To Court the Fairies (Graded)

[Aegis]

Cylus 16, 719

It appeared in the early morning hours of the 16th, with the moons high in the sky. No one saw it appear, though it seemed that it just popped up, two hours north of the spear gate, just off the eastern side of the worn down dirt road that led to the Cut. It was a fairy ring, pure white in color, made up of dozens of mushrooms, all five to six meters tall, tall enough to allow even the tallest person to stand beneath their fungal cover. The ring was twenty to thirty meters wide.

It's discovery in the wee hours of the morning caused a hubbub in Yaralon. The Yari are an ever superstitious people after all. Nothing could happen that wasn't interpreted as a sign of doom or a sign of prosperity to come. One could throw a rock and have it hit something sacred in Yaralon. And this Fairy Ring was keeping many a normally curious Yari away. But perhaps that was simply because it was terribly cold in the morning, and many Yari would rather stay in their homes or favorite taverns around a fire. Or perhaps it was simply recovering from the recent windstorm and not having a day filled with the strange and dangerous that only Yaralon can provide.

So for those that did not allow their curiosity to be stifled, they'd find the whole area quite unoccupied. The tall grasses that were normally vibrant in the wetter seasons were starting to droop from the cold. Outside of the fairy ring, the grasses stood two meters tall, but within it, there were merely a foot tall. On the eight hour of the day, when the sun might normally rise in other seasons, every stone began to float within the ring. The grasses outside of it stood tall, leaning toward the ring.

With a flash of what could only be described as bright darkness, she appeared. She stood in the middle of the ring, looking at the new arrivals with a worried smile on her face. "Welcome friends. I am Purple. And I hope to make your dearest friendship. We have to attend court soon, so first, you must tell me why it is you come with me." She would wait, to allow all to give their replies before she would give any of her own.

!	Message from: Aegis
	Hello! This is open to anyone. However, this first round is a test, and there is a very real possibility of failure. Enjoy. P.S. indicate whether you're a Dreamwalker, Jesine/Kielik MB or Marked in your post, have met fairies in the past (with links), or met Jesine or Kielik in the past.

[Rabu]

Rumours of something called a “fairy ring” began circling around Yaralon in hushed whispers and they captured Rabu’s interest like a moth to the flame. Rabu asked as many of the city folk as he could about it and nearly all of them told him to leave it be, This of course was not possible for the Mortal born of mystery. Eventually he was able to ease drop on a conversation some travellers were having and they revealed its whereabouts. Rabu got in his cart and began his journey to the mysterious Fairy ring, he wore a wide smile on his face as he brimmed with excitement at the possibility of seeing a fairy. The Tunawa had always hoped he would one day meet a fairy, his mother always put him to bed reading stories about the strange emean creatures and their strange and mysterious ways.

Rabu felt like he’d been on his cart for an eternity when he finally spotted the tall white mushroom pillars in the distance. he began shaking with clenched fists as the excitement took over his body. He urged his donkey Gogo to go faster and they did, just not very much as Gogo liked to take its time. They finally got there and Rabu feed the donkey a carrot as a reward for its trouble and practically dove over to the fairy ring. There was a very small gathering of people there but not nearly as much as he would expect for such an occasion. He was shaking and his cheeks were hurting from extended grinning as he stood in front of the fairy ring wondering if he should jump in. Before he could decide, an etherial creature appeared into existence like a fine mist. She took the shape of a young women of violet hue, with stunning otherworldly wings. Her name was Purple and she wanted to be friends, which was music to Rabu’s ears. She asked why he and by extension the other people were here and Rabu was more than happy to share his answer.

“My name be Rabu, Came for seeing fairy in hope of being deh friend…Also purple Rabu’s most favourite of colour.” Rabu smiled a warm inviting smile and put his arms out for a hug but quickly changed it to an outstretched hand when it was clear he was too big for fairy hugs.

► Show Spoiler

Rabu doesn't have dream walking, a mark from the dream twins or has ever met a fairy

[Mastemyr]

Cylus 16, 719

The face of the hunter emerged from the grass first, a look of wild unpredictability in his gold eyes. He wore a smile of sharpened teeth, long and wide, neck craning to look up and into the enormous mushroom caps that towered overhead. Prowling forward, he stood at the edge as he heard the voice of the first fairy, followed by Rabu. The fast little stick that craved his teeth. He remembered.

