"What brings you here, priest?" I ask, staring at the blonde human on my doorstep. He just looks at me sheepishly before rubbing his neck with his hand. A common gesture for him; one that I have come to understand he uses when he is hesitant. Of course he would not be here for medicine for the village; he knows it is not yet time for that, as it will be ready later this month. Our recent...incidents have put production behind schedule, but I am confident we can get it done in time. So that must mean he is here for other matters. Probably Chise. That immediately puts me on my guard; I'd rather not have her involved in any other duties for a while. She has just begun to get her strength back, after all of those sleepless nights she was having. Who knew that just having her sleep alongside me would make her feel that much better? I don't mind it either, so we have beeen continuing to do so since that day. Her color has started to return to her face, her eyes slowly regaining that sparkle once again. I would like her to retain her good health; and having her go out on errands for the church would surely do her no good. I just glare down at the small man, who is looking at me with an expectant smile on his face.

"Why so cold, Ainsworth? I'm just dropping by for a friendly...discussion is all." He says, causing me to scrutinize him more throughly, not liking the way he phrased that thought. So, a calling card from the church? Another warning? What did I do now...? I wonder, cupping a hand to my chin. The only thing I can think of is our incident with that foreign fae, Madara. Short though it was, his appearance seems to have riled up the local neighbors quite a bit. They seem more...active than before, making more mischief than usual, for both ourselves and the local nonmagical folk the past few days. They don't take well to other fae intruding into their territory, after all. Though if it was that big of a mess, surely Oberon or Titania would have poked their noses into it by now, knowing those two.

"...Mmm...As you wish. If I don't let you in now, you'll surely find another way to heckle me later..." I mutter, letting the lanky human through the doorway into our small abode. Silky perks her head around the corner a second later, the barest hint of a frown painting her face before she darts back into the kitchen. Probably to make refreshments for our...guest. I lead him into the living room, waiting until he sits down on the sofa before taking my place in my chair. I just fold my hands over one another, eyeing the blond priest with suspicion.

"Simon, we both know it isn't time for the usual medicine delivery. What are you here for, exactly? Does it have to do with Chise?" I ask, the man letting out a small sigh which only confirms my worries. He stares straight at me, his eyes unusually stern as he starts to speak.

"Well...We have heard reports of fae activity increasing in this area recently. Usually, it wouldn't be much of an issue..."

"...Yet here you are, checking up on me. I assume you've already considered my possible involvement?"

"Well..." He starts, rubbing his neck with his hand. "I'm more worried than anything. Strange things have been happening quite a bit since you took Chise-Chan into your custody. You, yourself, are a prime example of this. Nothing, not a peep, for ten years and then you go and take an apprentice at the drop of a hat!"

"I hardly see the need to report my every move; If I take an apprentice, it is my concern, not yours. Besides, you yourself have seen proof; I am far removed from the me of decades ago..." Back when I was still understanding how to blend in with humans. I remind myself, a small involuntary shudder moving up my spine. I can still hear the screams, smell their blood. It wasn't my fault, was it? I am only a monster to them, after all...I just shake my head, only catching the latter half of the priests sentence.

"...in an environment with regular human contact. She is still a young girl after all. If not the church, then I might suggest the College of Magi? That might be a better place for her than this musty cottage. More people to interact with than an old recluse like yourself."

I stiffen at his words, my grip on the arms of my chair tightening. Again, they mention that place...the College of Magi. True, it may be a good place for Chise, I cannot doubt that. More humans reside there that are versed in the ways of magic. And yet that is why I am hesitant in having her go. They would only see her as some object, a curiosity piece to study. Much like how they viewed me...A thing to be feared, possibly controlled for their own benefits. No, Chise should not go to the college, for her own safety...I attempt to answer Simon, keeping my voice as even keeled as I could.

"No. Chise will not be going to the college. She is perfectly fine here, with me. There's nothing for her in a place like that..." I say, despite the odd chill running down my spine. It unnerves me, throws me off my balance. Just what is this sensation? Why does it only come up when I talk about Chise and the college? I don't know, and I wish it would go away; so I stand up, towering over the priest who looks me at with a curious expression. It's about time he left, he might wake Chise with his inane rambling and I don't want that right now.

