I stumbled down the tiny 'fairy' trails that my mother made and pushed my way through the lichen. I waved my hand and grabbed my mask. "I'm off to the village! Arbor can you sweep out my room for me? I can grab some more ingredients for your alchemy!" I called up the trail. He poked his head out, his blonde hair black at the tips. "I can't, my bottles need to be cleaned. Could you still grab some ingredients for me?" I sighed and shook my head. "Fine. What do you want?" I asked. "Hurry up your apothecary shop closes soon." I tapped my foot impatiently. "I just need some rabbit's foot and some... What is it..." I sighed. "Whatever, I'm leaving!" I called. "I need root! Oh please grab me some root!" He pleaded. I waved my hand to acknowledge him and walked into the apothecary shop, dropping my gold onto the counter and taking the rabbit's foot and root. I walked back out and stared at an alleyway, two people stood shouting at each other. I walked over and placed my hand on the back of the person facing away from me. "Hello?" I spoke gently, trying not to spook the two men. They both turned to look at me at the same time. I smiled softly. "Hello! I was just wondering if there was something I could do to help resolve your issue?" I asked softly, nodding my head at them. "Nothing." The blondie pushed past and walked off. "I'm sorry for his attitude! I'm Zaos." (Za-ows) I smiled up at him. "Thank you for checking in, I'm okay though so I'm going to head out. Bye." He waved and left. I stood there, feeling a little confused. I walked over to my shop and walked in, setting my stuff down behind the counter. I flicked the lights on and went into the back, changing into my work outfit, dusting the counters and wiping down the glass, flipping the sign to open and opening the door to breeze out the tavern. I pulled the sheets off the tables. "I'll need to wash them..." I set them in the bucket by my feet, setting it under the counter then going to wash my hands in the stream out back. When I returned, my parents were sitting at a table. My dad's hair, usually loose, was up in a messy red bun. I rushed over and gave them a hug, kissing their cheeks gently and smiling at them.

"So, mother, father, what can I get you today?" I asked, standing up straight. Another person walked in and walked into the back. I nodded my head at her as she passed. It was Iridis, the only other person to work in the tavern with me. "Y/n." My father grabbed my attention. "Yes?" I asked. "I would like whatever is most frequently bought along with an ale please." He dipped his head at me. "Now, father, you know I can't sell ale to forest elves. King Solis would have my head." I refused. He pouted and sighed. "Alright fine. Then... What else do you have?" He asked reluctantly. "I have water." I walked back into the kitchen and smiled at Iridis. "I washed the table sheets. I hope that was okay." She smiled at me, her ears twitching. "Yeah it's okay, I was going to wash them anyways." I waved her off and started to make my fathers order. "Iridis can you ask my mother what she wants for food? I got distracted and couldn't take her order." I apologized to her but she waved it off. "No problem, your parents are always a delight to serve." She smiled and walked out with her notepad, smiling. "What can I get for you, Adania?" She asked. I looked over, finishing my fathers order and walking out with it and the glass of water, setting it in front of him. "Here's your order father." I looked at my mother and nodded at her. "Iridis you're free to leave if you'd like. I'm sure nobody's going to come in today except my parents. It's a Monday, everybody's at work. Mother and Father have stuff to do. I'm going to close up early too." I waved her off and smiled at her. "I'll still pay you your usual don't worry." I smiled softly and shooed her into the back to change back into her regular clothes. "Alright but if you need me, don't hesitate to send someone for me. I'll send my little brother in a while to see if you need help, alright?" She fret. "I'm fine Iridis. Go home." I shoved her out the door and served my parents, closing shop after they leave. "I think I'll take tomorrow off. I have enough gold for the rest of the week." As I finished the sentence, a knock sounded on the door. "I know it says you're closed. But I'd like to have an ale before I go to work." A deep voice sounded behind me, it sounded vaguely familiar and I turned to see the blonde male I saw arguing with Zaos earlier. I waved him in. "Of course, come in." I wiped off the bar and had him sit on one of the stools. "Only one." I let him know that I was only going to serve him one. "Of course. I can't be drunk, the king and my mother would never forgive me." He waved his hand, it was covered in gold plating and I looked up, grabbing his hand and tugging him closer, forcing him to stand up. I looked at the emblem on his chest and let go immediately. "You're a member of the royal guard!" I gasped. He looked at me, raising an eyebrow. "Yes. I am a royal guard, please do not handle me in such a way." He sat back down. "I'm so sorry! Here let me get that ale for you, on me!" I bowed apologetically and I could feel the tips of my ears trembling. He chuckled slightly. "No, please, it's okay. I'll still pay for my drink." He laid four gold pieces onto the bar and I widened my e/c eyes. "A-Ale is only one gold piece!" I shoved the three other pieces towards him. "Really? You'd think it's some crap ale for only one gold piece." He mumbled under his breath. I stood up and scowled, grabbing him a tankard and pouring the ale into it, shoving it at him. "Drink. You can decide if it's shit or not." I growled and glared at him. He grabbed it and chugged it. I smiled. "Wow that's some strong stuff." He shook his head and slapped another three pieces down. "Keep it, okay? You deserve it. Get the tavern a few upgrades." He sounded only slightly slurred and left. (Please keep in mind, Elion is a very light-weighted person. Zaos, not so much)

