by Gavin Green
***
Kate and Brody woke early on Monday morning, both of them invigorated for the day that lay ahead. Their light conversation was jovial as they drove north through thinning fog toward the radio station. Once there, Brody met once again with the station manager, along with the head of marketing and one of the on-air personalities, introducing Kate before they sat down for the meeting.
The concepts were reviewed with ideas being passed around the conference table, and all of the radio employees were inspired by what the couple was offering. Agreements were made, legalities signed, and the marketing director told them that 'promo' commercial spots would begin in a day or two. Brody and Kate departed with smiles.
A used car with low mileage and in very good condition was found at a dealership Brody had perused online; he told the salesman that they'd be back to pick it up in the afternoon. Afterwards, he let Kate drive since she knew Sligo town well. The first stop was at a bank branch to bring the Rose Foundation into being. They then visited various shops for their Christmas lists, sometimes together and sometimes separately to keep some gifts secret.
Brody did give Kate one item over lunch; a new tablet with a dongle stick. He said it was for her to keep in her purse instead of carrying her laptop so that she might conduct foundation business freely. As they ate a delicious surf-and-turf meal, Brody used the device to show her the pictures his cousin Simon had sent. Besides getting a face to put to the voice, they were both very impressed with the skill and variety of his craft. Over dessert, Brody texted his cousin, adding a few more pieces to the order he'd already placed. Kate used the tablet afterwards to release the foundation website.
The stroll around the shopping district was pleasant, even with the gloom. Brody and Kate kept each other close during their day together, either involved in smiling chats or exchanging small affections. After a comedy movie at a nearby cinema, they concluded their shopping. The couple finally went back to the dealership to pick up Jane's freshly-detailed car. As it was a bit snug for Brody, he let Kate drive it home while he followed.
After parking Jane's car in the detached garage, they unloaded his wagon and spent the evening at home. Kate commented on all of his purchases, so Brody explained that he never really had a family to shop for before and was too enthused with the idea to deny himself some 'whim-shopping'.
Kate remembered Brody kissing her good morning before she drifted back off. She finally woke to Pearl's harsh breath in her face, but the dog's cheerfulness cancelled out the olfactory assault. After refreshing herself and dressing, she went to the kitchen for morning tea. It was no surprise not to find Brody indoors; it was still early enough that he'd still be seeing to chores out on the property.
While the kettle warmed, Kate peered through a window and found him out at the far shed, the 'donkey shelter'. After the kettle whistled, she poured herself a mug near the sink. The window from that viewpoint faced north, across the back lawn, with the garden and other stone shed at the far end. It was only a passing glance Kate took out that window, but her eyes were drawn to subtle movement. She peered more closely, just to make sure…
The intermittent rain was dormant when Kate walked out across two paddocks to visit Brody and her new pets. While in the midst of checking Cinnamon's hooves, he noticed her approach and offered a smile. Kate came under the long overhang of the shed, gave her fella a short kiss, and then rubbed the foal's soft nose. "Are you getting the feel for it yet, love?" she asked Brody as he released the young donkey's leg.
"Sort of," he replied while he wiped his hands on a rag. "We'll need to get the local farrier out here on a regular rotation, I guess. He's a friend of your dad's, right?"
"Yes, they're mates from far back." Kate moved further in to greet the other donkeys with small sugar cubes. "Gordon McCoy is his name. He's good at the trade, even though he might be getting a bit long in the tooth. All of his sons have moved on to city work; not one of them to carry on his occupation. It's a pity."
Brody nodded his head in casual agreement as he began brushing Pepper. "Yeah, I guess so. Oh, by the way, George will be by today with some hay and straw, just so you know." He didn't hear a reply and so looked over at her. Her lips were pursed and she seemed lost in thought. "What is it, darlin'?"
She finally looked up at him. "Sorry, love," she said pensively, "but I've seen something that has led into a long line of thought. Will you hear me out?"
"Uh, sure - go ahead."
Kate moved closer and leaned against a stone post. "You've wondered and worried as to why you lose your temper with the Other Crowd, especially when you're so normally calm and relaxed. I think I know why."
Brody paused in his brushing. He studied Kate as she looked off, hesitant to speak. Pepper nudged him to continue, so he started brushing the donkey again and said, "I'm all ears, darlin'."
After she exhaled a deep breath through her nose, Kate explained. "First, one of them corrupted your family. Your cousins became a threat to those you care about because of that little demon. It played on your old fears of losing those close to you. Beyond that, you've found a perfect sanctuary, and they keep invading it. I think that's just fuel to the fire, though. The manipulations and the violence are the main reasons for your temper. I know you don't like harboring foul emotions; it's not in your nature. Besides all that, they're simply creatures out of fantasy and therefore unfathomable."
Nodding his head, Brody moved over to a wall and leaned against it. "I guess all that makes sense. Some of it I didn't want to dwell on too much, and that last part… Hell, I have trouble getting my head around it. I'm a normal guy, and all of this is about the opposite of normal." He put his hands in his pockets and looked at her. "But you said you saw something?"
