Heya. It's been…a minute. It's been a freaking minute. I was busy revising the plot. Also slacking – lots of slacking. But I'm almost done with the next chapter so after this one I'll be working on finishing that up. For now, at least, I have a new working computer with word and a functioning browser. We'll see how long that lasts. I apologize for the ridiculous wait, I'll try to do better.
I don't own the Iron Fey. What a sad state of events.
Making our way to the party was easy enough. Avaril lived in close proximity to Summer territories, being Summer herself. She lived close enough to get there on short notice, but far away enough that she avoided most of the hubbub of court - and I couldn't blame her for the decision.
Both of the courts, in my opinion, were eternally more dangerous than the wyldwood could ever be. At least out here things were honest about trying to kill you.
The four of us continued North for what felt like twenty minutes until our destination poked up over the horizon.
The place was huge, and it made no pretense of being anything but. Amendiil was obviously regarded highly, to call such a place his home. The mansion was Victorian-era, with beautiful vines of ivy creeping up the sides like it sometimes did on old houses. Wildflowers lined the cobblestone pathway to the door, and the grass of the lawn was a deep lush green. A cluster of trees stood of to either side of the path, decorating the lawn with vibrant beacons of fruit - blood-red apples and healthy-looking pears. My stomach growled, and I had to look away before I was tempted to steal a few. Hundred.
One of the giant windows peered into the gorgeous ballroom. A multitude of fey in their otherworldly finery twirled drunkenly across the dance floor and mingled near the tables of food. I saw a cocktail dress made of monarch wings, and an evening gown of spider silk.
God, I was gonna hurl.
"Kirie, are you alright?" Ash's hand landed lightly on my upper arm, causing me to jump in surprise.
Puck turned to use and grinned widely. "Pre-party jitters, huh?" He asked. "What's wrong? Worried you'll get a taste of some spiked wine? Personally, I think you'd look good as a chicken for the night." That caught Minerva by surprise, and she sneezed a laugh.
I glared at him. "No," I stated simply, "I just don't like people."
"Well," my answer seemed only to widen his smile, "don't worry about sounding antisocial or anything, Sunshine." In a moment of childishness, I stuck out my tongue. His eyes gleamed excitedly for a moment during our banter, but he suddenly adopted a look of sincerity. He looked me straight in the eye. "I'll be right there with you - just say the word."
Embarrassed and speechless, I could only manage a curt nod. Silence followed before Ash gently cleared his throat.
"Minerva will come with me; it'll help muffle my glamour to keep her close. Just give us the signal of anything goes wrong - we'll be at your side at the drop of a hat."
Touched, I steeled myself. When I spoke next, determination colored my tone. "Right, then. Let's go, because Goodfellow must be dying to spike the wine."
"You know me so well." Puck placed a hand to his heart as if I had just complemented his eyes, fluttering his lashes as he feigned bashfulness. I could feel my eyes roll back into my skull.
As we approached the door, it began to creak open, and Ash and Minerva melted into the background - out of sight. A man with long, fashionably disheveled hay-colored hair leaned lazily against the door frame. His long black slacks complemented his slender legs nicely, and his white shirt was unbuttoned just the right amount to let the light glisten off of his toned and sun-kissed chest. He wore no shoes, and his eyes shone like a cat's.
When he spoke, his voice seemed to float on the air - teasing my ears with the sweet lilting sound. "Ah, what a pleasant surprise. Robin Goodfellow and the Mix-breed. I must say I couldn't have hoped for such a pair to grace my lowly doorstep."
I didn't like the way his eyes dragged over the two of us, as if he were a hungry dragon sizing up his next meal. One corner of his mouth was quirked upward, as if he couldn't be bothered to finish the smile.
"Well, no need for the formalities, Goldilocks. We just heard there was a party and couldn't resist the opportunity to drop by and say hello." Puck's smirk rivaled the man's. It was the dangerous one he often wore when he wanted to remind people just what exactly made him so infamous. There was a quiet caution to the way he stood that made me wonder just who we were dealing with. "I can't imagine you didn't know we were coming."
