"Er, I. . . see." Edwinn stumbled over his reply, shooting a frightened look in my direction. The night had been crazy enough just meeting each other; but this Stella was a whole other level of bizarre, even for a ghost and fallen Celestrian.

Seemingly unfazed by our cold reception, Stella turned towards me. "Right then, your turn. Time to fly your true colours and tell us who you really are." she said pointing a tiny, well manicured finger accusingly at me. "You look like a regular mortal to me, so how come you can see the Starflight Express and ghosts like this old bloke?" she asked, hooking a thumb in Edwinn's direction.

I groaned and rolled my neck and shoulders, attempting to ease the sudden tension from them as I began to tell my general story. The Observatory, the fyggs, the fall, and how I was when I woke up here. No detail, however personal or incredible, was left out. Though I hadn't been able to bring myself to share it with anyone before, and certainly hadn't imagined I would do so suddenly to two strangers, it was surprisingly painless. As scary and exhausting as the ordeal was, it made me feel so little to describe it. Like talking about an event long since passed - a piece of history, that, however terrible, was just that. History. It really hadn't been that long, but I had separated it from myself without noticing. Talking about it was nearly like talking about someone else's life completely. The thought of that made me feel. . . strange. Apprehensive.

Even after laying it all bare, with every gritty detail of the supernatural that I could never admit to a mortal, Stella still looked thoroughly unconvinced. "You dropped some big names, I'll give you that. But it sounds like a bit of a tall yarn, if you ask me. If you lost your wings and your halo, how is it that you can still see ghosts and the like? Bit neither here nor there, isn't it?" she asked, hoping to expose any lies in my tale, make me slip and have to admit something.

But there wasn't any way to answer her. I had spent a lot of time trying to figure out just what was going on with me, with my body and powers, and I still didn't have any evidence that could convince myself one way or the other, much less enough for this creature. So I just shrugged. Frankly, I found her story far less believable than mine anyway. A thing like her in charge of the Starlight Express? I had never heard of a story so silly as that.

Stella narrowed her eyes at my apparent disdain at her accusations. "I know!" she said with a snap of her fingers, "if you're a Celestrian, then prove it. Send someone's spirit up to the heavens."

My heart skipped a beat

"You've got nothing to lose, and this old bloke here just happens to be in need of a shove in the righteous direction." she said with a little smile, so sure she had me cornered. And she very well might have.

Edwinn made a choking sort of sound in surprise, "Wait! Are you talking about me? I'm not exactly happy as I am, but. . ." he trailed off, seemingly unsure of how to explain his current condition.

Stella flapped her gaudy pink wings to meet his eyes, "Let me guess, you're only a ghost because you've got some kind of unfinished business to put to sleep, right?" she said so mater-of-fact, obviously familiar with the situation, and incredibly bored of it. She turned back to me. "Alright then, help this spook here tie up his loose ends and then send him on his way. Then I'll believe that you're a Celestrian, and I might even give you a lift back to the Observatory on the old Starflight Express." she said teasingly, dangling the thought of going home in front of me like a piece of meat in front of a wild animal. Probably leading it right into a trap.

I could feel my teeth grind under the weight of my jaw. "You keep saying that, but why should I believe you? You could be any kind of miscreant imp trying to get your kicks in. If I can't open the carriage to the Express, I have no reason to believe something like you can. Go away, pest." I demanded, annoyance drenching my every word.

The fairy's minute features twisted in disbelief as she stuttered out an angry reply. "Oi, you f-f-flapping what!? Pest!? You're the one who's tryna pull the wool over everyone's flies! You're the one with something to prove." Suddenly, the heat in her voice vanished and an unsettling smile crossed her lips. "And I'm tagging along with you for awhile until the job's done." she declared, her tone all ice and stone.

As quick as a flash of light, she was gone. I was confused by her words, but ultimately relieved she had gone, until I felt a strange pressure against my temples, like a bad headache forming. That's when I heard it, her screechy little voice reverberating around the inside of my skull. "O-ho! I figured it'd be comfy in here, but you really have a lot of empty space up top, don'tcha, roomie?"