“Friendship?” he had plucked a few pieces of grass, chomping down on the foliage, partially hidden behind one of the stalks, “I can be friendly too,” Mastemyr was still grinning, in an unsettling sort of way. His hair was black, but many of the strands were streaked with white. A change to his past appearance, it seemed his body was responding to the uncharacteristic frost that had been plaguing Yaralon; even his skin had begun to hold undertones of frosty blues, “Sometimes? Maybe?” The man shook his head vigorously, righting his thoughts until the pressure behind his eyes subsided, “I don’t remember.”

He resettled his eyes on Purple, unable to stop the dark thought of instinct that pervaded his thoughts. 'What might those lovely wings taste like?’ he wondered. Mastemyr hugged the mushroom, still gnawing greedily away on the tall grass, rubbing his cheek against his circle’s barrier. “Mmmm, smells like magic, magic, magic.” Mastemyr leaned back and pressed his face repeatedly against the mushroom, exchanging smells while a great purr rumbled in his chest, “No,” he reared back, nostrils flaring as he sniffed the air, “No…" His voice picked up a strong determination, "No. It smells like home. The other home. The second, not the first.” Not the third. The one in his dreams.

He smiled again. It had been some time since the Mortalborn had seen a fairy. They were evasive little creatures by nature, often tied to Emea and he rarely witnessed them in the waking world or otherwise. Someone - who? - had taken him to meet some in ages long gone. His memory was foggy and a great seriousness seized him as he tried to remember the silhouette of woman from his past. Sleepy. Beautiful. She had mattered to him. His… mate? No? Who? Who? Who?

“Jesnine,” he finally whispered. The name came back in sharpening clarity and the madness in his eyes cleared for a tic, “Is she well?” He stared at the face of Purple, searching for the answer as a hopeful man in perfect mind, and then the facade shattered and his mind was broken once more.

Mastemyr pulled back into safety of the grass to hide himself, the drooping tops whispering back and forth as he crept around the fairy circle in the tall grass, looking at more signs of the winter court. “I just want to listen, listen, listen. I will be good.” A good little kitty cat. The grass stopped moving as he settled in the overgrowth, “Then can we be friends?"

The Mortalborn began to chuckle.

Mastemyr does posess dream walking, received by Jesnine herself, as the two have a history of an on again, off again relationship.

[Cervantez]

☠ Cylus 16th, 719 ☠

☠ Mood: Curious
☠ Current Thought: Lets explore
☠ Current Theme: Bury Me Low
☠ Attire: Masterwork Armor

☠ Cervantez enjoying a drink at one of the smoking dens near Spear Gate, unwind and relax as the cold of Cylus always got him tense. Amidst his drinking, he found many people were going on about a weird thing that seemed to be happening around this time. A brow raised in curiosity as he tuned out most of the chatter around him in order to try and discern what all the hubbub was about.

It was no easy task, as he only caught bits and pieces of the thick yari dialect being used. It seemed something called a fairy ring had appeared near the gate, and many were worried it could be a bad omen. Some thought it to be a good sign, as a sign of a good harvest.

The den was buzzing with theories and ideas of what it could be, and why the phenomenon was occurring. The necromantic researcher felt there was no better way to understand it was to explore it first hand. Finishing his drink, he fixed his weapon strapped to his back and left for the ring.

After a journey, he saw it, the field of tall mushrooms and grass all in a ring-like circle. He wasn't the only one to come to the ring, as he saw two other figures there as well. Looking around it seemed the area was unlike the rest of the natural landscape as well. The grass seemed to be abnormally tall, and the mushrooms towered over those present.

Then came a flash of odd light and with it, a figure with wings. He noted the look on her face and listened to the words spoken by the odd creature.

