[IC] Hidden Claws [1x1 Salenea and Sporko]

[SporkoBug]

Hunter flinched as she saw Marigold, He gave a wave and a weak smile.
"Good morning!" He said before he listened to where he was going, "I'd love to join you, show you where the best spots are, but I have something to do this morning." He started, thinking quickly, "I can contact one of the others? Echo, Finn, Tina or Mia?" He asked with a small smile.

---

April looked to Hazel as she butted in to her and the bartenders conversation.

The Bartender looked to Hazel gently, "Whatever has cursed my wife is long gone," He started, "Figuring out a cure for this curse will b e the hardest thing, but she'll live with this curse."
April frowned, "I can try if you'd like Jakob?" She asked with a tilt of her head.

[Salenea]

Marigold felt a pang of disappointed that she didn't expect to feel. But as soon as Hunter mentioned that one of siblings would acompany her she looked amused at Hunter. She appreciated his concerns but she did happen to be a respondsible adult so she was pretty confident she could manage. "Thanks for the offer but I'll be fine. I'm not going that far, I am always careful and I'm sure I won't get kidnapped or something. If something happens I'll promise to send the raven TwoFeathers for help." In reaction the raven circled over their heads once and cawed before flying ahead. "You see, I am looked after. she said grinning. "Maybe I'll see you later Hunter." she said before she continued on her way.

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Hazel nodded, at least it wasn't an immediate danger. She couldn't lift curses herself, her magic was limited to ground and nature magic, but had a little knowledge on known ones. "I'm sorry to hear that, I hope it can get lifted. I can't lift curses myself but have a little knowledge." she glanced at April as she offered help. Hazel was curious and wouldn't mind watching but she didn't want to intrude. She had intruded the private conversation already and wouldn't want to impose any more.

[SporkoBug]

Hunter watched the Raven before he nodded.
"Alright." He said quietly, "I'll be free this afternoon if you'd like?" He asked with a tilt of his head.
He looked down towards the house Marigold came from and his eyes flexed in colour. He waited as Marigold left; wondering if her father was leaving to meet him at the cottage.

---

The Bartender looked to Hazel before he looked to April, "You've done enough for us April. I'd hate to be in more dept to you."
April waved her hand, "You're not in dept darling. I help because I care. Hazel and I will go visit her after breakfast."
She glanced to Hazel and gave a small smirk, as if she knew she wanted to help.

[Salenea]

Marigold paused and lookedturned back tilted her head slightly as she thought. She had to admit she didn't mind spending time with Hunter at all. "I don't know my plans for this afternoon yet so who knows." she said with a smile. "Not yet sure if I'm free or that someone needs my help. I was hoping to infuse some oils to make oinments off later, you are free to help ofcourse." Marigold offered. An extra pair of hands was always welcome. She brushed her hair back. "See you later Hunter." she said as she turned again to head to the forest. She looked back over her shoulder once and only briefly, feeling a pang of regret that Hunter couldn't join her as the past few days had been very pleasant with Hunter at her side.

Once she got into the forest her spirit lifted and she enjoyed the time alone there. Walking at ease she looked for the best spots and searched for the right ingredients. Also looking for herbs she could use herself.

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Faber looked where his wife was. "Come on dear, it is time to buy our daughter her gift." he said moments before Vivianne descended the stairs. "I'm ready honey." she said as she linked her arm with his. "I'm glad there finally is something that Marigold can use. It was easy for the eldest since they share your trade." Faber chuckled. "Yes and Rose will be very happy in this house when she'll be mature and respondsible enough." Vivianne nodded before her furrowed her brows. "I do hope she'll be careful on her own. And that certain types and young men won't profit of her or worse." Faber gently patted his wife on her hand. "Marigold can cope besides some of the young men she met aren't that bad." they walked out of the house and started making their to the cottage the wezre going to buy with hunters assistance.

