estdeus_innobis | I think that people who can't believe in fairies aren't worth knowing. ~Tori Amos

I let my goddaughter pull me along by the hand. What she lacks in dignity my goddaughter makes up for with charm; there is no other reason I would let her do this to me. I still feel a bit vulnerable being visible as we head into the center of town.

She says that now that things are back to normal it is time to introduce me to certain people she says I must meet.

Daddy didn't want to let me out 'cause he never wants to let me out after something bad happens, and it feels like something bad is always happening! Even though everything is okay now it was all scary yesterday with floods and thunderstorms and weird flying people.

But he was okay if Dana was with me and more okay if the Sheriff was going to meet us at the tea shop, 'cause he likes Dana. He likes her!

I tug Dana into the shop. "Here it is! Miss Wanda! Are you okay? You didn't have bad dreams, did you? I want you to meet someone! And the Sheriff is going to come over later too, okay? So we'll need a table for more than two."

So lost in the realms of memory, I never hear Fiona until she is in the door and talking at a pace that only my pixie girl who is hyper excited can. I blink a few times to make sense of everything that just tumbled past her lips, and only when I wrap my head around it all do I notice the woman being tugged behind my excited girl.

"Fiona; take a moment and catch your breath my dear girl." I laugh a little and rise from my seat. I would normally catch her up in my arms and swing her around; but I do not have the heart for it today. "I am rather sad today, but no bad dreams. I would be happy to meet your friend," And I spare a smile for the striking woman. "And Mab is always welcome here."

There, I think I covered it all. "Would you and your friend like to pick a table and tea while we wait for Mab?" I ask, managing to keep on a smile. It is not a hard thing to do with Fiona around, after all.

Fiona starts talking as soon as she gets us through the door, heading straight for a woman who's reddish hair shines brightly against the dull grey of her gown. Apparently this is the Miss Wanda who is one of the people I am supposed to meet.

The woman gives a little laugh at my goddaughter's performance and rises from her seat giving us a smile. She is lovely with creamy pale skin and green eyes. A classic beauty. And there is a hint of something musical in her voice. She is no fae but in her own way she reminds me of home. If we were in the Summerlands she would surely be someone's Companion.

I return her smile and her greeting, "It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. Fiona has been telling me about you, and insisting that we must meet."

I spare a glance for my goddaughter to see if she is ready to make proper introductions. Hopefully she will remember on her own without me reminding her. I incline my head when our hostess asks if we would like to pick a table and have some tea while we wait for the sheriff. "I think that would be more than acceptable." I tell her and then add, "Fiona, which table would you like to sit at?" I have no idea which table we should sit at so I will let my goddaughter or our hostess make the choice.

"I'm sorry you're sad," I say quietly to Wanda, as I give her a big hug. She does look sad! It isn't like the way she usually looks. But lots of people are sad after yesterday, because they dreamed about sad or scary things, and I guess Miss Wanda did, too.

"We'd like the table by the window, please," I say, making sure to be very polite, and when Wanda and Dana meet, I make sure to be polite with that, too. "This is Miss Wanda. This is…a friend of my mother's. She likes to be called Dana." I think that's the right way to do it. No names, right?

"May I please have the white tea with roses in it? I like that one best," I explain to Dana.

I've still been patrolling. Been needing it to bring me back to center. Really, the whole town needs the little regularities after the madness of the dreamscape. Everyone's experiences were strange, and so many of them horrible- we've been cleaning up since.
I woke up maybe 20 yards from the back door, covered in dirt and blood. I need something good, myself.

More important than normality are the events that combine my duty and pleasure. I get myself to the Dormouse just about on time, a small bag of caramels in hand. Edmund talked me into them this morning when I stopped in for my breakfast and mentioned I'd see Fiona today.

Walking into the tearoom, the scent of tea, cookies, flowers, spice and power assaults me. Resisting the urge to reach for a chair back to steady myself, I step further into the room.