"I wish to understand you, and possibly share knowledge between our people."

he said in his mother's native tongue, finding it to be the more polite of his known tongues. ☠

"Common Speech"

"Xantheon Speech"

Off Topic

Cervantez doesnt have either dream MB mark or Dreamwalking

[Thysbae]

Bae was nothing, if not a bundle of curiosity. Huyr had let him walk out that door with only a warning, preferring to stay indoors and out of the way of something mystical. Just don't die, kid. It seemed she thought highly of him, was how Thysbae had interpreted it. The grin on his face hurt a bit more than if he'd been holding it for a while, the cold nipping at his cheeks and seeping into his mouth. Too painful to bear, he wrapped the scarf around his neck high enough that it would come up to his lips. A present, of sorts, from the woman who was supposed to be watching him. No work these trials, so he was free to do much.

Which was why he even had time to wander out to the ring. It was the tall grass that gave him pause. Much higher than he head, he gazed at the tops of them before trekking on. Rustling filled the air around him, an alert to others present. Fearful for a moment, he froze. What else was in the grass with him? The trill of terror passed quickly as voices floated towards him. He pressed on, determined to at least make it back to other people. He wouldn't last long on his own, He didn't think.

He stumbled forward as the grass decreased in height. Now it was much shorter and easier to manage. There wasn't much that he could say to the people now crowded in the ring with floating rocks. Floating rocks. They were enough to capture his attention for a moment before he caught the words being spoken. The fairy - Purple - wants to be friends. That could be easy enough. Taking another tentative step forward, he paused.

The last time he had spoken in a public manner, it had not turned out well. Bae wasn't the public speaker, the one capable of moving a crowd. But it was supposed to be a question answered sincerely and he thought he could manage that.

"I just wanna know what court is." Sincere, truthful. That was part of how friendships were solidified, right?

Off Topic

No marks or dreamwalking!

Speech | Thought

[Praetorum]

Praetorum had only just gotten back to the city, and already there seemed to be some new thread around the place. Nothing was ever quiet in Yaralon, it seemed.

This was a bad idea, really. He was already injured from his stay in Maiden's Refuge; he should be at home resting up and sleeping. Instead, he was trudging up the road north from Yaralon, armed only with his scythe and crossbow. His arm was still too weak for him to use his tower shield, and he'd been very firmly told not to use that arm until it healed. How much use he'd be if this fairy ring turned out to be a danger to the city, he didn't know, but he'd be damned if he just sat back and did nothing.

The fairy ring itself wasn't difficult to see; it was over twice his height, surrounded by grass and curious Yari and not much else. He'd always assumed mushroom rings would come in mushroom sizes, but this one was closer to the size of an arena than anything else. As he stepped up closer to the ring, head and shoulders above the grass, he spotted a flash of movement from within the circle.

Inside the circle, stones were beginning to float, while outside, the grass was beginning to bend. Or bow. He stopped, an arms length away from the mushrooms, watching warily as some sort of creature appeared, everything about her some shade of blue or violet. She didn't seem dangerous, and when she spoke, her tone and words were friendly, so he relaxed a little. Things in Yaralon were rarely as they appeared, but there was no sense in being needlessly suspicious or hostile.

"I'm Praetorum." He said when there was a lull in the introductions, dipping into a polite half bow. That was what you were supposed to do in courts, right? "People have been a bit worried about this—" he gestured at the fairy ring "—showing up so suddenly, so I'd like to come with you to confirm that you mean no harm to us."

Off Topic

No dreamwalking or dream marks or anything like that

[Nox Cross]

Another night, another job well done. Finding that fucker is no easy task. Good thing one of those piece of trash have info on that fucker’s whereabouts. Have to send the surveillance team to make sure it’s not another trap.

Nox wiped away the blood from his knife, he pushed the knife back into the hidden compartment in his outfit. As soon as he arrived back in Yaralon, he made his way to his favourite tavern. It seems like something had happened. He could see people talking in groups about something interesting. The Yari are a very superstitious people. This kind of atmosphere happens when something superstitious happens.

“It looks like something fun happened, the people are riled up. Sounds interesting don’t you think Nox? Play things, Nananananananananana. I want more playthings!” Lyn said to Nox

“Shut up Lyn, you already let your plaything hanged from the wall drained of all their blood.”