"Yes, yes, I had heard the whispers floating around court. They say you are on the lookout for a certain sidhe." He met my eyes almost hungrily, and I did my best to suppress the shiver it sent up my spine. I kept my face stony. "There, was it? My, my, you must be quite desperate. Looking for something, Mix-breed?"
I swallowed the urge to tell him to shove it. Somehow I figured it wouldn't be well-received - insulting the home-owner like that. "I'm repaying a debt to a friend. I'm only doing what was asked of me."
The laughter that followed was like music, and something inside of me almost yearned to laugh along. The magnetic pull this Amendiil guy had was dangerous. "What a polite way of telling me to mind my own business. I like you, girl." He stepped back and extended an arm towards the inside of the mansion. "Well, I can't very well have my guests out in the yard, now, can I? Please come in."
We complied with his request, making our way slowly up the stone steps. I trusted Ash and Minerva to find a way inside, if they hadn't already, and let myself follow Amendiil down the hallway until we found ourselves at two large wooden doors on the left wall. Intricate carvings of lion heads decorated the faces. They growled at us, but then Amendiil reached out a hand and stroked behind their ears, and with a low groan the doors opened to us. He led us into the ballroom that lay beyond. Puck attempted to pet one of the lions, but it snarled and almost took his hand off. With a little snicker and a mocking face at the wooden cat, he followed us inside.
"Do enjoy yourselves," Amendiil wished us well. "And I hope you find what you're looking for, Mix-breed." When I turned, he had already vanished into the crowd.
"Well," Puck exclaimed too cheerfully and gave a mock-shiver, "that was all sorts of creepy." All traces of his intimidating aura were gone.
"I need a drink." I snatched a glass from a passing brownie's tray of beverages. In one long swig, I tossed it back like a shot. The bitter faery wine flooded my senses in no time at all. I swayed gently on my feet for a minute before regaining myself. "Hoo…that is some good shit!"
I heard Puck snicker, and felt him nudge me lightly with his elbow. "Never knew you to be such a lush, Sunshine." He teased good-naturedly. I paused from taking a gulp of my second glass to look at him.
"I told you I don't like people." It came out a little slurred.
"Yeah, I suppose you did." He gave a soft chuckle as we made our way closer to the edge of the crowds. "So, how are we planning to find this guy?"
"Already done." Ash's sudden appearance makes me jump a little. He slunk up to us, Minerva at his side, keeping their backs to the crowd.
"Great! Where is he?" I asked. An empty wine glass dangled from my fingers – my third. Thankfully, I was beginning to feel a little better about all the people. "Let's get this party started." Ash gave me a strange look as a brownie came to retrieve my empty glass.
"Do I even want to know how many she's had?" He asked Puck, raising a slender brow.
"Probably not, Prince."
"Right." The Ice prince sighed and shook his head, but he looked almost amused. "Well, whenever you think the time is right." With agreement from Puck, the dynamic duo vanished off somewhere hidden. I relished in the light, floaty feeling the drinks gave me for a few minutes while we stood there in comfortable silence. I thought that at one point I noticed Robin slip something into the glasses on one of the brownies' trays – but I couldn't be sure.
"Let's dance." He proclaimed suddenly, turning to me with a smile.
"Why?" I prompted, being deliberately defiant and sticking out my lip.
"Because that's what most people do at parties like this one."
"I don't think that applies to me, Goodfellow. After all – I'm not exactly 'most people'."
"Way to be a downer, Sunshine. I know I didn't teach you that." He grabbed my hand gently, despite my earlier protest, and began walking.
"Just my natural charm shining through." I smirked sardonically, "Where are you taking me?"
"Oh, a magical place, Sunshine," he turned and slid his fingers into my other hand until I complied and let him take that one, too. Ava's words briefly flashed through my mind, but I quickly dismissed them. "It's called the dance floor."