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Hazel looked surprised to April. She really hoped that it was a special gift of April to have read her so well and not that it had been that obvious. "I would like to visit and help very much, you'd be doing me a favour really to let me accompany April." Hazel said before a small grin formed? "Not that I think anything you could say or do would persuade April otherwise then her choses course of action." Hazel appreciated that in a woman and since April managed to keep her brother in one piece during the night out she didn't mind to spend a little more time with her. Also because of occupational interest but that was more the destination then the woman.
Hazel looked at April. "I'm going to check on Keith and I'll be right back." Hazel wanted to get a few things from her room too. never leave unprepared because you never knew what the day would bring.

[SporkoBug]

Hunter smiled at Marigolds word and gave a bit of a wave, "You know how to find me." He said with a smirk, "I'll be in the town center somewhere."
When she left his sight he headed towards the cottage, he got there before Marigold's parents and knocked on the door.

A figure seemed to pause behind the door before they moved to open it, looking up at Hunter with a small smile, their silver eyes glistening.
"I can't thank you enough for this Ash." Hunter started, the Mystic waved his hand.
"Anything for a fellow Unknown, especially to help the city florish."
Hunter gave a small smile and turned his head to glance down the road, "They're on their way. They're hum-"
"I am aware of this Hunter. You do not need to tell me." Ash said with a laugh, "I know how to interact with humans."

---

April waved her hand as Hazel mentioned having to check up on her brother.
"Take your time darling." She said with a small smile, turning back to face the barkeeper with a small smirk, "You guy's will be fine. Your children are fine and your wife isn't exactly dying. But I'll do what I can." She said with a wink towards the bartender.

He rolled his eyes before he walked off to serve another patron.
April swayed her tail and flexed her wings, her fingers tapped the bar quietly, echoing through the loud bar, but the taps still echoed around.

[Salenea]

Faber and Vivianne walked towards the cottage they wanted to purchase. It would be the remaining of their savings they would give to their daughter but as Fabers father had taught him it was to provide for your childeren and make sure they can have a living. Fabers father had given him the smithery and Faber had on his turn given it to his eldest son while he partnered up with the gold smith in Silver Haven as silver smith, now his daughter was married to the gold smiths son it was only clear they should take it over. That left him with his other two daughters as second son had gone to the farm of his brother. Rose would be perfectly happy in their current house but Marigold needed more green and a more cozy house. The cottage was perfect with lots of garden space and a big back yard that went all the way to the forest.

When they reached the cottage Faber knocked on the door. Faber expected it to be a formality as Hunter had pretty much made the deal. Vivianne looked at the cottage with narroed eyes to spot any possible flaws in it. She wanted it to be perfect and not a project that needed fixing a lot of things. Faber wondered how he could ever repay Hunter for helping out like this.

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Hazel nodded and went upstairs. Keith was still vast asleep and oinly turned in his sleep as Hazel nudged him gently. Hazel shook her head and grabbed a sidebag from the nightstand and a cape from the wardrobe. Hazel put on the cape and she scribbled a note for Keith that he knew she was gone with April and didnt know when she would back. And that he please stay out of trouble and not get lost while she was away. She glanced at her brother once more before heading down. Hazel went to the bartender. "Could you bring up a tray of food, some bread and some cheese, and some tea up to the room please?" she asked. That way Keith could nimble a bit before going downstairs. She expected him to wake up very late in the morning.

Hazel turned to April. "All done, ready to go." she said adjusting the bag slightly underneath her cape. "Keith is still vast asleep after his night out." She said only partial able to keep the irritation out of her voice. She didn't like it when Keith slept the day away or went out partying or drinking. It was beyond her understanding why someone would sleep longer then dawn and go out just for fun. Hazel never did that, if she went out it was work related.

[SporkoBug]

Hunter was the one to open the door for Faber and Vivianne, he smiled to them both and stepped aside.
"Come on in, ash is waiting inside." Hunter said with a polite bow.
When the door opened, the nice aroma of a soft rose echoed through the entrance.
The inside was lit up by little wall lights, which flickered almost like flames. Hunter glanced outside behind them, checking for Marigold just in case she came back early.
Ash sat at the table in the kitchen; listening to everyone before they entered. He pulled in his magic, hoping to make himself seem like a proper human.