Kate met his gaze. "Yes, I did, but I want to clarify the matter beforehand. Now, your - the Wagner's had bad intent to begin with, and the demon made them act on those feelings. Lorcan is evil, but so are they, to some extent - two of them, anyway. Beyond their banjaxed plan, Oriana came to help, after a fashion, as did Aldritch. They had their own motivations, to be sure, but they came as allies."
"Fair enough - go ahead."
"Then came that damnable demon again, followed by the stout barbarian and Oriana once more. Whatever Lorcan's intent was, his reappearance brought forth your stone gift. Kazimir was simply delivering a message and, honestly, was acting in my protection, misguided as it was. Oriana, for her part, diffused what could have become a tara mess, although her methods weren't to your liking."
Brody frowned. "Kate, I know you're not defending them, exactly, or most of them. I know you're just stating facts. I just don't see your point yet."
Kate's face was filled with concern. "Brody, I think you're generalizing. Easy as it might be to see them as such, not all of the Other Crowd is like Lorcan. In fact, every one of them we've met besides the little demon had no ill intent. Trust me," she said as she put a finger up near her eye, "I'm quite sure of it."
"Okay, okay, I see your point." Brody dipped his head, and absently moved straw around with his boot. "Maybe I've been a bit unfair about it." He looked back up at her. "But what do you expect, Kate? I came here to live a simple life and start fresh, and the next thing I know, we've got all of Peter Pan's freaky alien friends inviting themselves into our lives!"
"Love, perhaps of because of whom we are and what we can do, we might be part of their world more than we want to be. Since I can see their nimbus and you have another of their gifts, they might be more curious about us."
Brody huffed. "So what do we do about it? Is there anything?"
Kate approached him and rested her hands on his chest. "Let me, um, read them, before you react. We have to view them as strangers, and ask them to respect our rules and wishes if they choose to visit. I'll know their intent, and you can defend us, so we can enforce our rules. Think of it like this: they're wanderers who sometimes don't act appropriately because they simply don't know better. They have their own way. As y
ou said, they can either adhere to our wishes or move on."
His eyes stayed with hers for a moment before he turned his gaze out into the paddock. "I suppose that would work out best, but I'm still going to be on my guard."
With a soft hand, Kate brought Brody's face back to hers. "Love, have faith in me, in my gift. You have every right to be wary, but I'll tell you of their intent. That way, you won't have to go getting ill-set. From what I've seen so far, most of them should be treated as you would any stranger." Her lips curled in a genuine smile. "And look how that's worked out for you thus far. It's hard to count all of your new friends."
"Well," Brody replied as he tilted his head, "some, but they're all good people."
Kate took a step back with her eyebrows arched. "Some? We'll have trouble fitting everyone in come Thursday." She saw his light eyes soften and a warm smile form on his handsome face; she knew the look. "I love you, too."
Brody's smile grew wider as he took her hands. "You've already got me figured out. I still like saying it, if you don't mind... even though it doesn't seem like enough." He let his grin slip. "Okay, you have me in a proper frame of mind. Now what did you see?"
With a gentle squeeze of her hands in his, Kate said, "There is a fairy in our garden as we speak."
After a deep breath, Brody nodded his head once. "Then let's go see what it wants."
Kate smiled at his mellow demeanor. "Perhaps I might lead the conversation for this, depending on the mood? I'll read its nimbus as we approach and let you know."
Brody walked hand in hand with Kate out into the fields. "It's good to see you having some initiative. Well, outside of the bedroom, anyway." He got the gentle smack on his arm that he expected.
As the two crossed the lawn toward the garden, Kate quietly said, "I'm not too familiar with some of the colors, but I'd guess curious, calm, a touch of caution - none of them dark. The creature is small, by the way; very small."
Alright," Brody whispered back, "then if it doesn't fly off or whatever, ask it to show itself."
Kate kept her eye on its nimbus, noticing that it kept its place and its emotional colors steady as they approached. They reached the garden fence, and Kate spoke in the creature's direction. "We are aware of you. I know that you have no bad intent; nor do we. Would you show yourself, please?"
A tiny woman appeared before them, standing behind a radish plant. To Brody, she looked like an old-fashioned housewife; old dress, apron, head scarf, garden gloves. The only things to offset the comparison were her faded blue hair and that she was only about one foot tall. He thought the little woman looked to be in her late thirties or early forties, with a pleasant round face and dimples. As Kate had described, the tiny creature appeared reserved and composed.
"Thank you, we appreciate it," Kate said. "Not to be rude, but you're on our property; in our garden, no less. We'd like to know why."
The tiny woman nodded. "As would I, in your place, ma'am. I'm only here to assist, I am, and my word on it."
"That's a kind offer," Kate said, "but I think we're getting along rather well on our own. I can think of a number of other homes that would benefit from your assistance."
"Oh, as can I, ma'am, but I'm not here to give a hand in me normal way."
Before she could continue, Brody spoke. "What is your 'normal way', exactly?"
