Faytes of the Otherworld: Fayted

“Quick, come in before you catch your death.” Cassia held the door open to a long barn-like building.

“This is fashion headquarters.” Cassia clicked the door shut behind Dani and brought her over to a wall that was floor to ceiling drawers and cubbies; all labeled and organized by season, type, occasion, and color.

“This is incredible.” Dani walked the wall in awe, looking at the rows upon rows of clothing.

“We’ve been collecting for years. Rummaging thrift stores, retail shoppes, sometimes people’s homes. We get our hands on bulk material occasionally and that’s when I get to sewing. It’s not just me, though; there are several other seamstresses that help me put everything together.” Cassia explained as Dani continued to look around. She noticed the tables set up with sewing machines; a mangle of plugs all leading to interconnected extensions cords and power strips.

“How do you run these?” Dani pointed to the fire hazard.

“We have a generator that is out back. We end up hand sewing a lot which can be a damn pain. We usually get picked last when it comes to petrol.” Cassia explained, watching Dani run her hand down one of the older machines.

“Ever thought of modifying these to the old treadle machines? No need for electricity then.” Dani suggested, scrutinizing an old Singer.

“Is that even doable?” Cassia knew how the old machines worked and how some updated their treadle to an electric, but not usually the other way around.

“Absolutely, with a few tools and parts. My mum used to own a treadle and I got an electric one year as a birthday gift. I had learned on the treadle and wanted to turn mine into one also; Mum and I were really into conservation. The fewer resources used, the better.” Dani had come back over to the shelves of clothing and was scanning them again.

“I’ll have to mention it to Liam and see what we can do. That would make things so much easier: being able to sew whenever we have the man power instead of waiting for more petrol that we may never find.” Cassia watched where Dani’s eyes were roving; she seemed to like darker tones better.

“I’ve noticed. Part of why I ended up here; I ran out of petrol. Eventually, we are going to have to reach further to find it if others aren’t out there doing the same thing already.” Dani came to stand in front of a section of dark jewel toned clothing.

“What size are you?” Cassia steered the conversation back to clothes.

“I don’t even know. A ten I think? Large?” It had been a long time since Dani had gone shopping for clothes.

“Let’s see. Black? Deep purple? Forest green?” Cassia began pulling clothing from bins and draped them over her arm.

“I do like dark colors. Always felt right on me.” Dani took the articles of clothing and held them up. There was a pair of black riding style trousers with a wide belt and large wooden buttons, a long-sleeved blouse in a deep violet, a full broom skirt in a starry material, and a crocheted shawl in a silver speckled yarn.

“Try them on.” Cassia urged.

“Do you have any—uh, undergarments?” Dani pointed at the fact that she was wearing nothing but a towel; the only skivvies she had were in need of a good wash.

“Oh!” Cassia ran down to the other end of the shelves. “What are you, a small? But definitely not in the chest area. Like a 32 C or D?” Cassia was tossing out lingerie left and right.

“Um, try a 32F.” Dani scrunched her face up.

“What?” Cassia paused in her search and craned her neck to look back at Dani, “You poor thing, being so small with a chest that size. I could hardly tell with what you had on.”

“Sports bras do that.” Dani laughed nervously. She had never really talked about feminine things with anyone but her mother; Dani had very few female friends growing up.

“I understand the big boob issue. I myself am blessed and cursed.” Cassia ushered at her upper body; indeed, she was well endowed, though a fair bit taller and curvier than Dani.

Dani laughed a bit and settled into a comfortable conversation.

“A-ha! Here is a sports bra that should fit you and the closest thing I could find for a regular bra is this 34E, but I can alter it.” Cassia brought over a pack of generic packaged panties and two bras, both with the tags still on.

Dani took the undergarments and slipped the panties on under her towel before throwing the sports bra over her head. She snapped the tag off when she was sure that it was a good fit.

“I see you noticed the tags. We try and find certain things new; who wants to wear used panties? Some of the raids we made were ridiculous, running around with handfuls of thongs and lacy bits.” Cassia laughed, handing Dani her trousers.

She wiggled them on and folded the attached belt over to button it. They looked perfect as she caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror on the adjacent wall. Cassia tossed her the blouse and she slipped it on, fiddling with it a moment till it laid just right on her broad shoulders. The purple made Dani’s skin look extra pale, flawless in the early morning light that filtered in through a nearby window.

The sleeves of the blouse were billowy till the elbow before fitting tightly at the wrists; a laced closure sat at the neck, showing just enough skin above the collarbone. The length was perfect for Dani’s long torso and the heavy fabric was warm against her chilled skin.

