A Fair Trade [Aeron's Goddess]

[Samaena]

Aeron Luminatti: The chaos in the kitchen was more than the long suffering chef, Jesse could stomach today. Areon and Gwen had been bad enough when they had taken it upon themselves to steal pie but this. This was a total outrage. His roar would echo through the kitchen, through the bar and rattle the very pans that sat upon the stove. The wooden spoon was wielded with such malevolence even Adonis peeking through a crack in the door dodged back and pulled a face, as though to say 'I aint no way in hell going in there!' - The source of such chaos? Nothing more than a little girl, stood quite happily upon an old crate that hadn't been put outdoors as yet. Her face serene and content as she again dipped her finger into the rather large bowl of cake mixture. Her face a picture of bliss as she tasted such a delight, White hair stuck in places to her cheek, within clumps of cake mixture she had managed to plaster of her face. - Yet no matter how hard, or how many times Jesse had tried to chastise with the wooden spoon his words fell on deaf ears. His attempt at smacking a small bottom with his spoon had been in vain. It was as though his hand passed straight through the little one. Giggle of delight filled the air with song and again that small, finger was plunged into the bowl. Little things…<br>
Lillith Luminatti: Noise would break through her anger, Jess making a huge fuss within the kitchen. "What the hell.." Grumbling low she left her reverie upon her balcony, knowing that eventually she would have her taste of retribution. stalking from her room and down the spiral staircase, flitting a look to Adonis as she rounded the end of the bar. His hands came up swiftly, shaking his head, a thumb crooked towards the kitchen. " He's off on one of his tangents again Boss Lady. I swear I have no clue." Huffing softly she would move to the kitchen door, caring not about anything that might be chucked in her general direction. In fact a pan did manage to skim by her head, yet she didn't move a muscle. Merely skimming silver eyes over the kitchen, a scowl over her brow, sweeping that gaze to Jess. " You know, all this costs money. I find it quite irritating when you fly off the handle over nothing." Jess would puff up, blubbering, haughty over the fact that Ms. Luminatti would -dare- to consider he would be wreaking havoc merely.. because! He was a professional! He was still blubbering, his fce and neck turning a lovely shade of lobster red as he pointed across the kitchen. Lillith would look, and then she would witness the girl, lapping at cake batter. A slow blink, and Lillith would crook a grin, making her way to the girl. " You've managed to piss Jess right off you know."

Aeron Luminatti: "I know" a broad grin that said everything there was to say of mischief and merriment. All other outside influences were shut out. As far as she was concerned there was only Lillith and the bowl of cake she was content to eat. Of course she wasn't one to hog the whole issue, again her finger was dipped and a decent blob of mixture was offered across the table for Lillith "This is good, you should try some" she'd have clambered across the table to venture closer but…as Lillith had already said she had pissed Jesse off already. There was pushing it and crossing the line. As tempting as it was she thought better of it. Not even blinking or batting a lid as the back door slammed closed. Jesse had obviously had enough and received no sympathy from the boss Lady at all and he needed to cool off, maybe even sneak a smoke around the corner to let his temper cool. Perhaps the kitchen would be clear when he ventured back to continue being the professional that brought custom to the Lumination every day.

Lillith Luminatti: Lifting a hand she would shake her head, allowing the girl her pleasure. " Nah I'm good." Arms would cross over silk of white, leaning her denim clad backside against the center island, a boot crossing casually over the other, gazing at her calmly. Though within she was raging with questions. Did she know what, who this little spirit was? Indeed. But was Aeron in touch enough with her Goddess to allow Lillith to actually get answers to her questions? No way to find out but to just step on up she supposed. " I need to know what's going on Little One. I have been left out of a major loop here.. and we all know how badly that can go. Why have you come?"

Aeron Luminatti: Her finger was shoved in her mouth and she couldn't help but croon with delight. Lillith didn't want any but at least she had offered. Yes, she knew that Lillith would ask questions, and she knew that she might give answers…perhaps. Why had she come? That was easy, she was so hungry and she needed a hug and there was no other she would rather have read her a story or tell her a tale. The only person other than Aeron she'd allow so close. She wanted to curl up by the fire, with her head in Lillith's lap, she needed to feel those loving fingers combing through her hair as the tale weaves its own images through her minds eye. "I want you to tell me a story" simply stated really. The bow was then pushed from her and she stepped from the crate se had been stood on. The look of hope within her eyes said everything as she looked up at Lillith, her small, sticky hands were clasped before her. Her cake smeared face a picture of innocence.

