Fairy Dust

Infultration is Thirsty Work

Zennick and Sparkletouch arrived back home, and the sky was that black just before dawn.

Sander came out with a thick pipe only to stand stunned at the strange assortment of fairies in her yard.

'Aurora,' she called out behind her without enthusiasm, 'you have a visitor?'

Zennick got off the dust-less bike what quixiup liked to call a 'motorbike' and went to Sander. 'You're looking a lot better, Sander. Mirth is fine. They're staying with the Shroomers until things died down. After that? Who knows? Mirth might change the world so they can come back here.'

Sander through tired eyes and a stranded face cracked a smile that seemed to dislodge the clay of her face. 'They really would. They wouldn't give up this junk lightly, bless.' She ruffled Zennick's lavender hair. 'There's food if you haven't eaten.'

She said as Aurora came up behind, and put her arms around Sander from behind. Sander took a moment to close her eyes and rest a hand on the arms before painfully pulling away. 'You know the rules, Ror,' Sander said with a neutral tone but something about it broke Zennick's heart. He knew he'd never love someone so much and then have to end things like that. It was both a soothing thought and saddening.

Then he thought about Mirth nearly becoming hollow, and he knew that was a lie. You can mourn friends as much as lovers.

'There's food from before, most of it's good,' Aurora said pulling her hands up and away from Sander, her own expression much more closely held, but Zennick knew it hurt her to do it. He remembered them being so close when he was small. Seeing them and loving Mirth had made Zennick so jealous at times he felt sick.

And then Aurora was gone. Zennick had stopped fighting with his mum about clothes after that. And now he felt more comfortable than he ever did.

'We had stuff at the... Shroomer place,' Zennick said quietly. 'I think quixiup took the wrong stuff. Sorry Sander.'

Sander shrugged. 'I don't mind if he teaches me to make that dust-less bike!'

'Fae,' quixiup said clearly helping Sparkletouch get down. 'I'm not a he. I'm a fae. Qiuxiup.'

Aurora nodded. 'Mechanic to the underground. Good to meet you. Please send my dearest thanks for Doxod for saving Mirth. I'll always be in your debt. If there's something I can do, let me know and it's done.'

Quixiup smiled down at Aurora. 'I thought you were hollow?' fae said without hesitation.

Aurora looked over at Sparkletouch who was folding up Mirth's coat carefully.

'And where would you hear that? I can't be hollow, I'm too aware to be hollow.' She said looking quixiup in the eyes with a mirthless smile. She thumbed her nose, rubbing off the flickers of grit.

'Seems you've heard of us and we've heard of you, but we didn't know you were related to Mirth. Zennick here has an idea, and so does Sparkletouch. They're part of the Underground now same as Mirth. Seems you're up on the conversation so I don't have to explain it. If you wanted to know more of our side, you just have to a cup of tea with us, if you like?' quixiup replied with a wink.

Aurora chuckled. 'I've heard of your tea. Been trying to get it for a while but you keep that very close to your wings.'

Sparkletouch approached. 'Why would you want to get the mushroom tea, Aurora?' She said with a look of naivety that fought with discerning.

Aurora shrugged. 'I just know a lot of people. I bet you know people who want the tea as well. But you don't want for dust, like me. What's this idea Zennick? You have good ideas. Is it related to Sparkletouch's idea?'