Ailsa looked over at Nori who was sitting at the table. She looked thoughtful for a moment before asking, "What are dark fairy weddings like?"
"Small. We tended to segregate in small groups, so it was simple. The head of the village blesses the union and that's pretty much it."
She nodded and chuckled, "So opposite of the light fairies."
"Suitably so, right? We are opposites." Nori grinned.
"I guess. It's kinda hard to see that way when I'm both."
"You're forgiven." He laughed softly. "Thinking of getting married?"
She sighed, "I mean, I'd like to eventually, but I have no idea what Gaelin's thoughts on it are. If he's not up for it, it's not like I'd force him."
Nori laughed again. "He used to say he'd marry when the gods tossed a girl at him."
She chuckled softly.
Tet wandered in, Shinji trailing behind. "You two staying out of trouble?"
"As much as possible," Ailsa smirked. "You?"
"Staying on the straight and narrow. Even him." Tet ruffled his brother's hair, grinning as Shinji stuck his tongue out.
"So what are you guys up to today?"
"Thought we'd see if you needed help with anything."
She looked thoughtful. "The village is doing alright. And the only things at the forest sanctuary we need to do is finish the basement.."
"Consider it done." The two waved and headed for the door.
She smiled and looked back at Nori, "So.. what are you up to today?"
"Nothing. Morgane took Jayla out for the day, so I'm a free man."
"We could hang out? Go bother Ave? Or go check out the mall or something?"
"Whatever you want."
"Well, I probably should check on Ave. Haven't seen him in a few days." She stood, her wings expanding.
Nori did the same, grinning at her broadly. "After you."
She headed outside and flew through the forest. Once to the village, she shrunk and flew into the big tree.
"Hey, Ailsa. What's up?" Avery smiled.
"Just seeing how you're doing. How's being in charge going?"
"Quiet. With the Council gone, it's pretty peaceful."
She smiled, "I'm glad."
"What about you?"
"It's been mostly quiet the last week or so."
"How's your rogue?"
"Good," she nodded, then looked back and frowned, noticing Nori hadn't entered.
Just then, he flew in, a bundle of wildflowers in his arms. "Here."
She smiled, "Thanks." She took them and put them in a vase on the table.
"So what do we want to do?"
She shrugged and looked at Avery, "Want to come hang with us?"
"Wish I could. I'm meeting with some elders from another village in an hour."
"Alright. You sure you don't need help?"
"I'm sure. You two go have fun."
She nodded and kissed his cheek before flying from the tree. She flew toward the edge of the forest before landing.
"I think it's prettier out here than where we lived." Nori admired the view as he landed beside her.
"It is nice," she smiled. "Do you miss your home though?"
"Sometimes. But I like everyone coming together as a big family."
She nodded. "What was your family like? I mean.. I know mom had you, but what about when she left?"
"I was left with my father. He didn't have much time for me, so I grew up more or less with Gaelin. We were the normal troublemakers. Aside from healthy fear of his dad, we weren't scared of much."
"Sounds like you had fun."
"We did for awhile. Then his dad cracked down and I was sent to another village. I got married and stayed there. If I'd stayed here, I might have died or gotten ill too."
She nodded. "There were a few times I almost got sent to another village.. though most of that was from mentioning Dai.. One time though, I accidentally destroyed a feast for a visiting leader.. That was bad."
Nori burst into laughter. "We ruined a diplomatic meeting. Thus my move."
She chuckled before looking thoughtful, "I wonder if our villages ever had meetings together?"
"Who else would be a diplomat to us? The light fairies were unamused at our attempt to convince them we were ghosts."
She giggled, "Ghosts?"
"Yeah. We banged pipes outside their tree to scare them off because we were scared of them."
She chuckled, "Yeah, that sounds like a great idea.."
"Never claimed to be bright."
She smiled, "So, how long have you and Morgane been together?"
"Eight years. Love of my life."
"I'm glad you have someone who makes you happy. I wish Ave would find someone."
"You just wish for his happiness or you want another sister in law to gossip with?"
She chuckled, "I can gossip enough with Morgane and Tsukasa. I just want him happy."
"Still surprised how well Tsukasa fits in, considering his past."
She nodded, "He's learned and become a better person. He's family now."
"Never too big for one more, huh?" Nori nudged her with a grin.
She chuckled in response.
Nori's eyes suddenly widened. "Ailsa..do you see the two dark shapes over there?" He pointed off to the side.
She looked over and frowned, "What are they?"
"I can't be sure but they look like wolves. And they aren't moving."
She began approaching them slowly.
Two black wolves lay in a puddle of drying blood, single arrows jutting from each of their sides.
She went to them and gently pulled the arrows before forcing light into them.
They reverted, revealing the blood soaked forms of Tet and Shinji.
She winced and continued healing them. After a bit, she lifted Shinji, "Let's get them back to the sanctuary."
Nori hefted Tet. "You think they ran into hunters?"
"Maybe?"
Once back, she cleaned them up and laid them in beds in the infirmary.
"Good thing I noticed them." Nori watched from the door.
She nodded and began focusing light into them again to finish healing everything up. When she was done, she slowly moved away, then leaned against the wall beside the door. "They should be alright after some rest."
"Same goes for you." Nori answered.
She sighed, "Yeah. I should probably rest.."
"Take all the time you need."
"We were supposed to spend time together though, I feel bad.."
"You act like we won't have another chance. Besides, I refuse to carry your sleeping body anywhere."
She chuckled, "Alright." She then yawned and headed toward her room.