“That looks fantastic on you. The style of that blouse was made for your figure.” Cassia cooed, coming to admire the outfit.

“You sew these?” Dani was impressed with her ensemble.

“I did, actually. They are my design; kind of a Woodland Elf vibe.” Cassia beamed with pride. Dani snorted slightly at the Elf comment; little was she aware…

“You have a real talent. Ever make armor?” Dani had turned to get a look at her backside; she had never seen herself look so put together and feminine without being too girly.

“I have tooled with some leather. We got our hands on some from the mill two towns over from where Evan and Pete found you and then a heifer died in childbirth a year ago and we used her hide. Leather armor would be beautiful.” Cassia tossed Dani the skirt to try on. It fit perfectly and hid her bare feet. Dani pulled the shawl over her and hugged it around her body.

“Shoes? You need shoes. So tiny.” Cassia had lifted the hem of Dani’s skirt to peer at her small feet. She went over to another station and began rifling through wooden crates.

“Perfect.” Cassia brought over a pair of leather boots, dyed a charcoal black that came just past mid-calf. The hide was soft and the sole was just firm enough to protect the feet without being too heavy. Dani slipped them on her feet and laced them up; they couldn’t have fit better.

“You like them? I had originally made them for myself but underestimated how much they would shrink after drying so they ended up too small.” Cassia explained, admiring her handy work.

“These are great.” Dani smiled genuinely. She liked Cassia; down to Earth and pretty open like she was.

“So, tell me your story.” Cassia sat down in a chair and pulled out a paper sack from a carpet bag that sat on the floor. She offered Dani what was inside it: cinnamon pastry puffs.

She took one and nibbled at it before briefing Cassia on her origins story. When she was finished, Cassia just stared at her. Dani thought it was in disbelief before she opened her mouth.

“I was at home with my husband. We were having another row, as we had been for months. I knew he was cheating on me, but there was nothing I could do. Divorce would have left me with nothing and nowhere to go. Bastard kept me at home to do all the things he didn’t want to do while he went around humping anything with a fanny.

We were fighting about him coming home late; I knew that he had been out fucking around on me. I threatened to leave; got my keys and walked out the door to the car. He chased me, snatched the keys from my hand and decked me in the face.

I’m really surprised I didn’t black out…he grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me back up the front walk and had just plunked me down on the stoop when this huge demon looking thing came up the drive. I was frozen in fear and Harold didn’t hear a thing with the ruckus he was making about me trying to leave him. He reached out to knock me again because he thought I wasn’t listening when it—it—it took his head clean off.” Cassia made a swiping motion with her hand.

“It just stared at me after that, Harold’s headless body slumped over on the walk. In a weird way, it saved me. Took off after that, down the road as more of his kind came marching up the street. Needless to say, I hid for a while before packing up some of my things and I just started driving, never looking back. I had a couple close calls but eventually made it out of the city. I traveled with a group for over a month before I broke away from them and found the Hedgerow. Guess I’m kind of alumni now.” Cassia finished her story and bit into her second pastry puff.

Dani was silent for a moment before breaking dead air, “Can I trust you, Cassia?”

“Call me Cassi and of course you can. I’m not a gossiper, just an observer.” Cassia swore.

“Do you really think all of this was the Biblical apocalypse and these creatures are demons?” Dani wanted to see where she stood on the subject.

“Honestly? Nope. Not even close. I have never been one to believe in all that Bible nonsense; I am more of a spiritual person. They don’t seem like what was described in the religious history books either. I think they are something else entirely—” Cassia shrugged.

“They’re fae, Cassi.” Dani bit her lower lip, waiting for the inevitable laugh she assumed would follow.

“Uh, like in fairy tales? Well, that explains a lot. The thing that killed Harold reminded me of like an ogre or something.” Cassia was nonplussed by the news.

“Probably was. The Gnashers? Goblins. The Moss Slinger? Troll. All of them: fae. Every single one.” Dani finished her puff and licked the sugar crystals off her fingertips.

“But why? Why do this?” Cassia didn’t understand and Dani wasn’t quite sure if she did either.

“We technically took over their land, their homes. Maybe they were just tired of us stealing everything they had and wanted it all back. I don’t know.” Dani shrugged.

“Maybe we need to figure that out.” Cassia rolled up the bag of baked goods and set it on the table, “Well, I’ve got to get back to work on your bra and a few other alterations I have to do today before lunch. Maybe we can get together later and talk more about all of this?”

