The house was old but huge, hidden behind large oak trees that towered above the house. In front, there was a fairy woman with dark brown hair. She was thin, sitting in the overgrown meadow and playing with two young fairy children, a boy and a girl who were both in the middle of laughing as Theo pulled up. Theo's car seemed to disrupt the peaceful scene, however, and as Theo went up to the door, the woman looked concerned, her brow furrowed. * * * "You'd kill yourself trying," she replied, pursing her lips. "I'm genuinely concerned for your safety. According to my examinations, you do not seem able to make logical decisions when it comes to the preservation of life." * * * She raised an eyebrow almost playfully. "I see. Most people would be relaxing with the time off," she replied, straightening the books self-consciously. * * * He sat in silence for a moment, peacefully scratching Edna's ears before he noticed Lilith. He stood suddenly, sending Edna into a flurry as she sped off, leaving her carrot behind. He looked down at the half-eaten vegetable, his face falling slightly before he looked back up at Lilith. "What are you doing here?"
Theo paused, looking over at the woman with a hint of nervousness. "Hi.. I'm just looking for Monty.." *** His expression changed slightly and he frowned. "Oh.. Alright then. Let's go." *** "I know," he said slowly. "But you're here too, so you can't judge me." *** She looked startled as he saw her, covering the bruise with her hair. "I-I don't know."
She softened and stood up, brushing off the apron that was tied around her waist. "Oh, I see... let me, uh... here. Let me get him. Hold on, dear..." She came over to the door and opened it, smelling vaguely of freshly baked bread. "Monty?" she called, heading in. "Your friend is here." She glanced over her shoulder. "You're welcome to come in, Miss...?" * * * She followed him, folding her arms and tilting her head back to look at the sky. "It is far too cold to be considered the end of summer," she said flatly, looking up with a frown. "Summer weather can be up to 113 degrees here. Even if we were to qualify this day as a 'fall' day, that should still leave us somewhere between the 60s or 70s. It feels like it is freezing." * * * She laughed slightly, clearing a space for him to sit. "Who said I was judging? Want to study together?" * * * He blinked, coming over to her and brushing back her hair gently. "What happened to you?"
She looked surprisingly nervous, which wasn't a normal expression for her. "You can call me Theo.." *** He looked back in confusion, his head tilted slightly. "What? That's awfully random to say." *** He nodded, laying out a book. "That would be good." *** She leaned back sharply, swatting his hand away. "It's nothing."
She gave her a kind smile. "Theo. Make yourself at home. Monty's in his room; I'll grab him for you." * * * She seemed uncomfortable, shifting slightly. "Isn't that what people do? Discuss... weather?" * * * She offered him a book from their homeroom class before beginning to try to grow the light again. * * * "Lilith," he said sharply. "Let me see."
She nodded, stepping in and looking around curiously. "Thank you." *** He grinned. "Oh. I see now. Yes, people do that." *** He took it with thanks, flipping through the book to catch up. *** She shook her head. "It's nothing! I just.. bumped into something."
She headed up the stairs and the two younger fairies approached Theo. "Do you know Monty?" the girl asked. * * * She seemed relieved, nodding slightly. "That's what I thought. What else do people do? Talk about sports, yes?" * * * She cupped the light in her hands, her eyes brightening with excitement as it grew in her palms. * * * "You're lying to me," he replied sharply. "Don't lie to a demon."
She looked down at them curiously. "Yes, I do." *** "Some people. People who like sports. Or hobbies, or anything really." *** He looked up, observing her curiously. He didn't say anything, just watched. *** "Someone hit me," she said roughly. "Stop asking about it."
The boy had a missing front tooth and looked intrigued. "Do you go to school with him?" * * * "Hm... have you... have you defeated any opponents in battle, recently?" * * * She didn't seem to notice, her hair blowing back as the light grew in her hand. She reached out a finger and touched it gently before petting it gently, looking pleased. The light lit up her eyes, painting them a golden brown. * * * He sighed, dropping his hand. "Don't make this difficult, Lilith. Believe it or not, I'm not here to fight with you."