Fiona gives me a hug and tells me she's sorry because I'm sad, so I kiss her head. "It's alright, sweetling." I assure her and straighten up to smile at the woman speaking.

"It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. Fiona has been telling me about you, and insisting that we must meet."

Fiona gravitates towards my window table and I pull out a chair for her. "This is…a friend of my mother's. She likes to be called Dana."

"It is lovely to meet you Dana. Any friend of Fiona's is more than welcome here." I welcome her warmly, and keep my thoughts close. A friend of her mother's??? I immediately wonder who this woman is, since as far as I am aware, Fiona never met her mother. Who is this woman, and should I be glad of her, or worried for my pixie girl?

"May I please have the white tea with roses in it? I like that one best,"

"Of course you may, and I just whipped up some pumpkin scones. Dana? Do you like tea?" I ask, turning to get the cups. "I have a little of everything. Hibiscus, rose, lavender, mint, chili pepper, orange..." I start to rattle off, then the door opens again.

"Mab!" I exclaim, coming over to hug her. She looks a little tired as well. "Sit down, you must have been busy these last few days. Relax."

It is easier, I think, getting through today if I have people to fuss over.

Miss Wanda greets me warmly enough but there is a reserve to her that were we truly back in the Summerlands might mean something else. Because there nearly everyone is playing some game.

Fiona asks for a tea that has roses in it. And when our hostess asks me if I like tea I very nearly ask for the same thing. It has been so long since I had any flowers from my Mother's garden. The roses used to be her favorite. They were never mine. But now I find myself longing for that familiar taste. I had never thought that I would miss anything of my mother's.

The door opens before I can say anything and Miss Wanda is off to greet the latest arrival. A tall red haired woman who carries a very familiar aura. Servant of the Winter Court. I hoped the lady sheriff would not be that one.

All nostalgia for home vanishes at her entrance. I must be careful now. For Fiona's sake more than mine. I take my seat at the table next to my goddaughter. Let her come to us.

Edited 2013-07-04 04:13 (UTC)

"Mab!" I say it just after Miss Wanda does. Oh, she looks unhappy too. Maybe tea will make her feel better? I go over to hug Mab, and start pulling her over to the table.

"Come meet my new friend. She's a friend of my mother's and she likes to be called Dana. This is Mab - she's the sheriff."

Something about them feels different from each other. I didn't notice it till they were both in the same place at the same time but it's there. Both Dana and Mab have the same familiar feeling, but Dana's is different than Mab's and I don't know exactly how. I hope that's not why they both look unhappy right now?

I hope they like each other! They're really both doing the same thing, because it's both of their jobs to keep me safe, so I hope that means that they'll like each other? Maybe?

I hug Wanda back automatically, "No more than yours, Dear," and it's certainly true. But I resolve to let her bustle me in and resolve to let her fuss as much as she'd like. I know well enough what a busy person needs to fill their helplessness sometimes.

Before I can manage to say anything else, Fiona is up and hugging me and who can really argue with that?
"Come meet my new friend. She's a friend of my mother's and she likes to be called Dana,"
Suddenly some of it makes sense, especially the signs around town that I've brushed off for weeks now. I inhale as we cross the room and the scent of Spring hits me. It makes sense that one of them would turn up eventually- I'd just hoped that Fiona would be stronger, older, more set and solid in herself first.

This one has no reason to trust me, but I owe it to Fiona to change that. There are few enough now who understand what she is, and she deserves the support that this Dana might be able to offer. I very carefully incline my head the correct angle and smile before I take my seat, "It is good to meet you Dana. Meeting any friend of Fiona's is a welcome treat."

I take comfort in Mab's hug for a moment. I won't cry now, maybe later. We'll laugh and cry together. "It's been a bitch of a week, that's for sure." I whisper to her, then give her up to Fiona.

I go back to my shelves to get the teas, and two thoughts occur to me at once. Firstly; there are a lot of red heads in this room. And secondly; the tension in this room skyrocketed without a single word.

