Faytes of the Otherworld: Fayted

The next day was long. Dani had woken up a little past eleven, alone in the tent with no sign of Nissa. She figured that her Familiar was still off with Orin. She couldn’t fault her for it; she needed someone that was like her. How long had she been alone?

After haphazardly getting dressed, Dani ventured out into the Hedgerow for a bit of a walk. She still hadn’t seen everything and figured now was as good a time as any.

(*)

The day was just as warm as the one before. Dani assumed the cool weather that they had had the past week was just a warning of the autumn to come.

People were outside their tents, coaches, and tiny wooden sheds, gathering produce from tiny gardens and bustling about as they conversed with their neighbors.

Some waved, others just nodded in respect as Dani passed by. She noticed a few young children in the groupings; young enough to have been conceived after the end of the world. People were still finding love amidst the most tumultuous part of their lives.

“Good morning!” A woman who appeared to be in her mid-thirties greeted Dani as she walked past a lovely little wooden cabin complete with window planters.

“Morning.” Dani gave a shy smile. She hadn’t really met anyone outside of the Elders.

“You’re the new Messiah, eh?” She wasn’t going to let her go without a little more conversation.

Dani paused at this odd question, “Excuse me?”

“The new Messiah. A lot of people are talking about you saving us from the demons.” The woman just looked at Dani, her wiry brunette hair rustling in the wind.

“I—I’m no Messiah, lady. I’m just a woman who was looking for a safe place to call home.” Dani was worried this would happen.

“Tell that to the rest of ’em looking for someone to save us all.” She responded, propping her broom up beside her. Dani noticed that it was hand-made with tiny charms that hung from the handle.

“I can’t keep anyone from believing what they want to believe. Just know that I am no Messiah.” Dani shook her head.

“I know you’re not, love. Just know that some people think that way and may hold you to a higher regard because of it.” The woman winked at her.

“Thanks for the advice.” Dani waved awkwardly as she walked away, the woman watching her all the while until she disappeared from sight.

(*)

Dani lounged about the rest of the day, not really wanting to do anything. She could hear people walking about outside the tent as they chatted about the celebration and laughed with each other.

Even though she should have been getting ready, all she wanted to do was stay put and read the comics that she had found under her pillow.

The comfort of reading sci-fi fairy tales and not having a care in the world is what she needed.

She still hadn’t seen hide nor hair of Nissa, even when the sun started to set around eight o’clock.

Dani was just about to venture out and go look for her feline friend when she came waltzing through the tent flap.

“Where the hell have you been?” Dani didn’t even look around her comic book.

“Out. Where have you been?” Nissa asked as she sat atop her scarves and began cleaning herself.

“In.” Dani tried to be funny.

“Not going to ask how my night went? Seems like yours went well.” Dani’s voice was muffled by the newsprint.

“Funny. How was your night?” Nissa turned herself away from Dani to lick at her inner thigh.

“I almost died…again.” Dani set down her comic book and rolled over towards Nissa.

The cat stopped mid-lick and turned over her shoulder, “Do you have a death wish, woman?”

“No, I’m just too goddamned compassionate.” Dani plopped her face into a pile of blankets.

“Oh. That’s why I smelled blood. Where is it? What happened?” Nissa came padding over and circled Dani round and round.

“Here.” Dani lifted her hips and slid her trousers off, pointing out the gauze patch on her inner thigh.

“What in the bloody hell happened?” Nissa’s fur bristled; she could smell another fae on Dani, one of a darker persuasion like herself.

“Tam Lyn needed to feed—”

“Don’t say any more. Why on Earth would you let another fae feed on you? You’re Fae!” If Nissa had had human arms she would have thrown them up and dropped them at her sides with how exasperated she sounded.

“What do you mean by that?” Dani pulled her trousers up and turned back to Nissa.

“Fae aren’t supposed to feed on other fae; Tam Lyn should know that. Fae that need to feed energetically are supposed to feed on Mortals, as their life force is weaker and easier to absorb.” Nissa explained.

“But I am part mortal.” Dani tried to defend Tam Lyn.

“Technically you are a Halfling, so it shouldn’t have been as bad. There are stories of fae feeding on Halflings, but it was usually during—ahem—intercourse.” Nissa cocked a kitty brow.

“Oh, no no. I wasn’t that drunk, Nissa. I just presented my femoral artery and he lost his damn mind.” Dani swore that there had been no funny business.

“Then what would have caused him to do that to you? I’ve never seen what it’s like for fae to feed off each other full blooded. Maybe this has something to do with the way that the Unseelie are attracted to you? Tam Lyn is technically such.” Nissa tried to come up with some sort of explanation.

“Possibly. I don’t understand it either, but it took Evan and an iron dagger to stop him. Tam Lyn’s ok and was horribly apologetic about the whole thing. I’m fine, though. Just sore.”

Before Nissa could say anything else, there came a rustling outside the tent and a familiar voice called out, “Knock, knock! Dani? You in there, sweetheart?” Cassia’s voice rang clear in her East End accent.

“Cassi!” Dani pushed the conversation with Nissa out of her mind and parted the flaps of the tent to see Cassia standing there all dolled up.

