The small town was nearly silent as the sun rose over the hills. There was hardly any breeze and fluffy grey clouds dotted the skies. To those that did not live here, it was an amazing spot that held the perfect "small town feel". But to the teenagers in this area, you could imagine that they would say differently. Many of the people in the town knew that there was not much to do or see, but it was still peaceful, relaxing, and the prime place to live.

Several of these townspeople had woken up with the sun and began drove down to the town's central area--because that evening would be the start of the Spring Festival. There was to be much excitement, fun, and perhaps even a dose of romance. Everyone in the town looked forward to saying goodbye to the harsh winter and saying greetings towards the upcoming summer.

-- End of Prologue --

Anwyn walked through the dark woods of someone's creams, following the small child to keep them from harm's way. The evil creatures of the child's subconscious as well as invading Dark Fey were pushed back by Anwyn's chilling presence. The young girl dashed through the trees, giggling and calling out for her dog to keep chasing her. Soon, the child made it from the dark woods that had originally been a nightmare and into a bright field of flowers. The Winter Fey stood at the edge of the wood, watching the child bask in her own summer sun, her hair blowing back in a flower-scented breeze. The Fey frowned slightly, wondering why on earth anyone would have dreams about the summertime. There was so much beauty in the winter, but then again... mortals liked only what was friendly and forgiving. The snow and ice was unforgiving and fatal. With a sigh, she pushed these thoughts from her mind as she noticed that the blue sky was fading. The child was beginning to wake. It was time for her to leave before she was trapped in the young girl's mind.

Just as she turned to walk back into the dark wood, the child had run up to her and hugged her legs. Looking over her shoulder at the child, her eyes cold as a winter wind and her skin chilling to the touch, she knelt in front of the child. The young girl smiled brightly and hugged the Fey. "Thank you for helping me through the forest..." The child muttered. Anwyn was still in awe and confused as to how the child had seen her in the first place. "I knew that an angel would help me..." Then the world faded to white as the young girl's eyes began to flutter open. The Fey was gone and she was in her tiny bed, covered in a mountain of blankets.

--

Anwyn had returned to the mortal realm, feeling her icy prowess become contained in her mortal form, which was slightly less attractive than her Fey form. Her eyes became a manageable icy blue and her skin was only slightly cold to the touch--nothing so strong that it would startle anyone who made contact with her. Gazing around her shabby apartment, she stood up and began to dress in modest clothing that would keep peoples' eyes from being drawn to her. Even though she looked like one of them, someone might be able to notice that there was something slightly off with her.

She then wandered from her apartment and down the stairs, stepping into the dawn that was the mark of summertime. The Summer Fey shall now be stronger than myself... I'd best keep an eye out for those goody-two-shoes... Then she began her journey to the small music shop that she worked at. She was to be running their booth at the Spring Festival this year. Please protect me, my kin...

In the town square, which was already beginning to fill up with crowds preparing for the festival, Jonte sat on his small stool outside one of the town's local banks, his fiddle resting on his chin as he slowly began to slide the bow up and down the strings, singing a woeful song as he did.

“'Come, slack your horse,' cries George,
'Come slack it for a while,
For I think I see my father
Coming over yonder style.'

'Did you bring gold?
Did you bring silver to set me free?
For to keep my body from the cold gaol wall
And me neck from the high gallows tree.'

'I've no gold,
I've no silver to set you free,
But I have come for to see you hang,
Oh, hang upon the high gallows tree.'

Oh, the prickle-holly bush, it pricks, it pricks,
Oh, it pricks my heart full sore
And if ever I get out of the prickle-holly bush
I'll never get in there any more."

It was difficult to sing while playing, especially as the bottom of his violin began to dig into his throat, and his voice was strained and quiet, but he continued on no less. By his left boot was his violin case, with a small piece of paper resting against it saying "If you like the music, a coin would be appreciated'. Sure enough, there were several coins in the case, and every so often, a person would walk past and toss a coin in.

“'Come, slack your horse,' cries George,
'Come slack it for a while,
For I think I see my mother
Coming over yonder style.'

'Did you bring gold?
Did you bring silver to set me free?
For to keep my body from the cold gaol wall
And me neck from the high gallows tree.'

'I've no gold,
I've no silver to set you free,
But I have come for to see you hang,
Oh, hang upon the high gallows tree.'

Oh, the prickle-holly bush, it pricks, it pricks,
Oh, it pricks my heart full sore
And if ever I get out of the prickle-holly bush
I'll never get in there any more."