---

April waited happily for Hazel to return, and when she did, she stood up quickly, her wings fluttering behind her and her tail swayed happily.
"Let's go~" She said, looking to Jakob, "We'll be back darling~" She blew him a kiss before she held her hand out to Hazel.

Jakob rolled his eyes and took a note of what Hazel said to him, cleaning the counter top before disappearing off to the kitchen.

[Salenea]

Faber and Vivianne walked in after thanking Hunter. Vivianne was pleasantly surprised by the scent. Faber was glad the lights were working properly. The looked around, both feeling this would be the perfect cottage for Marigold. When they entered the kitchen Faber bowed his head to Ash. "Hello, Ash is it? I'm Faber Evergreen and this is my wife Vivianne. I'm sure Hunter has informed you about the reason we are here." he said friendly as ever. Vivianne looked at Ash, she felt a strange vibe in the room but couldn't put her finger on it. Ash looked decent enough in her opinion, nothing out of the ordinary. "What a lovely cottage it is. Our daughter Marigold will be most happy." she said as she walked around in the kitchen to see how well it had been maintained.

Marigold was singing softly as she picked all the ingredients. She just loved being in the forest. Marigold chuckled softly as she recalled how Hunter had wanted to have her accompanied. It was so sweet of him to be worried about her but she felt safe. And eventhough his siblings were all darlings sometimes a little alone time was a blessing.

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Hazel grinned as Aprils way with people made her think of her older sister. Although April was a lot kinder and more helpful. "Coming." Hazel said quickly stood Aprils side. When she stepped outside she turned to April. "Could you tell me a bit more about this cursr, what is does and how it got placed on her?" Hazel asked. She didn't want to stand there completely uninformed. The secret service took curses quite serious and the more they leanred the better they could help and act. It wasn't too crowded yet to Hazels pleasure. Crowds were harder to navigate and now she could at least keep a good eye on the surroundings

[SporkoBug]

Ash smiled gently towards the parents before he glanced to Hunter as he stood in the kitchen doorway.
"Yes, Hunter told me that you guys were looking for a place for your daughter." They said softly, bowing their head, "It's not the biggest house but from what Hunter mentioned he thought it would be good for her." They glanced to Vivianne with a wide smile.

"I hope it is up to your standards Mrs. Evergreen." Ash said before they looked back to Faber with a smile. "And to yours as well Mr. Evergreen."

Hunter smiled as everything went down, hopefully things were working out in Marigold's favour. He looked out the window to the forest and gave a small frown. He was worried about her, but she wanted to be alone.

A small chirp echoed from above Marigold, a green forest bird hopped around some branches with a flick of it's tail and a tilt of it's head. It whistled at Marigold and hopped down closer to her.

---

"It's a simple curse to place, hard to dispell." April said as she started to wake her way through the crowd, the people close to her paused and stepped back as she walked through. There were small whispers echoing around her, some mentioned 'look, a demon!' and anything of the sorts.

"She married Jakob, that's why she has the curse." She started with a sigh, "One of the old witches around where he was from wanted to keep him for herself. Fay got there first and won his heart instead. And the witch wasn't a fan of a young mage stealing her potential prey so she cursed her."

[Salenea]

Vivianne glanced towards Ash, her lips curled slightly upwards. "Very lovely, not the biggest house indeed but I suppose for her alone and possibly with Datura it is big enough. Lovely kitchen, enough workspace and storage." Vivianne looked at her husband. "It will do."

Faber nodded in response to Ash's inquiry. "Yes, absolutely. I haven't noticed any structural problems and so far everything seems to be working properly. Two bedrooms or one?" Faber asked.

Marigold looked up as she heard the whistling and noticed the little bird. "Well hello there, I hope I didn't disturb you little friend." She said before she checked if she had everything she needed.