Toral Canson: Toral sat bolt upright, clattering softly due to all the equipment that he still wore. Evidently Lillith didn't hear it as she stormed out of her room and straight past him (without seeing him, it would seem), but that was unsurprising, given the ruckus downstairs that did an excellent job of covering his own small noise. He hesitated in following, though. Lillith had been crying; he could see that much from the glimpse he'd caught of her face, if hearing through the door hadn't been enough. Besides crying, the way she walked indicated that she was pissed off, and Lillith pissed off was never something he wanted to cross, let alone try to reason with. Instead of following her immediately, he listened for a few minutes, cocking an ear, until he was sure that nothing was about to explode. Reassured, he straightened, stood, and headed slowly down the stairs, peeking around corners to make sure that there were no flying objects coming his way. Things seemed to have calmed down by the time he reached the kitchen.

Lillith Luminatti: Childish innocence standing before her, and Lillith couldn't help but soften. Bending down she would scoop the girl up, smiling as she moved to the sink, taking up a wet towel to begin the removal of all that batter from small hands and face. " A story? I'm afraid I'm not much of a story teller, but I'll see what I can come up with.." Finishing up with her task, holding the girl tight she would push her way out of the kitchen, giving a shake of her head as she noticed Adonis' quirked brow. The look upon her face said 'ask no questions'. Adonis knew better, he would stay silent. Commencing to his duties of tending the bar, she would make her way through the crowd, one that was not to big, but not to small either. Towards the fire she would move, lilac in her wake, offering smiles to the regulars who hailed her. It was quieter here, even though the Lumination was not the den of chaos it once was. Sitting upon the plush couch with a sigh, she would smile at the girl, warmth from the everlasting Flame caressing them both. A glance given up and over the room and she would notice Toral. Eyes would narrow slightly, wondering exactly what he was up to, but returning her attention to the youngster with her. Patting her lap she would smile once again into those lovely eyes, pulling a blanket from the back of the couch. " Come. Snuggle up, and tell me what sort of story you'd like to hear."

[Samaena]

Aeron Luminatti: As good as gold for Lillith. She was really no trouble at all. The obligatory faces pulled as her hands and face were washed but she didn't fuss, she didn't wail or kick or scream. She was so happy to let Lillith do this for her. The echo of a very soft sob was given, a very small cold and lonely woman grieved for her own losses but there was a smile on her gentle face. This much was given so far. A smile held reassurances for Lillith and still as she was taken through the bar and toward the couch by the fire. There was only Lillith in her sights. The faint recollection of a familiar within the room was regarded if only for the simplicity of a thought, nothing more. Settling upon the couch she wouldn't hesitate in accepting the invitation to 'snuggle' up. Straddling Lillith's lap, laying her head upon her shoulder, curling small fingers through lilac scented silk. "Any story will do" softly whispered by Lillith's ear. It didn't matter what she heard. It was still a voice, to shine out through the dark

Toral Canson: One eyebrow rose as Toral peeked around the corner to the kitchen. Just in time to see Lillith settling down into a chair and patting her lap, inviting a little girl to come "snuggle up" so she could tell her a story. This was... what was the expression? ... A side of Lillith that he had never seen before. To say the least. His head tilted slightly to the side as he regarded her in a new light. Perhaps beneath that cold, harsh shell that Lillith always surrounded herself with was breaking down. Toral shook his head. No, that was bullshit. Lillith would rip out his heart and show it to him before he died, if she ever even smelled a thought like that in his head. Removing his eyes from her, lest they be clawed from their sockets, he focused instead on the girl. Who was this to influence her?

Lillith Luminatti: Toral was most definitely snooping, but for the time being her entire focus was upon the little girl in her lap. Wrapping her arms tight around her, smoothing her fingers gently through silky white hair, she would begin a story. mercury pools staring past the girls head into the fire, her timbre low and silver bell sweet, but oddly enough it carried. carried enough so that Toral would hear. " Once upon a time there was a woman who ran a bar. Now many times people would come to her, asking for jobs, and more often then not she would hire them. Hard this woman was, but deep down she had kindness in her cold heart. Turning people away who were in need was not her way. One day a man arrived, asking for work, and even though there was something about the man she simply couldn't quite put her finger on, she hired him as her groundskeeper. Now as time wore on, this man, though very good at his job, even though he wasn't -really- needed, for who needs a gardener with a Sprite in the family?.. this man began to become a bit snoopy. Asking questions he had no right to, becoming quite pissy when no answers were given, when he was told to butt out. But still, the woman kept him because a few times he did good things for her. Kept a watchful eye on things when she was gone, gave her information when he could. So she decided to keep him on still, but also decided, if he didn't stop being sneaky, hanging around her room and listening against her door like a spy, she would kill him.. and slowly. The end."

Toral Canson: Toral suffered a sudden coughing fit, there in the corner.

