Tuiteam Righ never answered Temate, Toni thought he looked annoyed by that, which made her ugh. He told her ter that he felt he wasn’t good with clever rhymes. The Righ clearly enjoyed rhymes though, so he had tried to indulge it, them? She still wasn’t sure how to think about the thing they’d met. She still wasn’t sure whether the mass of leaves and the fming pumpkin man were the same creature, shared a mind, or were wholly separate entities who worked together under the same name. Neither was Temate when she asked him.

  It didn’t matter, Tuiteam Righ did seem to enjoy his rhyme, sending them off to feast and rest for the evening. Though there was no clear passage of time here. When Toni asked if it was safe for them to stay, Chtis – who had been made her personal aide for the evening – expined that if they stayed too long they would indeed come to harm. However, one evening – they were very particur about using that word, correcting both humans whenever they said night or day – would cause little damage and may actually aid the Righ in giving blessing. Pipuck seemed certain that was why the trio had not been sent off immediately.

  That’s right, the trio. The three of them were to go together to a new world. Pipuck was apparently going to be stripped of much of their nature and given a sort of human form and sent with them. Pip's memory would be their own, that way they could serve as an aide in adapting to, and integrating into, their new world. Spiras were apparently experienced at exploring new realms and scouting dangerous ones. That was their role in the court. All of this had Toni… Anxious.

  The alcohol hadn’t helped. Apparently that’s what was in the stream that meandered through the Harvest Hall. Okay not totally true, Toni could admit she’d done that to herself. As Chtis had expined it, the stream contained anything and everything she could imagine that was produced from crops. Apple juice, grape juice, even V8 much to Temate’s delight apparently. Toni however had needed a drink to take the edge off. Then another to get into a party mood. Then another after her morose talk about the state of bears in her world with Sir Bearington, Mayor of Bearbhaile.

  Toni could handle her liquor though, but it did make her braver. Between the stress and anxiety, and the alcohol she could admit, she found herself not in her room. Instead she was pacing outside a door as Chtis watched her.

  “This is stupid.” Toni muttered.

  “Perhaps tis.” Chtis replied.

  “I mean he didn’t drink anything.”

  Chtis simply nodded.

  “What do I even want here?” Toni whispered, grabbing the Barr maid by her shoulders. She was indeed she, Toni had double checked. Apparently some fae did pick or have genders, in Chtis case she was made to be female, thus she was female. That comforted Toni, to have another woman who at least felt her age to talk to.

  “I’m sure I don’t know.” Chtis looked at her bnkly. Toni sighed and looked back at the small door.

  “I should knock right? At least to share information I got!”

  “If you feel that wise Miss Toni.” Chtis nodded to Toni who gred back at the maid. She couldn’t get Chtis to stop saying miss either, not since Tuiteam Righ had acknowledged them at least.

  “But do I want more? I don’t know him really, which isn’t to say we couldn’t… ya know, but we’re already in a difficult situation! What if it was bad? He’s so much more mature, more experienced I’m sure.” Toni mumbled to herself as she released Chtis.

  “That is not always a certainty, Miss.” Chtis said ftly.

  “But it has to be true here! I mean he’s so… so…” Toni blushed. “You know what I mean!”

  “I’m sure I don’t know.”

  “Oh come on! You have to know, of all the fae in this pce you were made with all the parts you n–” Toni stopped and looked at the maid realizing she might have made a false assumption. “Were you made… uh… anatomically correct Chtis?”

  Chtis tilted her head sideways examining Toni, “Of course Miss Toni, I wouldn’t cim to be made as such otherwise.”

  “Hahahaha of course not! I was just, ya know… double checking. I don’t know what I was thinking, sorry!” Toni was bright red now, partially due to alcohol, partially due to–

  “If you’d like assistance in seducing and pleasuring Mister Temate I’d be more than w–” Toni smmed her hand over Chtis’ mouth.

  “DON’T TALK SO LOOOUD.” Toni hissed, “And of course I don’t want help, what makes you think I’d want or need help!” Toni’s mind began to imagine it, the two girls. Both kneeling, looking up into those big, strong, powerful, authoritative eyes as they l–

  “AAAAAAAAH” Toni screamed and ran off, the image in her head brightening her whole body. A few moments ter the door opened and Temate looked out to find Chtis beginning to walk away.

  “Ah, apologies Mister Temate.” Chtis curtsied and looked down the hall where Toni had disappeared into another doorway a short ways down the hall but waited for his response. She had been instructed to assist both, though Pipuck had assured her they would handle helping Temate.

  “No apologies necessary Miss Chtis, did you need something?” Temate replied, he stood in the doorway, all clothes discarded except for a spare pair of sweats kept in his bag.

  “Necessity does not dictate politeness Mister Temate I” – a thought crossed the Barr girls mind as she examined the strange, exotic form of the human in front of her – “was just wondering if you would like any assistance. I have been tasked in supporting you and Toni in whatever ways you need.” – Chtis stepped closer– “and Miss Toni has bedded down for the evening.” Temate looked down at her and blinked.

  “I don’t think so Miss Chtis, thank you for asking.” Temate replied.

  Chtis stepped right up to press herself against Temate, his eyes widening as her soft, literally velvety hands ran along his side. “Nothing at all?” There was a brief pause then Temate’s eyes narrowed to examine Chtis. He stepped aside and motioned into the room.

  “Please, come in.” Temate said.