The suns rays felt pleasant on his face, giving a golden tinge to his red hair. It was spring, the time when the Summer Fey were in power and the world was blessed with warmth and joy. Children would play in the grass, rolling down hills, girls sitting in fields making crowns from daisies, the blossoms were form on the tree tops, colouring them with pink and white and promises of fruit. Spring was a time of hope, joy, the cold winter months, as fun as they had been, had melted away and given back prosperous life. Jonte enjoyed all seasons, but the nature of spring was far more comfortable to him, as it meant he could use his powers as he pleased without upsetting the Winter Court.

As he readied himself to sing the next verse of his song, someone came to him and spoke to him in a manner that he found familiar, that made a small smile tease his lips. He didn't look up to meet her face. He didn't need to.

"Oh come now, Jonte!" said Jonte's sister, Keela, as she crossed her arms over her petit chest. "Couldn't you find a more cheerful song to play?"

Jonte raised his head to smile at her. Her hair was a golden blonde, like rays of sunlight, and her eyes were the mischievous, cat-like green that Jonte had. She tied her hair, only about shoulder-length, into a ponytail, and was dressed in a quite boyish fashion, with her shorts - leggings underneath, it was still too cold to be exposing too much skin - and a green jacket. His violin gave a slight screech as he stopped his song quite abruptly.

"Well," Jonte said. "This is a surprise."

Keela laughed. "Of course," she said. "It's much more fun to catch you off guard. I get to see what you're like when you're down here." She brushed away a small wisp of hair that had been dislodge from her hair tie and blown into her face by the wind. "Wanna go get something to eat? Catch up?"

Jonte chuckled. "Alright," he said. He stood up, gathered up all the coins into his pockets before putting his violin away. "But you're paying."

Keela laughed again and gave her brother a little punch on the shoulder. "Okay," she said. "Just this once."

Tucking his violin case under his arm, Jonte followed his sister down the road, leading her to a small coffee shop he often went for a snack. It had a nice, comfortable feeling to it and would give them a place to talk for a bit.

Eira, or Aure as she goes by in this realm, was walking the streets, watching her kin roam the streets in both fae and human form. It was odd to see so many of her kind in a single place within the mortal realm but she didn't question it too much. It was nice to be with her own kind again after her self-imposed exile. She walked past a summer fae on a violin and tossed a couple coins into the case before moving on. She browsed a couple stalls before the feeling of someone watching her developed fully, and she turned around to find him.

"You shouldn't be here." Eira said, turning to walk away before he grabbed her arm and herded her between two stalls. She glared at him but she didn't fight him, he wouldn't hurt her, she wouldn't let him. Even all these years in exile, she knew how to defend herself, especially in a place this populated with her kind.

"It's time for you to come home Eira. We've let you have your space, hoping you'd come to your senses but this has gone on long enough." Cadmon, her twin brother and the primary reason she left her family for the human realm, was trying to intimidate her, but it really wasn't working. She glared up at him and drew her dagger she had on her hip, holding it up to him.

"There was a very good reason I left, and that reason still hasn't gone away. Leave me along Cadmon, I will not help you." Eira said, advancing so he'd back up. She was in no mood for him right now, she just wanted to have a nice day before all the summer fae took over.

"This will not go away because you want it to Eira. Your place is at the front lines, not hiding in the mortal realm." Cadmon warned her before she walked away from him.

Fawn walked straight into Eira on her way to the music stall of the festival, carrying books of music, a guitar and violin on her back, and multiple other items such as tuners. The moment that she made contact with the other woman, she dropped a good portion of it. Had she been a bystander, it may have been rather comical, but alas, it wasn't and there were sheets of music being carried away by the breeze. "Ah! No!" She gasped in panic as she grabbed a couple of them before they flew into the gale. The moment that she felt like she had regained enough of her things, she looked to the woman, "I am so sorry!"

She set a good portion of the things down and reached out to help the young woman up. That's when she sensed it. Fey. She knew this immediately by coming into close enough contact with her. She nearly took her hand back, but knew that whether or not this girl was of her kin or Summer, she still had an appearance that she had to keep up if she wanted to continue living in this part of the mortal realm. Whether this woman was smart enough to notice that she was also a Fey, too, was up to her.

"I-I've been rather clumsy as of late and I most definitely wasn't watching where I was going!" She said quickly, her mind only partially on the task at hand and the other half was hoping that she would take her hand long enough that she could discern what type of Fey that she was.

With bleary eyes and a yawn Owen began his morning rituals, first of which started with stretching the stiffness from his muscles. After around a minute of groans and pops Owen made his way to the kitchen. Quickly getting to work he retrieved the eggs and bacon from the refrigerator before slapping the bacon on a pan. As the aroma of cooked food filled the studio apartment the love of Owens life came padding out the bedroom before greeting him with the usual fashion, a purr and a head rub.

