Whew, ready for chapter 4. Warning, it's extremely short, because it isn't really for anything other than clarifying relationships between Kirie and a certain other fey. It's a filler because I don't wanna keep you guys waiting too long while I try to figure out chapter 5. So yeah, enjoy. (Also please forgive any spelling I miss, I'm not using word so there isn't any spell check)

Ever had those Sleepless Nights?

When my eyes first fluttered, attempting valiantly to stay open but failing regardless, I felt the vague sense that I was floating. My limbs felt weightless, and I twitched my fingers just to make sure that they were still there. I sighed and worked to peel my eyelids open permanently, or at least for more than a few seconds. I pushed myself off the comfortably warm sheets, still lingering in a dream-like state. My mind felt fuzzy at the edges as if I had already attended the party. I blinked continuosly to dissipate the haze that hung in front of my orbs.

When I was in semi-functioning condition, I slid completely out of bed. Minerva was mostly undisturbed by my movement, only shifting a bit in her slumber as I shuffled sleepily to the window. The sky - or what I could see of it through the cover of leaves - was still dark. The sun had not yet deigned to show itself, and even though I knew I should be resting up for the journey ahead I felt a sudden bout of restlessness overcome me.

So I decided to wander a bit. My feet carried me swiftly over the familiar floors as I skulked through the halls - doing my best not to wake anyone. I found myself in front of the still-burning fire in the living room. I dropped heavily to the floor, adopting a cross-legged position as I stared absently into the flames - not really seeing them.

All at once the weight of everything that had happened that day pressed down on me. With events moving so fast - the cat calling in a favor, the rushed and unwelcome reunion with my past mentors, returning to Avaril's home - at least I hadn't been made to process any of it. But now, awake in the weaning hours of the night and alone with my thoughts, I had nowhere to run.

I drew my legs up to my chest and buried my face in them. "This sucks," I muttered, voice wavering pathetically. My eyes stung, but I refused to let anything pass. "Damn that stupid cat. This is all his fault."

"Tell me how you really feel." The sudden voice made me jump out of my skin. I turned to glare at a certain redhead, trying not to look like my heart was ready to jump out of my chest from the scare.

"When the hell did you get here, little red asshole?" I grunted, earning a satisfied grin from the trickster.

"I'll have you know, miss, that I was here first." He taunted childishly. "I was trying to figure out if you knew and were just ignoring me. When you started talking I thought it was directed at me. Sorry for trying to make friendly conversation."

I rolled my eyes and frowned. "If I would have noticed you then I wouldn't be here right now, you can count on that." I just couldn't catch a break. Here he was, the number one cause of my anxiety, smirking like the asshat he was. I didn't understand how he could just sit there and crack jokes like nothing was wrong between us.

Scratch that, I knew exactly how. He was Robin freaking Goodfellow, that's how. If anyone could dodge the issue it was him. I made to stand up, "Whatever. I'm not ready to deal with this right now."

"Aw, leaving so soon, Sunshine? Don't wanna spend time with your ol' pal Puck?" I swiveled to face him and fixed him with a flaming glare.

"Are you honestly asking me that question, right now? Please tell me you're not serious. What the hell do you think, Robin?" I hissed dangerously, feeling the temperature drop a few degrees. Enough for me to be able to see his breaths coming out in even, calm puffs. "After a freaking decade without seeing you or Ash, you two think you can waltz right back into my life and act like you never left? Do you really think everything's the same?"

For a split second, a look I couldn't Identify passed over the ginger's face. It was serious, and uncharacteristically solemn. It stayed for a fraction of a second and then was gone, replaced with a tiny smile and only slightly lingering in his emerald eyes. His smile was not a smirk or a leer - not even a grin. It was more like he was remembering something fondly. "Careful, your Unseelie's showing."

I let out a low growl and clenched my fist. Frost crawled lightly over the leather of the couch, and I saw him shiver. With a single calming exhale, I attempted to relax. "You never take anything seriously. It's what makes you so impossible to be around." With that I turned and started towards the stairs. I was ready to flee the scene, but he got another word in before I left.

His voice was quiet when he spoke, somewhere between a murmur and a whisper. It was low, so much so that I wondered if I had imagined it. I could hear a smile in his voice as he tried to cover pain with false cheer. I only caught it because I had known him so long. "There was a time when that was something you liked about me, Sunshine." A traitorous pang of longing shot through me, and a silent gasp escaped me. My feet stalled for a second or two as memories flashed. Forcing my face to harden, I retreated into my Unseelie shell and shut any emotions out, beginning to walk again.

If I was lucky, I would still have time to sleep before we left.

And cut scene. How was it? Alright, I hope. Sorry for the wait. School's a bitch.

She-Wolf971 - Aw thankies :D. Avaril's just...very animated. And doesn't like rudeness. Kinda scary. And yes Ash and his morbid-ish-ness what would we do without it xD. Thanks for reviewing, hon.

Like a Ninja - AW I'm so happy :,). I'm glad Puck's contributing for once. He isn't very helpful when I wanna write him -.-. So of course I have to poke fun if he's gonna make things difficult for me xD. Haha, that's how Ava's supposed to be, glad I portrayed that well. She's very passionate x.x. Here's your update xD. Thanks for reviewing.

Queenie- Hey it's you ;D. Always great to hear from you, queenie. Let me address these holes.

1. I hope I didn't say anything about Ariella, because I wasn't supposed to. Mostly because I didn't feel the need to address it, the timeline being so vague. Like how I said after a while Puck stopped staying with her and cut it down to just visits? You could assume Kirie was born before Ash met Ariella - so when he and Puck were only a duo. Then Kirie grows up, and Puck doesn't have to keep a constant eye on her because she's not a child. We can assume that this was around the time Ari came into the picture. When they weren't around they were hanging with Ari. You could even go as far as to assume Kirie was friends with Ari as well, but not very good friends seeing as she was never (I hope) mentioned.

2. As for this, I'm not sure I remember what you're referring to, I'll look into it. Clarify if you could :D.

Anyway, thanks for reviewing :DD. D'aw you flatter me to much. Let me know if I'm still inaccurate with those plotholes, would you? :)

Guest - thanks, love! I appriciate the support :D.

Guest5 -I was kidding, dear, don't be scared xD. She'll be relatively happy as the story progresses.

Blue Pudding -Yay, thanks so much. :D looking forward to the party.