“They are a meanie, they said I smell bad even though they are the one that smells. Please, I promise I won’t destroy my plaything.”

“That’s what you always said Lyn, and you smelled bad. You reek of death.”

“Meanie!!! I’ll just play with you then,”

“Yeah, not going to happen. Fuck off!”

After putting two and two together he learned that some strange occurrence happened outside the northern gate of the city. He gathers his hunting party and off they went to see this strange occurrence. After traveling for a while, they arrived near the place of the strange occurrence. A white circle, with giant mushrooms surrounding it, it was magic-touched. The place differed from the natural surroundings. He ordered his hunting party to hold their ground while he approaches the circle. Several other people were already there. Then a flash of bright light, and a strange shining creature appeared in the circle’s middle.

Nox looked back to make sure that his men were still within eyeshot. After hearing the creature’s introduction Nox signaled his hunting party to stand down and go back into the city.

Nox replied to the creature in his native tongue as because he heard the creature talked in his native tongue.

“Hello there little one, my name is Nox. Friendship? Well, I know that friendship goes both way, although it seem selfish of me to ask for help first, but I have an appeal to ask of you and your friends in your court, I would like to spend a trial or maybe just several trills if possible with my mother. I haven’t got the chance to say goodbye to her.”

Off Topic

Nox does not have dreamwalking skills, not a Mortal Born of Jesine and Kielik and also not a marked of the two

[Kisaik]

Kisaik was in the middle of a daydream as he strode along the fields north of Yaralon, mounted upon his faithful friend, Slate. The cat seemed to be adjusting to life in Yaralon fairly well, all things considered. In retrospect, he could see why. This was the perfect place for a cat that loved to hunt. More than enough fist-sized critters to chase, and plenty of places to hide from those that were larger. Kisaik had seen other cats and things about as well. Nice black cats. He tried not to let his glances linger on those felines, though. Slate might get jealous.

Gwenum had sent him after some poisoned berries that grew north of the Spear Gate. They seemed to grow in the morning Cylus dew beneath the grasses, and of course they were highly poisonous. Kisaik had to sigh on remembering that little piece of information. Why were mortals so intent on feeding poison to each other? Didn’t anyone appreciate life anymore? Why was it that profit could only be had by evil, rather than virtue? He puzzled over these problems for a while, ever since arriving in Yaralon.

He settled on the idea that he would take up the lance, armor, and shield. He’d commissioned a few ten trials ago for some Masterwork weapons and armor. They were being forged right now to his specifications, but wouldn’t be ready for another four days or so. Even so, he continued to daydream, imagining himself sitting astride a barded Slate, shining in the moonlight as a knight of virtue.

He was so caught up in his daydream, that he barely noticed walking into a crowded fairy circle. He jumped slightly in the saddle of Slate, nearly falling off.


The fairy at the center seemed to address all of them, and Kisaik bowed in his saddle, lowering his arm by way of deference to the spirit before him. He spoke the following, in Xanthean, ”Fair one! Purple! I would very much like to help you make our dearest friendship, and freely declare it before all the court. I have come with the most troubling puzzle that has haunted me lately: How do we make the world better, when evil returns success and virtue returns failure?”

OOC

Kisaik is not marked by Jesine or Kielik, nor any other Immortal as of this posting. Hasn't got Dreamwalking. Has never met a fairy. Hasn't met Kielik or Jesine.

[Aegis]

Purple was listening, even if her actions were showing anything but. She hadn't looked at a single one of the people speaking, instead, she was crouched down in the grass, muttering at something. It turned out to be a circle of ladybugs, as though they were talking amongst themselves. Once the last person spoke to Purple, she stood up, smiling, turning back to them. She walked softly upon the ground, growing in size to match Rabu's height, approaching him first.

She pushed herself into his arms, whispering in his ear, "Rabu is my new favorite color." And with that, Rabu disappeared. Purple fluttered her wings, flitting over to Kisaik, having shrunk down to his size in the process. In Xanthean, "By never giving up!" She then leaned forward, planting a kiss upon the wooden lips, before Kisaik also disappeared.