For we all are caught in the middle,
of one long, treacherous riddle!
Can I trust you?
Should you trust me too?

The music dances through my head as I come back to our table with cups and set them in front of my guests. "I'll bring Rose down in a little bit," I say to Mab, she has not met her yet. "she's finishing up her nap. Dana, maybe you would like my strawberry cream tea?" I suggest getting Fiona her rose tea and refreshing mine. "And how have you been, Sweetling?" I ask Fiona, smiling. "I haven't seen you in a while, I've missed you." The urge to ask her to help me in the kitchen is strong, if only to get her from between the two... but everyone is being polite.

And my sword is just in the next room, just in case...

The two women embrace each other as friends and a sharp pang of loneliness enters my heart. I miss Feidelma so much. There is no one here who can replace her in my heart. Not her daughter, not her daughter's father. Not even my little mage...

As the sheriff crosses the room I gather my courage, this is going to be a bit like being at Court, with the two of us likely exchanging careful words and measuring each other to see how much we mean them. I incline my head in return and offer my own smile to those of the sheriff. I am glad for the light layer of Glamour I wear, just enough to seem mortal to those those who do not know better, though it only offers the thinnest layer of concealment for my expressions. Ah yes, we shall indeed play this by Courtly rules.

"It is good to meet one's friend's friends. Because then they might become your friends as well."

Though I do not think that it is likely that I could become friends with someone who would serve a member of the Winter Court. Miss Wanda places cups in front of all of us and makes a suggestion to me about the tea. I accept by telling her it sounds delicious. Even though mortals mostly seem to have forgotten the laws of hospitality, the presence of the teacups and the offers of food and drink are reassuring. If anyone else remembers them, it should be Winter's servant. And she would surely not wish to compromise her friend's honour.

I do not know who this Rose that our hostess mentions is but perhaps it is just as well that she is napping. One potentially tricky meeting at a time is hard enough. I do not envy the Queen or her heir all those diplomatic and clandestine meetings that seem to fill so much of their time.

I do approve of the way Miss Wanda has turned to ask Fiona how she has been, thus leaving the sheriff and myself free to conduct the necessary talks.

Edited 2013-07-04 21:32 (UTC)

Dana and Mab are looking at each other really hard, like maybe they're seeing other things besides what ordinary people would see. Or maybe they just don't like each other. How can they not like each other if they never met each other? Did they maybe know each other before? Oh, I wanted them to like each other!

Maybe I'll let them talk to each other for a little bit? Miss Wanda is asking me questions anyway. "I'm okay. School started again and I like it lots better this year." I lean in and whisper, "'Cause I get to sit next to Daniel!"

I think I do need to get Fiona out of the way, just for a few moments. at least out of earshot... or striking distance.

"Daniel, huh? Is he nice?" I ask, and smile over at both women. "Hey, I need to whip up some more cream, would you mind helping me in the kitchen for a minute? Then we can bring that out with the scones and have a proper tea party. Plus... I have a secret I need to tell you." I add with a conspiratorial wink and hold out my hand to her.

Never known the little girl that could resist a secret.

I mange an, "I'd like that," for Wanda, and try to lighten my expression for Fiona sake. She doesn't understand the automatic caution that Dana must also be feeling. When Wanda lures her away to the kitchen for a moment, I shoot her a grateful glance before I turn my full attention back.

"We'll only have a couple minutes before they come back. She's still young enough that her attention span wanders, but our Little One is quite tenacious. Especially when she's worried," I wish my diplomatic skills were better as I rest my hands flat on the table, "I know it isn't quite the thing to be blunt, especially in our set, but it's been one hell of a week. Even for Excolo."

Now that I'm closer, I can almost feel the shimmer of the glamour she must be wearing. I wonder how long she's been here- she must have been concealing herself well. Now I have to wonder how many times I felt her eyes on me, and shook it off as one of the other possibilities in Excolo. She must have known me as soon as she first saw me. My Lady's mark is not a subtle one.