"I still need some rosemary and possibly bay leaf or sage. Perhaps some broad-leaf plantain and ribwort plantain." Marigold got up and looked around to see which way she would go.

-------------------------------------------
Hazel nodded, trying to ignore the whispers all around, she almost flinched when someone called April a demon, it felt all too familiar when people spotted her harpy form. "Witches and their curses."

Hazel sighed. She leaned a bit closer to April. "Maybe we should find less populated streets."

She knew all to well a lot of humans weren't used to see unknowns even though Silver Haven could be the exception. Villages and cities where mortals and unknowns lived together sometimes were very peaceful and everyone lived in the open or it was constant fighting and hostility towards the other. Or there were cities and villages where the mortals didn't have a clue unknows lived among them and in some it was peaceful and in others the mortals lived in constant fear because of strange events and murders.
Hazel hadn't been in Silver-Haven long enough to know which of the four it really was.

[SporkoBug]

Ash gave a gentle smile to Vivianne, "I am very glad you're happy with the place." He started before he looked to Faber, "Two bedrooms, both have attached small studies and a large bathroom near the end of the house." He continued before he moved to stand up.

"Shall I show you? There is also a sun-room and the backyard should be big enough for a greenhouse and a small avairy." He continued, "The shed out back would be able to be changed into a place for birds, I have no real need for it."

Hunter smiled, things were going well. He closed his eyes and mentally prayed to the Stars that things would go well.

The small bird tweeted back at Marigold's words, before it hopped down to a better height before it let out a loud chatter to Marigold as she mentioned what she needed.
A loud 'caw' echoed from above them, a large black Raven perched on a branch behind Marigold and tilted it's head with a ruffle of it's wings. The noise got a chain of chatter from the Green bird as it fluttered up to the larger, blacker bird before it moved to land gently on Marigold's shoulder.

---

April shook her head gently, continuing her way, her hand gently wrapped around Hazel's arm. April's skin was warm to the touch.
"They do not fear us." She stated calmly, "They know me here. They are used to a demon presence; We are safe." She said with a small wink.

She got to the edge of the center city and turned to the darker side of the city, not darker as in the type of people that worked there, but darker as in there were trees craning higher up here, branching over the road to cover up a lot of the sun.
"This way." April said with a small smile.

[Salenea]

Faber smiled friendly. "I would love to see it, so please, do show us around." He said. Faber was pleased with the cottage but he hoped that it would still be in his price range. A well-kept cottage like this, and rather spacious too as it seemed, could cost more than he had said that he could give.
But he was confident that Hunter was a man of his word and that it was all discussed and agreed.

Vivianne nodded. "Having two bedrooms is good. Marigold will love the greenhouse and aviary. she loves a big back yard. And the fact it goes all the way to the forest edge is definitely something she loves."

Marigold looked at the raven and thought about her own, Two-Feathers. She smiled as the little bird flew up before it landed on her shoulder. "I haven't seen small birds as you fly towards big birds like that one." She said amused. Marigold moved on and walked to a small stream to drink a little. She took a little bit to eat and gave some crumbs to the bird. Her mind wandered off to Hunter and his family and for a moment she wondered what else could be hiding in the forest. From there her thoughts went to the long life of Hunter and their family and what they all must have seen and she couldn't help wondering if there ever had been relations with other vampire's or long-lived beings as well as with short-lived beings like herself. It would be hard to compete with someone more in his own league. Not that she claimed to be in any relationship nor that she wanted to compete with anyone. She only knew the guy for a couple of days. Blushing she scolded herself to stop being silly and focus on what she came here to do. But the sun shone warm and Marigold stayed put a little longer, enjoying the day.

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Hazel sighed relieved. That was comforting to know that they were safe. As safe as one could be in any city or town with Unknowns in it.
She was glad for the warm hand as her worries had cooled her down a bit. "I'm happy to hear that." Hazel said, there are definitely places where things aren't like here.