Gasping, I clutched the sides of my head in panic and demanded she shut up. "Don't do that in there! It feels. . . wrong." My heart thundered in my chest, what sort of creature had the ability to rest within your very mind? Certainly, no monster I'd studied in the Protectorate had such a skill, only something truly powerful could so casually invade another person's psyche. Maybe. . . her tale was as true as mine. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down before replying. "If you want to hitch a ride inside my brain, whatever, but if you try to drive me crazy with all your chatter and nonsense, I'm going to. . . to. . . to punt you into a fireplace and use your ashes to deodorize my cat box the moment you fly out of there!" I shouted at the empty space Stella had occupied before, no doubt looking every bit as unhinged as the town folk assumed I was.

I felt that uncomfortable pressure again as she replied, rather languidly. "Fiiiiine, just quit wasting time already!"

I drug my hands across my face with a heavy sigh and cast a weary gaze towards Edwinn - the man who was going to save me from this pink tinted nightmare. As soon as I figured out how to save him first.

"Well, this is all rather strange. Still, I appreciate your willingness to help." He said with a cough and apologetic smile.

I nodded, frantically trying to recall what Master Aquila had taught me about spirits as I began my task. "So, Edwinn, sir, what unfinished business do you think. . . ugh, Stella was talking about? What's keeping you here?" I asked.

He looked downward in thought, a ghostly see-through hand rubbing against his chin until a distressed look came over his features. "I don't suppose. . . I wonder if it's to do with that thing I buried behind the inn."

Ignoring the morbid possibilities of what a man could have buried and felt so guilty about, I snapped my fingers and told Edwinn to wait right there, before scooping up a mostly dried Lanugo and nearly sprinting my way back to the inn, injuries be damned. I wanted to be through with this trial as quickly as I could manage, regardless of the cost to my recovery. I only slowed my pace once I began to sneak around the back, not wanting to draw attention from Patty, who would almost certainly still be inside.

Lucky for me, there wasn't much space between the back of the building and the face of the cliff surrounding the town; just a small patch of dirt and some flowers watered by the fine mist rising from the falls beside us.

I didn't have any sort of tool, but Lanugo's enthusiastic digging - however useless to my endeavor - kept me motivated, and it didn't take long to claw my way to the item Edwinn had mentioned. With bleeding and filthy hands, I wrenched a large, wooden, gold-plated trophy from the earth. It was a gaudy, tiered monstrosity with a big, gold colored ball with wings adorning the top, and an inscription on the base that read "Awarded to Edwinn by HRH King Schott for inncredible achievements in inntertainent."

I rested back on my grass stained knees and sighed, Patty was right. She was shady and unpleasant, but she wasn't a liar; not about Erinn's father, or about Erinn's talent. Dejected that I may have found the catalyst for Erinn's departure, but hopeful that it was also the catalyst for Edwinn's, and in turn Stella's, Lanugo and I slowly made our way back and presented what we had found.

If it were possible for a ghost's eyes to light up, I'm sure his would have as they took in the familiar sight. "That's it! That's my Inny! Goodness me, that takes me back a bit." the man smiled fondly, but then a little sadly, as I held the trophy up to him.

I frowned. "So why was this buried then? I hardly think a dog had got hold of it. . ."

Edwinn chuckled. "The truth is, I hid it away when I came back to Angel Falls. I didn't want Erinn to know. And I didn't want to spend my whole time being reminded about Stornway. . ." he trailed off, that fondness completely absent now as he drifting off towards the falls.

I watched him as he gazed into the moonlit water, something he probably did frequently in life, and I knew what I had to do. With Lanugo snug in one arm and the Inny in the other, I went inside to talk to Erinn.

Seated in the front room by the window was Erinn's grandfather. His overstuffed chair was facing the falls, and, unbeknownst to him, towards his dead son. Normally he would bid me a good evening whenever I would drag myself inside, but I was a good deal later than usual tonight, and he had fallen into what looked like a very peaceful slumber. It was just as well, I'd hate to have to explain Lanugo, the Inny, and my filthy and bandaged state. He would be patient and accepting of whatever I told him, I knew, but all the same I'd rather not go through the story another time - not when I knew I would have to explain it all to Erinn either way. Perhaps I should have wrote it down and had flyers made up. It would no doubt amuse the gossip section of town in any case.