"There is little in this world that I still care about, and she is a large part of what's left. I know that trying to convince you that I'm not a threat to you would probably be foolish, but if you believe anything, let it be that," obviously Fiona has taken to her. The best I can do is make a sort of truce before she decides to open hostilities. And maybe using a bit of directness will throw her off guard.

Wanda may not have any fae gifts but she can tell that there are things that the sheriff and I need to talk about and can guess that they involve Fiona. So it isn't that surprising that she arranges for her and my goddaughter to absent themselves for a few moments. And thus perhaps we might speak a little more freely.

Though perhaps I was not expecting the to speak quite so freely as that. I have not so much experience with those of the Winter Court but perhaps this is more of a human trait. My little mage often speaks so. And it could just be that she means to use it as a tactic to distract me. To get me to lower my guard around her. Still, perhaps I can use this directness of manner to turn the table and make the best use of our limited time.

Smile over at the direct vassal of the Winter Queen, "That is all well and good as far as your personal stake in the welfare of my goddaughter goes; but I must ask about your Patron's interests in her."

Not that I expect to get a straight answer, though I might with this one, but let's see what she does with this information.

"Daniel, huh? Is he nice?"

"Uh-huh!" I whisper, grinning at Miss Wanda. "He's really nice. And he's handsome. He's got really blue eyes and freckles all over his nose."

"Hey, I need to whip up some more cream, would you mind helping me in the kitchen for a minute? Then we can bring that out with the scones and have a proper tea party. Plus... I have a secret I need to tell you."

I take Miss Wanda's hand and follow her into the kitchen, waving at Mab and Dana with my other hand. They look really serious, but they don't look as mad as they did before, I guess?

I like that Miss Wanda's letting me do more in the kitchen! It's different from when I cook in the kitchen at home - it's a bigger kitchen so it feels more important. It feels like I have a job!

As soon as the door closes behind us I ask, "What's the secret?"

"That is all well and good as far as your personal stake in the welfare of my goddaughter goes; but I must ask about your Patron's interests in her."

Return her smile and I try to make it seem genuine, really I do . If only for Fiona's sake, "I could ask you something similar," I lean back and cross my legs under the table. Might as well be comfortable, "I can say this, My Lady does take a mild interest in all the children like the Little One that she knows of. But, we didn't know about her when I came to Excolo. My only assignment regarding her is to keep her as safe as possible here. It was my own decision to pass on a bit of general knowledge. I've seen what happens when puberty takes one like her unawares."

Oh yes in spite of the directness of our conversation this is still very much similar to the sort of conversations one has at Court; complete with smiles that those wearing them do not fully mean.

I could ask you something similar.

Ah. But I notice she is not directly asking me that question! And so the directness may well have been a ploy. Should I give her an answer?

My only assignment regarding her is to keep her as safe as possible here. It was my own decision to pass on a bit of general knowledge. I've seen what happens when puberty takes one like her unawares.

I straighten up a bit in my chair so that I can look down at her slouching form. "How fortunate then, that she shall not have to face that alone."

I look the sheriff up and down. And wonder if she speaks from experience. She looks capable enough as a warrior. So I might leave the majority of Fiona's physical defense to her. If I dared.

"In this matter I answer first to the child's mother, rather than my liege. Her instructions were to treat her daughter as if she was my own."

There should be no need for me to mention that I have sworn it to Feidelma by the four sacred woods, and by the two queens of faerie and even the Summerlands in which we stood that very evening when I uttered my oath.

Now that is big news. There's plenty of stories about Fairie Godmothers, but they are actually very rare. And for Dana to have been asked that and accepted the charge....

"You must have been very close," I say it with no spite. Fiona's mother is likely dead, or might as well be if Dana is here now,, "So what's the plan then? Excolo's not the worst place for a special child to grow up- everyone else is weird enough she's damn near normal. And here she has a good support network- you can't go 10 paces down Main Street without meeting someone who cares about her. Not to mention the father."