Hazel looked at the big trees and the branches over the road, feeling better already in this part of the city. Trees were safe, trees had often provided a hiding place or given her strength. While she could manage very well in the city her earth element made her feel better outside the city. Hazel nodded and followed April.

[SporkoBug]

Ash stood up shakily, he had bumped his leg against the table; he already knew it was there, but at the same time he wanted to keep his secret. "Damn." He mumbled before he looked to Faber before turning to Vivianne. "Where shall I show you first?" He asked, moving to grab a staff that leaned against the table to use to add to the illusion.

Hunter moved slightly, ready to help Ash if he needed. They had gone over how he was suppose to act, he was glad that everything was going well so far.
He glanced out the window to the forest as Vivianne mentioned Marigolds name, he worried that she would run into trouble.

---

The Green bird gave a happy chatter before it took off into the trees, moving to follow after Marigold. It landed on her arm when she presented the crumbs, eating them quickly.
The larger Black bird watched the smaller bird disappear into the trees and back down to Marigold. A small smirk flicked over his beak before he moved to preen his feather, he paused as he looked around.

Marigold was far away now, but something was following her. But what?
The Bird fanned out it's wings and glistened with shadows, shifting into a bigger sized black eagle, fluttering to a more reasonable sized branch for it to sit on, a bit higher up so it could still see below.
A large clouded Leopard stalked through the shadows under the leaves, it paused and sniffed the area that Marigold had stood in, it's tail swaying slowly.

[Salenea]

Faber was looking forward to a little tour of the cottage when he heard the little bump and noticed Ash grabbing a staff. "If it isn't any inconvenience to you of course. I would love to see and hear about this place but not to your discomfort of course," he said with a friendly smile. The rooms he had been in so far seemed in good enough shape and he was pretty sure the rest would be in equal shape.

Vivianne looked at Ash. "I would love to see the sun-room and the garden." She glanced outside. "But only briefly. We shouldn't be back later then Marigold get's home and I would definitely need time to gather my composure. So dear, we better conclude it soon, i'm sure the contract and everthing takes time as well."
Faber nodded. "Quite right, we can't not be home when she returns." Faber looked at Ash. "But if it's allrgit by you i thinkthere is time for a quick tour."

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Marigold hummed softly as she got up and started to slowly head back. She was taking a slightly different path. She picked the last herbs she needed and made sure nothing could fall out. "Well then, that's that." She tilted her head slightly. She thought she heard less birds chirping then before and that made her frown a bit. Birds usually didn't grow silent for nothing. Marigold couldn't see anything out of the ordinary, the forest seemed as peaceful as ever, so soon she felt as carefree as before that moment.

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Hazel liked this part of the city a lot.
"I hope she won't mind me being there too," she said to April while she as looking at the houses they passed to memorise the route they took. Hazel could imagine that a stranger getting there uninvited and knowing about something probably personal could be not very appreciated.

[SporkoBug]

"Then we shall look at the Sun-room and the Garden." Ash started before he looked over to Faber, "This is not in anyway uncomfortable. It is something I must live with, I am fine. But thank you for the worry." He said with a smile.

He started towards the door, gently getting around the table and towards the hallway, "The rooms themselves are rather mundane, but the garden has been something that I've worked so hard for, and Hunter thinks that Marigold will love it."

---

The small green bird fluttered around Marigold happily, giving a whistle for her to follow it. It made a happy chatter, fluttering deeper into the trees with a glance back to Marigold.

The black bird watched the Clouded Leopard, ruffling it's wings. It dove down towards the bigger beast before flying back up again, the Large cat stopped moving and looked up at the bird, it's eyes narrowing with a low hiss.

---

April gave a small smile, "She won't mind." She started, "You're here with me, you aren't a proper stranger."
She stopped at a small cottage, tucked away from most of the other buildings. A white picket fence surrounded the area. "We're here." She started before looked around, "I wonder where the kids are?"

