Arayna watched Hed float away. It was interesting to see magic used in such a way. It was indulgent, even frivolous, compared to the way the fey had witnessed human’s use magic. Maybe her care-free way of using her craft was an inherited trait. The fairy briefly wondered if the behavior is why big folk thought the little folk where joyful, and maybe even simple/silly. Was being called silly fairy actual an insulting thing among fairies. For some reason, Arayna still thought yes.

Once her male companion was out of sight, Arayna stripped down obligated to honor of promise to take a quick bath. Sitting on the edge of bowel the fey lowered her feet, and promptly had caught herself from falling off the bowel. It was so cold! What had happened? Pouting the fairy decided that her summoning the bowel must have messed with the enhancement. Arayna had little love for the cold, preferring the warmth and the sun. Briefly, she wondered if she could get away with not bathing, but she had made an agreement.

Steeling herself the fey dropped herself into the bowel submerging herself under the water, hoping the shock would allow her to adapt quicker. Had she read that somewhere, or experienced it before? Not at all surprised when her unclear memories offered nothing. The fey quickly bathed herself, taking solace in the fact that she would live up to “hurrying.” She felt as if she could not get out of the bathe quick enough.

Finishing her task, the fairy got out grabbing her rags and clothing quickly trying to dry off and dress, regretting her decision to summon the tree and block the sun. Quickly gathering her things, she heard her companion’s annoyed question. Had they not been eating before, where they in a hurry now. How long was an “age.” It was a new concept to the fairy, having to rush. Normally days had just dragged by, shaking her head she tried to shake away the memories her fragile mind seemed to be trying to offer. Why couldn’t it remember useful things?

Gathering her belongings, she wet a piece of cloth and used her blanket to separate her still muddied equipment from her nice dress. Quickly she rushed to where she thought the question had come from, finding her companion not too far away. Had he waited there for her? Arayna had not meant to get her wings wet but the water had been so cold, it seemed unbearable to bathe any other way. “Yes, I am done, though my wings need to dry before I can fly, the fairies voice betrayed her misery at having had to take a cold bath.

A sigh escaped the female fey, there was no dignity for her today. The dress was still loose in places that likely meant fairy females had similar traits to their womanly counterparts and Arayna had hastily pulled her wet hair up away from her dress, some strands lose from its grasp. ‘It probably still looks better than the stripes, her mind offered, seemingly decided to try to comfort her rather than their usual questionings. This only made the fey sigh deeper, it really had been a rough day. She headed to their impromptu picnic area, trying to tell herself it was because she was still hungry and did not have anything to do with where the dress was loose and her previous thoughts about her reflection.

Hefeydd let out a long, drawn out sigh that chilled the very air around him. He was struck with the thought that he was glad this little aura of cold wouldn't reach the silly wet fairy, as he didn't want her to catch a cold when he froze in place, eyes going wide and body stiff as this foreign thought invaded his mind. He glared at the other fairy suspiciously, his eyes narrowing once more as he looked her up and down. There was no way she would be able to place such a thought inside his head, not this bedraggled starving specimen he found rolling around in mud. Oh no, there was no way one such as she, even as devious as she was, could slip past his mountainous mental defenses and plant a treacherous thought like that within his mind. He eyes narrowed even further until they were nothing but slits and he glanced around suspiciously. He couldn't sense anything magical nearby and anything powerful enough to do such a thing would surely be obvious. He bit his lower lip, worrying at it in frustration. It was fine, he was fine, there was nothing around here. He should go, help his new friend dry off and get warm. Surely she was cold, after he had taken the warmth from her bath…

He was getting to his feet, ready to do just that, when he came to his senses. He scowled at the floor, hands bunching into fists at his side. The other fairy. It could only be her, planting these things in his head to weaken and distract him. He would find out how, and then he would destroy her. It took him a moment of staring at the floor, face hidden from her sight, to compose himself. When he looked up he was smiling again, teeth showing. He put his hands behind his back, clasping them together so as not to betray any emotion through hand gestures. It was important to remain conscious of such things. He feet were firmly on the ground, he hadn't recalled landing, or standing for that matter, but the solid ground beneath his feet was reassuring. The other fairy has sighed, again and again, as if she was impatiently waiting for him after all that time he had spent waiting for her! How rude! He wouldn't let his annoyance show, though, not until he was certain who this other fairy was. He was beginning to grow suspicions, and was tending to them, as if they were little flowers that needed nurturing so they could bloom. Those wings, he was sure he had seen similar patterns on others, though he couldn't quite place them right now. They were too distracting, obviously that was their intent. He hissed between his teeth, too low for the other to hear but it was good to release some of the pent up frustration. 