She wore a sleeveless floor length dress that billowed out at the bottom and settled around her feet like lush azure petals. The hair that she usually wore up in a scarf like Dani, lay in natural curls that reached past her shoulders. Her little gold nose ring was replaced with a tiny star shaped stud.

“Why so dressed up?” Dani peered up at Cassia who stood just outside the tent.

“Why such a mess? Liam told me it was time to come get you ready. I have a surprise for you.” Cassia seemed like she couldn’t contain herself.

“You look nice too, Cassi,” Dani smirked sarcastically, leaning back onto her mat.

“Did you not hear the part about a surprise? Let’s go.” Cassia reached down and tugged Dani up into a standing position.

“Surprise for what?” Everything had conveniently slipped her mind.

“The celebration? The one where you become an official citizen of the Hedgerow?” Cassia gave her a look of astonishment.

“Oh, I keep forgetting about the celebration.” Dani made a grumpy face and snapped her fingers for Nissa to follow as Cassia led her off to the “surprise”.

(*)

“Put these on.” Cassia shoved a pair of black knickers and a soft bra of the same color at Dani. “Don’t question it; it’s your size. All part of the surprise. That rhymed!”

Dani laughed a little bit over how excited Cassia was for this surprise that she had planned. She had even blindfolded Dani when they got to the big Oak and guided her the whole way to her workshop.

She quickly slipped on the undergarments and waited patiently as Cassia fiddled with something on the other side of the room.

“Close your eyes!” She hollered, finally getting whatever it was ready.

“You should have just left me blindfolded.” Dani promptly obeyed and she could hear Cassia bustling up to her, a flurry of fabric not far behind.

“Wait, wait.” Cassia was fumbling with whatever she was holding, “Ok, now! Open your eyes!”

Dani’s eyes fluttered open to see Cassia and one of the most beautiful dresses she had ever laid eyes on.

It was made out of velvet and soft cotton in a style that reminded Dani of the wood elves in her story books. The velvet pattern was printed with a deep swirl of violet, indigo, and cobalt with tiny little moons and stars, while the cotton layers were onyx colored. It had pointed three-quarter length sleeves and a pixie hood to match.

“Cassi.” Dani breathed, subconsciously reaching out to touch the lush fabric. Oh, how she loved velvet.

“You like it? When we were looking for clothes the other day I noted how much you were really drawn to the velvet around here. I had this fabric and I had no idea what to do with it, but I felt like it needed to be something for you. And here it is!” Cassia’s smile seemed a little nervous; as if she thought Dani wouldn’t like it.

“This is absolutely beautiful. I love the stars. And the moons.” Dani ran her fingers over the tiny raised points on the fabric. “How did you make this so quickly?”

“I had an idea for the dress for a while; I know a lot of the people here are pretty basic with their clothing wants, but I just have these visions.” The passion in Cassia’s voice was palpable.

“Thank you.” Dani smiled. She had never been given something so personal.

“You’re most welcome. Put it on, put it on! I want to see if it lays right. I mean, it has a corset back, but still.” Cassia was almost giddy.

Dani slipped it over her head and let her friend work her magic with the lacing.

“Mirror.” Cassia readjusted the floor length one that sat in front of the dressing rooms.

Dani caught sight of herself, and even though her hair was messy and bundled on top of her head, she looked rather beautiful. She felt soft and feminine instead of so harsh and tomboyish.

“Wow.” Dani turned a little to catch a glimpse of the backside of the dress and admire the lacing and the train of stars behind her.

“What do you think?” Cassia stood back, admiring her own handiwork.

“It’s—it’s so gorgeous, Cassi. Am I going to be too over-dressed?” Dani didn’t want to stick out too much.

“Am I too over-dressed?” Cassia had slipped a silver circlet with a star in the middle over her curly hair and slid on a pair of silvery leather sandals.

“Guess not.” Dani pulled her hair from its wrap and let it cascade down her back.

“We do these every so often and it gives everyone a reason to dress up and have fun, despite it feeling like the end of the world.” Cassia came over and ran her fingers through Dani’s hair, “Your hair is ridiculous.”

Dani immediately felt self-conscious, “Is it that bad?”

“Oh, no no no. It’s not bad at all. It’s so long and thick with these waves, uh! And this is your natural color?” Cassia was amazed at the quality of Dani’s mane.

“Yeah. It started out a reddish auburn when I was born and was raven black by the time I was thirteen.” Dani reached up and tugged at a lock of hair.

Cassia continued to run her fingers through Dani’s mane when her hand found a thick streak of bright orange hair.

“That’s a birthmark; it never changed like the rest.” Dani smiled, hiding the highlight under the rest of her hair.

“It’s beautiful. Let’s have some fun, shall we?” Cassia steered the conversation and Dani over to a chair and pulled out a box from inside a wall cubby before bringing it over to the sewing table.

“Makeup, hair, and then we are off! We have just enough time to get up there before the party really begins.” Cassia pulled out a few things and began applying them to Dani’s skin. Oils and some sort of soft cream were smoothed over her freshly washed face and another one for her arms and chest. She added eyeshadow, eyeliner, and a coat of mascara before going to work on her hair.

