Power Play by Titania Woods

Miss Moonbeam had said, tapping her pale wings together. ‘And managing your own mood is the start of performing mood magic. Let me show you.’
    Drawing herself up to her full height, Miss Moonbeam had fallen silent as she regarded her class. She let the pause grow longer and longer, until the fairies shifted uneasily, wondering what she was doing.
    Twink had winced as an unpleasant chill shuddered through her. Suddenly she realised it was coming from Miss Moonbeam. Their teacher’s eyes had narrowed, and she was regarding them with an icy expression.
    â€˜I want you to get into pairs so we can practise,’ she said. The class gulped. Though Miss Moonbeam’s words were ordinary enough, the mood that was coming from her made it sound like a threat! They all scrambled to obey.
    Then Miss Moonbeam smiled, and the tension drained away from the branch like snow in the sunshine. ‘You see?’ she said. ‘Doesn’t that feel very different than if I say now , “I want you to get into pairs?”’
    Her students had stared at her in wonder. Pix’s hand shot in the air. ‘But Miss Moonbeam, how did you put on such an awful mood when it’s not what you really felt?’
    â€˜Practice,’ laughed their teacher. ‘But you see how you must always be careful to notice what mood you’re giving off. Your moods affect everything you do, so if you want something to be positive, then that’s what your mood must be!’
    As Twink recalled the scene now in the Common Branch, she suddenly felt as if icy water had been flung over her. What had her mood been like, these last few weeks?
    I’ve been angry, she thought, rubbing her wings together. And scared.
    But that wasn’t all. Forcing herself to be honest, Twink realised there had been times when she’d actually enjoyed shouting at everyone and seeing them scurry to obey. It had been an angry sort of pleasure – the kind that twisted in your stomach like a snake – but pleasure nonetheless.
    Suddenly Twink could hardly see her desk for the tears that had sprung to her eyes. How had this happened? All she had wanted was to be a good leader! No wonder everything with her team had gone so wrong. Maybe they were playing better, but nobody was having fun any more . . . and it was all because of her.
    Romi was right , thought Twink dully. She didn’t have what it took to be a good Games Fairy. How could she, when she had to be so horrid to get her team to listen to her?
    She thought back to when she had caught Romi teaching her Power Play to Cassi and Kym. She had been coaching them well, firmly and fairly, and they had been listening to her. Just like Tasha’s team listened to her. And just like the Glitterwings team had always listened to Madge.

    Why, Romi was a lot like Madge, thought Twink suddenly. She didn’t get on with everyone, because she had very definite ideas – but then, a good leader had to! You couldn’t go around asking everyone’s opinion, as Twink had tried to do at first.
    I’m not enjoying this , realised Twink. Lost in thought, she doodled a Fledge field on her homework paper. I don’t like what being the Games Fairy has done to me, or the team. I’ve turned into a bully, and – and I’m unhappy.
    Twink let out a shaky breath. Suddenly the way forward seemed very clear to her . . . and it was a huge relief!
    â€˜Romi, could I talk to you?’ called Twink.
    It was the next morning before breakfast, and Twink was hovering to one side of the Great Branch as a rainbow stream of fairies flew past. Romi left her friends and flew over with a frown. ‘What is it?’
    â€˜Would you come to a team meeting after lessons today?’ blurted out Twink.
    The purple-haired fairy folded her arms over her chest. ‘What for? I’m not on the team any more, remember?’
    â€˜Please, just be there,’ urged Twink. ‘It’s