Her mouth full of herbs and the melancholy Loinnir at her side, Lumi was in the clearing for a change of scenery. Usually the fae was up and about, doing her rounds at the border - but this day had been different. A weird decision, now that a call for her rang through the air. It made her feathery friend hoot in return, for he also recognized the voice. Deidra. The small medic was, much like her, not fit for combat - yet her call seemed not to have come from a squabble, or something else that might threaten their existence. Sooty-tipped ears swiveled, figuring out the direction she ought to go in, and went on her way as she left the herbs she'd picked near a dug cache.

The Faerie Queen approached, distinctively marked tail swaying gently from side to side like a banner she carried high with her. She moved to stand beside her friend, observing the stranger she was with, with curiosity yet also being slightly disturbed. Oh dear. She uttered. The earthy male seemed to have been tattered, ripped apart and mistreated. The wounds seemed old though, so no medical attention could fix what had been done. Was that why he was here? To receive some kind of miracle that would help him get rid of the scars of the past?

Deidei, would you mind introducing me to your new friend? She asked sweetly, shaking off the feeling of uneasiness. An appearance said nothing about a soul, of course, but it did give off an impression that was hard to miss unless blind the beholder was.

She listened to them both with a smile, curtsying in greeting for she hadn't done so already. She felt bad to have winced in the presence of the earthy beaver, yet scars were one of the few things that made her feel like she was back with her family. All those assassins had scars, and they boasted about it! The only one she hadn't heard saying something glorious about their battle scars was her mother. From the looks of it, the beaver would fit right in with them... yet he came across as gentle and lost. What a confusing set of traits.

Thank you, Deidra. She responded softly before turning to the one who called himself Memory. We could use your skills as a warrior - it is probably apparent almost none of us are fit for battle. And she wouldn't be ashamed to admit it. But the life of a faerie is peaceful... are you willing to join us, even if it means you might never have to fight again? She asked in a more serious tone, wanting the truth and little else.

The small fae listened intently, soaking up information without giving it away. The Nightwalkers. She desperately hoped that, however Memory had decided to leave, he hadn't angered them in doing so. The last thing the queen wanted was a war on their doorstep, one they wouldn't be able to win. Not even with the Reneian Empire on their side would they be able to resist the brute force of a group that sounded so lethal. She almost decided then and there that it was unwise the let the man join their ranks, given as they knew nothing about how he had escaped his torturous life of bloodshed and waste... Was she willing to gamble the peace she had established here, to let a stranger to her live out the rest of his life in that same peace? The answer was an unsure yes, but she knew that if trouble came from it she had no one to blame but herself and Memory in turn.

Very well. She responded quietly. You are welcome in our forest, given that you provide for us and yourself. A small price to pay, she found, for the life the court offered. Everyone did their fair share of work around the willow forest, and she'd personally slap anyone on the wrist who decided it was time for slacking.

I'm sure you'll learn quickly. She responded sweetly and sincerely. She ought to get things ready for initiation, given that their forming would be upon them soon enough. She knew the cave of wonders held a pond of clear water they could use for the ceremony, and their weeds of wisdom she'd seen grow well in the clearing. Still, it had to be perfect - especially for the new souls they had acquired, as it would be their first taste of their culture.

I trust you'll take good care of our new faerie. She responded with a solemn nod. I shall catch us a meal and meet up with you later. She announced. She felt comfortable leaving Memory in the hands of the capable Deidra, and was sure she'd only be in the way. It was better to make herself useful.