"Simon. I feel that it would be appropriate for you to go now, if you have nothing else with which to heckle me with. Chise is fine as long as she is in my care; she doesn't need anyone else." The man only sighs and stands up himself, his expression odd to me as he heads for the doorway. He turns before he leaves through the door, his words nearly lost as it closes shut.

"...Just don't do anything you'll end up regretting, Ainsworth. Trust, once lost, is difficult to earn." I just stand there, puzzled at the phrase, until the familiar sound of small human feet coming down the stairs shakes me out of it.

"Elias? Was someone over just now?" She asks, her eyes sparkling despite the fact that she just woke up. I turn to the small girl, Ruth standing patiently at her side and giving me a knowing glare.

"It was nothing you need trouble yourself with. How are you feeling?" She stretches her body and lets out a tired yawn, walking into the kitchen where Silky is waiting. The sprite almost immediately lights up at seeing her, though she is currently busy making lunch for the day. As always, Chise notices this, her brows wideneing in surprise as she turns to me.

"It's quite late in the day...Why didn't you wake me up sooner? I had—" I stop her with an outstretched hand, shaking my head.

"You were exhausted; I thought it best to not wake you. As for any chores that were to be done, I have already finished them for you. Don't expect me to do this every time you sleep in however." I explain, Chise giving me a worried look as her face flushed red.

"W-what? Why?"

"Because," I start, leaning down to look her in the eyes so she understands. "I don't need you exhausted for today. You've finally started to get better..." And I'd rather you stay close for now. I silently add, not wanting to worry the child unnecessarily. She was anxious enough as it is, at least from what I understood of her emotional state. Even though I am better acquainted with her than most humans, I'd still say that my comprehension of the subject was mediocre at best. Yet I am slowly, surely trying to learn...

What in the world? I hear footsteps running across the bare floor, Chise's running form surprising me and making me curious. I just said she should rest today; what has gotten her into such a state? And this late at night too...I carefully follow along, hiding in her shadow, as Ruth has materialized and left a space. I am not too sure of where they are going, seeing as I barely venture out into the neighboring human establishments as it is. I just watch with more than a little confusion as Chise uses magic to unlock someone's place of residence, crying out an unfamiliar name that makes my gut churn for a moment.

"Hm? This poor fellow is at death's door." I realize, finally stepping out of her shadow to get a better look. Chise turns to me in her night clothes, her green eyes oddly pained as Ruth stands at her side as a sort of support.

"Elias!" I just walk over to the old human's bed, studying its pale face, many wrinkles and uneven breaths. It surely wasn't in the best of health. As an oddly feminine form slides into my view, I nod, comprehending the situation. So a Lehanne Sidhe, a fae that exchanges their artistic talent in exchange for the human's life force...I see. It makes much more sense now. This fae had been leeching out his life force, little by little. Though I admit I wondered why it did not finish the job; the human was dead as dead could be already. The skimpily dressed thing just stared at me, then at the old man, their eyes narrowing as liquid began to flow out of the corners of their red orbs. Interesting. So it can fake tears, the human emotion of sadness? Now why would it do that? We certainly aren't going to give it—

"Please, help him!" What? The thing pleads pitifully. I must say, for an act this is quite convincing. Still, Chise is too naive when it comes to fae; our recent encounters prove this immensely. She needs to understand that this...creature was only out to use her for its own gain.

"Chise, this fae is a Lehann Sidhe, one who takes human life for artistic inspiration. Once they have dug their claws in however, the human is doomed—"

"I haven't touched him! I haven't fed on—" I stop its protests short, gesturing to the dying old man.

"That doesn't matter; merely your proximity to the man has stolen away his life energy. If you fed on him or not, by now, even if you physically leave it would do no good." I rxplain, Chise giving me an odd stare as the threatrics from the fae continue. Why was it behaving like this? So irrational, so emotional...All for the sake of one dying man. It was quite odd; nothing I had ever encountered before from a fae, who were usually only concerned with themselves and others of the same kind. I watch as Chise slides up next to the fae, who is still continuing to cry tears as if it thinks that could sway me. The girl's gaze is hard as she looks me in the eye, those green eyes once again burning with an odd fire.

"Elias!" Her tone, usually so calm and collected, is quite cold and harsh. I don't like it, it is an odd sound to me, one that I'd rather not hear again. So I wait here, at Chise's request, while the two of them and Ruth walk out into the small rose garden outside...

AN: Fanfic app issue; deleted some part of the ch before I noticed. Annoying.