Quietly as I could, I made my way up the creaky stairs and down the hall towards Erinn's bedroom. The door was open, and inside I saw her tidying, slowly and robotically, probably still deep in thought over what Patty had said, unsure of the truth of the matter and what she should do. I knew I had the key to shedding some light on her doubts, to allow her to at least make an informed decision on what choice to make. I tightened my grip on the Inny, and went inside to greet her.

"Oh, Altairis!" she exclaimed, her wide eyes flickering from relief to worry as she saw me. "Where have you been? Why are you so dirty? Ah, wait, is that. . . a trophy you've got there?" she asked, ever so slightly amused.

I nodded and handed her the Inny. Her confused smile quickly evaporated as she began to read the inscription and set the award down on the table beside us with a small gasp. "I don't believe it! Patty's story was all true!" she said, her eyes still plastered to the Inny "I don't understand, though. Why would Dad have given up all that to come here to sleepy old Angel Falls? What in the world was he thinking of?"

I frantically thought of how to explain how I knew what I did without distressing her even more, but I was thankfully saved from such a task as Erinn's grandfather's gentle voice rang out from behind us. "I may be able to shed a little light on that." he offered as he entered the room.

Finally, Erinn tore her gaze away from the award. "Grandpa?" she asked, her voice so small.

The old man sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose briefly before he began to explain. "Edwinn made me promise not to say anything, so I've kept it a secret all these years, but I don't see that it matters now." He then looked down at his granddaughter with a kind smile. "Dear Erinn. . . you must remember how sickly you were as a child. Your poor mother was the same. In the normal course of things, you would have become sicker and sicker as you got older. Eventually, you would have died. We lost your mother at a young age to the same fate."

Erinn frowned and lowered her eyes. "But I'm perfectly healthy. I hardly even remember being sick anymore."

"That's because you were brought up on water from the falls here in this village. Angel Falls' water is famous for making people healthy and curing their ills." he replied softly.

Erinn looked back up at him with tears welling in her eyes "So. . . What you're saying is that Dad gave up his inn in Stornway and came back here for my sake?"

Erinn's grandfather clasped her shoulder and nodded. "That's right. Saving his daughter was far more important to him than his own ambitions."

Erinn's tears fell in earnest now as she clenched her fists. "But that's terrible! I stood in the way of my father and his dreams." she anguished.

He pulled her into a hug, calmly stroking the top of her head as he spoke, the gesture natural and familiar in its easiness. "He knew you'd feel that way. That's why he didn't want you to know. But you're mature enough now to be told the truth." he said as Erinn sniffled against his shoulder.

He was right, she only needed a moment of tears and a gentle touch before she was able to pull herself away from his hold. She thanked her grandfather and sat down at the edge of her bed. "You know, I always wondered why he sometimes had that faraway look on his face. Now I know. . . He did all that for me. . . " she trailed off, lost in memories. Just as the silence was about to creep into uncomfortable territory, Erinn sprung up and strode towards me. "Um, Altairis. It looks like I'm going to be leaving for Stornway. I don't know if I can be of any help to Patty, but I have to at least give it a try!" she said, a small but confident smile on her lips. She told me she was off to tell Patty right away, and before she left, kindly reminded me that I had quite a bit of explaining to do.

I hated that she was leaving, but I couldn't get rid of the ridiculous grin on my face. It was hard not to feel happy for her - besides, her enthusiasm was always too infectious to bother fighting.

"Well, there's a bombshell and a half!" her grandfather exclaimed, turning towards me with a smile. I nodded as sagely as I knew how as he raised an eyebrow at my bleeding, grubby hands and numerous bandages that I certainly hadn't left the house with. "Long night, Altairis?" he asked wryly.

"Er, yes sir." I replied, sheepishly hiding my embarrassing hands behind my back.

He chortled to himself as he walked past me and made his way towards the stairs. "Yes, yes, I remember those. Do be careful, I'm sure you have someone out there waiting for you to come home sometime."

I felt something in my chest quiver, still so uncertain I even had a home or family, but hopeful I may soon find out. I said nothing, and simply hung my head.

"I had a feeling this day would come sooner or later. I'll really miss her though. Miss the both of you, I'm sure." he sighed wistfully as he disappeared downstairs.