Cock my head and look at her. Really look, "And what about you? We're a long way from home, and you had to have come the hard way. You planning on staying here with her?"

You must have been very close The sheriff says, and I lower my eyes so that she cannot see how those words affect me. For we were, closer than ever I was with Orlaith; who was my elder by some two centuries or so.

So what's the plan then? Excolo's not the worst place for a special child to grow up- everyone else is weird enough she's damn near normal. And here she has a good support network- you can't go 10 paces down Main Street without meeting someone who cares about her. Not to mention the father.

Ah yes, Adonis. Such a fitting name for him to use. Smile a little at her mention of him. I raise my eyes to meet hers when I feel the intensity of her gaze sharpen and do my best to resist the urge to tighten up my glamour. The glamour is fine.

And what about you? We're a long way from home, and you had to have come the hard way. You planning on staying here with her?

"Of course." Shrug one shoulder lightly. "How else could I do my task?"

And I have no wish to mention to Winter's servant that it would not be in my or Fiona's best interests to return to Faerie at this time.

I do not even have time to turn towards the icebox to get the cream when Fiona is already bouncing on her heels. "What's the secret?"

I laugh a little again, and swing her up to sit on a stool. Now we are eye level.

"Well, your pony, Sparkle? I know who gave her to you." I inform her with a sly grin, and turn towards the icebox to start gathering ingredients. I don't think he'd mind me telling her now.

Miss Wanda can still pick me up, but only 'cause she's really strong. She swings me up onto a stool and starts working.

And she says the secret is about Sparkle! I don't get to ride Sparkle too much at a time 'cause she's got horseshoes now and it makes me feel itchy when I ride her, but I still like braiding her mane and brushing her and taking care of her. She's the best pony ever!

"Who? Did you?" I bounce off the stool where Miss Wanda put me and go over to her. "Who was it?"

I've retrieved the whipping cream and the sour cream, all we need is the sugar---

"Who? Did you?" She's up and off the stool and next to me again. "Who was it?"

Feel my throat close up a little even as I smile and fetch the powdered sugar down from the cabinet. "Doctor Constantine did, sweetling." I manage to say without crying or tripping over the words. "You were having such a rough summer last year, and he wanted to do something nice to make you smile..." And he did. "He hid and waited to see your face when you saw her. He told me how happy you were, and swore me to secrecy." I inform her as I hand her the whisk and start putting the ingredients together in a bowl.

I gasp. "It was the doctor? Really?" I think my mouth is still open even though I'm grinning at Miss Wanda because I'm so surprised. "That was nice! It was the best present ever! The best!" I bounce down from the stool and take the whisk from Miss Wanda. Don't whisk too hard or it'll make everything fly all over! "Does he still want it to be a secret? I won't tell him that you told if you don't want me to."

She is so happy that I could weep. Lucien, damn you. You should have been here to see this. I hope you still can, wherever that path down the mountain and into the village led. I manage to discretely dab at the corner of my eyes as Fiona whisks the cream.

"Does he still want it to be a secret? I won't tell him that you told if you don't want me to."

Oh. Oh. She does not know, and why should she? We all try so hard to make her world a happy and a lovely one, how dare death come and sully it.

I very gently coax the whisk from her hand and set the bowl to the side.

"Fiona..." Give her a watery smile as I kneel down and take her hands. "I told you that because... a bunch of us went to the Abbey to help Nanshe end the bad dreams that everyone was having. Lucien as well and ..." I take a deep breath. "Lucien died, sweetling. That's why I am so sad today. I miss him very much, and I thought telling you and seeing how happy he made you would help cheer me up. And it did." I assure her, giving her hands a quick squeeze.

Miss Wanda takes the whisk out of my hand and…uh-oh. Grownups never look like that unless something is wrong. What's wrong?