I was acutely aware that I was meant to be holding a particularly potent grudge at the moment. Ah, I'll worry about it when I'm sober. "Ugh…piss on you, Goodfellow." I groaned, but allowed him to pull me closer. I put my hand on his shoulder and we quickly adopted the familiar dance form. He rested his hand lightly at my waist.
"I remember when you used to dance on my feet." He mused quietly as a gentle smile took its place on his mouth. I offered an embarrassed smirk.
"Unfortunately, so do I."
"C'mon, it wasn't that bad."
"Say that when you've got a childhood you can still recall."
"Touché." We remained that way for a few songs – sometimes filling the silences with pointless banter, and sometimes letting them take over, instead. By the third song, some of my initial buzz had worn off and I realized the reality of how close I was to him. I pulled away abruptly.
"Sunshine?" I met his bright eyes and found myself just a touch breathless, and then angry that such a strange new feeling would be conjured up by him of all people.
"It's time." I mended smoothly, nodding once. "Let's find the other two. Thero'll probably be getting pretty friendly by now." Disappointment in his eyes betrayed him when he tried to act casual in response to my semi-rejection.
"Sure thing. Lead the way." We headed to the far wall, where only a few sidhe mingled and watched the crowds dance and make fools of themselves. Where the faery fire hardly reached and shadows gathered in the absence of light. We waited patiently, and soon enough they showed themselves.
"Is the plan in motion?" Minerva inquired softly.
"Yes. Show me who we're looking for."
"We've been keeping eyes on him." Ash raised a finger slowly to a man with wild black hair and equally wild eyes. He wore simple black slacks and shoes, but only a blazer adorned his chest – no shirt. He was surrounded by a group of nymphs and phouka girls, all fawning over him.
"Alright. You two hang back while Robin and I go talk to him. If we need your help, I'll signal." They dipped their heads in understanding and melted back into the shadows.
"Time to go, Sunshine." Puck glided gracefully across the floor with me on his heels. Some of the nymphs turned to us, curious. When they saw who I was with, their eyes widened and they turned to whisper and giggle – which only caused more of them to look our way. Puck winked at a few of them, sending them into a fit of excited titters.
Thero eventually noticed that his harem's attention had been diverted, and he turned his gaze to us. He studied us with a curious grin. "Come to join the fun?"
"You're Thero, correct?" I spoke firmly, trying not to sound nervous.
"That's what most call me, yes. Is there something I can help you with, young lady?" I didn't like the way his eyes raked over my frame like a snake studying a mouse.
"We've been told that you have the means to help us in our search."
He paused, seeming to eye me more seriously, now – and then Puck – knowing grin never leaving his face. "Ladies," with a simple word he commanded the attention of almost every girl surrounding him, "we will have to continue this another time. I have some business to tend to." They voiced their disappointments, but obeyed regardless – sneaking sly smiles and suggestive winks Goodfellow's way. He returned them with a mischievous grin, and I shot him a glare to keep him in place. You came along, so you stay on task.
Thero motioned for us to follow and we did, albeit in confusion. He led us to a gathering of tables, mostly empty, and lowered himself into a chair. His limbs splayed out obnoxiously. We sat across from him, a bit wary. "Hm…so the mix-breed and the famous court jester have come calling. What could they be searching for? I must admit, you have me intrigued, dear."
"The cursed three – do you know anything of them?" I blurted.
His eyes widened fractionally, almost unnoticeably. "Well…this just got very interesting very quickly. Even I know very little about such objects. The price for such things will be great – are you sure you can handle that?"
"Tell us what you do know." Puck prompted, reaching into his vest and letting whatever was inside flash in the light of faery fire. It was the hilt of a dagger – pure gold and decorated with precious gemstones. The blade looked to be made of glass. "I'm sure we have the means to pay."
This time we could clearly see the surprise on his face. "That…that dagger is supposed to be lost." A smile leaked onto his features, and he shook his head in disbelief. "It would seem your knack for taking things just to prove you can actually comes in handy every now and again. Wherever did you find it?"
"Oh, I just stumbled across it in some pyramids while exploring around down there. Amazing, the things you find."