Aeron Luminatti: There were giggles to follow as the story made its close. She knew whom the story was all about. She didn't have to be there so she was seen to actually -be- there at all. She was always with Aeron, a part of her not even Noa or the rest of the Fae could touch or take from her ad this was what she could do for her and Lillith right now. This was of her own accord…the selflessness of a child at times far out weighted any other act of grace that could ever compare to and this…was given freely. Crystal blue eyes were closed away, the small smile still remained on her pale lips and there was not a move made, save for the twitch of her fingers as she imagined her own curing through her sisters hair. There was no voice, no nothing. Whether she was seen or not was another matter, it was so dark, she was so cold and she felt so alone. However, she was fine, her spirit was strong though it burned and felt so cold at the same time. It was easier not to move for the iron around her wrists and ankles hurt so much…though it could have been questioned as to how much more she could take. Was her strength for appearances sakes? The Iron enclosure and the trappings they had placed upon her would soon enough take their toll. At least Lillith had taken to the little one, it was far more than she could have hoped for and she'd cling to that when they came for her. When she had to face the Courts to plead her case and admit her guilt. "She's alright" the little one whispered for Lillith's ear alone. "She knows you're here" she paused a moment to chose her words carefully "She will fight them" her words may have been few but they were the essentials were they not? "She didn't know how it would be when she said this was what she wanted. She spoke in haste but this was her choice" still very soft whispers meant only for Lillith. She knew the man in the story listened, or would have liked to have overheard but her lips barely moved. "It should be over soon. The trial approaches, the Lords and the Ladies gather." Already she knew that word was spreading within the Homelands. Aeron's crime had been great, about the worst crime any of them could have committed and it was only right that she was made an example of, even her birthright couldn't save her. Not this time. Aeron had to do it alone…or so she thought. The little one would be there always. Helping when and where she could. Lillith would have known this.

Toral Canson: Now, that was unfair. After his coughing fit had subsided to some degree, Toral tried to retain some of his dignity with a loud sniff. Snooping! Fah! He was trying to help the family however he could, and when that family would expressly forbid him to do so if he did it openly, some "sneakiness" was required. Further, he wasn't exactly "sneaking" around her room like a "spy." Lillith had told him not to go in, at all costs, and that implied some sort of danger; he wasn't going far, even if he couldn't go inside. He'd made no effort to mask his presence out there; it was Lillith's own fault for not paying attention. In a huff, he came the rest of the way into the room, directing a brief, withering look at his employer. There was no such thing as gratitude anywhere he went.

Lillith Luminatti: Her eyes would close, holding her sisters Goddess tighter, burying her face against the small neck as the images of her Sprite flowed through her. Dark, alone, held by the biting death of Iron. Listening to the words whispered within her ear, nodding a bit and sighing. " She made a choice that she must now answer for. this I understand, I've raised her knowing that actions can beget consequences. But the fact that I cannot help her is killing me. I am forced to stay away, be a bystander, and I don't think it's right. Did the Fae raise her? care for her when she cried, worked on making her smile as much as possible? Did the Lords and Ladies teach her about life? No. Now they seek to punish her, when all is well again. It's just not right.." Pulling her head up to allow it to fall back against the couch, she would catch Toral stalking around the couch, glaring at her like he had a right to. Cooly she would look back at him for a few moments before looking at the Child, offering a smile, albeit a small one. Fingers worked small wisps of hair from peachy cheeks, letting out a weary breath. " But I will do as I must, and stay out. But I won't stand idly by for long. If the verdict sways not in her favor, I refuse to stand aside and let their will be done. She is not just Fae, as they are now treating her. She is Luminatti as well. They must be reminded of this."

[Samaena]

Aeron Luminatti: As much as she wanted to stay, as much as Aeron needed to feel, needed to see and know she could not remain forever. If the Courts knew about these things could swing badly in Aeron's favour and neither of them wanted that. She listened to Lillith and she understood so completely. Small hands would cup Lillith's face as it was stated that they dealt with a Luminatti and the words she spoke were perhaps older than the years she appeared to be "Aeron answers to none other but you when you have her here. You taught her to face her fears, you taught her to be there for Family. She gave what she could when it was asked of her, just like you Lillith. Things are far from right, if Aeron doesn't pay for her crime, what would that teach her peers? Noa tried to help her but she could not or would not see that. I can only do so much. His court is in danger, his rule is now in question. Aeron created a ripple that soon became a wave she cant handle." She paused a moment, then smiled with so much adoration in her small clean face. Rising a little to place the most tender of kisses on Lillith's brow she added before she vanished back to the wood. "She loves you and misses you so very much…but she knows that you will always be here. She knows, Lillith" with that said she was gone. The blanket Lillith had pulled around them both sagging to her lap. The vaguest scent of peach left to linger in the air.

Lillith Luminatti: Her head would hang, hands coming to rub at her eyes, taking in that most wonderous peach smell. Taking it in for all it was worth, for who knew how long it would be before she ever got to smell it for real again? If ever? Anger began to set in again. No. She would not have it. Pushing herself to stand, she would give a parting look to Toral, just as cold as he'd given her. For some reason she just didn't quite trust him, but in truth, he'd never really done anything wrong. Grunting low she would make her way back to her room, to be alone, to contemplate. To plot. She would do something, eventually. No way would Lillith Luminatti stand idly by and let true harm come to her sister. Never in a million lifetimes.