"He died?" I blink. "He died?" I stop talking 'cause I don't know what else I can say. He gave me Sparkle but he…died? I was just all happy and now….I'm not. "I - I'm sorry?" I blink, and hold onto Miss Wanda's hands really tight. And then I stop holding her hands and hug her really hard, because she looks so so sad.

I'm sad too. And I don't know what to do about it.

"Oh sweetling, it's alright," I assure her as I hug her back. "He died to help and save a great many people." Somehow knowing that makes his passing a little less painful. Not much, but some.

Take a deep breath and kiss her cheek and stand up.

"Alright pixie girl, I told you my secret. Now lets get this cream and scones out to your guests." I get a plate ready, and hand it to her. "You take that out while I check on Rose, okay?" I hold open the curtain and clear my throat loudly so they know she is coming back out.

"Oh sweetling, it's alright," I assure her as I hug her back. "He died to help and save a great many people."

"No it's not!" I know I'm not supposed to talk back to grownups because it's not right, and it's not nice to do it either when Miss Wanda's sad, but it's not all right! The doctor died!

I sniffle and gulp and try not to make Miss Wanda any more sad than she already is, and I keep hugging her, too, till she pulls away.

"Alright pixie girl, I told you my secret. Now lets get this cream and scones out to your guests." I get a plate ready, and hand it to her. "You take that out while I check on Rose, okay?"

"Um. Okay?" I take the plate 'cause if I didn't it would drop, and sniffle again. I guess I have to take it out? So I go sideways around Miss Wanda, out into the room, even though I'm still sniffling.

I'm so out of practice reading True Fae, it's pathetic. If she was a halfling, I'd be able to wiggle it out of her, but for now I can only tell that there's more to why she doesn't want to return than a fondness for Fiona. For now though, that'll suffice. I can always work out the details later.

"Well," I smile again and half of a laugh slips out with it, "I suppose that'll have to do for now. A truce then? Regardless of our backgrounds, we'll both be in a stronger situation here with the other's support than if we're working at cross purposes."

The sheriff smiles then, a real one, and sort of laughs. I suppose that'll have to do for now. A truce then? Regardless of our backgrounds, we'll both be in a stronger situation here with the other's support than if we're working at cross purposes.

I incline my head. "I will agree to a truce for the sole purpose of the welfare of our mutual charge."

A truce does not mean an alliance. Though it may lead to one. As anything that happens in this town may affect Fiona's welfare. And neither of us will let her come to harm.

Just at that moment the curtain in front of the kitchen opens and I hear Miss Wanda clear her throat.

"Exactly that. Fantastic," We're just about to seal it when I hear Wanda, and then Fiona comes out of the kitchen holding a plate. And doing her best to contain the sniffles.

It suddenly dawns on me that she might not have heard about Lucien yet. Lucien who was essentially a favorite uncle.

I turn to her and smile, hoping that she'll bring it up if she needs to, "Hey Kiddo, everything alright back there? We were just getting better acquainted out here."

I give Mab a watery smile over Fiona's head, and I can tell the tension in the room has decreased somewhat. Thank gods, a fight over Fiona is the last thing I need today.

"I hear Rose fussing, she's my daughter," I add in clarification for Dana. "I'll be right back down. Fiona, would you serve the scones for me? Oh, and.., uh, Mab? I need to fill you in on something that Rose did." Guess I should let her know Excolo has a new resident that may resemble Rose's father in almost every way. "Be right back." I promise and head quickly up the stairs.

It seems the sheriff and I are in agreement. Excellent. I smile across the table at the lady sheriff. This went far better than I expected and it seems Fiona is returning to us with the promised food. So we can all break bread together.

Except that something is wrong. I stiffen in my seat as I take in my goddaughter's sniffles and sad face. I look over to miss Wanda who is giving us a pale and wobbly version of her smile. I narrow my eyes at her. What happened in that other room? What did you do or say to cause my goddaughter such sorrow?

