[u]Kirin[/u]

[i]The first sound she heard? How intriguing,[/i] Kirin thought. She tapped her lower lip thoughtfully. "My parents named me after the flowers that bloom in the box on our window each autumn, since Kiri flowers only blossom after the first frost, and I was born after the first frost." Duplo didn't seem like she liked either of them very much, but perhaps that was just the way she was. Some people, Kirin had learned, just always seemed put-off about something or other. Still she gave her best effort to be friendly. Looking over at Fritz she felt like she should try to include him too, since he was obviously more out of place than she. Being so distressed earlier she hadn't noticed really, but now standing beside him she could see he was definitely foreign. The way he talked was like an educated person, but his accent was funny, and his clothes were even funnier. Not to mention his spectacles. She'd never known a boy to wear spectacles anymore, only old men who couldn't see without them. An amusing thought crossed her mind: what if he was old and only looked young? But no, he was definitely the age he looked, she could tell, as opposed to Aergar who looked young but was certainly old. There was just something different about masked age. 

"What about your name Fritz, where did you get it? I've never heard it before either, it's so funny!" She laughed a little, a bright tinkling sound that wasn't quite human, but of course, she was a fae. 

---

[u]Aergar[/u]

"Ah," Aergar rocked back on his heels, "The outside world you say?" There was a twinkle of amusement in his eye, "What would I know of such things? The forests are my home and I am content to stay within them. But I hear rumors once in a while. Travelers talk too loudly, thinking no one is around to hear. How careless, even trees have ears, figuratively speaking." He chuckled as if he'd made some clever joke, white teeth flashing in the firelight. He followed her to the felled tree trunk, passing off his empty flagon as he went, and while she sat quite regularly he perched on his toes in a squatting position at one end, resting his hands on his knees, methodically tapping his long fingernails on them in time to the music. 

"Interesting choice of companions." He nodded toward the children who were obviously annoying her rabbit friend. He giggled childishly, eyeing Fritz. "Especially that one. Did you know he thinks he's an alchemist? Not especially smart-looking but he's got a sharp wit, though I forgot about him till I saw him here with you. That reminds me, did you know Hiol, that perverted little satyr in the southern glade? He's dead. Wanna know who killed him?" He was getting excited, as if this were a juicy piece of gossip. Well, it was to him. He didn't wait for Ada to ask though. Instead, he bent close and cupped his hand to her ear and whispered, "[i]Phrenesis[/i]."

Sitting back he giggled again delightedly. "Tore out that poor bastard's heart. And he's after you again of course. I am ever so curious to know why he's so obsessed. I never thought you to be terribly interesting…" He let one leg hang over the curved side of their current seat. Tilting his head, he gave her a sidelong look, amber eyes half-lidded and lips curled slightly into a lazy smile. His demeanor changed suddenly from one of jittery excitement to a calmer, smoother temperament. "But…" He bit his lower lip enticingly, those glittering eyes giving her a quick once-over, "You do have some extraordinary characteristics, and I'd be willing to bet hidden talents too." Resting chin on palm, he gave her a small, innocent smile. "In fact, I would say it is your mysterious nature that is so incredibly alluring. Or does that old ghost know something about you that I don't, hmm?"