A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps by Kit Bryan
Rule 108- If you're late, arrive with confidence—it distracts from your tardiness.

As we approach what Amelia tells me is the dining room, I begin to hear voices. Who else is joining us for our brunch? Fin maybe? We enter the well lit room, most of which is taken up by a very large dining table. At one end of the table, all bunched up next to each other sit Ashton, Fin and Pan. I flush as I realise that Ashton and Fin are back in their regular fae clothing, meaning no shirts. Okay, keeping my eyes to myself is going to be my goal for this meal. My new motto might have to be 'don't stare.' I am excited to see Pan, I didn't expect to see her here and I'm more than a little relieved to see that she's dressed similarly to me, just in green. Ashton launches to his feet as we enter. "What took so long? I was beginning to worry." He rushes over and begins to fuss over me, leading me with a hand on my waist, ushering me over to take the seat beside his and settling me in place. The chair is comfortable, but a bit strange as it has an unusually low back, but looking at how comfortable Fin and Pan look, I'm guessing these seats are designed to accommodate fae with wings. Ashton moves to attend to his mum after helping me to my seat, but she's already seated herself.

"You were worrying for nothing dear. We were merely talking. I would have called you if there was a problem." She sounds like she's scolding him but her smile tells me that she finds his concern endearing. Amelia is sitting at the head of the table which leaves Fin and Pan sitting across from Ashton and I.

"Hello Fin. It is nice to see you." I smile at him and he gives me a nod in return.

"It is good to see you too Pan." I add. She looks like she is practically shaking with excitement.

"Oh, I am SO pleased to see you too! I heard the rumours like everyone else did of course, that the prince had brought a human back here. I just KNEW it had to be you. But then I heard you were maybe dying and I was all worried. I came here looking for you and I was told that you were okay but sleeping. The prince offered to send for me when you were up for company and now here I am. I'm so glad you're not dead!" She says all of this so fast that I can barely keep up with it. Is she even remembering to breathe at all? I laugh, happy that my friend is pleased to see me.

"I am also glad that I am not dead. And I am also very glad to see you. I am sorry if I worried you." I tell her fondly.

"I can't say that I expected to be invited to... Well." Pan turns to face the queen and bows her head.

"It is an honour to be invited to eat with you all." Pan's tone is respectful and measured. Amelia gives her a slight smile and a nod.

"It's no trouble. This is just a casual meal. Please feel free to relax." Amelia answers kindly. I can see a slight tension drop out of Pan's shoulders. I guess she really is nervous. I can relate.

Now that we're all present, someone I haven't met wheels in a tray of food. Fin leaps up from his seat and helps to unload it all onto the table. It looks like breakfast food mostly. I can see toast, eggs, something that looks a lot like bacon. Ashton explains each item to me as they're placed on the table. It's interesting being the one who needs the explanations rather than guiding them myself. Fin hovers over us, clearly waiting to help us with our food. The woman who brought the food in assists the queen. Ashton waves Fin away.

"Go, sit, eat. I'll help Kat myself." Ashton insists. Fin raises an eyebrow but politely gives a slight bow and returns to his seat. Ashton starts serving food onto my plate while Pan grins at me. Amelia is watching the interaction with what I can only describe as satisfaction and the fae woman serving food has actually paused to stare, although she manages to pull herself together long enough to finish her task fairly quickly. In the corner of the room I think I catch a glance of that cat- like creature. I'm about to point it out to Ashton, but before I can manage it, the creature is gone. I'm not even totally sure I wasn't imagining it.

Brunch is good. Some of the flavours are a little different to what I'm used to. But the actual foods are all close enough. It basically just feels like a really fancy version of breakfast. Lucy would love this. I wonder if I could bring her some fae food to try when I go home? Or are there rules against bringing food between realms? I'll have to find out. It would be really cool to bring her back a souvenir. When we're done eating, Amelia excuses herself claiming that she has actual duties to attend to. Fair enough, she's spent half the morning babysitting me, or maybe interrogating would be a better way to put it.

"So I know you're still tired, but I was thinking that maybe I could show you around my home a little bit. It's more than big enough to keep us entertained for the rest of the day and if you get tired I can easily take you back to your room." Ashton offers. I perk up, that DOES sound fun.

"Are Pan and Fin coming too?" I ask eagerly. Ashton shrugs.

"Do you want them to come?" He prompts. I consider it. I DO want to spend time with them, but there's also that temptation to spend some time alone with Ashton. It's amazing how much more comfortable I am around him and with our relationship in general now that I'm not being screwed up by poison. I still have concerns, but they don't seem nearly as insurmountable. I also really want a chance to talk to Ashton about the fact that it's clearly possible for me to come and visit him too. I want to know what that means for our relationship. That is, if we HAVE a relationship. I mean obviously we're at least good friends, and he has to have some kind of other interest in me, or he wouldn't have kissed me. For someone who can't lie, he's done a great job of never actually specifying what this relationship is. Then again, I've avoided it too. Mostly because it just seemed impossible. But if it isn't... What would our future even look like? Maybe it's a good thing I'm getting a tour and that I'm not staying long. It'll give me some time to think. That said, I don't think this is the right time to talk to Ashton about our relationship. Maybe when I know we're both recovered. He's coming back to my home again for a while so I'll have time. But back to the original question, do I want Pan and Fin to come and hang out with us? It's probably a good idea, especially if I'm trying NOT to deal with relationship drama just yet. One glance at Pan is enough to make up my mind. She's watching us so hopefully, her strange eyes wide as she waits for my response.

"I would love for them to come along." I conclude with a smile and I know I've made the right decision. Ashton and I can both recover, then I'll make sure we find the time to talk.