Then she walked toward Mastemyr, each step growing her bigger, until she matched his height as well. Hearing Mastemyr laugh sent purple into her own fit of mirth, and she began laughing deeply, occasionally snorting, before she fell to the ground in her fit. After an uncomfortably long time, she looked up at Mastemyr, "She's not so well, but do not fret. She told me to take extra special care of you. So I shall." With a wink, Mastemyr disappeared as well.

She picked herself up, walking over to Praetorum, yet again, growing, now reaching his massive height. An aura of deep reddish-purple formed around her, "You dare to treat me as a Fairy Queen? Then you insult me by suggesting I bring harm?" Quick as a snake, her hand slapped Praetorum across the face, and he too disappeared.

The aura disappeared, shrinking as she walked toward Thysbae, "Court is where all the Fairy Kings and Queens and their broods go to discuss business concerning us all." She nodded at Thysbae, and he disappeared. She turned toward Cervantez, "And so you shall." She snapped her fingers and he was gone.

She flitted toward Nox, the last of them, "Who is your mother? Why do you come here if you wish to be with her?" She reached out and grabbed his hand, bringing it to her heart, as a tear of purple trailed down her face, "I see. I shall." She brought his hand to her lips, where she lightly bit one knuckle, and they both disappeared.



Rabu, Nox, and Kisaik would find themselves standing in a forest of blue, surrounded by glowing fairies, all smiling at them. A woman flitted toward them, roughly Kisaek's size, "Welcome friends. I am Queen Cerulean. I am glad you have arrived, just in time. We go to court soon. Come come, follow me." She flitted through the forest, as the other fairies flitted around the three new arrivals, occasionally touching at them, not with any intention of harm or pain, but merely in curiosity.

"You've met my daughter, a good girl, even if a bit... normal." She led them into a small village, where the houses were all toadstools, mushrooms, and other fungi, all in shades of blue, the largest of which clearly being a castle. "Oh how rude of me!" A crinkle of her nose and Nox, Rabu, and Kisaik were all made the same size as a fairy, and were all given wings as well. "We must provide a gift for King Scarlet. But I know not what he wants. He spends so much time in the mortal world, he is a changed man. I know his heart is broken after his defeat in the wars, but if I can make him smile again, I know the world will be made right."

She flitted her way up into the castle, which was crawling with bugs and birds and butterflies, all blue of course. "What do Red Mortals like?" She looked directly at Nox with this question, as Rabu and Kisaik were clearly greens. "You have my kingdom at your disposal for this. What do you need from us?"



Cervantez and Thysbae would find themselves in a glorious hall, grown in a massive tree, decorated with plants that were not natural to Idalos. And the entire hall was empty, save for one woman, flitting towards them, "Ugh, Purple only sent me you two? That is clearly not enough!" She turned away from them in annoyance, flitting through a hallway, "Well are you coming? The Great Hall won't prepare itself."

As she passed doorways, she pointed at them, "Kitchens. Storage. Bunny room. Mystic Hall, don't go in there. Baths, oh a friend of yours is in there." Mastemyr would find himself in that moment waist deep in a hot bath, surrounded by naked fairies. "An honored guest!" She waved at Mastemyr, before moving onward. The fairies attending to him were asking him a million questions in their squeaky little voices, asking what the mortal world was like, why did he not have wings, what it was like bedding Jesine. And, of course, they attempted washed him, making him squeaky clean for Court.

"Door to the Blue Kingdom, Door to the Red Kingdom, Door to the Yellow Kingdom."

She stopped, turning toward them, before snapping her fingers, and a huge complement of fairies arrived out of nowhere. "You two are in charge. This is the first Court in many generations. Do not disappoint. Oh, and keep our honored guest happy. I must go get ready."

And with that, she was gone.



Meanwhile, Praetorum found himself in a cage with another man, same size as him. Their cage was surrounded by large cats. all of whom were staring at Praetorum and his companion hungrily. House cats. The fairy spoke, "First time? I can smell her on you." Praetorum would feel the bruising starting to form in the side of his face from the slap.

