No Need for a Core?

Kazue tried not to fidget while they waited for her parents and Fuyuko to arrive at the trading post. The small caravan had already crossed the border of their territory so she, Mordecai, Moriko, and Carmilla were all gathered to meet them properly while Carnelian Flame played with Thunder and Lightning nearby. Carmilla at least looked nervous too, both Mordecai and Moriko were calm and Kazue's nervousness seemed to amuse both of them too. They were double-teaming her, and it wasn't fair.

Though it could be fun... Kazue shook off those distracting thoughts and refocused herself. Thankfully the blush of her cheeks was probably hidden by the flush caused by the cold winds. Though it was not yet thick, snow had started sticking to the ground all day without melting much, and even during the day the wind could bite through clothes that were not thick enough. This was why she was thoroughly bundled in several layers: thick leggings and fluffy boots under a heavy, long dress and topped with a fur-lined, hooded cloak, all in green with white trim.

If the cold and snow were created dungeon effects, her avatar would not be adversely affected, but it turned out that environmental zones did have a disadvantage there. At least the crisp scents carried by the early winter winds were familiar ones and part of what she enjoyed about this season.

Soon they could see the caravan rounding the last curve, with Ricardo's wagon in the lead and pulled by the powerfully built pair of 'horses', one of black and one of white. Moments after the groups could see each other a tall figure impatiently jumped free and started walking toward them swiftly. Kazue stifled a giggle at her adoptive daughter's eagerness, it was easy to tell that the girl was restraining the urge to run. A fast walk was her compromise between her pride and what she wanted to do.

Well, it wouldn't do to just stand there, there were no protocols or formalities. Kazue started walking toward Fuyuko with the rest of the family moving with her. Fuyuko's self-control broke at the last moment and she dashed forward the last few yards to practically crush Kazue in a hug that lifted her feet off the ground. Having Mordecai and Moriko join the hug did not help Kazue's breathing much but it was hard to complain when she was so happy.

Kazue's feelings for Fuyuko were a little complicated and shifted between sisterly and motherly, but what really mattered was that she cared for the younger woman and that her affection was returned. After Kazue was allowed to stand on her own and breathe again she beamed up at Fuyuko. "Welcome home. We've missed you."

Carmilla was a little more awkward when she said, "Welcome home sister," but Fuyuko was just as awkward when she gave Carmilla a greeting hug. It was kind of cute, and the sincere effort Carmilla put into trying to be a good sister made Kazue happy. It was hard not to feel a little skeptical about Carmilla given the way she was shoved into being their adoptee because the woman was trying to be clever, but Kazue had seen the cracks that revealed the part of Carmilla that sought to make sincere connections. That earned her a lot of goodwill from Kazue and she was hoping to eventually feel as warm toward Carmilla as she felt toward Fuyuko.

"Well," Akahana said as Ricardo's wagon rolled up next to them, "That's certainly a warm family greeting." She hopped down from the wagon and looked at Kazue. "Now, should I be bowing or curtsying, Your Majesty?" Casey, her cassowary companion, jumped out from the back of the wagon and wandered over to join them.

"Oh, hush with that," Kazue said as she threw herself into her mother's arms, "or I'll start calling you the Queen Mother. No, better; the Queen Dowager."

Akahana made a face as she hugged her daughter tightly. "Fine, you win this one." After several long moments, they separated and Akahana smiled at Kazue. "Well, I can say that you have grown more confident. I'm happy you are doing well."

"Thank you," Kazue beamed, then looked up at her father, "Get down here. Mother, Father, I would like to introduce you to your other granddaughter, Carmilla. Carmilla, this is my mother Akahana and my father Ricardo."

"A pleasure to meet you," Carmilla said with a small and slightly uncertain curtsy.

Ricardo and Akahana exchanged glances then moved in to hug the faerie witch. "This is how family greets each other, lass. No formalities here," Ricardo said.

While the newly met family members started talking, Kazue turned to the two not-horses drawing her father's wagon. "Zara, Tiros, you can go ahead with the caravan, I've got a special stable set aside for you and Dad's wagon." She patted them on the nose as she whispered, "I thought you two might like a chance to stretch a little. There are some tunnels out so you can change to your true forms and run about without anyone knowing who you are. If you want, I think you could delve the Earth Zone too. Most of our other zones are too small for you right now."

The alicorn, Zara, looked curious and thoughtful about the offer. Tiros, on the other hand, looked simply interested in the chance to do a bit of violence. Kazue was glad that their dungeon-born kelpie was not so bloodthirsty. "Tiros," Kazue said sternly, "these are my friends and we have rules about respect. If you delve, you are accepting My Rules." She leaned her will against his and with her will came a reminder that she was a Faerie Queen and he was a fey creature.

He snorted uncertainly, then bowed his head in acceptance. "As you say, Lady Kazue," the kelpie murmured softly enough that none but Kazue and Zara could hear.

