[b]Mallaidh[/b]

She smiled at the talking ball of light, having come to accept anything and everything wondrous that happened before her eyes. It’s fascination with her was a bit of a surprise, but then she supposed it was not only man that worshipped the Tuatha Dé, and so not only man who should come to their world in some sort of arcane and spontaneous pilgrimage. 

What a strange idea, talking light, Mallaidh mused. She was truly falling in love with her situation and the utter fantasticalness of it.  

Giddy electricity thrummed through Mallaidh’s body. The whole prospect promised adventure and further magic, and a dragon; if she were to slay that and return she’d be a hero, and could sell the teeth for thrice their weight in gold. She’d have glory… but her mother would still succumb to the illness. The family bonds that shackled her bound her to put the cure over her seething pride, and it ached and swelled against her chest at the mere prospect of missing a sainthood to rival that of Patron George of the English. Even then, she had still been invited to join the ranks of the Tuatha Dé, and stranger Otherworlders, an honour she knew was rare indeed. 

Then an elder man in their presence collapsed, and was quickly carried away with much interest following in his wake. Twain retreated from the room to pay the unconscious man further attention, apparently concerned. A fair portion of the room flittered after him. Even the ball of light left, after making Winston rather flustered, which was odd, considering he was only describing what was natural. Winston left also. Mallaidh locked eyes with Rozalind.

A dark man drinking coffee, who Mallaidh had noticed previously, spoke up, pledging his assistance also. 

“It is true; we are bound by our honour. I must help,” it was destiny. It had to be; divine forces, moving her on a righteous path. She would overcome any adversity and prove herself worthy, and her mother would be saved. 

A wolf sauntered into the room and sat on a chair, observing everyone in a regal silence. How awesome. It was then that she caught the eye of the man with the impatient face. He and his friend would no doubt be useful companions in this endeavour; they had already shown initiative and efficiency. She gestured him over with a flick of her head, and then turned back to Rozalind. 

“You compare us to puzzle pieces. I want to know where I fit. What else can you tell?”