“I’d like that, but promise me you won’t tell anyone.” Dani narrowed her eyes at her new friend.

“Oh, I promise; not a word. Does anyone else know besides me?” Cassia was curious.

“Well, considering my little run in with the goblins today, the goblins last night, the goblins and the troll the day before and the fact that I defeated them all visibly with magic and crystal swords…a few know; namely Liam, Pete, and Evan. There is a possibility that Liam’s muscle Wesley and Wren know too.” Dani heaved a heavy sigh.

“We can keep it just between us seven then, yeah?” Cassia laughed.

“More people than I wanted to know…” Dani trailed off as she realized Cassia was looking at her funny.

“Did you say magic and crystal swords?”

“Oh yeah, that. Um—that’s how Liam, Evan, and Pete found out. They saw me use my—uh, talents?” Dani flexed her hand and produced a dimly lit ball of flame.

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Cassia reached out to touch the flame, but it danced away from her fingers when she got too close.

Dani snapped the flame out and waited for acceptance or rejection.

“Are you fae too?” Cassia’s eyes were shiny with anticipation.

“Another question I don’t have an exact answer to.” Dani shrugged. She was still on the fence about what the old man had told her.

“Well, I don’t have a problem with it. Since you know what these beasties are, maybe you can help us fight them.” Cassia clapped Dani’s shoulder.

“Maybe.” She sighed as Cassia led her to the door. The two promised to meet up later as Dani made her way out into the commune.

(*)

“Where have you been?” Nissa came sidling up as Dani was walking through the rows and rows of makeshift tents.

“I just can’t catch a break; goblins in the damn bathing pool. On a lighter note, I got some new clothes. Much better than what I was wearing.” Dani held out her arms for Nissa to get a good look.

“You look lovely, but are you alright? I think you poked the badger one too many times with those goblins.” Nissa sneered.

“I know. I’m sure there is little goblin Wanted posters plastered around the forest with my face on them.” Dani returned sarcastically.

“Or maybe they are all catching your scent. You basically left a mess in your wake on our journey here.” Nissa mildly scolded, rubbing her body on the still tender palms of Dani’s hands.

“I’m a mess, I know, but I am trying to get back in the swing of things. We were basically cowardly hermits hiding away in our dark little hole for over a year. I am a little out of practice.” Dani defended herself.

“We weren’t cowardly, just cautious. That night—” Nissa trailed off.

“I know. I know.” Dani sucked in a deep breath.

“Why did you lie to Evan and Pete?” Nissa interjected. She had come to find out that Dani had talked to them through the grapevine.

“Orin must have told you about my little story. What was I supposed to tell them? That we were driven into that town from London because I killed a man?” Dani responded smartly.

“He was hardly a man, Dani. He was pure evil; worse than any of these nasty fae. I would hardly consider that sorry excuse human.” Nissa tried to comfort Dani about her decision.

“We should have just left.” Dani started to think back to it; the night in question still a haunting memory.

“We tried. They wouldn’t let us go without a fight and you didn’t want to hurt anyone, even if they were fanatical bigots. It was a cult, Dani, and we didn’t know that when we walked into it. We just needed a place to belong, a place to feel safe and through all of it, we somehow kept our heads straight.” Nissa clawed her way up Dani’s arm and gently perched herself on her shoulder.

“Because we knew what was going on. These people—most people—are thinking in the wrong direction. Spouting off about God’s wrath and our sins. But these sins they talk about aren’t even sins and completely ignore the fact that we stole this land from the Fae and then proceeded to kill this sacred space! And everything that inhabits it! There is no apocalypse, but everyone’s soul is damned at this point!” Dani flung her arms in the air out of frustration.

“Breathe.” Nissa purred in her ear.

Dani heaved a heavy sigh, but her body still shook with anger.

“Back to my initial point. Don’t dwell on what you did to that man. He was convinced in that small feeble mind of his that an angel told him you would bring about a change in this world. The assumption that the Messiah could be a female was infuriating so everyone convinced themselves that this angel was really a demon—making you the antichrist in their eyes. You were blasphemy in the flesh.” Nissa continued to ease Dani’s mind even though her words were still speculation. They never got the full story as to why the priest had snapped on Dani.

“I didn’t want to do it.” A single tear trailed down Dani’s cheek. “I’m still not even sure what it was he spoke of; none of it made any sense.”

“I know you didn’t and he was a nutter. If there hadn’t been so many of them I might have shown them what I truly look like, but I figured that would only make it worse. You acted like you should have; you saved your own life.” Nissa reminded her that she chose to live, even at the expense of someone’s life, a life that could have gone on to cause even more harm in their crumbling world.