Giving a smile Owin said, "And good morning to you to little miss." Reaching down and scratching Solstice behind the ear.

On the move again Owen reached up into a cupboard and pulled a can of cat food. Pulling the tab and exposing the hidden cat food that lay inside to the light of day before dumping it into Solstice's bowel. Shortly afterwards Solstice began to dig in eagerly. Going back to his own needs Owen flipped the bacon and began cracking eggs.

---

In little less than thirty minutes breakfast was done, eaten, and the dishes in the sink. Owen had just finished the hygiene needs of the day, well the ones that mattered anyway.Teeth brushed, deodorant used, shower taken last night, and opting to skip a shave. Getting dresses was a simple affair, a pair of jeans with any manner of paint stains, a simple white T-shirt, and a black jacket to fend off any lingering cold.

With everything in order Owen gave Solstice a final scratch and left the apartment. After a short run down the stairs and through a garage, Owen peeked into the trunk for an essential gear check. Giant sketchbook, dozens of pencils in various states of decay, graphite blocks, tortillions, erasers, and inking pens. Along with some sample and finished pieces ranging from snowfalls, summer days, and everything in between.

Satisfied he had everything he needed Owen drove off, first to the café and then to his lot. Pulling up his car next to his tent Owen began unloading, setting up, and decorating his little area with artwork. Complex snowflakes, a child on a swing, ice skaters, a sunset, and even a start night. While the themes of winter and summer were always in his pieces, the subject of each piece could vary greatly.

Finally able to sit down and relax, Owen just took the whole thing in. People most people were just beginning to wake up and it was always his pleasure to see the town slowly awaken, each light blinking on every so often. Taking a long drink of his coffee, Owen sat back in his chair and took out his own personal sketchbook. Only one of hundreds others he has used over the years, this one however was special as if only held the pictures he drew for personal fulfillment. No big money, no buyer, and no pressure. Just him and paper.

Quickly, before he could lose the images, Owen began to make a rough sketch. First drawing the people as they moved.about. A man with a violin and another woman leaving to go somewhere, two woman who had just ran into each other, and another who had looked like she was storming out in a fuss. The whole thing gave Owen a smile as he continued to sketch away, the little portable radio still playing in the background.

Mad Scarlet said
Fawn walked straight into Eira on her way to the music stall of the festival, carrying books of music, a guitar and violin on her back, and multiple other items such as tuners. The moment that she made contact with the other woman, she dropped a good portion of it. Had she been a bystander, it may have been rather comical, but alas, it wasn't and there were sheets of music being carried away by the breeze. "Ah! No!" She gasped in panic as she grabbed a couple of them before they flew into the gale. The moment that she felt like she had regained enough of her things, she looked to the woman, "I am so sorry!" She set a good portion of the things down and reached out to help the young woman up. That's when she sensed it. She knew this immediately by coming into close enough contact with her. She nearly took her hand back, but knew that whether or not this girl was of her kin or Summer, she still had an appearance that she had to keep up if she wanted to continue living in this part of the mortal realm. Whether this woman was smart enough to notice that she was also a Fey, too, was up to her. "I-I've been rather clumsy as of late and I most definitely wasn't watching where I was going!" She said quickly, her mind only partially on the task at hand and the other half was hoping that she would take her hand long enough that she could discern what type of Fey that she was.

Eira managed to grab a few of the papers that were on the ground before they blew away with her left hand as she slid her blade into its sheath with her right hand. How clumsy could Eira be, she didn't know. She felt terrible, if she hadn't been storming away in a huff, then she wouldn't have practically ran this girl over. A girl, which Eira confirmed as she accepted her hand and stood up, who was a winter Fae like her. It wasn't all that noticeable, with the red hair, but the eyes were a dead giveaway. There aren't to many summer Fae with eyes like that.

Eira held onto her hand just long enough to make sure that the girl knew she wasn't a threat before handing her the papers.
"It is okay cousin, I wasn't watching where I was going either. I'm just sorry some of your music escaped. Are you okay?" Eira asked the girl, since Eira did have her blade out when she ran into her, she hoped she didn't scratch this girl.

"I'm Eira by the way, I haven't seen you around here before, and usually I notice my kin who passes through." Eira was curious to know how she missed someone, although the answer wasn't all that surprising in her own mind. Her immediate family had been asking her back for the last couple, and she was rather tired of it. It would make sense that she would be slipping now on who was coming into town.

Jonte and Keela got themselves sat down in the coffee shops, each with a warm cup of coffee and a sandwich. Keela predictably has gone for cheese and was already nibbling away at one corner, her nose twitching in a manner that reminded Jonte of a squirrel.