I closed the shop for real this time and changed into my regular clothes, pulling my mask back over my face, and although I didn't need it, it made me feel better. I locked the door and shoved the key into my pocket. I grabbed my bag and walked back towards my house, I looked at my pocket watch and looked up just as I bumped into someone. I caught myself before I fell, but only by grabbing onto their shirt. I let go once I regained my balance and rubbed my eye, looking up at the person. "Oh I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention! I apologize." I recognized him. "Oh it's you, Zaos!" I smiled at him. "I'm sorry for running into you." I picked my bag back up. "Don't worry about it, I was just on my way to help my sister. She sent me to see if her boss needed help." He said, smiling. His short black hair fell in front of his face, unlike earlier today. "Oh, so, you're Iridis' younger brother. I'm her boss, I already closed up for today." I pulled six gold out of my pocket. "Could you give this to her? It's her pay. I threw in two extra gold. A very generous customer came by today." I smiled at him. He nodded and took it. "Yes of course. I'll give her the gold after I get off of work." He waved at me. "Well I'll see you around, maybe, if you come up to the palace." I widened my eyes. "So you and that archer both work in the palace?" I asked quietly. He nodded. "We do. I must get going now, thank you." He walked away and towards the palace. I watched after him. He was a really pretty elf. I wonder if he's a moon elf or a sun elf. I can't really base him after Iridis because she's his adopted sister. I shook my head and continued home, running into one of my best friends. I waved at him and he waved at me too.

I ran over to him and smiled. "Solnishko it's so great to see you how are you?" I hugged him tightly and giggled, pulling away. "So who's your latest conquest, Sol?" I used his nickname, nudging him as we walked towards my home. "Oh, I'm not sure, she never told me her name, only her type of elf. As though she expected me to have kids with her because of her type." He sighed, looking down. "I'm sorry you constantly have to go and apologize to mothers because of their daughters." I pat his back and start walking up the fairy trail to Arbor's room. "Is Persephone here yet? I got what you asked for, your rabbit's foot and root." I set the bag on his table and look at him. "I think I've figured out why she has this disease. If only I could figure out who she loves..." He scratched his chin, face dirty and his hair all black. He kept experimenting while I was out. "You know, next time you lie to me about cleaning your bottles, I'm going to stop buying you your alchemy ingredients, you'll have to buy them on your own, with your own non-existent money." I threatened, going up to my room and beckoning Solnishko up the trail. "It's okay, you can come up, I promise the birds won't attack you this time. They're not used to seeing sun elves in this part of the forest." I beckoned him again until he walked up the trail, slowly and uncomfortably, he made it to my room and I smiled. "Here come sit on my bed, I cleaned it yesterday so there's no critters or leaves in it this time." I pulled my covers back and showed him. "I don't think your father likes me I'm just going to go." He sounded awkward, leaving me alone. "Oh okay. Bye!" I waved him out and then slide down the trail to the soft forest floor. "Arbor where's Persephone? Shouldn't she have been here by now?" I looked around and spotted her, blood trickling down her mouth as she coughed up yet another flower. I gasped and ran over. "Here let me help you." I helped her towards the trail and Arbor came out of his room, his eyes widening. "Persephone you didn't tell me it was getting worse!" He rushed her into his room and pulled his bucket out from under his bed, it was filled with flowers that Arbor had yet to dump from their last visit. "Persephone I need you to tell me who you fell in love with and I need you to do it now." He urged. She shook her head. "I can't!" She pulled the bucket towards her and coughed, her chest convulsing and practically collapsing into her lungs as she practically vomited up flowers. "Y/n please tell me I don't have to." She pleaded with me, blood spilling. "He knows how to cure you, but you have to tell him..." I pleaded with her. "I-It's you, Arbor!" She blurted, her ear tips red.