The sheriff asks if everything is alright, which it obviously is not. Miss Wanda makes an excuse about checking on Rose, who she explains is her daughter and makes her escape from us after directing Fiona to take over as hostess. She also mentions that there is something she needs to tell the sheriff but not me. Could she not have waited on that til after I had left?

I will hold my tongue while we are in her house, but I do not think I like Miss Wanda nearly as much as Fiona's description of her had led me to believe I would. Perhaps I should have taken more note of the way she reminded me of the Court.

"Hey Kiddo, everything alright back there? We were just getting better acquainted out here."

No, everything isn't all right! But I don't know if Miss Wanda wants me to say that! But Dana looks angry like she's going to yell at Miss Wanda and yes I'm sad but it's not Miss Wanda's fault. She just told me about Lucien but she didn't make it happen!

"Um. Miss Wanda told me something sad. But it's not her fault?" Maybe that will help. "And she asked me to give you scones?" I hold out the plate hopefully.

"Um. Miss Wanda told me something sad. But it's not her fault? And she asked me to give you scones?"
I snag a scone and gesture Dana to the plate before Fiona can put it down. Take in Fiona's sniffle and wide eyes, "Did Wanda just tell you about the Doctor?" It still hasn't really sunk in for me. Maybe it will tonight, but for now it just seems like I just haven't seen him in a few days. Not strange or odd at all, "It's a horribly sad thing."

Rose is already sitting up and patiently waiting for me. "I guess you head that we have company," I sigh, going into the drawer with all her little dresses to find something to wear. I pull out a pretty sage coloured dress that instantly turns purple (http://www.babydiscovery.us/product_images/s/821/2601002e__62671_zoom.jpg) as soon as I turn towards her. We blink at each other for a moment, then with another resigned sigh, I get her dressed and head downstairs.

"Sorry about that, are the scones okay?" I ask quietly stepping back into the tearoom with my daughter. She looks all around in absolute wonder, and I can only imagine what she see's that I cannot. "Say hello to our guests, little Miss."

Edited 2013-07-09 00:30 (UTC)

I let my frown soften as Fiona tells me it's not our hostess fault and I take one of scones when she holds the plate out towards me. The sheriff already has one and her words to Fiona asking if it was news of the doctor that upset her lets me guess what may be the matter. Death comes seldom to those of the fae, and is most often violent or gruesome. I did not know the doctor but many in town did. I incline my head respectfully as he murmurs that it is sad and horrible. And it reminds me of how dangerous these Iron Lands can be.

I do not feel any hunger now that death has been mentioned however indirectly, but I bite into the scone anyway. It tastes very good.

Our hostess chooses that moment to return carrying an infant dressed all in shades of purple and lavender.I have not seen many infants, especially not human ones, so I look at this one curiously.

"Uh-huh," I say to Mab, really quiet. "She says it's okay but it's not."

Miss Wanda comes back then, and she's got the baby with her. I think the baby made her dress purple, 'cause it feels like it does when I change my clothes' colors sometimes. "Hi, Rose." Miss Wanda says that she can understand me, even though she's just a baby, so I always talk to her. It's not Rose's fault that there's something wrong with her, but it makes me sad when I see that she's all dark inside. I smile at Rose 'cause she's cute, but I still don't feel happy.

"Uh-huh, she says it's okay but it's not."
I reach out and squeeze her shoulder and lean in towards her a bit, "It's not okay, and it's not fair. But it's left to us to keep going. We can talk about later, for now though we have to keep up for Wanda, eh?"

Speaking of, she's back down quicker than I expected. Rose must be an easy baby, "And this must be the famous Rose I've heard so much about," I reach a hand toward her and Wanda. She's a baby, yes, but her eyes are older and I know that she understands every word we say. But my skin isn't crawling, so I suppose she isn't entirely her father's daughter.

Dana remains polite, but is certainly interested in Rose. Fiona says hello, but she is still so very unsure of her. Mab, on the other hand, is all smiles.