"Don't worry, they'll let us out after Court. They just don't want people causing problems. What's your name? I'm Inky." He sighed, "Shame we're in here though, first court in so long and I don't get to be there. Try and warn them about the demon invasion and lo and behold, toss me in a cage. Ridiculous." He shrugged, "I'm outta here once they set me free. Not gonna stick around to watch demons chew on my friends."

"How about you friend? What got you here?"

!	Message from: Aegis
	All of you get 5 OOC questions maximum you may ask me, through Discord or PM. This can be for details in your scene, plot insight, what-ifs, etc. BUT by asking them, you will be expected to include the answer in your posts. This is optional. Good luck.

[Mastemyr]

Mastemyr Kaidonis

》 Son of Aelig 《

Cylus 16th, 719

Purple shifted as she moved towards him, growing as large as any human and he grinned, the two falling a fit of laughter that fed on the mirth of each other. By the time they both grew quiet, his sides hurt and she grew somber to answer his question. Not well? Not well at all? The Mortalborn blinked, “Not good. Sick?” his mind wrestled with this news, trying to throw it to the wind while his sanity rebelled.

Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick.

Sick of me?

She told me to take extra special care of you.

“She speaks of me?” Memories of Jesnine were like a swirling fog in his mind, but this news made his chest produce a deep sound of satisfaction. They had been close. Mates? No. Yes? No? He missed her, and there was concern shown by the tension of his jaw. His purr rumbled against the earth when Purple looked into his gold eyes and winked.

Mastemyr’s body vanished instantly, the grass he had been holding floating to the ground as if he had never been there in the first place; Purple continued to make her rounds and the lean male dropped in a vat of water, his instincts kicking in as he thrashed in the unfamiliar tub. Feet brushing ground, he curled his toes and got his footing, pushing up so that he shot towards the surface. He gasped, deeply and loudly, dark hair now soaked and hanging over his eyes. Naked, he pushed back his mane, chest heaving in surprise as his attention darted around the room. Fairies without clothes sat upon the end of the tub and cheered at his arrival, doing little flips into the water to ride the waves.

“What?” He felt back in his mind, the pieces all in their puzzle, “Who-Where,” He wasn’t quite sure what to make of the new display in front of him, the colorful little creatures fluttering around with tiny rags towards him. Foreign flowers floated in the water and the smell was soothing despite the beating shock of his heart, “Where am I?”

One of them floated towards him and straddled his shoulder, “The Baths! We’re to prepare you for the Court. You are our honored guest!”

The water was waist deep even as he stood, and Mastemyr looked around at the walls, at the ornate arched doorway and reluctantly lowered himself back down as more began to swarm him, their high pitched voices almost a buzz to his ears. Their laugh was like the tinkling of bells, some swimming towards him, most flying. It was hard to decide who to answer first, “So many questions.”

In that moment, a woman with a bright disposition was moving in the hall, pausing to look in the room and wave. She had gold hair, and smiled. He looked up and lifted a hand to return the gesture, just as one of the fairies dipped beneath the water without warning and began scrubbing at his toes. He erupted in laughter and jerked, the fairy on his shoulder giving a squeak as she began to fall, but his hand caught her before she could hit the water. The others laughed and squealed in amusement as water sloshed around the pool, while the one by his feet began to enlarge and hold his leg in place. She rose with a frown and his laughter died quickly as her naked form rose from the water, “Why’d you try and kick me?”

“Accident,” he protested weakly, pushing himself further back in the pool, looking around at the water for any other rogue fairies, returning the one from his shoulder back where she had been sitting, “It… tickles, when you’re so small.”

“He wants us bigger!” a tiny voice proclaimed, and more of them began to enlarge, some of them continuing their interrogation, as they started scrubbing his back. Others began to lather up his hair and neck, “Why don’t you have wings?”

“What’s it like to bed Jesnine?”

“What’s the mortal world like?”

He struggled to answer them, “I wasn’t… born with wings? I can do other things.” His answer led to a dozen more questions, but he focused on the ones already requested of him, a collection of hands reaching for him, “And that’s personal.” He tensed under their touch, closing his eyes to stay focused and his resolve from wandering.