Thero chuckled. "Very well, that is my price for the information I give you." I give Puck an appraising glance before turning back to Thero.
"I suppose it would be too easy if you knew where to find them…"
"You guess correctly, my girl – it is difficult for even someone like me, who prides himself on obtaining and trading valuable information, to know where such old and powerful artifacts are hidden."
"But you do have an idea of where to start looking." It wasn't a question.
"Hm. There are always whispers, my child, of course. It is said that if you find one, it will lead you to the location of the others. After all, three sisters who love each other so dearly should never be apart."
"Wait…they aren't together?" My stomach twists at the thought of having to find all three Tokens and how long it could take. Thero gives me a tiny mocking smile, like I should have expected this. Admittedly, I probably should have seen it coming. Even Puck looks unsurprised by this development, and only offers a tiny shrug as if to say What're ya gonna do?
"That damn cat…" I grumble, "Well, where do you suggest we start?"
The sidhe in front of us leaned back in his chair until we heard a satisfying pop. There was a relaxed sigh, and then he returned his snake eyes to me. "I suggest you find yourself an oracle. Nothing that exists in time and space can hide from their eyes."
"Do you know of one?"
"Oh, many, my dear, many. You'll want Lady Chesa. She has a little fortune telling shop in New York City. Charming little place, really. Just catch a cab and you'll get where you want to go."
"And you're positive she'll be able to help us? No games."
He shows me both rows of pearly white teeth. "She is my most trusted associate."
That doesn't answer my question. I sighed inwardly, feeling as though I am farther away from my goal rather than closer to it. Regardless, I gave Puck the go ahead. He tossed the dagger into the air, catching it by its blade and extending it towards its new owner.
"As promised." He said with a cat-like grin. Thero took it eagerly and tucked it into his blazer with a greedy glint in his eye.
"Pleasure doing business with you." And then he was gone. I placed my hands on my hips and let out a heavy sigh.
Puck clapped me on the back. "We're closer, Sunshine." I met his eyes, annoyed that he is talking to me like a child. Instead of replying I grab a glass from a passing tray and slam it back like a shot. My growing irritation ebbs some, replaced by the welcome burn of alcohol. "Fates help me." I let the glass drop to the floor and walk away. As we approached the edge of the ballroom, a blood curdling scream echoed through the room, making everyone stop.
A moment later the sea of people parted for a group of squawking chickens. Some of the birds were wearing suspiciously expensive jewelry. Puck motioned to Ash and Minerva to follow before grabbing me by the elbow and retreating with his head down. There was a huge grin on his face the entire time.
It's really nice to be back in the swing of things, I think.
-I think I'm gonna like it here plays in the background-
Wut?
Reply time~!
Izaria – I'm glad you like her, I worked really hard on coming up with an interesting character to write about. It's definitely fun to get inside her head, that's for sure.
Guest5 – Haha, that was a really fun interaction to write, actually. I'm trying to make him more of a big brother figure, since he does sincerely care about Kirie, and everything. I thought he'd be difficult to write with a soul, but it's actually easier than writing him without one. Maybe it's because he hasn't been in a lot of scenes while having a soul in the books, so it's easier not to stray from his personality.
Strangerine – I did do that didn't I? It's good, too, I'm really enjoying reading it! I'm happy you took the time to check out something of mine in return – thanks for that!
As for the Mary-Sue thing…yeah, I worry about that, too. It's why I spent so much time away from the fic. (also my computer wasn't working, but details, details.) To be honest, I don't think it'll be too difficult not to, though. I mean, Keirran has all three types of glamour, and Julie managed to not completely ruin his character. Not that I'm saying I'm as good as Julie – oh my god. Not the children!
And those words pop up so often because I'm more comfortable writing in past-tense. It may be lazy, but it's my style. Sorry that it bothers you, I am trying to write in present-tense in some of my newer stories.
Ah, that was fun to reply to – I love long reviews! Thanks again for reading, I appreciate it! Hopefully I didn't take too long and you're still gonna read it – I like constructive criticism.