Finally alone, or rather sans normal mortals, I finally acknowledged Edwinn in the corner of the room, who had followed me inside. A second later, Stella popped right back out of my head too and the place felt full again.

"You heard all that, grandad?" she asked excitedly.

Edwinn nodded, a contended smile on his face "I heard everything. I can't believe Erinn is going to follow my ambition in my place. She really has grown up." he said, closing his eyes for a brief moment "Now I have no regrets." he said as he turned to me "I know that she'll succeed. She doesn't need me watching over her shoulder."

I returned his smile. "I think you're absolutely right. and if she ever does need a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen, she has plenty of people here willing to help." I said in full confidence.

A bright green light began to envelope and swirl around Edwinn. It was different from the first time I had sent a spirit, but still similar. There was a certain presence to it; an unexplained energy similar to Yggdrasill's own. Perhaps it was a portion of Her power? And if it was, did that mean She was still in one piece?

"It looks like I'm ready to leave. Thank you so much, my honoured Guardian." Edwinn said, his voice dissipating along with his spirit. I knew he couldn't hear me anymore, but I told him he was welcome.

"He's gone!" Stella shrieked, buzzing around my head "You did it! So you are a Celestrian after all." she said happily, seeming honestly relieved to have found a Celestrian. But why had she known about us when we had never heard of her? Or was it just another secret kept from me, as Corvus was?

"Well, a promise is a promise. I'll give you a lift back to the observatory like we agreed, so say thanks to your lucky stars." she said with a wink.

I yawned and held a hand to my growling stomach. "I'll get right on that after I've had myself a giant plate of potatoes and as much sleep as possible. C'mon Lanugo, I'm sure Gramps and Erinn left me a plate in the kitchen, I'll share." I said as Lanugo and I began to leave, the Teeny Sanguini squeaking happily in my arms.

Stella began to pout. "Hang on to your horses a minute - shouldn't you be picking up that Benevolessence?" she asked, pointing to the spot where Edwinn had ascended. Now an empty space.

Lanugo flied out of my grasp and over to where Stella was furiously pointing, his mouth dropped into a languid smile as he fluffed about in circles around the vacant air.

I frowned. "I have no idea what you two are on about."

Stella had a conniption "You can't flapping see it!? Now I'm starting to wonder again. . . Are you really a Celestrian, or are you pulling my chain?" she argued, her tinny voice dripping with renewed suspicion. I was very tired of it.

I crossed my arms and shrugged. "Does it really matter? We don't need it anymore. The fyggs bloomed, remember? The Starflight Express showed up right on cue, ostensibly with you in tow. There isn't. . . any use for something like Benevolessence anymore." I said rather sadly. Obviously, I had lost some of the finer points of my Celestrian powers if I could no longer see it, and while that was frustrating, I still knew in my heart that Edwinn was grateful. And so was Erinn, and Patty, and everyone else here that I had helped and befriended. I was sure of it. So even if I didn't see or need the Benevolessence they left behind, making my flock happy. . . that was still worth something.

Stella annoyed me with another tirade of accusations before sullenly popping silently back into my brain after I had ignored her in favor of food and better company. Lanugo and I ate a champions dinner of roasted potatoes, steak, and fresh bread bathed in butter and soft cheese. I slept soundly that night, and for many nights after as my body quickly mended itself from its injuries.

As the days went by, with Erinn bouncing back and forth between doting on me, packing for her move and settling things with the mayor, Lanugo practically made himself the town mascot. With his precious cow print fur, giant fluffy body and teeny tiny features, he quickly won the hearts of the townsfolk - even those of who I failed to reach myself. It was a sort of understanding that no one would inform the mayor of his presence - no need to worry the man with such trivial things, after all. I was a bit jealous really, as much as I had wanted everyone to like me, I just couldn't compete with Lanugo's charm. Still, every evening after playing with the children all day or getting pampered by the gossipy women in town, he always fluffed his way back to me, to share a hearty meal and a warm blanket.

If I attribute anything to my quick recovery, it wouldn't be the 'Angel Tears', Erinn's devotion, or even my own possible Celestrian blood. It would have to be him.

