Forever lies ahead

[Iron Dragoon]

"Quality is still quality. Any skill that lets you create something is worth learning."

[Anastasia]

"Creation is important," Honeydip agrees as you all eat. "But not every person has the time or energy."

"Or talent," Mother points out, "There's more to it than just time and energy."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Well, it doesn't need to be perfect, and to each their own, but it's important to have something that fits the bill. I plan to remake my tools soon, actually. If you stay with us, I'll make you something."

[Anastasia]

"Fairywind is a fine blade, but there's always better," Honeydip says, "Have you seen it?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Not yet. But not now. Mom has a rule about tools and work at the dinner table. Tell us about it, though."

[Anastasia]

"It was once a spear," Lady Honeydip says, "Until Queen Morwel herself changed it."

"A spear into a sword? How?" Father asks at that. "That has to be magic."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods, "Yes, I can see how you would do it with magic. There's spells that do similar things, so a slight modification of one would make it simple to do so."

[Anastasia]

"She said it would serve me well," Lady Honeydip notes, "Anyone it by it is blown right away by fey winds. It's incredible to get an enemy away from me."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods, "Very useful. Still, tell us about where you've been. I'm sure the fey world has things to see that we can't imagine."

[Anastasia]

Here Lady Honeydip lets out a soft sigh, "I am no longer part of the fey world. I may look as a pixie yet, but I have become a spirit tied to the Court of Stars."

"Ooooh..." Alihana says, sa if she follows that.

"Is that such a bad thing?" Mother asks over her meal.

[Iron Dragoon]

"It's a sensitive thing, mom. Not lightly talked about. Then tell us about the wonders of the Court of Stars. I've only seen Queen Morwel's library."

[Anastasia]

Mother has the good sense to know when to shut up. How admirable.

Lady Honeydip smiles at that, "It's like a dream. A grand, dramatic dream. Everyone is so alive and beautiful, and it's like a play is always unfolding around you. Days are full of life, love and leisure, and nights are full of quiet, drama and excitement. Should you be weary, your day will be a pleasant idyll with treasured friends and your nights full of restful sleep. Should you instead be energetic, you will find yourself woven into the excitements of the day. No one is ugly there - even the most foul and loathsome that accept a place in court become beautiful in their own ways, even if their bodies have not changed. A scarred man's ruined face instead become symbols of the adventure and danger in his life, and represent the quiet, independent nobility of his valiant struggles. A ugly spinster emerges from her cocoon at last as a beautiful butterfly and takes the Court by storm."

"What of serious disfigurement?" Walt speaks up here, a little wave of his fork.

"It's Heaven," Lady Honeydip says reproachfully, "The Queen's soothing touch is but a moment away, through her many servants. No one is weak, infirm and broken in the Court of Stars. Those who suffer the greatest come renewed by Her Majesty's caress, a gentle touch with her hand enough to undo any hardship in life, no matter how darkly cursed."

[Iron Dragoon]

"That sounds amazing. If you stay with us, you'll have to teach Alihana and I how to dance so we can go to a ball or the like."

[Anastasia]

"It sounds like a fairy tale," Alihana agrees in wonder as Mother nods along. "Like I'll wake up and be married to a beautiful prince."

Lady Honeydip nods along, "If you visit, you can learn how. The eladrin love to teach others how to have a good time. They're all so dashing and handsome."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa raises an eyebrow at Alihana, "Well, well, that sounds like it has possibilities."