Puck

Deep within the Starwood Strand stood a newly-erected castle. For many days before it's completion, the structure was filled with cicada-like hiss of rattles as Serthis built and furnished the extravagant dwelling, with its sweeping grand hall complete with regal staircase and the winding hallways stretching off to servants' chambers and the kitchen on the bottom floor. The top floor was reserved for the royal family, with guest chambers to receive guests. The back of the castle sported an elegant portico overlooking the royal gardens, admitting the breeze of blooming gardenias and sweet peas, while the palatial courtyard in front connected by a dainty colonnade to the rest of the small kingdom.

It was in the area past the colonnade that the Serthis now labored, setting up the barracks that would house the guard and numerous humble dwellings for newcomers. In the heart of the city was the piazza where the subjects would gather to buy or barter in the morning or midday. Around the kingdom stood a high wall which no beastclan would dare to climb. The scene in its picturesque beauty waited for the stir of travelers which would breathe into it the air of life.

In the castle's grand hall, a fae adorned in gold stood talking to the supervisor of the Serthis workers. The smell of pastries and roasted meat drifted from the kitchen. Light from the delicate chandelier glinted off of the clasps of the petite ruler's wingdrapes, making the Serthis squint and turn his head slightly away to avoid the glare. Their voices boomed, carrying their conversation throughout the empty space.

"Is everything ready for the kingdom's opening ball and banquet?" The golden ruler demanded.

The wizened Serthis scratched his grayed head and scanned the scroll, going over the numbers. Finally, he looked at the king and nodded.

"Everything's going according to plan, Pu--Your Highness." This last part was accompanied by a haphazard bow. "The Serthis should be testing out the kingdom's gates right now. I'll have them set up the courtyard when they are done."

The king nodded and thanked the Serthis, then looked around the hall, gauging its size to determine if it would fit everyone for the ball. The room seemed quite cadaverous to the fae, but if imps came--

"Shall I have them help with preparations here, as well?" The Serthis asked, disrupting his rumination.

"That won't be necessary. Puck and I will handle it," came a feminine voice from atop the grand staircase.

Puck and the foreman followed the voice to its source; the queen was descending the velvety steps, clad in the her festival finery. From within her robes, she withdrew a chest so small it fit in the palm of her doll-like hand and undid the clasp.

A light glowed from the inside of the chest as, one by one, lanterns pulled themselves free and soared throughout the room. Soon, the area was filled with hundreds of the sentient lights, flying throughout the space like a sprinkle of fireflies. The queen called them to a halt, pointing to the textiles compiled in a corner of the great hall. She called out instructions to the lanterns, who zipped around the hall, draping the fabrics from the ceiling and rolling out the large, plush rug that Puck had acquired at through barter with a Shadow clan--quite the pricey piece, he recalled.

After the hall was properly adorned, the lanterns swarmed around the chest, bumping against each other in their haste to stuff themselves inside.

"Now, now," the queen chided. "Everyone take their turn." The lanterns stopped shoving and obigued, forming a spiral around the chest and shifting as each lantern squeezed into the small space.

Puck approached his wife. The Serthis supervisor had left long ago to oversee preparations in the courtyard. He nuzzled the dark fae's neck, breathing in her scent. She always smelled like mysotis, a smell the king found comforting.

"How does this day suit you, my lovely Titania? Have you seen the kingdom yet?"

The last of the lanterns pushed itself into the chest, which the queen closed with a snap and withdrew back into her robes.

"I've seen some of it. The houses look cozy."

Puck adjusted his sash. "I know it's not very large like you're used to, but I'm sure that with time and more people--"

"I love it," Titania interrupted, raising a hand to stroke her husband's cheek. "I can't wait for the opening festivities."

"Do you think people will want to move here?"

"I do." Titania leaned in and placed her forehead to Puck's, wrapping her arms around his neck. "There are people out there in situations you couldn't even begin to comprehend, looking for an escape."

Puck felt his wife tense at those last words. He breathed deeper, inhaling more of her mysotis scent.

She pulled back and looked him in the eyes. "If you spread the word, they will come."

The king pulled his wife into a gentle embrace. "For your sake, my dear, I hope they do."

They stayed there for a while, basking in each other's company and mutual affection. Finally, Puck withdrew his arms from around her. He could sense that she was somewhat more relaxed than before. Titania threaded her arm through his, and together the couple walked out to the courtyard to oversee the rest of the preparations.


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Festival Gear:
Gloomwillow Guide
Sunchaser Jewelry
Illuminated Armband
Metallurgist's Forgetools
Boneyard Tatters
Windbound Plumage
Frigid Fugitive Shackles
Archivists Spellscrolls
Electrician's Power Pack
Shady Armband
Will o' the Ember
Butterfly's Kiss
Starlight Cloak
Scavenger's Tatters
Chillspike Crown
Windbound Mask
Eroded Crystalhide
Tricktrouper Crown
Stonekeeper Sash
Crystalhide Treads
Frigid Sash
Companion Comet
Infectionist's Sash
Thresher Flatfins
Searing Armband
Golem Gauntlet
Starseer Armband
Whirlwind Armband
Frigid Armband
Leafy Gladeboughs
Infectionist's Armband
Shady Armband
Starseer's Sash
Skeletal Chimes
Naturalist Adornments
Runaway Rotclaw
Gustborne Balloon
Searing Sash
Sunguard Chest
Stonekeeper Armband
Seashell Mantle
Warmwater Wanderers
Solar Blades
Bluffclamber Belongings
Trickster's Magic Cards
Magmatic Pauldrons
Electrician's Armband
Moonglow Thorns
Electrician's Crown
Diver Sash
Diver Armband
Mesa Mechanojets
Starwood Veil
Electrified Sash
Illuminated Sash
Starlight Cloak



House Shatterspell.