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[h1]Forest[/h1]

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"Student? Of what?" questioned the Witch, cocking her head. It was clear she'd anticipated something more of a justification as to how they could possibly have ended up at the ruined shrine in such a state, but 'student' hardly filled things in for her. She paused for a moment, even as she approached her home, at the sight of one of her new 'guests' suddenly transforming into a serpent, and appearing to be just as surprised that she could do this as everyone else.

"... You claim you weren't drunk, but..."

She trailed off with a sigh.

"It's not as if shapeshifting magic is something you simply forget you possess, now, is it?" she commented, "You can't even justify that with your race, like the maid."

Ilsa didn't speak for brief pause, her eyes returning to the cottage when the fox maid complimented it.

"It's not mine. But I live there, and for now I'm taking care of things. Now, come on."

As they approached, the shimmering above the cottage began to grow more defined, and then---

"Huuh?"

A higher-pitched voice came from just above the house, and after a moment it became clear it originated from the sparkling lights themselves. In mere seconds, they had swarmed downwards, their true nature becoming apparent.

Their bodies resembled those of young girls, lacey insectoid wings sprouting from their backs. Their large, shining eyes regarded the three newcomers inquisitively from every potential angle.

There must have been at least a dozen or so of them.

"Who are they?"

"Where did you find them?"

"Your names! Tell us your names!"

"Give us your secrets~"

"Come with us, come back with us! The Spiraling Trail is-"

Ilsa sighed, and waved her hand, as if to shoo them away. The small, flying figures pouted, but largely complied, now watching from a somewhat longer distance.

"I'm sure none of you mean ill, but I don't think any of us are in the mood," she said, addressing what could only be fairies, "These three just had an encounter with [i]that one[/i], I don't think they're fit for a walk into the fey realms."

The fairies all fell silent when they heard Ilsa mention 'that one'. No matter how childish they might have appeared, it was clear they were well aware of what she was talking about.

A few even mumbled reluctant apologies.

Ilsa gestured for her guests to follow, and approached the front door of her cottage. From this distance, it became clear that the gardens were very well-cultivated, with a wide variety of plants. Some appeared to be lilies, others roses, and still others bluebells and violets. But there was also a plant that resembled nightshade, foxglove, and other unrecognizable plants. The garden also had a shaded area, maintained by several sunshades and a rather large and expansive bush, that housed a number of brightly colored mushrooms.

Beside it sat a large tortoise, the size of a small boulder. Hanging from its chin was a lengthy white beard, unexpected for such a creature, and perched ahead of its eyes was a tiny, miniscule set of eyeglasses that seemed far too small for it to look through them.

Perhaps most surprising was the fact it bowed.

At least, until it spoke.

"Welcome back, Lady Ilsa," the tortoise said, in a warm, friendly voice that brought to mind images of a kindly old man, "Oh, my, you brought home guests. What a surprise!"

He bowed his head to the trio.

"Greetings."

As the tortoise greeted them, the front door opened on its own ahead of the Substitute Witch of the Forest.

The entrance hallway lead to a rounded interior, with a staircase on one side leading upwards, and another two hallways leading to different areas of the cottage. The first room housed a large fireplace with a cauldron, as well as a reading chair.

"I'm not about to ask you to make yourself home, so don't expect that sort of courtesy," said Ilsa as she approached the fireplace, "But I will welcome you to the home of the Witch of the Forest. While you are here, you'll be under my protection. I may only be a substitute, but that should be more than enough to keep you safe until you leave the Forest of Lorkay."

[@FujiwaraPhoenix][@Pyromania99][@Raineh Daze]