“I didn’t know the white flame could do that, rearrange him at a molecular level. He just ceased to exist.” Dani’s eyes were distant as they came close to their tent.

“That flame is more than fire; you know that. It is life and somehow, at that point in time, you needed to end a life to save a life.” That one line from Nissa’s lips made Dani stop dead in her tracks.

“I don’t want to have that sort of power,” Dani whispered into the cool afternoon air.

“There’s nothing we can do about that now.” Nissa curled her tail around Dani’s neck and was silent for the rest of their walk to the tent.

(*)

Dani skipped lunch that day and wanted to skip dinner too. Nissa pushed for her to go and interact with people, but all she wanted to do was hide her head under the sand.

“You need to eat.” Nissa’s mouth was right by Dani’s ear.

“You need to eat.” Dani shot back, turning her head away from the cat.

“Exactly my point! Seriously, you can’t keep your strength if you don’t eat and if the food is there, you should eat it. It’s simple, really.” Nissa circled around Dani and nipped at her fingers.

“Will you leave me alone if I do?” Dani drew herself to her knees and pulled the hood of her regular jacket over her eyes. She loved the shawl, but her jacket had nostalgia behind it.

“I suppose so. Shoo now.” Nissa corralled Dani out of the tent and down to the mess hall.

(*)

Dani picked at her food but managed to choke down a roll or two and a few bites of her salad.

She sat alone again; Nissa curled at her feet as she gnawed on a ham bone. Dani watched everyone gathered about, enjoying their meal.

“Excuse me, everyone. Can I have your attention, please?” Liam was standing in front of the rows of tables, his hands cupped to his mouth as he tried to focus everyone’s attention on himself.

The hum of the crowd died down as heads began to turn and all eyes were set upon him.

“I just wanted to check in with everyone; see how morale is. I know that things have been rather hectic here the past couple of days, but I wanted to thank someone in particular for protecting us from these creatures that we have been dealing with for so long.

Dani? Could you please stand up?” Liam’s voice broke through the ramblings in Dani’s mind and her eyes shot up.

Everyone at dinner had their sights set on her, waiting for a response to Liam’s query.

“Liam asked you to stand up.” Nissa hissed, stabbing the back of her calf with sharp claws.

Dani bolted upright with a stifled Ow! and just nervously panned her eyes about the mess hall. Even Evan’s full attention was focused on her. He smiled, and Dani shakily lifted a corner of her mouth.

“This young woman,” Liam pointed to her, just in case anyone hadn’t noticed her standing there like a deer in headlights, “This young woman has battled a rather large Moss Slinger and dozens of Gnashers to help protect the people of the Hedgerow. Not only that, but she went above and beyond to save an individual life, someone very important to us.” Dani’s eyes flew from Liam to Evan. The look on his face was unreadable. She knew that it was her fault that he died in the first place.

“To top it off, she knows much more about these creatures than most of us combined. I think with her knowledge and skill, she can be a real asset to the Hedgerow. It has been almost a year since we have had a new citizen, so I propose a celebration at the week’s end to welcome her as well as thank her for all that she has done, and I am sure, will continue to do. We all should be grateful that she happened to stumble upon us; a true blessing.” Liam finished and the people around her erupted into applause.

Dani could feel her whole body begin to shake as everyone surrounding her cheered her name.

This wasn’t right. It was her fault that any of those fae were even in the vicinity of the Hedgerow. She brought the troll in the first place, all the way from town. The scent of her blood not only lured the troll but the first wave of goblins. Then she taunted the goblins out of her own irrational fears, got Evan killed, and had to resurrect him—and for some reason, they came for her again today. If anything, her presence was a liability to the Hedgerow. Liam had to know that and so did anyone else that knew about her abilities. What they didn’t know was that the scent of her blood drove most other fae mad. With just one whiff of the life-force coursing through her body, they lost all interest in anything else and fae will not stop till they have what they seek.

The applause continued and Dani could feel herself warming up from the inside. She was sure that at any moment she would combust and she sucked in a huge breath of air before forcing a weak smile.

With all the courage she could muster, she walked through the throngs of people that had now stood to show their affection. As she passed Anessa, even she reached out and mouthed Thank You; Dani assumed in regards to saving Evan.

When she had made her way to Liam, she gently squeezed his arm and whispered into his ear “Can we talk in private.”

Liam nodded slightly before holding his hand up to signal that he was done with his announcement, the cheering subsiding as Dani and he backed into his cottage.