"Good boy," Kazue said with a smile and placed a kiss on his nose. His vaguely wet scent made a lot more sense to her now that she knew he was a kelpie. "Now, you two go off and have some fun, within the rules of our domain and territory." Zara nodded her acceptance as well then glanced at Tiros with amusement before she tossed her head and neighed.

The two trotted off to the building Kazue had indicated with a bunkin playing the part of their guide. The rest of the wagons had already gone around the group and were being led to places to set up their wagons under a shelter and get their animals into stables.

Ricardo turned from Carmilla and scooped up Kazue into a tight hug. "Hah, my beautiful girl is becoming as strong-willed as her mama."

Kazue returned the hug and gave her dad a kiss on the cheek before he let her down. "Well, it does help to be a faerie queen when ordering a fey about."

"About that," Akahana said as she eyed Kazue, "I heard something about wings?"

With a dramatic twirl and jump, Kazue shifted to manifest her wings mid-leap. "What do you think?" she asked with a grin as she hovered for a moment before landing. "Oh, that reminds me. Moriko's parents were affected, so the two of you had to have something happen too, right?"

Her mother sighed at the question and said, "Yes, something happened alright." Akahana's hair rippled and shifted as a crown of thorned rose vines grew into place around her head. From the back of her crown flowed several more vines which made a rasping sound as they slithered along the ground. "They were quite a nuisance at first until I got them under control."

Mordecai sounded amused as he said, "Well, it does seem that the design of your staff was quite on point and Faerie itself deems you a beautiful but prickly and dangerous creature."

Akahana glared at him but it lacked sincere heat. Kazue knew her mother was quite susceptible to flattery most of the time. She turned to her father and asked, "What about you?"

Ricardo shrugged, "I haven't noticed anything so interesting. I, um, did get a pair of small horns, but they are pretty well hidden under my hair."

Kazue examined her father critically for a moment. "Hmm, well, I do think you look a bit younger too."

"Ah," Mordecai said, "I think I might be able to help here. Given your aura, those are probably goat horns."

Moriko's eyes widened before she bit her lip to make herself stay silent. Kazue took a moment longer to put together why goat horns specifically might be associated with being fey-touched. When she did, Kazue hid her face in her hands in embarrassment. Her father was now part satyr.

"Oh," Akahana said thoughtfully, "that makes sense and explains a few things. Not quite as ego-boosting as my assumptions, but I think I can live with that."

"Mom," Kazue groaned, "please, I don't want to hear it."

"Yes dear," Akahana replied as she pat Kazue on the head, "I'm sure you and your innocent, pure-minded spouses never get up to anything interesting." Mordecai and Moriko were staying out of this conversation, the cowards.

Desperate to switch topics, Kazue started looking for anything distracting. This did not turn out to be a hard task. A circle was being slowly paced out with Casey on one side, and Carnelian and Sparks on the other. In between was Fuyuko who was trying to play peacemaker while the scary bird and the baby dragons sized each other up.

"Hey!" Kazue said as she flew over and landed next to Fuyuko. "No fighting! Casey, behave! Carnelian is my familiar, Thunder and Lightning are Moriko's familiar. Carnelian, come here. Sparks, go to Moriko. Good boys. Casey, you can get to know them if you behave, we're all going to be living together."

Once everyone was settled and Akahana had soothed Casey's ruffled feathers, Kazue gathered her family together. "Come on, let's show you three your new rooms. Oh, and don't forget that we have another guest and Bridgette has a dragon familiar too." She had Mordecai lead the way to where the fluffy cloud mushroom awaited them. The path was still covered with snow as the four of them had simply flown down and it was easy for Mordecai to make sure the thin layer was a little flatter for everyone. Akahana also drew her manifestation back into herself; according to her, not only did the vines not care for the cold, but they were often rather awkward to walk around with. Especially given that they sometimes moved of their own accord if she wasn't paying attention.

Casey looked rather uncertain about trusting herself to the floating mushroom, but Kazue's parents had no such issue. Akahana gasped as they got closer and said, "I knew that it was big, but it's hard to see the scale until you are closer. I think this is even bigger than Aia's tree." She paused thoughtfully at that and then added, "Maybe it's best if no one mentions that to her just yet."

After a brief tour and a chance for her parents to set some of their things in their room, it was time for lunch and an opportunity to show off. Ricardo took a few sips of the coffee he was served before deciding that he rather enjoyed it, while Akahana naturally fell in love with the spiced drinking chocolate.

Then it was time for Ricardo to set up his shop for the winter. With so few delvers here over the winter, there was plenty of space for all the merchants to set up shop inside instead of having stalls. Kazue wasn't surprised that her father had decided to spend the winter here, he usually set up in a single location before the snows got heavy. It was also a chance for him to sell his goods at a higher individual price rather than at a bulk price.

As for the dungeon's plans to ask for Ricardo's help with transportation come spring, it seemed best to let everyone get settled in first.