#anywhere

"There was actually, like, a big damn war when the s-... the elves came back. They thought it was still the middle ages, right? And wanted everybody just to fall in line."

"Yeah? You said you guys have dukes and stuff that mean they won?"

"...Yeah. But it was way back in the 70s."

"And most of them are okay, at least around here. I met the Count, and he's so pretty he hurts to look at."

"Weird. Pretty as a superpower? That's..gotta get annoying." She shrugs "Don't feel too bad? That crazy tribe? We talk smack, but if one visits we still have to show respect"

"Oh shit, yeah - imagine how obnoxious the guys would get? I'm much happier being strong."

"So am I. 'PRetty' wouldn't have kept me from killing folks"

"You gonna freak out like that every full moon?"

"Nah, but some moons will make me more likely to rage." A sigh "I'll keep it under a grip. I have to"

She nods. "Well, I'll protect you. That's why I'm strong, to protect people that can't. So... like.. it's why I'm what I am."

"It's kinda nice, you know? Knowing what you're supposed to do."

"I guess yeah" She says "But I can take care of myself mostly with muscle. Claws and paws and big ole jaws"

"I have a halberd. She's called Flyswatter, but she's actually badass."

"What's a halberd?"

"A giant-ass axe. Like, tall as me - taller - with an axe head, and then a spike and a hook... so you can slice, or stab, and grab a foe.."

"Cool. We have something like that... big as weapons called Claives or something. Well, 'i' don't have one, but they're like holy swords to us"

"Oh, cool. Flyswatter isn't magic, just Dreamstuff. Chief's hammer is magic, I think. And the High King, he has a special magic sword."

"Dreamstuff sounds magic to mE... but ..cool ...wish I could see half this stuff"

"I dunno if there's a good way. Not for you to see and remember."

"No worries" She says "It's cool"

"Like, how nobody remembers the dance? Magic."

"Yeah, wieth us its'.. well, it's more liike history... and not a pretty one" She admits

"Like... like how people think werewolves are bad guys?"

"I mean, obviously, that's not true."

"Uhm." She lowers her eyes "it's not always so easy. We had our ugly moments."

"Well, you aren't a bad guy."

Absolute confidence and loyalty.

"Thanks" She smiles "You're pretty cool too"

"Some fae are jerks. Like the guy that tried to kill me, yeah? And some think they're all high and mighty, can use people without regard..."

"I'm starting to think assholes are like the most common element on Earth"

"RIGHT?"

"I'm glad you got a dad whose cool. I mean, I don't brinng it up much because I know you've been through the suck, but he's cool. MY dad wo't park further back..SO embarrasing"

"Jaymes is the best. And Tove's pretty cool. Thy're gonna get hitched."

"I mean, he sort of got drafted because of the guy trying to kill me, but, like... I mean... he's still here."

"Drafted? Dubious brow "Girl... I know fathers..he's a good one and he cray cray got your back"

"I mean... I was the problem child, the one they needed to put somewhere. Not one anybody wanted..."

"But I... I mean..." A sigh, and she's rather pink. "Like, he... I think he... don't be a jerk, okay?"

"I feel wanted."

"Hey... I might bust your chops about how you're the first one to know it rains, but I would never bust it about your dad and you being tight"

A smile

A shy smile back. "Thanks for being cool."

"I can't help it, it's in my blood. Sometimes, it keeps me up at night, being so cool" Straight faced

"What did I do to deserve you?"

She laughs unable to stay serious in that face, "Pretty good guarding game I think"

"Ha! Damn straight."

"Is Rails a Gnawer, too?"

"Yeah...good thing or he'd have an even BIGGER stick up his ass some days" A shrug "Ah, he's not bad. Just trying to keep me learning so I live longer"

"Right. You better! We got track!"

"Oh my poor short legs"

"Well, like, you can throw shit? That's what I'm gonna do."