This fairy, by sheer innocence, was getting her more flustered than she demeed possible.

"What? No! Don't... Don't get things mixed up."

It was all embarrassing enough already without mixing the stories up.

"I'm talking about the... knight. It has been a couple of years since I left court and came to live here. I was the one who left. That is a story that is over and done with. Now... Zak is... a friend"

She was blushing again. What was wrong with her?

"We met during the championship. Went out a couple of times. He is nice. As... you might have noticed."

Elrodan shrink back into his seat and kept eating. "Ok sorry." he said, her flustered response clearly showing he'd gone too astray and beyond comfort or some other issue.

"Zak is nice though. And you've gone out a few times? Ooo. So, maybe he may be seen around here at some point?" he says with a cheeky smile.

He was happy for kamille, it sounded like she'd had a rough time and the issue with the Knight had set her back. "It's better seeing that smile. Can I have more of the stew please? Then tell me about new other fun things of this place? I know it's an island but must have some goings on right?" 

Elrodan was like a splash of cool water, like a gust of fresh air. He was so positive she couldn't help but smile.

"I wouldn't count on that, no. I'm even surprised he's around... I thought I wouldn't see him for quite a while....

Despite enjoying her time with Zak, she never nurtured any hopes of if being more than a pleasant encounter. Now that he was apprentice of her old friend, Serra, perhaps there would be other opportunities to meet. But still...

She still felt hopeless about this aspect in her life. So much so, she'd rather hope for nothing at all.

She stood up and went to grab another portion of the stew for Elrodan.

"The forests around here are beautiful and full of secrets. I can show you around if you got the time, in the morning. It's worth it. But this reminds me... Did you not face any kind of trouble to arrive here?"

She seemed equal parts worried and surprised.

"Oh.. oh. Hmm" He'd possibly taken the wrong end of the stick and then imagined so much more.

The offer was perfect, how could he refuse. "beautiful forest with beautiful company, throw in a handful of secrets and you've got me hooked!" he stood up hands on the back of the chair as he peered over. "I'll not get much sleep tonight now. Ooo hehe! I'm so excited already." he fluttered his wings and nearly bounced with joy.

Calming down he then continued with answering "Trouble? What kind of trouble? No... Everyone who I asked seemed to know you and were very helpful in pointing out the way. I think a few would even have walked me here if I let them. It's funny, but have you ever asked directions from people, then asked another set just a short way along. You know the way they told you is right, well maybe a couple took different routes but you still ask again from others anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if half the people down there didn't give me directions! Haha. Why should there have been some trouble? It's a pretty distinct house you have. I can't imagine people wouldn't know the way if they knew you."

For a moment she was relieved that Elrodan dropped the issue. She hadn't had the time - or guts - to examine her feelings on that regard. And it probably would stay that way. The fairy's straightforwardness and innocence completely disarmed her.

"Well... I didn't meant trouble from people...

She handed him another bowl and sat at the kitchen's table, inviting him to seat before her. Her own bowl was almost cold. She started to eat it.

"I want you to be very careful if you want to go out on these woods, okay? If you see anything weird, you can always come back home, call for me or Mischief. These woods are not as safe as they once were."

Elrodan was confused, he knew it wasn't always hard but problems... That weren't from people? Sure, there's all sorts of wild creatures that would love a fairy snack or monsters and other evil that seek only to cause chaos, but that's just life in the wild. Not really something that should be warned against.

"I'm no stranger to the wilds. Don't worry about me. Do you have any berry liqueur? If would finish this stew off rather well. A fitting ending at the end of the day. Did you have any plans for tomorrow? When will you be heading out?"  he says dropping his spoon into a more empty bowl. 

"Berry liqueur? I don't think I have... Wait! I do!"

Kamille went over to one cabinet, looking for something.

"I have to go deliver some potions tomorrow... Gather some more reagents, nothing out of the ordinary. Oh! We have to go to the Lantern's Light Woods... It's very pretty, I'm sure you'll like it.

Soon, she came back with a bottle, but looked a bit dissapointed.

"It's not liqueur.... It's some blackberry wine. It's sweet. Want to taste it?"

She was already grabbing a cup for herself.

"And I assume you must be tired already. Usually, I would offer you the couch. But since you're a good friend and I trust you, I'll let you sleep with me in my bed, if you want."

Elrodan looked at the bottle. Was there much difference, probably, but as a night cap, it would do fine. "Yes, just a small glass please. You're right, I am most worn out.". He waits for the glass to be poured for him then swirls it a little and gives a little sniff of it before taking a small sip. His face doesn't get chance to smile at the glass is quickly returned to his lips. "Ahhh! It feels like forever since I last had any. Thank you". The tingle of alcohol down his throat made the fairy bristle and wiggle.

"Lantern light wood, it's a date! I'll look around these parts while you're out, and then w can go there when your ready? I could always try and find you some ingredients from around here if there is any you need. Save you some work. And least I can do for your fine hospitality." with that he gave a stretch. "The couch would probably have done me fine, but who am I to turn down such an offerrr?" a yawn sneaking through as he finished. "Ooo excuse me! So long as you are comfortable with that." he put down the glass, and waited for kamille to lead the way. Sparky gave another little burst of sparks for Mischief before coming over to Elrodan.

Kamille took a small cup for herself and drank with Elrodan. It was sweet indeed, a bit more than she was used to for a wine, but probably very up to the fairy's taste.

"If you want to come with me, I won't complain either. But if you're going to stay around the woods, please... Be very careful, okay?