The tiny fae shifted her eyes to him. "To be plain, good sir, I tinker. That is to say, I mend cloth, tend gardens, clean drains and the like; generally keep things from falling into disrepair. I'm a brownie, sir. It's what we do, and are happy for it. That is to say, normally, sir."
"Then what are you here to fix?" Kate asked. "Most everything here is in good repair."
The tiny woman grinned, and her dimples deepened. "I'm here to fix a bridge, if ye will, ma'am."
Brody frowned. "A bridge? What bridge?"
"I'll start fresh, if it pleases ya both." Brody and Kate nodded, so she continued. "I go by the name Liadan, and am already in the know of who ye be; Miss Kate McCarthy with the gift of sight, and Mr. Brody Lynch with the gift of stone. I've been made aware of your turbulence with some of us fae, and I'm here to make amends, if I can."
Kate and Brody shared a surprised look. She glanced at him before responding to the tiny woman. "That is a fine gesture, Liadan, but I hope you can understand that trust must be earned. We would welcome new friends, but only if they proved themselves as such."
"Right you are, ma'am," Liadan said, "and I'm only here to do just that. Giving an oath among my kind is a powerful thing, more so than among yours, just so ye know. On that, I give me word that I'm here on your property to ease your worries and confusion. As ye might already know, ma'am, I have no foul agenda. What's more, I cry pardon for mucking about on your lands uninvited, although me kind is never concerned with such formalities. If ye choose, I'll move on and be no more of a bother."
Brody put a hand on Kate's shoulder. She looked at his questioning expression and nodded, as if to say Liadan spoke honestly. "Actually," he said, "we'd be interested in your offer, but we have some rules on our property. If those are honored, then you're welcome here."
"Of course, sir; and what would those be?"
"First," he began, "You're only welcome in our home with our permission. Second, our dogs and donkeys aren't to be, uh, messed with unless they'd come to harm otherwise, and not without our permission. Now, I like to keep tabs on my own property, so if you see something big that needs fixing, I'd rather you just told me about it. And I also don't want a bunch of your people coming over here for a party or anything; one fairy at a time is more than enough for me."
Liadan smiled again. "Those are sound requests, sir, and I'll have no trouble abiding by them. To be clear on a matter or two, we go by fae; some would think it a touch slanderous to be called a fairy. I'll not be treading on your independence, nor hamper any of your plans. I'm not one to muck with beasts, nor will I be pilfering your leftovers like some common morpher. As for the mending, I see nothing worthy of dire need, although I might make suggestions..."
"Of course," Kate said, "we'll take them into account."
"Just for note," the tiny fae began, "the kale needs deeper planting. I might also advise flagstones at all the paddock gates, to avoid ruts by your fetching beasts. There's a bit of loose thatch on the far side of the cottage roof, and the duck shite is getting a bit thick on some of the walls."
Brody nodded in appreciation. "That's good to know, and I like that idea about the flagstones." His face then became serious. "My only real worry around here is a redcap named Lorcan. I don't want him coming back. If you can do something about that, we'll be off to a good start."
Liadan's face soured. "I know of who ye speak, and have me own small score to settle with that vile fae, I do. If that one comes sniffing about during my time here, I'd be happy to turn him out for both our sakes. I give me word on that as well."
The rain had slowly begun again, so Brody removed his hooded jacket and draped it over Kate before turning back to Liadan. "We're going to get out of the weather. You're welcome to find some place out here to stay dry, and we can talk again soon."
Flashing another grin, Liadan said, "Don't ye worry yourselves about me; if you'll notice, you're the only ones getting' wet. Like a duck, I am. Now get yourselves on, and I'll get about keepin' me word."
With nods and solemn smiles offered to the tiny fae, Brody and Kate made their way back inside. She waited for him in the kitchen to return from hanging their coats before she said, "You have to admit, that was quite the nice turn from the norm, and very much unexpected."
Brody grinned at her while he found a box of cereal. "It sure as hell was, but it doesn't mean the whole thing still isn't... well, shit, I don't even know what to call it."
Kate added a small smile to her bemused expression. "Maybe 'hallucination' fits the bill."
Looking up from pouring cereal into bowls for them, Brody said, "I don't know if that's a good enough word, darlin
'." He turned to her. "Think about it; we just talked to a tiny little thing who comes from God knows where, and looks like a mix between a girl's doll and a chubby housewife. I don't know the Irish view on that, but from where I'm from, you better be completely nuts or high on crack if you say you're talking to..." Brody made quotation marks with his fingers, "the 'Little People'. It feels like a Disney movie, except our Tinkerbelle is a handyman. What kind of messed up fairytale is that?"
Kate chuckled and replied, "I agree; it's... surreal. I'm just glad that this encounter, while bizarre and almost comical, went along so well. Liadan seems very pleasant and has good intentions. I think we could both agree that that is a welcome change of pace."
"Fair enough... But if she all the sudden turns into a giant pig, I'll sell her carcass to the butcher."