"And this must be the famous Rose I've heard so much about,"

I beam at Mab and offer up my little imp to her. "This is, the one and only." I laugh as I kiss her head. "Rose, this is Mab, now be nice and no pulling her hair." I chide Rose good naturedly. "Dana, this is my daughter, Rose. Unofficial greeter of the Dormouse." Look back to my pixie girl and give her a wink as I sweep her up and set her down on my lap once I sit down myself.

"Now Fiona, is Daniel older than you, or about the same age?" I ask as I reach over to slather a scone with cream for her. "And I'm sorry I made you sad, Pumpkin." I add in a softer tone as I kiss her hair as well. "A friend of mine passed away a few days ago," I offer to Dana in explanation. "We were close. He was the one that gave Fiona her pony, as a surprise." Manage to smile at that.

There is something dark and powerful and a little bit familiar about this child. I cannot place the feel only know that I have felt something like it before and recently too. So. Wanda's daughter is not entirely human.

Mab seems happy enough to reach out as if asking to hold the babe. Wanda seem happy enough to let her. Introducing the sheriff to her daughter and her to me before turning back to continue her earlier conversation with my goddaughter.

I rise from my seat and move closer to the sheriff and baby. maybe when I am closer I will get a better feel for the kind of power Rose has and thus might remember what it reminds me of. "Greetings, Rose, Daughter of Wanda," I say.

Though I do turn round when Wanda offers me a quick explanation for earlier, saying that the man who died was a close friend of hers and had given Fiona her pony, Sparkle. I incline my head to her and murmur a few words of condolence. I feel a bit awkward about that. My people are not in the habit of dying and so we have little knowledge of the proper things to say or do. Too often we pretend it does not happen. That the deceased is merely somewhere else. Or we pretend they did not exist because it is too painful to contemplate the idea of one of us not being any more.

I am perhaps a bit guilty of that myself. I am not quite able to think of Feidelma as dead, though she likely is. If what she feared came to pass.

Edited 2013-07-10 01:51 (UTC)

"It's not okay, and it's not fair. But it's left to us to keep going. We can talk about later, for now though we have to keep up for Wanda, eh?"

I put down the plate so I can give Mab a hug. It feels good and safe when she hugs me, and I'm still sad, but I feel a little better. "Uh-huh," I agree. It comes out a little squished-sounding 'cause my face is still in Mab's shoulder. I stay that way for another second, until Miss Wanda starts talking about other things.

And then Miss Wanda pulls me in to sit on her lap, and it's nice when she hugs me, too. "It's okay," I say, hugging her back. "It wasn't your fault. And. Um. Daniel's two months older. Two months and three days." She was right - that makes me happier when I think about it. A little.

"Rose, this is Mab, now be nice and no pulling her hair,"
I sit Rose on my lap, and reach for the jam with my free hand. I do notice that my nose is tingling a bit like I have to sneeze. That added to Fiona's glance at Rose's dress leads me to believe that she's done something to it. I'm not feeling ill though, so she isn't manipulating her environment the way her Father does. Which is good, I'm sure that what's natural to one like him could become laziness in a child who also has mortal blood.

"Ah, I'm not worried. We're going to be great friends, aren't we Rose?" Dana's leaning in closer to offer her own greetings, and I take the opportunity to slather the jam on my scone, "Who's Daniel?"

Mab does not seem put off or affected by Rose, and Dana leans over to greet her as my darling Fiona hugs me back. All is well in my little corner of the world for the moment, and I am glad when the conversation turns back to the beguiling Daniel. And she must like him for she has the age difference down to the day.

Rose is glad for the company, and she babbles away in my head about shining and sparkling as Fiona speaks of ponies and boys, and maybe I don't know much more about Dana, but it's obvious she cares about Fiona as much as Mab and I do, so she is alright in my eyes.

And I could do much worse today than to spend a afternoon with pleasant company in light conversation....

I think that people who can't believe in fairies aren't worth knowing. ~Tori Amos

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