Unknown

Ignatius

The large fairy listens intently and unflinchingly for a few moments, then lands in the flowers as you continue on.  Even half-kneeling, half-sitting she comes up to your chest and exudes an air of elegance.  She motions for you to continue with your story.  You give a thorough recollection of what's happened - though it's a bit difficult with the occasional distraction of a kick in the face whenever your new hat decides to chime in.  She's sure to point out that it was a really big spider, a really mean kobold, and really good chestnuts.

The large fairy keeps an impassive look across her face, though you notice she occasionally enters a brief moment of apparently intense thought.  She usually reaches down and flicks at one of her bracelets or anklets absentmindedly when this occurs.  When you finish she nods serenely.  "I see...  I will consider your questions in a moment."  She looks up at your passenger.  "So, you pretended a spider poses any threat to you because..."

The pixie excitedly hops up and balances on your nose for a moment before taking flight and returning to a more stable sitting position.  "I wanted to see what he'd do!  Whether he was a nice human or not.  Not like the mean one that tried to eat me the other day..."

"And you would do it again?"

"Yep!  Iggy's a nice human."

The large fairy glares, annoyance visible on her face for the first time.  "What if he hadn't been a nice human?  What if he'd tried to eat you -"

Your pixie interrupts.  "Then I woulda gobbled him up first!  He's way smaller than th-"

"- or worse, if he had brought other humans to our glade?" the large fairy concludes.

The pixie on your head doesn't answer at first.  There's several seconds of uncomfortable silence.  Even though you know she's not staring at you, you find it difficult to meet the fairy's regal gaze.  Finally, the pixie speaks.  "I'm sorry..." she says simply.

The large fairy seems satisfied by that.  "Good."  She turns her attention to you.  "Now, then.  You came looking for answers.  Perhaps I can provide some, but first I must ask why you came looking for the fairies for answers."

Ignatius

The fairy covers her mouth with her hand and giggles softly. "That is certainly true. But, allow me to rephrase my question. Why the fairies, specifically?"

Ignatius

The fairy nods. She seems satisfied with that answer. She shifts and draws her legs underneath herself, then holds out her hand. You feel a soft brush as the pixie hops off and flies to land in her palm. The fairy observes her quietly, and seems to be inspecting her for injuries. She brushes the pixies hair out of her face and tenderly adjusts her dress. "...Very well, then. I shall permit you to ask... two questions, which I will answer to the best of my abilities," she says without looking up from her task.

Ignatius

The fairy examines your hand from her seated position. "...It looks like a lizard," she says.

"Doesn't it!?" the pixie exclaims.

"I'm afraid I can't tell you much. It would appear one of your ancestors formed a pact with some demon. But for what purpose, or what price he paid, I could not say. The most I can say for certain is that the demon which made this mark is no friend to fairy folk - which is why I must forbid you from returning to this place once you leave."

"Huh?" the pixie asks.

"Were he not clearly ignorant of his predicament, were he not a child, I would kill him where he stands," the fairy says succinctly. There's no hint of emotion in her voice; her impassive expression tells you she's entirely serious. "Now, my child, what is your other question?"

Ignatius

"No need to be in such a rush, Child. It is not you who is unwelcome here, merely your patron." Her eyes fix on your brand and you see a flash of disgust in her eyes. " All I can say is that you are most likely bound to a god of darkness or fire... neither of which associate well with us. You will be taken home at the moonrise. In the meantime, you are free to rest here. As I said, I won't kill you. Because I know you aren't brought here by your own will..." She snaps her hand shut on the pixie in her palm.

"Heek?" she squeaks.

"Tsk, tsk. Bringing a human to our sacred realm." The fairy's eyes narrow on the pixie. "Am I wrong?"

"...No-o-o-o..." the pixie admits. "I brought him here after he fell asleep..."

"What am I going to do with you? Hmmmhehehe." She laughs coldly and rests her chin in her free hand. She gives you a mischievous grin. "What am I going to do with her? I believe I'll allow our guest to decide. She deserves a rather harsh punishment for this. And I'm sure she's been quite the nuisance to you. Please, don't be too merciful."

Ignatius

"There is no 'usual punishment' for this, it happens so rarely. I'm sure you'll have some difficulty putting aside that she helped you, but bringing you here had nothing to do with that. And don't worry if you feel you're being too harsh or lenient - I'll make the final decision." She gives you an empty, intimidating smile. "I'm merely curious what sort of thing a human will think of."

Ignatius

The fairy's smile fades into a frown. "What a surprisingly dull answer. I am familiar enough with your human punishments, but we fairies have neither jails nor fines. I was so looking forward to seeing what twistedness an imaginative young human could come up with... And some humans do seem to be particularly cruel about your age."

"Mo-o-o-o-om, don't tease him so much," a muffled voice calls from inside her palm.

The fairy's face softens. "Yes, yes, dear..." She opens her hand and proceeds to poke the pouting pixie in her palm. "Just promise you won't do it again, OK? Or I'll take away your sweets for a month."

The pixie giggles and squeals. "OK, OK! I promise!"

"Alright, dear. Now run along and play with your new friend."

The fairy tosses the pixie into the air, where she quickly unfurls her wings and takes flight. She darts over and hovers by your face. "Hey! So, what do ya wanna do first? We got a lot of friends we can play with, too!"

You realize that, in addition to the pixie you came with and the human-sized fairy still sitting and staring at you with a bemused grin, at least two dozen more pixies are hovering nearby and observing you with curiosity.