It wasn't long before I was feeling brand new again and ready for my trip to the Observatory, much to Stella's delight, as she was entirely bored of Angel Falls. The landslide had finally been cleared, so the time for Erinn's departure arrived as well, and it was an event the whole village gathered for.

Everyone stood in front of Erinn's house, waiting for their chance to wish her luck and give her their parting advice. Children clung to her skirts and the women and men all carried small gifts and provisions for her travels. The elderly even came together and wove her a small tapestry in the image of the town, so she would always have a reminder of her home no matter where she went. It was a veritable celebration of love and warmth, not a single person was without a smile.

Other than Ivor that is.

Feigning disinterest, he stood by the side of the house, acting as if he had come all this way to marvel at her house's window treatments. I knew he hadn't spoken to her since Patty had come to town, not seriously anyway. And all my prodding was met with an absolute mountain of stubbornness on his part. Erinn herself would just smile somewhat sadly and say there wasn't much point, he'd probably forget all about her once she was finally gone. Out of sight, out of mind, she had told me.

"What a pair of flapping morons."

In this one thing, Stella and I completely agreed.

At last, Erinn embraced her grandfather tightly. "I'll miss you, grandpa. You take care of yourself, won't you?" she asked earnestly as they separated, knowing full well the old man's propensity for lounging and drinking his days away. Quite merrily, all told.

He chuckled, "I could say the same to you too. It'll be hard work making a living in a new town. make sure you don't go working yourself sick." He prodded, knowing full well HER propensity to fuss and obsess over every detail, all day every day.

Patty sauntered up beside Erinn and placed an arm around her shoulder, fixing her grandfather with a dazzling smile. "I know you're worried about your little girl, but I'm gonna be around to help her out, so you just relax, okay?" she purred, giving Erinn a gentle little squeeze.

He returned her smile. "That's good to know, Patty. You've helped to set an old man's mind at ease." he replied as the two of them fell easily into their own conversation. It was little wonder that he of all people knew the most about Patty, hearing tales of her steely determination and electric personality from his son over the years. Connecting with her and trading tales of someone they both knew so well had taken much of the sting out of his beloved granddaughters' departure.

Seeing her opportunity, Erinn turned towards Ivor and called out to him. "Ivor! Can I have a word?"

He nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of her voice. Despite his obvious distress, he played it off as well as he could, strolling up to her with an exasperated look on his face, as if she were interrupting something incredibly important. "What do you want to talk to me for?" He asked, not even meeting her eyes, "You're leaving, so you obviously don't care."

Erinn didn't miss a beat and gave him a big, sincere smile. "I was wondering if you might take over the inn here for me." she said, practically shocking everyone around them into silence "I don't have the heart to close it down, you see. You'll do it won't you? I know I can count on you!" she said with a light touch on his arm, forcing his eyes to meet hers.

Ivor stared at her intently for a second before looking away with a shrug. "I suppose I'll do it, but only to get dad off my back with his nagging about me finding a job. I'm not doing it for you!" he insisted, brushing away her hand. "Anyway, I bet I'll be so good at innkeeping that I'll soon trump your place over in Stornway!" he declared with an arrogant grin.

An excited laugh escaped her lips. "And I wish you luck with it. Not that I'll let you get the better of me, of course!"

"Oh yeah? Sounds like we've got a competition on our hands!" Ivor replied, finally looking a bit like his usual self.

I made my way over to the two of them, already smiling. If there were anyone I really wanted to say goodbye to, it was them. As I approached, Erinn turned to me with outstretched hands. "Altairis, I can't thank you enough for what you've done." she said as she grasped my hands in hers. "It's amazing how you managed to find dad's hidden trophy like that. You really are a mystery. I wouldn't be surprised if you turned out to be our Guardian after all. . ." she said with a coy little tilt of her head. "Ha ha! Listen to me and my wild imagination! I suppose you'll be heading off to your hometown now, will you?"

I tried to play my sudden nervousness off with a light shrug. "Well, you know a minstrel's home is the road, so in a sense, I guess so."

"Well, if your journey brings you through Stornway, make sure you come and stay at my new inn, won't you?" she asked, squeezing my hands excitedly.