Jonte took a sip of his coffee casually before leaning back in his chair. "So," he said. "What brings you down here? Not like you to visit me unannounced."

Keela smiled over her sandwich but took her time chewing, possibly to purposively make him wait for an answer. After a loud swallow, she smiled softly as him. "Mother told me you weren't coming home for the Spring Festival," she said. Jonte's smile faltered and she averted his eyes from her for a moment, instead glancing around the coffee shop, barely hiding a guilty expression. "So I thought I'd come and spend the festival with you," Keela said. "We are family, after all."

"You didn't have to."

Keela shook her head. "I wanted to," she said hastily. "Jonte, I miss you! Mother misses you, Turlough misses you. Heck, I think even in their own ways, Father and Garret miss you."

"Hmm," was Jonte's only reply and he took a sip from his coffee.

Keela sighed. "This isn't right, I didn't come here to nag you," she said. "I just... wanted to see you."

Jonte still wasn't looking at her, instead staring down into the swirling liquid in his cup. "I'm happy you came," he said after a moment. "I really am. I just wish you had told me first."

"Well, it was kind a spontaneous decision, really," Keela admitted. "Things are... difficult back in the Summer Court."

"Really?" Jonte said, with only faint interest.

Keela nodded. "Politics," she said with a wry smile. "You know."

Jonte looked up at her and returned the smile. "No one really understand politics," he said. He took a sip of his coffee. "Sometimes I think people purposively make politics confusing."

Keela laughed, and Jonte was able to relax once more. "You're right about that," she said.

Jonte leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. "So, how is everyone?" he asked.

Keela shrugged. "Fine. Mother is holding up okay, though I think she's starting to get upset with Father's constant tantrums. He's been highly strung all Winter, complaining about the cold, arguing that they should strike now. I think he's actually starting to make a nuisance of himself within the court. Turlough himself is doing okay. He's gotten a lot of respect of recent for his efforts."

"Good old Turlough," Jonte said with a sigh. "And Garret?"

Keela sighed deeply. "Don't ask me," she said. "Garret's... cut himself off from the rest of us. He's still participating in the efforts against the Winter Fey, but he's grown distant/ Doesn't even live with us anymore. Won't even speak to me, or Mother. Not even Turlough."

"But Father still talks to him?" Jonte asked.

"Yeah," Keela said. She glanced down at her half-eaten sandwich wistfully. "But I'm starting to worry about him. He's gotten so secretive of recent."

Jonte raised an eyebrow. "He was never an open book, Kee," he said.

"I know, but I can't explain it," Keela said. "He just seems colder than normal."

Jonte frowned. "Maybe... he just needs some space," he said. He reached over a hand and placed it on Keela's shoulder. "It'll be alright."

Keela smiled back, but it didn't reach her eyes.

Fawn immediately felt relieved when the woman's touch revealed that she was a Winter Fey. Praise the Old Ones... She quickly regrouped all of the music into a single, near pile before hugging it against her flatter chest. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Eira." She said this with a cheery grin before she returned the gesture, "I'm Fawn here in the mortal realm." When the woman noted 'passers through', she began to wonder if she'd been misled on how many of the Fey resided within this town. She found it peculiar and couldn't help but want to kick herself in the butt for being so ignorant. If she'd missed one or more of her kin, then she didnt even want to think about how many Summer Fey lived here as well.

"I've actually lived here for several years now." She said in an unsure tone. "I mean, I feel slightly guilty for not knowing that you were here, but even those of us in the Higher Court have our moments." Suddenly, she sensed that it wouldn't be a good idea to bring up such formalities in the mortal realm. She quickly added, "But where I stand is besides the point. It's a pleasure to meet you, Eira, and if you're coming to the festival--stop by the music booth!"

She then darted around the girl with a kind smile and a bob of her head. She should know better than to talk of such things out in the open, but then again, mortals rarely listened to matters that didn't concern them. She continued to her booth and set up the guitar and violin, making sure the sheet music and books were displayed for all to see. Please don't let a fight break out between the Fey today...

"It's very nice to meet you Fawn." Eira smiled briefly, but froze when she mentioned the Higher Courts. It wasn't just that they were among mortals, considering the fact that mortals usually ignore what they can't understand, but the fact that this girl was seemingly bringing up rank in the Faerie realm was odd.
"Yes, I suppose we do have our moments, don't we?" Eira asked, tilting her head to the side before the girl scampered off to the music tent most likely.