[Salenea]

Faber nodded once to accept the thank you. He waited patiently for Ash to get around the table and lead the way. Vivianne wamled up to her husband and took his arm.
"I haven't seen all of it but I suppose she will." Faber agreed. "At least you can rest assured that Marigold will honour that hard work you have put in it and not destroy the hard work." Faber continued.
Vivianne nodded in agreement. "She is an angel and she did all of our gardens. She isn't the type of person to make drastic changes if they are not needed."

---

Marigold smiled and started to follow the little bird. She paused as she heard some alarming sounds of other birds. It was hard to pinpoint sounds but she thought she heard something that did make her feel on edge just before the alarming sounds of the birds started.
"I'd better hurry." she said and she walked quickly in the direction the little bird had gone too. Marigold noticed a sturdy branch on the ground, about the size of her arm, and after a small hesitation she picked it up. "Better be safe than sorry." she thought even though she didn't feel really scared but she was more careful because she expected a wild animal to cause some disruption to the birds their songs.

---

Hazel looked at the cottage and the white picket fence around it. All that she saw and heard made her think it was quite an average family. Besides the curse. The dream of quite some girls she knew.
With kids and all. Hazel sighed. Kids was not something she could handle well. Keith could, easily, but Hazel wasn't very good with kids.
"Playing somewhere?" Hazel offered. That was what kids do right? She didn't know. She did hope they wouldn't bother them too much when they were inside.

[SporkoBug]

Ash got around the table quietly, glancing to where he heard Faber and Viviannes voices.
"Hunter has told me some stuff that he knows." Ash mentioned with a nod, leading them down the hallway. He gently moved his cane against the walls to make sure he was giving off the illusion of having to see where the walls were.

The hallway was painted in the same gentle sky blue as the rest of the house; Four doors down the hallway, two on each side. At the end of the hallway stood a glass sliding door that lead out to a garden, which was blurred by the way the glass was.

---

The small bird let out a small whistle as she lead Marigold into a small clearing with a medium sized lake.
The small bird whistled at her to follow her closer to the lake, looking back to the forest with narrowed eyes.
The birds in this area let out a happy chorus of song; the trees were brighter here, the leaves were a brighter shade of green.

The Clouded Leopard slid down the tree as it had charged for the Black Bird, turning to face where he had landed on the forest floor. The bird fanned it's wings out before it flapped its wings and caused the leaves to fly in the beasts face.
The beast let out a growl before it shook its head- looking back to the bird, which was now slightly bigger and flickered with shadows.
"Guardian." The leopard growled before it stepped forward, "Your precious forest will be destroyed soon. The Dark one is lingering."
The bird let out a laugh like squark, hopping back with a small fluff of his feathers.

---

April gave a small shrug, "Maybe they've finally moved out, but I doubt it. They're protective of their mother." She started before she knocked on the door slowly.
Footsteps echoed from behind the door before the door opened slightly, a pair of orange eyes looked out from the darkness.
"April!" A males voice echoed from behind the door, the sound of... quite a few locks opening.

[Salenea]

"I think Marigold will like this colour," Faber said. He looked at the doors and the blurred glass door. Faber was pleased to see the doors were in good shape. If Ash would still accept the offer it was more than a fair deal for his daughter. They would have to start saving again for Rose but they still had a couple of years before Rose could get her gift. He could already picture Marigold here.
Vivianne admired the glass sliding door. "How pretty that is!" she exclaimed. She tried the door and was surprised how easy it slid open. "How ingenious! I would love a sliding door."
Faber sighed and shook his head smiling. "Dear me, dear me, the light of my life requests so I must comply."
Vivianne beamed and patted Faber on his arm. "As you should darling." They both chuckled.

---

Marigold followed the bird, curious to where it would lead her. She was surprised to enter a clearing and to see the lake. She went closer to the lake and stood on the shore of the lake. Looking around she noticed the bright and vibrant colours. She smiled happily, this was a beautiful spot. The sounds of the birds were welcoming after the silence from earlier. Marigold couldn't help but wondering how cold the water would be. Glancing upward she tried to determine how much time had passed and she was sure she could take a little break to enjoy the scenery.

