The runaway queen was humming to herself as she set about working in her shop. The fresh scent of pastries were in the air, as she took a fresh batch from the wood burning oven, and set them to cool on a nearby cooling rack. The next batch of pastries were then placed on the metal plate and pushed over the carefully constructed bars that kept the pastries in the heat of the fire, but out of the flames. No one liked burnt pastries with their tea after all. It was as she was arranged the cooled batches of pastries to plates, that she heard the sound of an individual landing outside. Her mind immediately ran through the list of those she knew with wings. Syn, Isra, Fang, Aeon - though last she knew he wasn't flying. How shocking to realize most of those she considered close companions where flightless.

She turned towards the door curiously, before watching the last of the considered individuals walk towards the door, an amused smile on her face, "The door is open for a reason, Aeon - do come inside. I have pastries freshly baked if you're interested." She calls from across the room, as she finishes arranging a plate marked with a set of fairy wings - a calling card for what was not available to the public for their own safety, but still available for herself, and Syn if she should visit. It might be dangerous adding fae foods with the rest of the goodies, but so far the fairy wing plate marker was doing well in helping make sure no one fell victim to that sort of enchantment.

She then finally turned to approach the colt, no - stallion. He certainly looked it, having grown in the time since she had last seen him. Taller now, his feathers and pelt coming in better - well enough that those feathers allowed him to fly. The scarring, tho minimal, was present tho, and she briefly wondered of any creams or salves that may help to further lessen them. She doesn't ponder to much, knowing some stallions like their 'warrior markings'. Trey had. "I see you are flying!" she praises instead, her smile warm - delighted by the development, "That must mean your feathers have grown in wonderfully." She was immediately looking over him, her gaze scanning the healed wounds, eyeing some of the tougher scarring, wondering if they pulled with movements from the rough, scarred hide. "Any lingering pain? Difficulties moving? Anything that has not healed properly." She immediately asked, ignoring the arrangement he carried for now, her obvious concern on his health rather than a gift.

The stormy-hued fae then motioned for him inside, amusement in her hazelnut gaze, "I assume that arrangement is for me?" She finally addressed the unique, but lovely gift, motioning for him to find a seat that was comfortable, her own telekinesis already arranging a platter of the treats he had been so fond of last time, a tea pot of a simple herbal mix with light hints of lemongrass, jasmine and honey, and the sides to go with it - milk, and sugar, as well as two empty tea cups. "Sit, sit, tell me everything you have been up to. It has been much to long since I saw you last, you were due for a check up weeks ago, Aeon. But I shall forgive you this time, if you inspire to attend further check ups when you injury yourself on time." She teased with a kind smile to the much younger stallion.

“Talk.”
(Alternate color for thoughts).
Tiana, the bonded soul-spirit

@Aeon

Running out of fucks that I can give to you
But you can still be pretty on the inside, too
Your heart's so cold, but I love the way you lie
Should've seen the red flags, but for you I'm fucking blind

The fae laughed in delight at his sheepish response, his stomach rumbling to further demonstrate the proof of his preference for her pastries, "Look for you I have some fresh and ready then, is it not?" She teased with a fond smile for the stallion she still viewed as a youth, watching him with a gentle, and understanding smile "It gets easier with time. A dear friend of mine was once very terrible with landing himself. He always fumbled over his own hooves. Got very pouty every time I would show him up." The playful laughter seemed to echo in her head, the memories bittersweet and warm of her first love falling into a bunch of mud and the fight that ensued, leaving them both a mess, standing sheepishly in the Castle gardens. Arson had gotten her in so much trouble then, but he had her mother wrapped around his hoof too, always able to weasel them a gentle warning rather than a more significant punishment. "One of these days, perhaps I will give you some tips. I would also recommend, spend some times with birds of prey - they can be a useful means of learning how to mimic your own wings to theirs, to fly smoother." She offered. She'd done the same thing with butterflies and dragonflies as a child after all.

She nods when he speaks of occasional itching, wondering if there was anything she could offer to help soothe the injured skin, before remembering a paste. She trotted towards the shelf, finding a small container and bringing it back to him, "Put this in small amounts when the itching gets to be too distracting, it shall soothe the skin. Chickweed to help soothe, and protect the skin, as well as offering moisture to help the skin remain healthy while the feathers grow in. Calendula to help make sure nothing nasty gets in there while things are growing in, as well as to soothe. Peppermint for both an energizing scent, and to make it nicer to have to apply, as well as itch relief. All in a plant base meant to help hold the moisture of the salve to keep the areas being treated from drying out. It does not need to be covered by a wrap either." She offered with a smile.

