Welcome to Sundown

Ophelia’s cheery voice broke through Nettie’s worries, curiosity bright in the child’s gaze. Shooting stars? Were those a type of flower? The shady spot looked rather bare, but Nettie nodded without hesitation, trusting the faerie wholeheartedly.

Accoutrements. Another addition to Nettie’s mental vocabulary, which had grown with Sow'in’s help reading as well, though she had no idea what this word meant. “Ah-coo… tray…?” she murmured to herself, the pronunciation already escaping her.

She decided to tag along and placed her fingers over her eyes. "The same for me if you please, Sundown?"

As soon as they said it, there was a swish of wind and the gentle tinkering of ceramic plates on wood. After removing their hands, the two would find a lovely tea set displayed in front of them. The centerpiece of their makeshift table was a full plate of halved sandwiches (sliced diagonally, just the way Nettie liked).

Ophelia seemed just as excited as Nettie once she spotted them. She picked up a triangle and smelled it, picking up hints of strawberry and something nutty. "Oh Nettie, sweetest, would you care to explain what this 'pee bee and jay' is? I don't think I've ever had such a thing before!"

They had a plate and tea-cup each, with the teapot settled on Ophelia's side of the table. The faerie had the pleasure of pouring tea for the both of them, prompting her to ask "And how do you like your tea, my dear?" The tea was a light-red color and the sweet, floral aroma filled the air instantly as it filled Nettie's cup. Next to the sandwiches were a bowl of sugar cubes, a small jar of honey and a small pitcher for fresh milk all within Nettie's reach.

----- Meanwhile -----

Sow'in woke up with a jolt, eyes shooting open and body springing up from his moss-bed. Once he realized he was merely back in his room, his breathing calmed and jumbled thoughts sorted out themselves. He pinched the bridge of his nose and shook the last of his bed-rest stupor away. Right. He was supposed to be monitoring Bran.

Though Sundown had not alerted him of any change in the boy's condition, Sow'in thought he might as well check on him since he was already up and about.

All at once, those green eyes were no longer fireflies of flame in the shadow — they were right in front of her, piercing into her as though seeing straight into her soul, the ghoul himself looming over her.

Ada recoiled with a gasp of a cry. Her back struck rough bark, and she shrank downward from there, cowering on the mossy soil between the roots once more as wide eyes stared up at him in pure terror.

What had he said? Something about materials? Was he angry? She couldn’t tell, and her face paled further with the uncertainty of it all, her overworked heart thudding painfully fast in her chest. Her tightly-gripped satchel now shielded both her chest and her chin in an instinctive attempt at protection.

And yet, despite everything, her gaze fixed upon his cloak briefly with a faint flicker of wonder. A cloak of night and tendrils of darkness… she’d never seen anything quite like it. What was it made of? What sort of charm made it move that way? Could she meet its creator and flood them with questions?

Anger stirred in the ghoul and existed as naturally as water did in a pond. It wasn't directed at the messenger fae in particular; at least not yet.

As he took his time wondering if the faerie was hard of hearing, a gust of wind blew in their direction, gently pushing and - specifically - creating distance between the ghoul and the cowering fae. Sow'in recognized the isle's magickal pulse right away, the top of his lip lifting into a sneer.

"Tch."

The ghoul stepped back, an ivory hand producing itself from under the black cloak. He did not care to realize that the ends of his cloak were still reaching out towards the messenger, as if curious and still itching for a touch.

Sow'in repeated himself, though with some added clarity. "Ah'm interested in studyin' this creature," he said as clawed fingers held his chin, half-pondering and half-asking. "You said the Huntsmaster wishes to capture the beast alive. Tell me, what usually befalls the game of the Huntsmaster?"