---

Orange eyes! Whoever lived here was either not completely human or under the influence of something magical. It were the only to things she could think off before her attention was drawn to the opening of the locks.
Hazel raised her eyebrow as she counted the amount of locks opening. She could only applaud to the precautionary measures taken. Her life in the Secret Service had taught her that one couldn't be careful enough. Accidents and 'accidents' could easily happen.
She wondered what she would find inside but she was intrigued.

[SporkoBug]

Ash smiled softly, "Hunter and his brother helped put that in place." Ash mentioned, glancing back to Hunter as she smiled softly.
"It really wasn't a hard thing to do, a little bit of reworking the wall- There wasn't a door there to start with so we had to work through something.." Hunter said with a bit of a laugh, looking away from Faber and Vivianne.

Now that the door was open, the garden came into view.
The garden seemed to be well looked after, the grass trimmed and well kept, the fences covered in hedges and bushes, all blooming with small flowers. A few trees scattered around, and in the wind they swayed softly. What looked to be a small Avairy in the corner of the house seemed to be quietly buzzing and working along.
"There are plots for vegetables if she'd wish." Ash said, looking out the door with a twinkle in his eyes, "It's getting hard for me to maintain the garden now but the Ravens family are very kind to me."

---

The small bird moved quickly to land in the water, floating on top with a small fluff of her wings. It seemed the small creature knew what Marigold was thinking.
The water rippled around where the bird landed; it was almost mirror-like, showing the clouds above but nothing below the water.

Footsteps echoed from behind them, back into the treeline. The small bird gave a worried chirp before the Clouded Leopard stepped out of the shadows, larger than before, while it's muzzle was splotched with blood.
"Guardians." It rumbled angrily.

---

The door swung open as a tall, lanky looking male with orange eyes and messy black hair moving to hug April, pulling her up into a massive hug.
"I'm so glad to see you!" He said before he noticed Hazel and froze up, dropping April out of shock and what could be considered fear. "April. You know there's-"
"Aye." April cut the man off, brushing herself off with a roll of her eyes, "I am aware of Hazel, she's a friend." She looked to the man with a slight frown, "I am here to see your mother Jared, I wish to break this curse once and for all."
Jareds eyes widened slightly, "No way." He whispered, almost like a child, before he stepped aside excitedly. "Mac! Ali! Aprils here!"

[Salenea]

Faber looked around, very pleased with everything he saw. "Well, I'm convinced this is the right place for our daughter. Hunter has given you our offer right?" he asked.
He couldn't wait to get the deal done and he wasn't sure when Marigold would return from her foraging in the forest so he started to feel a bit urgency.
Thankfully, being a silversmith earned well and saving money for years had given him enough to purchase but not much more to spare. Faber was glad he could provide his children with a good start in their life either a place to earn money or to live.
Vivianne wandered around in the garden while her husband was starting to round up the deal, she didn't participate in that.

---

Marigold leaned to touch the water, causing a small wrinkle in the smooth surface. Smiling softly she watched the bird. When she heard the footsteps and heard the worried chirp Marigold instantly got up and turned around. Her eyes widened in terror and a shriek escaped her as she saw the blood splotched muzzle.
At first, she didn't understand what it meant when it said Guardians but then her hand slowly went up to her pendant and she swallowed.
This beast could be after her.
Marigold densed the light around her but wasn't sure if she could hold it very long. Her sturdy branch didn't seem like it ould help her at all.

---

Hazel formed a, what she hoped to be, friendly but polite smile. She wondered what the man had wanted to say before April cut him off. Jared was his name, and his orange eyes were very uncommon. Hazel wanted to ask about it but refrained as the man seemed spooked enough with her being there and she definitely didn't want to add discomfort by probing questions, which also left her wondering, why was a big man like Jared shocked or even afraid of a relatively short woman. Mac and Ali, so at least two others were here too. She had misjudged the 'kids' Jared didn't seem like a little kid, he looked pretty big.
"I hope you don't mine me tagging along with April." she said politly.