She smiled as she took the arrangement from him, immediately setting it up in a nearby empty vase, arranging the collection just slightly to make sure every piece of it was on display, "It is very original, I love it. Thank you, Aeon." She praised, turning back to him with a warm smile, before settling down in her own pillows across the table from him and careful to mix up her own tea cup to her preference. She did look up in shock at the words of Liam stepping down, "I was not aware he was even considering stepping down. That is unfortunate, he has done well for Dusk Court. Hopefully Uzuri will be fine, she only recently moved to stand beside him." Her voice was gently concerned, before she smiled faintly, "I am sure you are doing a fine job as a soldier, I am glad life is doing so well for you. The shop has been well, and I certainly cannot complain for the quiet times. I much prefer a quieterlife style. QUiet is akin to peaceful, and I am far too old for drama. The fae declared with a laugh.


“Talk.”
(Alternate color for thoughts).
Tiana, the bonded soul-spirit

@Aeon

Running out of fucks that I can give to you
But you can still be pretty on the inside, too
Your heart's so cold, but I love the way you lie
Should've seen the red flags, but for you I'm fucking blind

Caelum relaxed in her shop - the sort of relaxation that could only come from good company and a safe place (no place was more safe and feeling of home than her shop too). As Aeon happily took to the snacks, she smiled at his gracious thanks, waving it off. She'd have to speak to him about not thanking her (or other faeries really) at another time - right now she was simply delighted to have done something well for someone else. At her suggestion to fly with the birds of prey, she was delighted to see him considering it. "Do not worry about having to do anything they do to soon, Aeon. The tricks is observing how they fly so you can then emulate their methods. That is all. I imagine you will do well picking up their tricks slowly."

She was amused as he took the jar to sniff, tilting her head before smiling faintly, "It is a stable scent that will mix well with most things involved." She agreed with a laugh, before tilting her head when he asked if she would send for him if she found trouble. She had to laugh then, shaking her head, "You need not worry, your are accurate in your assumptions that I can defend myself very, very well. Even when outnumbered, I can hold my own fairly well against three or four assailants even." She declared proudly, before nodding at his next question, "Yes, a number of the Denocte soldiers visit me to check in on me. Boleyn and Fang both are common visitors. I also am regularly seen in town during certain shopping days, and I am certain many would notice if I missed a day. Further, I am very, very close friends to the Sovereigns of Denocte. Well, not just to them.

One of my best friends is mated to the Sovereign of Dawn, as well. And Uzuri is his sister in Dusk . . . I suppose I hadn't really realized how interconnected I have become with the other courts . . . ." Her voice trails off before she laughs and shakes her head, "Either way, I appreciate the concern, but you have no need to worry about me. I was a warrior long before I became a medic." A warrior queen, that is; but same thing when it came down to it - was it not?

“Talk.”
(Alternate color for thoughts).
Tiana, the bonded soul-spirit

@Aeon

Running out of fucks that I can give to you
But you can still be pretty on the inside, too
Your heart's so cold, but I love the way you lie
Should've seen the red flags, but for you I'm fucking blind

The mare tilted her head, a faint smile on her muzzle as he considered the options. She nodded faintly, amused, Exactly, and you could likely learn a lot from just watching them below. You do not necessarily need to copy them. Just watch how they move their wings, angle their feathers - and you may find your own flying improving in turn. She explained with a laugh, before blinking in surprise at his question. She looked up towards her ceiling, eyes following the many numerous floating balls of light, thoughtful, That is a difficult question to answer. Mostly due to many of my favorite dishes being the sort others wouldn't be able to try. But just about anything made from the fruit that grew in my people's homelands tends to be high on my list of favorites. The fae admitted with a smile.

It was also true, that while she could be a little out of place, out over the water, it wasn't a lack of visitors for her to tend to. As luck would have it, may visit her. Scholars, and soldiers, and many others who came for the drinks, food; or even just to share her company - all aspects that delighted her. While the success of her home, her shop was certainly important, the knowledge that she had gained so many friends was just as important to her. Connections, relationships, individuals who cared about what she did, or what she said. That to here was more precious than any patronage to her shop. Whether they came in for a drink of tea, or just to ask her how she was doing, the interactions were always special.

She smiles with a faint laugh at his next curious question, You must remember, fae are a very unique breed. We have our own brands of magic, typically based around nature itself, and due to this, our abilities to fight are not so distinct as one may expect. That said, I am a very good shot with a Bow and Arrow; but my magic certainly helps. Perhaps I shall show you some time. A demonstration perhaps. I do not necessarily fight myself, not if I can help it, but if nothing else it would be fun to show another what my abilities actually are when it comes to my magic. Briefly she falls quiet, thoughtful, before sighing, Though, perhaps waiting until my final gift of my heritage activates . . . to see how it all may be able to work together. The day when she would finally take home her father's magic, when she would truly champion Summer, in the way her realm, her home world, her court would demand.


“Talk.”
(Alternate color for thoughts).
Tiana, the bonded soul-spirit

@Aeon

Running out of fucks that I can give to you
But you can still be pretty on the inside, too
Your heart's so cold, but I love the way you lie
Should've seen the red flags, but for you I'm fucking blind