#it's because fae rules: don't tell someone your true name unless you would trust them with your life

[babymillennial]

A little preview of a scene in the next chapter of Two Roads because I am bored and feel like sharing, also there's a baby:

Another laugh drew Claudia's attention down, and she noticed the company that led the steeds in—a little boy, no older than six years old, standing at only half the beasts’ heights. He smiled up at Leola, a little grin spread across a pale face mottled with freckles, big green eyes peeked out from a long fringe of loose, apricot ringlets, his hands dirty and clothing earthy to match it, save for his deep red cap and scarf.  “Mornen’, Aster!” he spoke loud, bright and excited.  Leola, for her part, wasn’t paying him any mind, instead she’d busied herself greeting the black horse, holding the beast’s head and pressing her forehead as best she could to the bridge of its nose. “Good mornin’, Pepper. Did ye miss me, lass?” The little boy pouted, cheeks puffed out as he watched her ignore him. “Good Mornen’, Aster!” he repeated, near shouted this time, still cheerful in tone despite the plain irritation in his face.  Leola finally glanced down, an impish smirk dimpled her cheeks. “Hello Hamish. Yer late.” Hamish stomped his feet—pouted in a way that reminded Claudia so much of little Ezran after he’d gotten in a fight with Callum. “Am not!” he shouted. “Came when ye called, like I’s s’posed te!” “You said ye’d be here the second I called. Took ye three.” Hamish scowled. “That’s arguen’ like a fair folk, lass.” “Oh, bite yer tongue,” Leola shot back, smiling as she put one foot into Pepper’s stirrup and hoisted herself up. “See you decorated,” she remarked, thumbing at the little pink flowers weaved into her horses mane. “Moss campion and wood anemone?” Hamish nodded, his scowl melting to a bright smile. Leola wrinkled her nose, but it looked a little forced, shrugged, still smiling as she glanced down at him.  “Hate moss campion and wood anemone.” “No ye don’t! Moss campion an’ woodemone’re yer favorites!” “Who says?” “Ellie says!” Hamish retorted, “Picked ‘em out herself!”