Her bedroom was the only room upstairs. It was on the small-ish side, with a big wardrobe for her clothes on one side, a dressing table on the other and a big and comfy low bed. She usually didn't invite her guests to her bed, but she felt no malice from Elrodan, and she knew the couch to be terrible uncomfortable. She quickly changed into something more comfortable, before slipping under the covers.

As the lights were already dimm and they were ready to sleep, Kamille suddenly brought a question, trying her best to sound casual.

"Did... hm... Did... Zak... Say something about me?"

Elrodan remained confused and just shrugged at the the thought of needing extra vigilance. "Sure, we can see if we go the same way or split to different directions tomorrow. But fo" yawn "now, it's time to sleep".

Following Kamille upstairs, he had a brief look about but as much as he would love to investigate every last thing he'd be allowed to, he instead sat on corner of the bed with his back to her while Kamille changed.

"Don't worry, I'll... Aaaaa hmmm... Shut my eyes too." he said rather sleepily. By the time Kamille was under the covers, though still sat at the corner, his head had dropped and no reply came in response to her question.

His wings occasionally twitched a small bit, not enough to cause a draft, just noticeable like when a person's eyes move when dreaming. Although maybe it was the dim light, the bottom of songs had a certain grey hue that hadn't been present back during the games.

Kamille was right to trust Elrodan, she wondered.

Then, no answer to her question came, and when she turned to look, the fairy was already asleep. With a defeated sigh, she covered Elrodan, not without noticing something different about his wings. There would be time in the morning to ask, though.

The night was peaceful and warm, and went without no further issues. Kamille woke up early, as usual, and went down to make breakfast. Mischief was already up and back from his early morning routine of searching for shinnies in the woods. This time, he was waiting for her, and what he brought made her heart sink.

"Mischief, where did you find this?"

It was a piece of a fairy's wing, ripped from its owner, still glowing with magic and power.

Elrodan remembered sitting on the bed and Kamille saying something but he couldn't recall what. Still, he'd clearly slept well and didn't recall when he last slept in a bed, more so a comfy one, then to be in the company of one such as lovely as Kamille. Still, along the way, he'd found himself fully under the covers and a lot higher in the bed than the corner he'd started in. Eventually finding a way out from under the covers, a process that involved crawling in circles for a good while. Once out, he looked about "Oh yer...I wonder if she's still here?".

With a stretch, he jumped into the air and gave a better stretch before flying down the stairs. As he descended, he could hear they were still about, the noise from Mischief and Kamille questioning him over something. He started wondering if there would be any breakfast available. He should probably think of offering something beyond the bacon he'd fed Mischief. As he dipped below the level of the ceiling, he looked to Mischief "Good mor..."

It didn't take long for Elrodan to see what it was kamille had been talking about. He froze, only just managing to stay in the air. His face was a picture of fear and upset. He considered fleeing back up the stairs, no, that would be as useful as trying to attack them. Despite the seeming betrayal, he couldn't do that to either of them. Could it be from some innocent means... He didn't know how, too much was going on his mind to think of anything that it could be but a trap, no wonder she had been so friendly and inviting. "Why Kamille? I thought we..." he dashed for the door, tears filling his eyes.

"Stop!"

She barely raised her voice, yet her tone was very unusually imperative and firm. She left no margin for an argument. Kamille took a deep breath, apparently trying to contain herself. She tried to speak more softly then, but Elrodan could clearly see she was trying to hold back her anger.

"I don’t want you out on the woods alone. Not until I find out who did this."

Now, it became urgent. She'd been trying to find the culprit of those attacks for sometime now - and failed. When she turned, Elrodan could notice something he never saw in her eyes before.

Anger.

She didn’t even process the fact Elrodan was confused and thought she was the one behind that. Quickly, she went upstairs, probably to change back into her day to day attire. Mischief flew over to where Elrodan was, and seemed to be taking a deep look at him - specially at his wings. He still had a piece of a fairy's wings in his beak, still bleeding magic.

"Craw! Be careful!"

Elrodan felt scared as he was ordered to stop. His shaking hands unable to open the door, he sank to the floor in a flood of tears, she may have said something but he couldn't make it out as he waved his arms at the door and floor. In a brief moment, he watches Kamille go up the stairs.

He looked up at the bird, the piece of wing and blood, sent a fresh wave of pain and fear through him. His heart ached and the warning Mischief cawed brought fresh urgency to him to get out. Trying instead now to get out of a window, as it started to shift open he heard the footfall of Kamille coming back down. He pushed off from the window, which swung open but he already made for hiding under the sofa. Trying to quieten his breath he buried his face in his arms.

Is this why Mischief had always watched him so closely, because he wanted to eat him? Then he remembered, Kamille had said about fairy wings and their power. It all seemed to make sense. Even the sudden finding of berry wine which no doubt belonged to some previous victim. How could he have been so stupid.

His hideout would've been perfect if Mischief wasn’t watching Elrodan the whole time, confused. The fairy then heard Kamille's coming down the stairs, already fully dressed and ready. She stopped, equally confused as she looked around and didn’t see Elrodan.

"Elrodan? Where...?"

She wouldn’ve gone to the swinging window, if Mischief didn’t caw and flew over to the couch, flapping his wings.

Kamille knelt down to look for him, and for a moment her anger seemed to vanish as she saw how shaken the fairy looked.

"Elrodan? What’s wrong? What happened to you? Come here..."

She reached out to him, without touching him or forcing him to come out.

"Don’t you want to come? If he's still alive, we might be able to help him. You might be able to help him."