The Seasonal Ministers hovered in a tight circle above the platform.
Even they, who had witnessed countless Arrivals were stunned into silence by the sight before them.
"Look, it's Queen Clarion," the fairies called out softly, whispers rippled through the crowd, hushed and reverent.
Golden pixie dust spiraled down from the highest branches of the Pixie Dust Tree, weaving intricate patterns in the air.
The Ministers parted with a bow as the pixie dust coalesced into a radiant figure.
"Please calm down, everyone," Queen Clarion's voice rang clear, effortlessly cutting through the murmurs.
Her eyes landed on the glowing dandelion seed, filled with a hint of genuine surprise.
The crowd hushed, watching intently as she hovered down toward Henry's vessel.
"Well, aren't you a special little one," she said, smiling warmly.
She extended her graceful hand as she personally sprinkled pixie dust upon the dandelion seed.
Golden motes cascaded from her fingertips, swirling around the seed in deliberate spirals.
The moment the dust touched its surface, the glow flared brightly, then exploded outward in a silent blast of light.
"Wow!", the fairies gasped, shielding their eyes as the radiance washed over them.
'Yes, It's really happening!', Henry thought excitedly as the dandelion dissolved into shimmering motes of light.
As the light finally settled, in its place stood a tiny humanoid figure, wrapped in a fluffy white garment.
As the fairies blinked away the spots in their vision, they saw a tall and handsome sparrowman, standing where the glowing dandelion had been.
His hair was a pure, snow-white, falling in silky strands.
His eyes, a piercing sapphire blue, glimmered faintly as he looked around curiously.
But... what was most startling of all: there were no visible signs of wings on his back at all.
Silence hung in the air for a moment before the murmurs erupted.
"Why doesn't he have wings?" a fairy whispered in surprise.
The hushed voices swirled around Henry, some curious, others awed.
A few glanced pitifully at the empty space between his shoulder blades.
"Now settle down, everyone," Queen Clarion's voice carried over the murmurs, her golden wings spreading slightly as she hovered closer to Henry.
The gathered fairies fell into an obedient hush, though their wide eyes still flickered with curiosity.
"Welcome to Pixie Hollow, little one," she said, her voice laced with warmth.
"Uhm, hello?" Henry responded, his voice softer than he'd expected.
His eyes kept wandering as he excitedly looked around him.
Queen Clarion's smile deepened, though she was also very much concerned about his wingless state.
"Don't be startled, young one", she spoke softly. "Every fairy and sparrowman has a place here in Pixie Hollow. Now, let's see where yours lie."
With a graceful wave of her hand, several small mushroom platforms bloomed arround them.
The Queen gave a curt nod, which prompted fairies from each talent guild to flutter forward, placing an object representing their talents above the mushroom caps.
Henry, already knowing what they were for didn't hesitate, he stepped forward with purpose.
'I wonder what talent I'll get, I hope it's a nature type talent,' he thought, staring fixedly at the objects hovering above the pedestals.
The fairies all held their breaths in anticipation.
But at that very moment, all the glowing objects on the pedestals suddenly dimmed at once.
Henry watched silently, his pulse quickening, as every single item quietly lost its glow.
The Pixie Dust Tree became dead silent.
The fairies and sparrowmen stared at the mushrooms, then at him, then back at the mushrooms.
Even Queen Clarion's expression had faltered slightly after witnessing this scene.
Henry swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. "Do I... not have a talent?" His words echoed in the unnerving stillness.
'After all, I wasn't exactly *born of a laugh* like other Never Fairies,' Henry thought, staring at the dulled objects on the mushroom caps.
"Every Never Fairy has a talent," Queen Clarion said comfortingly.
"I'm sure that you'll be able to discover yours in due time," she said, her voice steady despite her own shock.
Her golden wings fluttered slightly as she hovered beside Henry. "Sometimes talents reveal themselves in unexpected ways."
"Or maybe I'm not supposed to be here," he muttered, but the Queen's hand rested lightly on his shoulder before he could say more.
"You're right where you belong," Queen Clarion uttered softly, "And from now on, your name will be... Zenith."