The other fairy had returned to their make shift dining area, hopefully to sample more of the food which had cost him so much magic to summon up. He was beginning to regret, deeply, not poisoning the summoned food. That thought was uncharitable, here she was, spending time with him and eating with him and he was plotting to do away with her. What a terrible fairy Hefeydd was. Hefeydd sighed and nodded to himself. This was true, he was being unnecessarily mean. Perhaps he should apologize to the other fairy, make it better. He could create for her a cloak made of snowflakes, a thing of beauty he had had the pleasure of seeing once before. Upon her, with that dress, it would look… He froze in place again, eyes bulging. This was not right. He spun in a full circle, taking in his surroundings but it was just the two of them. He couldn't sense any powerful magical presences though, and someone who could do this… Well, there were few that could actually do such a thing and not be seen. His queen was one of them, of course, though he knew the feel of her touching his mind. While he owed loyalty to her and named her his queen, his loyalties only ran so deep. He tapped his foot, his wings twitching with agitation as he thought about this some more. Who would dare to intrude upon his mind? For he was certain, without a doubt, that these thoughts were not his own. The only other person nearby was the fairy Raya, and he just couldn't believe she was powerful enough to not only do such a thing, but also hide it from him. 

While he was thinking about things, he should make a fire. A nice, warm fire to help his companion dry out. That's what was needed. He didn't even need to consider it a debt she would owe him for, as he would be getting something out of it too. The sooner she could travel, the better for him. Hefeydd nodded to himself again, eyes a little glazed as he continued on his way. His wings were twitching violently, shivers running from tops to bottom as he walked into their little area and summoned a ball of flame with one hand, setting it to float close enough to the other fairy to bathe her with warmth. He smiled at her, head tilting to the side, when suddenly his wings gave a mighty flap that sent him stumbling. He staggered backwards, almost falling over, the snarl returning to his lips and ice magic coalescing around both hands. He was back in control of his senses and violent rage was rippling through him. Things were getting… Dangerous. Whoever was entering his mind was beginning to control him, something only the…

A dry chuckling echoed through his mind and a gate way tore open in the air, hanging above the river. It was far to big for just two fairies, from top to bottom the oval must have been eight feet in height, by mortal measurements. Green energy rippled through and around it, markedly different from the icy blue of the portals that Hefeydd himself could create. A rich voice began speaking within his mind, all attempts to mimic his own thoughts and control him dropped as Hefeydd realized, with a touch of nervousness, who it had been.

Hefeydd my friend, my dear First Night. Won't you join me on the other side? I do so miss your company… Bring your friend too, won't you? 

Hefeydd froze again, his tiny heart racing as mixed emotions warred within him. Excitement won out in the end, though. It had been so long, and to be called directly was a great honor. He smiled as he turned to his companion. "Raya, let's go! There's no time to lose!" He focused his magic, his supplies that had been dwindling again were bolstered suddenly with the opening of the portal, and focused enough heat around the other fairy to dry her off. Fire magic wasn't something that he preferred, quite the opposite really, but it made for a lot of fun with the mortals and so he knew his way around it well enough. Spinning in place, he rose from the ground and did a few quick loops before he shot off through the portal, and into another place.

Having wiped off her bag and settled her belongings Arayna sat eating. It really did not look like her companion had eaten. The fey found herself beginning to doubt if he had been the one to ask for food. Or had asking for food been some sort of test or code. Had she passed, was that something she could ask? Arayna’s worries briefly dissipated as her companion rejoined her, and produced a warm flame. That was nice, why had she not thought to try that. He really was good at magic. Yes, the flame was helping her regain her warmth; maybe, even a bit too much.

Worry consumed Arayna when she turned to thank him, he was smiling but his wings were twitching, but the movement was rougher, less graceful than it had been before. “Are you Arayna began to ask but something changed. Her companion nearly fell, though steadied himself and looked angry. Had the events of the day been from a curse, had that curse attached itself to Hed!? Arayna had no idea of how to get rid of a curse; if she ran away would the curse follow and leave Hed alone.

While she had been distracted by her inner musings, a portal seemed to have appeared. Arayna’s eyes grew wide. Was it Leandra? The woman had come to find her before, but it had not even been a day, had it. How long had she been staring at her reflection, or had she forgotten things that had happened? Distracted again, she startled with Hed’s exclamation. He wanted to go; go where? Before she could work this out, she was again hit with fire. It was not meant to provide a comforting worth, but to effectively dried Arayna. Well, she could fly now, where they supposed to run from the portal?

Stupified, the fey blinked. Too much was happening at once for the fairy to comprehend. Her companion seemed happy enough now, maybe they were not in danger. She could not help but smile as he spun and then flew a few loops before disappearing in. Fairies really could be unpredictable and frivolous creatures. Arayna frowned, did she fit that, would she fit in with other fairies. The fey quickly gathered her supplies, and upon realizing it his things in the basket. Belongings gathered she stared at the portal. Well, the worst that could happen is she ends up in a jar again, but at least this time she wouldn’t be alone. With less enthusiasm the female fey followed her former companion, wondering where she would end up, and praying it would not be alone.