It had been a long time since he had slept with Jesnine. Best not to think of that with so many… bodies around him, “The mortal world is… different. Harder to understand. Harder to think.” Mastemyr’s mind was broken more often than whole in the real world. In Emea, he had more control over himself. Over his power. In Idalos, he was chained, plagued between the real and the imaginary. Here… everything was. Ever changing, but relevant.

Some of the fairies that had remained small began to clean under his nails, others trying to pry his mouth open to brush his teeth. He resisted this, afraid he wouldn’t be able to deny the urge to bite down, but they were persistent. He leaned his head back, mouth opening while their tiny hands polished his canines. One giggled, “His tongue is funny.” Mastemyr stuck his tongue out further, trying not to think of the tiny naked person balanced upon it, and sighed in acquiescence.

“Ka-buh” Careful. Or so he tried to say, looking at the door as every part of his was polished and primed. The fairy in his mouth fluttered its wings, tickling the roof of his palette, and he plucked it from his mouth and smacked his lips together to rid himself of the sensation, “No more of that,” he set the fairy in the water and took a deep breath, and dunked himself beneath the surface to rinse away the soaps.

When he arose, he shook out his hair, droplets spraying the pool and he grinned, “My turn to ask questions,” he resettled in the pool, scooping up the stray fairies that could still fit in his hand and lifting them so that he could see them up close. His sharp pupils dilated to pools of black as he regarded the little prey, “Hmm….Why is court being held again after so long?"

One of the fairies, a male of cerulean blue hung from his pointer finger and swung back and forth, little droplets of water falling from his pale wings, "It's been so long since the last war." His wings fluttered, and gave him the momentum he needed to let go and flip midair, dropping into the pond with little more than a tiny bloop.

"War? War with who?"

The mirth from the room seemed to still, a quiet tension lingering before one of the larger fairies, an earthy colored female pushing closer in the water to drag a washcloth across his chest. Her voice was deeper than he expected, like a lulling rain, "The demons, of course."

Demon? What was this word? Mastemyr quieted, considering this new discovery. He closed his eyes as they continued to work, leaning into their touch as they scratched behind his ear and washed his face, "How do you kill a demon?"

He did not open his eyes to see who answered next, "Normal ways work... but not so well... powers from Emea tend to work best.”

More soap was lathered on him and washed off, "...This is what is making Jesnine sick?"

"Yes, of course."

A deep guttural growl rolled from his throat and all hands pulled back immediately. Little voices stopped their talking and he dunked again without warning, pulling himself across the bottom of the bathing pool and rising by its rim. He was done with his bath and said as much by pulling himself up and sitting on its edge. Beside him a folded towel waited and he patted his face dry and then draped it across his lap. Jaw set, he leaned forward, flashes of his time with Jesnine rolling in his mind. Cats, on average, sleep sixteen to twenty breaks in a trial. His courtship with the slumbering woman had
been natural with so much time spent together, broken only by his commitment to his waking spouses. But now? He missed her, but to learn of this? What did these fairies mean by sickness?

Sickness of the body?

A dread settled into his stomach, the panicked sensation stirring his thoughts, tempting words to catch on his consciousness.

Or sickness of the mind?

Sick. Sick. Sick.

The mortal born sighed, idly scratching one of the silver scars that dipped beneath his collarbone. He rolled his shoulder where the new injury still sat from the undead attack, puckered and sore. The pain drew back his focus, but he scratched harder, and remembered to dry himself off. Jesnine was supposed to be the stable one between the two of them!

Mastemyr's skin began to blacken, his body growing larger. The pain that cursed him in the waking world was nothing but a low ache from disuse of his power in Emea, and he spoke with authority. His words lingered with solemn resolution as he tugged on a pair of pants laid out for him. He knew what side he would take, should push come to shove, "What is expected of me, during court?" He needed more information... And why bring it to Yaralon?

"To represent mortals, of course."

He nodded and rolled over with a jerk of his head, the shimmer of a mirage washing across his body, from the tips of his fingers down to his toes, each part changing as he drew in his power. As he shifted, a massive black panther with saber teeth took his place. Shaking away the remainder of the water, he huffed and began prowling towards the hallway.

All questions asked!