sweetest honey

The protection around the meadow had been clearly felt by Daire as he’d grown closer to it. Certain spells were lost on him, but he was able to work around the clearing’s so that he could enter. It was really used best against humans, which is why Daire was able to affect it in the first place. No doubt more powerful fae than himself could completely destroy the barrier. 

With this in mind, Daire wondered if anyone would really be a threat to this faun. Wild, carnivorous fae, perhaps, but they never ventured around these parts. He was also no doubt quite on his…. hooves… so that wasn’t a problem either. Acknowledging this, the gancanagh felt almost relieved. He didn’t quite understand that…

Unless Daire proved himself not to be a threat.

Felix's fault was how he grew comfortable over time far too easily. The longer he got to look at Daire and watch him, the more he relaxed. That wasn't to say the boy was incapable of darting at any moment -- that trait ran in his blood, thankfully. However, because the other was so different, Felix found the guard Blaise begged him to keep up when out alone dropping as his natural curiosity grew.

What was different...was interesting!

"The north?" Felix murmured quietly. He hadn't even met a fae from the north. No humans came from the north, either. That's what Blaise told him, anyway. Humans only stuck around Sleepy Hollow and the tower.

But the north... That was a mystery to Felix. Blaise hadn't told him much about it yet.

The faerie recalls the last crown the other made and nods absently before turning to the other, eyebrow arched with slight disbelief. “Oh? Well, if that’s what you’d like then certainly.” He agrees again and averts his gaze elsewhere. Felix’s mother…what sort of a woman was she? Wonderful most likely. Felix had always been so gentle and earnest. As lonely as he might’ve been if the faun boy never entered his life, it must’ve been even harder to be separated from family.

He may not have mother anymore...but he had Blaise. That was just as good. Blaise treated him well -- loved him. Felix was happy.

Such happiness showed all over his face as his cheek was gently scratched, a beaming smile returning to Felix's face as well as a bubbly giggle coming from his throat. He was always treated so kindly. Life was good.

"Mother loves lavender," Felix states in a gentle, reflective tone. His emerald eyes grow distant as he looks out over the meadow. "Lavender and snowbells..."

Seeing the way the faun paused at his words, Daire smothered a wider smile. Easy-peasy. This little thing was going to let his curiosity get the better of him in the end. 

"I apologize," crooned the blond, holding his hands behind his back as he continued to lazily stroll about. All he did was wander aimlessly, taking in the sight of the meadow and appreciating the flowers and underbrush of the area. It truly was lovely…

Eventually he slowed to a stop, keeping some distance between himself and the boy. Peering down, he spotted the berries he was eating and quirked his lip in amusement. Truly a child… He couldn’t be any older than fifteen at most. What was he doing all alone?

He had never seen this faerie before. What he a newcomer? Where did he come from?

Felix watched as the blond took his casual stroll about the meadow. His meadow, might he add. Blaise told him that this could be his secret spot and usually the meadow was protected, but the fact that this fae entered must have meant that he was able to counteract the magic. Felix wouldn't know. He wasn't versed in magic or spells...

When Daire stopped to introduce himself, Felix's fingers curled tighter around the strap of his satchel. Despite this movement, the faun's emerald eyes were open in a curious way and his mouth was small on his face. Felix wanted to know more about him now that the initial shock accompanied by his arrival was gone.

He wouldn't dare approach him, though.

"We’ll be having your favorite. I’ve already gathered the ingredients so now all there’s left to do is make it. You can help if you’d like." Blaise chuckles but lowers his voice once the other concentrates once again. He watches the other’s nimble fingers fit stems through hoops and lines. The other showed a talent! In this, the faerie felt proud in a way. 

"Okay! Let's make it after we come home. Together, of course!" Felix claps his hands softly, looking back to the patch of wildflowers Blaise had conjured for him. Aside from the few spots where Felix had taken blossoms from, it is lush and fragrant, rich with color.

Mother's flower crowns were always made from a flower carefully picked.

"I wonder what flower mother would like this time. I made her one with daisies last time." Resting his palms on his hocks, Felix leans forward slightly and hums with thought. Quickly, he turns his head and beams up at the faerie beside him, eyes bright with a solution.

Good thing he bathed, though… Otherwise he’d have every creature running for the hills. 

Tilting his head a little, Daire remained still as the faun met his gaze. The grin remained on his lips, expression honestly curious as he looked the other up and down. Truly, he meant no harm, not today, and all he really wanted to do was see if the boy would chat with him. If he didn’t know any better, this lad was probably under Blaise’s wing, so to speak.

Daire had only just met the zips, but he had a feeling anyway. It would be like him to take in this little runt and care for him. Which is why the blond wanted to talk… Just what was this fellow like? Daire was a social butterfly and he wished to find some new entertainment.

His luck had run out, though.

Heeding Blaise's warning was what was best for the faun, but his own curiosity stopped his hooves in their tracks when the blond spoke up. His voice was...unnerving.

Felix turned slowly to face the fae once more, tilting his head and peering at him from under his dark caramel fringe. "...I was startled," the faun boy offered meekly. He still felt a tinge of fear as his heart beat one thrum faster than usual.

The faerie was making his way into his meadow, resulting in the faun watching him more intently. What did he want? Felix had nothing, he had even left his snack behind on the grass, nor did Felix know any secrets. What secrets were there to be had?

Thus, a bath was in order.

There was a certain creek that he enjoyed washing in; it was shaded by thick trees and got few visitors. The ones that did stray too close were quick to flee upon seeing Daire cleaning up, something that only mildly wounded his pride. Today was no different, and he took his time scrubbing off whatever filth caked his skin and clothes, letting them dry in the sun as he leaned back against the bank. 

After awhile, Daire pulled himself out of the water and shook himself off, tugging on his clothes and smoothing his wet locks back off his forehead. Set on exploring a little, he started off through the trees, winding about the underbrush and hopping over aging logs. Eventually he came to a hanging wall of vines, causing a grin to form on his lips.

An adventure already?

It was most unfortunate for Felix that a freshly washed gancanagh stumbled upon him.

When the blond's head showed through the vines, Felix's muscles slowly stiffened and his head turned to fully make eye contact with the visitor. This faerie wasn't familiar to the faun and the fact that a faerie he didn't know was grinning at him made Felix's stomach toss. Being in a situation such as this gave rise to wariness in the little deer boy.

After a tense moment, Felix slowly swallowed was what left in his mouth, nose barely twitching as the stared the fae down. Felix's hand hovered over his satchel before he snatched it up and rose to his hooves. It was time to leave. It wasn't safe here anymore.

Felix's instincts were telling him to leave.