Exton

The towering platter of food that had graced the breakfast table is nearly gone. Mera sits in her father's lap, tugging at a long strand of his more-than-pitch dark hair. He takes the wet cloth from Star and shakes his head.

"An' I clean her now, she'll be sticky from what she has blessed me hair with." He laughs as Mera reaches for the cloth. "Ach, I get it. Ye WANT ta be cleaned. Well then..."

He carefully wipes her face, chuckling as she tries to push the cloth in her mouth. He extricates it carefully, letting her keep hold of one corner. Tucking the sticky strand of his hair out of her reach, Keon cleans her hands, careful of the small webs between her fingers. The soiled bib disappears in the process, appearing out of reach on the table. Star looks at the bib, then Keon, and the Dark Fae smiles. Mera claps her hands as Star takes away the cloth.

"All clean, *gealach beag. Tis more than I can say for me locks."

He pulls the sticky length forward and runs a hand along it. Flexing his fingers as if flicking something away, he purses his lips as he inspects the black strands.

"There my sweet miss! Da is as clean as his wee one." He laughs as one pudgy little fist becomes a chew toy. "Star, is Mera teething still? She'll have the teeth of a Hell Hound at the rate she is... oh." He grins ruefully at Star and Erik. "Ye will let me know if she starts gnawin' ta furniture?"

Tannr looks up from the last of his food, glancing between his kin and the Fae Lord. "Why would Mera chew on wood?"

Star smiles. The colors of her eyes swirl merrily, betraying the laughter she is trying so hard to hide. Keon and Erik laugh aloud. Even Mera gets caught up in the moment, gurgling with the grownups.  It is moments before anyone can speak.

Keon wipes his eyes as Star tries to explain. "How long have you have lived on the Unformed Plane?"

When he responds that he lost count of the years, Keon asks, "In those years, have you met Fae who can shape shift?"

He tells them, "Of course. There are Poukha, Demifae, Waterhorses and any number of shapeshifters."

Keon nods. "But all of those retain some bit of their animal in their human form. I am of the Sidhe, of the Darker Houses." He smiles, and it is no longer a merry grin. His eyes tinge red. "I am Herne's Lord of the Hounds for more than one reason."

Tannr blinks and Keon's eyes are as dark and exotic as usual. "My shifted form is Hell Hound. Tis hopeful that Mera is more her mother's child."

Star begins clearing the table. She glances at Keon, a mischievous look in her eyes, but waits until she is out of reach. "I hear you would change into a puppy and hide whenever you were in trouble." She laughs as Keon's stares at her. "I hear stories..."

He sighs and leans back in his chair, bouncing Mera until she giggles. "That's what comes from letting ye mix with no account Lords like Torrent and Twillon. Twould not be surprised ta find a few of the winged ones spinning tales as well."

Star grins and Keon shakes his head. "So, Tannr... I take it ye hit it off wi' Tori last night. Tis a rare creature she is. Much like yer sister... Independent, a strong sense of Kin, and very much devoted to the safety of the ones she deems hers ta protect."

He strokes the soft waves of Mera's blue-black hair. "She loved Grace as much, if not more, than any of us, save Torrent. He, well he would hae given his life ta her an she let him. Tori keeps the Gallery alive and thriving, doing exactly what Grace did. Most of the displays are the artistic talent of local residents and the college students."

He looks at Star, "By the by, I am ta tell ye that she sold some of yer animal sketches. Ye need ta let her know how ye want ta proceeds."


*little moon