I couldn't help but laugh. I didn't know exactly what was going to happen to me; whether the Starflight Express could make it to the Observatory in its state, or if there was an Observatory left, but I felt confident when I squeezed her hands back and promised I'd see her there soon. Before she made her way back to the crowd and said her final goodbyes, I thanked her. Nameless for taking such good care of me my entire stay, but, more than that, I was thanking her for reminding me why Celestrians cared for mortals in the first place.

Once the two were out of sight, the townsfolk slowly dissipated, mostly talking amongst themselves about Edwinn and his illustrious past that had been unknown to all of them. Some spoke of how they miss Erinn, or how little faith they had in Ivor. Others were just happy that with the landslide cleared, things were starting to feel right again. Eventually, everyone had left, Erinn's grandfather had gone back inside and all that was left were Ivor, Lanugo and me. And Stella, I guess.

Ivor blew out his breath in a huff as he ran one hand through his hair, still watching the space Erinn had been just a few minutes earlier. "We'll see her again." he said quietly, more for his benefit than mine.

I took stared out into the falls, then over to my Guardian statue and a thought struck me. "Hey, Ivor. You don't believe in the supernatural at all, right? No ghosts, no miracles, no Guardians?" I asked.

He turned to me and followed my gaze to the statue overlooking the waterfall. "Ha, not even a little bit. I used to think all that hog wash was for weak people, too fragile to rely on themselves, but. . ." he trailed off a moment, furrowing his brows. "Erinn's about as devout as they come, but she isn't weak. Don't get me wrong, I still don't think there's anything else out there but us and monsters, and nothing's waiting for us afterward, no matter what 'holy' men are paid to tell us. I just guess people have their own reasons for believing that stuff. It doesn't mean they're completely simple. Heh, not all of 'em anyway." he added with a little grin. "Why?"

I had to wait a second, to be sure I wanted to say what I was really thinking. Ivor was my friend after all, and I really wanted to be honest with him. With someone. "Well, because at worst you'll just think I'm some looney-"

"I already think that."

"-and at best" I continued, "you won't care very much either way and I get to unburden myself a little."

Ivor crossed his arms and eyed me suspiciously. "Alright, out with it already Altairis. What's your big secret?" he asked.

I rubbed my sweaty palms against my leggings as I bent down to pick Lanugo, squishing the pads of his little hands nervously as I began to speak. "Well. . . okay, first, how would you feel if you found out that all that nonsense was true?" I asked, feeling very vulnerable, and scared of potentially wrecking Ivor's world view.

He rolled his eyes. "Oh come on, don't tell me you're really one of those travelling fortune tellers who gossip with the dead and bilk rich idiots and oatmeal brained farmers out of their money."

I sighed. "No, seriously, if you were suddenly struck down by the Almighty and shown that everything you thought was a lie was true in some sense, what would you do?" I pressed.

He paused, looking at me for a moment, trying to gauge whether or not I was telling some kind of bad joke. Eventually he answered. "I. . . guess I would have a lot of questions. And whoever was in charge of all this mess would have a hell of a lot of explaining to do. But, I just can't imagine being a different person either way, if that's what you mean. If there's actually some kind of god-being out there, then I'd just live my life in a way that'll prove we don't need 'em, 'cause we don't." He said resolutely.

Hearing his answer made me feel a lot better. No matter what, he would remain Ivor, and that's what mattered to me. "Alright, I think I understand now." I said, as I met his eyes. "You weren't wrong for thinking the Guardian statues name had been changed. It was Aquila for nearly as long as this place has existed, it only recently changed to my name, when I finally became Guardian in my master's stead. You weren't supposed to notice but, rather ironically, I think you may be a lot more attuned to the so called supernatural than most others in this town." I said, unable to keep from smiling at the absurdity.

Ivor didn't say anything, his mouth just hung open a little as his eyes narrowed in disbelief. So I continued. "There are beings out there watching over you mortals, they're called Celestrians, and I'm one of them - for the most part. Something bad happened to our home and I kind of fell down here looking a lot more like one of you all than my kin. I've been trying to figure out what happened back then, and how I can get back home, and maybe return to my, ah, more natural state."

Ivor's expression didn't change, ". . .Why are you telling me this?" he asked quietly.