Eira shook off the encounter and made her way to the medical tent, checking in before putting on the mandatory coat and grabbing a portable first aid kit. I didn't have everything a regular first aid kit had but it would do if she needed to move quickly. Not to mention she was a healer by nature.
"Hey Aure, can you patrol the west end until about noon or so? I got Dina on there but she's just a student really. I'd feel better if you were down there." Eira's friend and the event coordinator, Ivon, was running around the tent, trying to make sure everything was in order because Doctor's and medics weren't known for being near, just effective.
"Sure, not a problem. Walkie me if you need me." Eira said before walking back to where she came from.

Florie sighed in her bed. She usually greeted each day with a bright smile but today, even though it was the start of the Spring Festival, did not feel like a day she could do so after what happened last night. Yesterday was her sixteenth birthday, and it was a memorable day for her. People gave their warm wishes to her and her best friends, Anna and Stacy surprised her by having the whole class singing a birthday song for her, in which she laughed herself to tears because of their silly singing antics. Her parents organised a small barbecue party for her that night with her best friends and Florie thought it was the best birthday celebration she ever had with people who mattered to her. Things were simple until Mummy gave me this..., Florie frowned slightly as she picked up a delicate-looking necklace from the side table. As she began her closer inspection, she found herself recalling the most important part of the conversation...

***

"Florie, this is not just an ordinary gift like the ones given by your friends. This necklace bearing the petal pendant can only be worn by you." A pause. "I made it that way so that nobody can harness the power within except you, my child."
"I...I don't understand."

Her mother, Sylvia stroked her hair. "Some time ago, a Summer Fey curiously wandered into the mortal realm, wanting to see how different mortals are from her. Her parents disproved of her idea as they thought of mortals as lesser, powerless, helpless beings. Having their only daughter roaming in their lands was something unacceptable, not to mention, potentially dangerous since mortals are not entirely harmless. But this fey disobediently went off on her own. In her mortal guise, she first visited a small park in a small town and a young mortal happened upon her. He offered her the warmest smiles she had ever seen and greeted her as though they were longtime friends. A sudden unexplainable feeling of joy rushed over her at such simple gestures and from that moment, she decided to befriend him. The two began an easy friendship, which later evolved into love." A fond smile and another pause before Sylvia looked into her eyes. "They eventually married and their lovely daughter was born two years after."

"Sounds like a fairy tale in a movie. But Mummy, I still don't get you...what has this story got to do with this necklace? And what do you mean about the power within?" Florie frowned. Sylvia continued her story despite the interruption. "The fey thought she could live happily ever after with her man, but the raging war between the Summer Fey and Winter Fey was not a matter to be ignored. She was after all, the daughter of a Battlefey, and like all Battlefey, she was expected to fight for her clan against the Winter Fey. She was Sylvia, daughter of Elthar and Lauria, torn between her duties as a daughter and Battlefey, and her love for the mortal named George Sommersby. She became a disappointment to her parents as she chose love over her clan, she chose to stay in the mortal realm and never to return to the fey realm. The fey thought she could put her past behind her...she thought she could escape." Her voice grew solemn. "But even if she could, her daughter wouldn't stand a chance, being an untrained halfling." Her mother looked into her eyes.

"You wouldn't stand a chance unless you have means to protect yourself, hence the gift."

***

"Daughter of a Summer Fey...I wonder if it's a good thing to be half fey." Florie mumbled, turning the petal pendant over and over in her hands. Intricately carved to resemble a lifelike petal, Florie thought it to be the most beautiful thing she had in her possession. What it was made of, she could not be sure, but Florie had a suspicion that the necklace itself was magical. It felt as warm as summer to her touch, and for a moment, she wondered if the necklace was something live.

Florie shook her head and got out of bed. She planned to do some gardening before poking around in town during the festival; that would give her time to settle her feeling of uncertainty over the revelation. Before leaving her room, she took a long look at the necklace and after some thought, decided to bring it along.

When Jonte and Keela had finished eating, spending the rest of the meal in silence, they exited the coffee shop.

"So," Keela asked, managing to regain her smile. "What do you lot do for fun around here? How you gonna spend the Spring Festival?"

Jonte smiled at her. "Well, I'm planning to visit the music stall at some point, see if there's anything of interest," he admitted. "But for now we could just walk around town, check around the other stalls. Whatever takes your fancy."

Keela clapped her hands together like a little child. "That sounds great to me," she said. She linked arms with her brother, and the two of them started walking through the town. As they walked, Keela noted a man sitting by himself, sketching something out on a pad. She looked interested and, without warning, she unlinked arms with her brother and skipped over to the stranger. "What'cha doing?" she asked.

Jonte frowned, a little bothered that his little sister would just randomly approach a stranger.