and gave him a soft smile, crouching down to be at his level, "Young man, I think if I were the swan princess, I'd definitely know it. And besides, isn't there supposed to be a handsome prince in the story there somewhere?" She said teasingly at the end with a smile.

[Henry Mills]

She laughed. Henry nearly chalked another one up for "him being crazy to everyone", but then she asked about the prince. "Sure there is," he responded. "I just don't know who he is yet. But in all seriousness," the boy added, "you seem to be a lot like Odette. And I don't blame you for not knowing if you're the swan princess or not."

[swanprincess]

At the boy's expression, she immediately apologized, "I'm sorry, I wasn't laughing at you, I was laughing at myself." she smiled apologetically. 'The poor boy!' Sara thought guiltily, 'He thought I was laughing at him!'

She shook herself mentally from her thoughts as he began to speak once more.

"Thank you," she said, at his comparing her to the Swan Princess. 'Both the princess and I -do- have a similar situation, I guess.' she thought, 'being trapped by a cruel man.' Sara came back to the present, and continued, "If you find this prince of mine, be sure to send him my way, alright?" she smiled with a wink.

[Henry Mills]

The boy smiled. "Will do," he promised. "I just have one more question. ... did you paint all of these?" Henry asked, motioning around the whole building.

[swanprincess]

She nodded, "Most of them, but some are from out of town. We trade or sell them with other galleries sometimes."

[Henry Mills]

"Huh." Henry turned to Sara after looking at another painting. "Do you guys need more customers? I'll tell people to come here and look at your art. I'm sure some of them would love it here!"

[swanprincess]

Sara grinned gratefully, "That would be fantastic, Thank you!"

Sara realized something, "I'm sorry, I've been so rude! What was your name again? I'm Sara, by the way." she added quickly.

[Henry Mills]

"No problem! And it's okay. I'm Henry Mills," he introduced himself. "It's nice to meet you, Sara."

[swanprincess]

'Mills? The mayor's son, then?' she corrected herself, 'No, Ms. Swan's son' She thought, then smiled, "Its a pleasure to meet you too, Henry."

'He's a sweet boy, definitely takes after Ms. Swan.'

[Henry Mills]

"I guess I'll see you around, then," Henry said with a smile. "Don't be surprised if your gallery gets more customers between now and the next time you see me."