I wrapped my arms around Lanugo like he was a pillow and squeezed, trying to comfort myself, and ignore how awkward I felt. "Because I hate pretending. I don't like keeping secrets from people, in fact, I'd never really had to before, and now it feels like everything I say and do is some kind of lie or act. And it had to be you. Erinn would probably believe me if I told her, but I don't want to destroy her faith. She thinks we're heroes or something, that were infallible and pure of heart, when that just isn't true, not at all. You. . . you wouldn't be hurt to know that the ones supposed to be looking out for you aren't really any better than yourself. Right?" I asked, my heart thundering in my chest. I had already decided that it would be okay no matter what he thought, so long as I finally told him my truth, but I couldn't help but be nervous by the possible rejection of one of my only friends.

Ivor was quiet for a while before finally turning away from me. I thought he wanted me to leave, but as I was about to excuse myself and wallow, he started to speak. "I. . . guess if I were to believe there were other things out there, it would only be if they were as screwed up as the rest of us. Nothing is perfect or easy in life. . . so, maybe, I could believe Guardians are real, so long as they know that I know they suck at their jobs, and we can do just as well on our own." he said as he turned back to face me. "Because seriously, if you're a Guardian, these Celestrians can't really be all that, can they? You're kind of rubbish." he said, smiling.

"Well, that's a little unfair I think. . ."

Ivor laughed. "Actually, if the angels and whatnot are all like you, then it really explains a lot about the world! I always knew if there were a god, they'd be incompetent."

"I'm you're taking this so well." I said, defeated.

Ivor came over and put a hand on my shoulder. "Look, I always knew from the start you were a suspicious looney, so maybe you're such an odd duck on account of not being really human, or maybe you're just. A complete. Nutter. Either way, I'm not gonna start thinking there are eyes in the sky just because you of all people say so." he patted me roughly on the back as he turned to leave. "But if you trust me enough to share what you believe with me, even though it makes you look utterly insane, then I guess I'll take it as a compliment."

I just stared after him as he began to walk away, not sure what to think. He wasn't freaking out, or hating my guts so. . . I guess things worked out. I had been honest, and he responded to it without our friendship falling apart. That would have to be a win for me.

Before he had made it to the bridge Ivor suddenly called out to me. "Oh hey! Dad and Yvette both wanted to see you before you left town, so make sure to go by the house before you leave! Take care, blessed guardian!" he shouted with an exaggerated wave. "If I want to see you again, shall I leave out a plate of milk and cookies? Perhaps a tooth under my pillow? Ah, no matter, we'll figure something out! Ahahaha!" he cackled, nearly doubling over before running off towards the other side of town, pleased as punch.

I stood there for a while, thinking about how funny it was to care about someone and also want to shake them until their heads fell off, in equal measure. Stella emerged shortly after, pointedly ignoring the conversation she'd witnessed.

"Time for us to make some tracks too." she said with a stretch. "You remember where the Starflight Express is, presumably? Yes? Yeees? Well No need to look so flapping with yourself! I hardly expected you to forget. So come on, let's head for the pass!" she exclaimed, practically dancing in the air with excitement.

I waged a finger at her and clucked. "Ah-ah, not so fast, I have to go see what the mayor wants first." I reminded her.

Stella groaned and drifted to the ground. "But I'm ready to go! I've been flapping ready to get out of here for ages now! And I've waited so patiently, and been so good about not yapping inside your head, and you're gonna make me wait some more!?" she suddenly flew up close to my face, a scowl crossing hers. "Are you actually some demon sent to torture me? Is this punishment for something I did in a past life? Do you just hate adorable flying things!?" she demanded.

I laughed and gave Lanugo a little squeeze. "Nah, adorable flying things are my favorite." I said as I game him a little kiss on the top of his head. Lanugo squeaked happily and flapped around my head, a tiny gleam in his dark eyes.

Stella seethed. "Ugh! Don't compare me to that thing! It's bad enough it looks kind of like a cow, but it sells like it came out of one too!" she said, glaring at the teeny sanguini happily fluffing about.

"Sure, sure, and it's not just that you're jealous that everyone has been 'oohing' and 'ahhing' over him since he got here?" I asked.

Stella huffed. "If I thought it was a good idea for these dull dishwater dinguses to see me, they'd all think I was the most stylish, most stupendous, most stellar girl they'd ever seen! Way cuter than that over grown mosquito."