“I always make them bring me back new beauty products when they go out on assignment. I try to get organic, but what can you do?” Cassia pulled Dani’s hair back and began rubbing it down with a towel. She added some sweet smelling oils and then began winding strands around her fingers, trying to define the curl.

“Sometimes I miss my hot irons. I love my natural hair, but there are times when you just want to play it up.” Cassia chatted as her fingers tangled in Dani’s hair.

Dani thought about what she said for a minute before she came up with an idea.

“Hand me my bag.” Dani wiggled her fingers at the table where her rucksack sat.

Cassia handed it to her and watched as Dani rifled through it and pulled out a long metal nail.

“Is that a railroad spike?” Cassia paused in her hairdressing and eyed the metal curiously.

“Yes it is and it’s iron. No real rust either.” Dani switched it from one hand to the other.

“Whatcha going to do with it?” Cassia didn’t understand why Dani was showing it to her.

“This.” Dani pulled a strip of denim from the sewing table and wound it around the blunt end of the nail and tied it off. She then gripped the metal part tightly in her hand and Cassia watched as steam began to rise from it; the moisture from Dani’s hand sizzling against the hot iron.

“There; a hot iron.” Dani passed it off to Cassia, handle first.

“How did that not burn you?” Cassia’s mouth was slightly agape.

“It’s my fire.” Dani shrugged. Cassia didn’t bother asking any questions and got to work on her hair.

“Voila! Finished!” Cassia led Dani back to the mirror.

What stared back at her made her gasp: the dress looked good all on its own, but with the hair and makeup in the same colors; it made her look like something out of a faery tale.

“Holy crap.” She uttered, staring wide-eyed into the mirror.

Cassia laughed, “I’ll take that as you like it. Come on now; Liam is waiting at the cottage. Oh. This—forgot about this.”

She bustled off and came back with a metal hair clasp. Little crystals, charms, and crow’s feathers hung from the clip.

“One of the ladies in the Hedgerow makes these. It’s perfect for your hair.” Cassia handed it off and Dani hung it right behind her ear.

“Perfect! We’re off!” Cassia gripped her hand and led her out the door.

Dani took a deep breath; she didn’t remember what it was like to have fun.

(*)

“He wants us to come in the back way.” Cassia led Dani through the trail behind Liam’s cottage.

“Please don’t tell me he’s wanting me to make some big entrance.” Dani grimaced in the darkness.

“Eh, possibly. It’s been a while since we’ve had anyone new at the Hedgerow.” Cassia shrugged; she knew Dani didn’t want the attention.

She scoffed and followed Cassia closely till they got to the side door. Cassia knocked and Dani heard the lock slide back and the door groan open.

“Come in.” Liam ushered Cassia in and Dani followed.

Tam Lyn was standing by the fire looking unlike anything Dani had ever imagined. He wore plain cotton slacks the same color as her hair and a red button up shirt, folded to his elbows.

The hair is what had her in awe: someone had cut it short, from his waist to just past his shoulders, and shaved one side. How that was supposed to hide his elfin ears was beyond her.

“Dear Gods, aren’t you just the picture of perfection.” Tam Lyn must have caught Dani’s scent when she walked through the door and came over to kiss her hand.

“Still not going to sleep with you.” She sidled past him and set her rucksack on the table.

Liam was silent the minute she had entered the room. The sight of her in that dress had left him speechless.

“Can I leave this here?” Dani posed a question to Liam and when he didn’t reply right away, she cleared her throat.

“Hm, what? Yes, yes of course.” Liam broke himself from his trance and came to take her bag and put it on his bedside table.

“Why did we have to come through the back again?” Cassia asked, adjusting her dress.

“To make an entrance.” Liam went to the mirror next to the front door and adjusted the flannel bow tie around his neck.

“We’ve never done this before.” Cassia was trying to make excuses; she knew how nervous Dani was.

“We’ve never had someone like Dani at the Hedgerow before.” Liam beckoned for her to stand beside him and Cassia with Tam Lyn.

“You did his hair, didn’t you?” Dani leaned back and whispered at Cassia.

“I did everyone’s hair.” Cassia winked.

“Ready?” Liam peered through the curtain.

Dani muttered, taking a deep breath as she looked over his shoulder, “No.”

She could see the flickering of a bonfire and little twinkling candles casting their golden glow all over. She could hear people talking and the thumping of drums. They must not have been paying close attention on the way in; too busy worrying about being the center of attention.

“You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to; I can do all the talking. Pete is going to announce us and then we will escort you and Tam Lyn out. As important as he is, though, you are the focal point. People saw you at dinner the other night, but everyone wants to meet their saviour.” Liam explained, hooking his arm for Dani to drape hers through.

“The new Messiah,” Dani spoke under her breath again.

“What was that?” Liam leaned in closer, unable to hear her over the excitement outside; Pete had begun announcing.

“Nothing.” She shook her head and readied herself to move.

Liam opened the door and the two stepped out into the bright firelight. “Here we go.”