[first entrance]

[and_i]

There have been a lot of strange things in the forest lately. This one is just passing through, though.

The woods are dark and deep, and lovely enough for some, but it's the glittering, fascinating Observation Window that's drawn this new wanderer.

Or, to put it less poetically:

There's a slight, curly-haired fairy -- no, not that one -- kneeling on a table by the Observation Window with her nose pressed to the glass, utterly entranced. She's even forgotten to put her wings away.

It's so shiny.

[ooc: Open for tags and slowtimes for forever!]

Comments

[sidhe_king]

Well, well.

That is interesting.

Finvarra watches her from his shadowy perch on a rafter for a long while, and with a light little echoing laugh drops down to stand behind her, silent as the grave. "It is a pretty sight, is it not, little one?"

[and_i]

Moth . . . ignores him. She never did really get along with the king's side of the court. Of course, that was Oberon, and he's long gone now.

Oooh, that thing just exploded!

. . . Moth's kind of really bad at social interaction.

On the other hand, her wings flutter, so that's sort of like an acknowledgment?

[sidhe_king]

His own, jewel-hued dragonfly wings (are they natural, or are they another illusion? He's powerful enough to make it hard to tell even for his own kind) flick as he skitters fingers up the tiny stretch of skin between her wings.

[and_i]

And in the blink of an eye, Moth is facing him and hissing, teeth bared.

[sidhe_king]

That makes him laugh gaily, teeth bared as well as he tosses his head back in merriment. "Skittish, are we, little one?"

Perhaps if she'd have answered, he wouldn't have done that. But then again, he might have anyway.

[and_i]

"I am not yours to touch, elf."

[sidhe_king]

"Are you not, little moth?" he poses the question, showing her his palms in a gesture of reconciliation.

"You would do well to know that I am no elf, cousin."

[and_i]

Still looking inclined to bite, she settles back on her heels and eyes him.

"Nor no kin of mine, or I mistake myself."

[sidhe_king]

"And you do not. I am a far more distant cousin than your English friends," says Finn, lifting his chin. "I am Finvarra, King of the Daoine Sidhe."

[and_i]

Moth blinks at him.


Oh! She should respond this time, shouldn't she?

"Hail."

[sidhe_king]

Oh, she is funny, isn't she?

"...And well met, cousin, but you have neglected to give me your name."

[and_i]

"Oh."

Right! This is why the others always shake their heads at her.

"Moth."

Another blink.

"Well met, king, an you do not call me subject."

[sidhe_king]

"I do not," he agrees. "For you are no part of my court, little Moth. We are kin, but I do not rule you. Are you new to this strange little inlet of the realms?"

[and_i]

Intriguedface!

"Is that what it is? I thought it odd. But oh so bright!"

[sidhe_king]

"It is that, certainly. They say what you are looking at in that window is the end of all things," he mentions conversationally. "I have found it a good place to spend my hours when I have little else to occupy me."

It isn't precisely often, one wouldn't say, but he's in here watching it a fair bit. "As I see it has drawn you."

[and_i]

"Who'd not be drawn?"

It's huge! And -- okay, you get the picture about how shiny it is, we're sure.

[sidhe_king]

He chuckles. "The humans, who else? They claim it is disturbing to gaze on, but then what do they know? They do not see the shine."

[and_i]

"'Tis all shine," she says, bewildered, then flutters her wings. "Mortals are dull."

[sidhe_king]

"That indeed they are," Finn agrees. "Come, there are rules and the walls here have ears and eyes with which to catch you should you break any."

[and_i]

. . . Hang on, that sounds worrisome.

Cautiously: "What sort of rules?"

[sidhe_king]

"Only little ones. No violence, no outside business, no--" And here he chuckles, "--Nudity. At least in the bar proper. In the rooms upstairs and the woods outdoors they can do us no harm."

[and_i]

Let it be noted for the record that Moth is not nude, as she is wearing bark-brown breeches and a dusky orange wrap. Nudity's so ten years ago. Although it's fun sometimes!

"What harm can they do here?"

[sidhe_king]

"They can put you in a quite cruel cage--not iron, no, but impenetrable, and inescapable, and clear as air so that you can see all that goes on outside, and yet be denied it," Finvarra explains seriously.

[and_i]

Moth wrinkles her nose.

"Hast been inside yourself?"

[sidhe_king]

"Nay," he answers. "Not myself, though I have been to see those who are."

[and_i]

"Oh." She shrugs dismissively. "Well, well, I shall mind it."

It has not directly affected anyone she knows or of her kind, ergo, don't care.

[sidhe_king]

He laughs. "Ye should probably mind the rules, but not the cells themselves."

[and_i]

Her wings flutter.

"And are those all the rules that I must mind?"

[sidhe_king]

"Aye, so far as I care," he says nonchalantly.

[and_i]

"Little enough."

[sidhe_king]

"'Tis easy enough, is it not?"

[and_i]

Moth gives him an owlish look and nods.