She nodded slightly. "Yes.." *** He tilted his head at her. "No, I don't really battle often. Have you?" *** He pursed his lips slightly, folding his hands. "Did you just pet it." *** She looked nervous, her eyes wary but not necessarily of him. "Someone hit me," she said again. "That's all."
The girl looked fascinated. "Is he good at school?" * * * She shrugged sheepishly.pris "...yes. But you'll have to forgive me for my vanity; it is the one field in which I truly excel." * * * She looked at him, looking perplexed. "Of course. I made it." * * * "Who?" he asked, sounding surprisingly gentle.
She looked a little confused. "I think so." *** "I don't mind any vanity, I guess. It's just achievements." *** "So you pet it?" he asked curiously. *** She looked uncertain. "My mom.." A pause crossed over her and she frowned. "I don't know why I'm telling you."
"Ha! Monty wins at school!" Monty came down the stairs quickly. "Sorry, Theo; ready?" * * * "Well... let us discuss your hobbies. How is turning into birds and running into windows?" * * * "If you had a child," she replied slowly as the ball seemed to nuzzle up to her neck, "would you not treat it lovingly?" * * * "I have that effect on people," he said gently. "Here. Let me look."
She pursed her lips before looking up at him. "Yeah. Shall we?" *** "Well, I fly to school. The window was a painful accident." *** He looked perplexed. "But that's not a child, it's magic." *** She seemed incredibly tense, but didn't pull away this time, brushing her hair back.
He nodded and the little girl waved at Theo cheerfully. Monty ruffled her hair as they passed, leaving through the front door. He exhaled as the door closed behind them. "Sorry it took me so long." * * * "Apologies. How is the flying and writing in newspapers going, then?" she replied, raising one eyebrow. * * * "You'd have a lot more luck with your magic if you treated it kindly. Here." She extended her hands to him, holding the ball of light. * * * His thumb brushed the bruised skin gently. She would feel a small warmth as the bruise faded from view, and he dropped his hand. "There. Better."
She tilted her head at him, heading toward the car. "That's okay. I met two of your siblings." *** "Fly is fine," he said easily. "I haven't written much since school stopped." *** He took it, looking rather disapproving. "I've done just fine so far." *** She relaxed slightly, watching him curiously. "Thank you."
“I’m aware. Lacey and Basil.” *** “Because of guilt?” she replied primly, slipping her hands into her back pockets. *** As she passed it to him, the magic felt warm and responsive to his touch. “Just pet it. You’ll see what I mean.” *** He frowned, dropping his hands before going back over to the carrot and picking it up. “Don’t ever let them know they’ve gotten to you, Lilith,” he replied quietly, sticking the carrot back in his pocket. “Just keep a straight face and they’ll leave you alone eventually.”
She opened the drivers door. "They're cute." *** "..No," he replied slowly, "because nobody is at school to read the paper." *** He frowned, looking down and petting it. *** She frowned, coming down from the structure and going toward him. "Is that something you learned from experience?"
“They are,” he agreed with a nod. “Thank you for noticing.” *** She didn’t look convinced but nodded. “Sure. What exactly are you hoping we’ll find here?” *** Warmth flowed through his fingers, the beacons of light moving through his hands easily and responsibly. If he focused, he would almost feel a purring-sensation against his hands. The usual band of resistance that accompanied energy magic was no longer there. *** He looked over at her, his expression almost scolding her for prying. After a moment, though, he softened. “I’m a demon, Lilith. Of course it’s from experience.”
She got in and closed the door, turning on the car and looking over at him. "To the store, then?" *** He folded his arms, looking stubborn. "Clues." *** Cassian squinted at the beacon of light before looking up at Fina. "This is weird." *** She paused, flushing slightly as she realized she may have come across as insensitive. "I'm sorry. I haven't been very kind to you."