I gave her a patient smile. "Yes, you'd charm them all with your humility and winning personality too, I'm sure. Let's get going." I said, gladly leaving a ranting fairy in my wake.

The walk to the mayor's house on the other side of town felt quicker than had ever been before, knowing that it could possibly be my last. I waved to the kind nun outside of the chapel as she swept away the last of the debris from where the earthquake damaged the building. Now the place was beginning to look good as new. Things were looking up for everyone.

I knocked on the mayor's front door and made my way into the living room once he invited me in. He hardly got a chance to look at me before he scurried off to retrieve something from the kitchen. When he came back, he had a small, round tin in hand. "You know, my boy Ivor's finally pulled himself together and started to knuckle down. I couldn't be happier." he said with a unmistakable warmth in his voice. "I'm sure my lectures played a big part, not to mention the time he spent with you." he said as he approached me, offering me the tin. "I'm very grateful to you, Altairis. Thank you."

I grinned and accepted his gift. "No thanks necessary, Sir! Ivor is a good friend, and I know he'll be a good man. That's due to you and your wife's guidance, I'm sure. I'm just glad to have had the chance to get to know the both of you. Ah, and Yvette too, of course." I said, clutching the small tin in my hands, positively beaming.

Mayor Litlun laughed, deep and booming. "She'll be pleased to hear it, she made the cookies inside that herself, all for you. Do stop by the garden on your way out and thank her yourself."

I nodded vigorously. "Ofcourse sir!" I said, and as I did, Lanugo, perched upon my head, began to squeak wildly, enjoying himself.

The mayor's eyed narrowed as they focused in on Lanugo, and I could feel the blood drain from my face. Surely, he was going to throw us both in the fireplace, wasn't he?

He took one slow step towards us, then another, his gaze never wavering, until he was nearly nose to nose with the Teeny Sanguini. I held my breath as he raised a hand towards Lanugo, and then. . . pet him. Gently at first, until a look of utter delight broke out across his face and began roughly patting the creature between his enormous ears.

I felt like I had suddenly lost years of my life, but the mayor and Lanugo looked to be having the time of theirs. Eventually, mayor Litlun backed off and barked out another hearty laugh. "He's so adorable! Ah, my wife used to be obsessed with those fluffy little things, was always so disappointed we couldn't afford a tame one to keep in the house. She would have loved to meet your little friend. Ahaha, delightful!" he carried on in a similar fashion for a while as we shared most of the homemade cookies between ourselves. He spoke of his late wife and how he's been doing his utmost for the village and his children both. He was a hard an when he had to be, but at the center, he was about as tough as Lanugo. I smiled as I was reminded of my own mentors. We really weren't so different.

I left the mayor on good terms and found Yvette shortly after, her normally bright demeanor soured since hearing Ivor was no longer at her beck and call since he'd inherited the Inn. All she wanted was a tangleweb, like her brother would normally go fetch for her. I didn't fancy the idea of replacing her brother as her whipping boy, but I searched around the depths of my travel sack and found what she was looking for. The web Ivor had given me when we first traveled together. I was instructed to sell the ball to pay him back, but in the end, I didn't need to. I thought to keep it in my room in the Observatory, as a reminder or souvenir of sorts, but I couldn't help but want to help make my people happy. So I handed Yvette the trinket and thanked her for the cookies, the last of which were safely tucked away for future snacking.

She gave me a small, pink and white flower in return.

"Momma used to put the petals in tea to help me sleep!" she chirped, clutching the tangleweb close to her. "I'm a big girl now and don't need help sleeping, but maybe you still do." she said sweetly. She couldn't have known, but to my people, I still was quite the child.

I assured her I would make good use of it, and started to make my way out of town. Yvette followed me to the gate, not so much because she'd miss me, but rather to squeeze in as much time with Lanugo as possible. I couldn't blame her; his leaving was about as much of a loss to Angel Falls as Erinn's was. I exchanged my goodbyes with Hugo at the towns gate and made him promise to watch over Ivor in Erinn's and my stead. He looked distressed at the thought of handling Ivor all on his own, but solemnly agreed to do his best.

My heart a little lighter and my pack a little heavier, I stepped outside of Angel falls. This time, purely for myself.