Quoted By:
<span class="mu-r">“That’s…honestly more than I was expecting.”</span> you admitted.
<span class="mu-b">“I’ll say.”</span> Cat muttered under her breath.
<span class="mu-r">“Any idea what kind of Fae would show up if I planted these next to some dogwood or garlic?”</span> you asked.
Strange frowned at you. <span class="mu-b">“Dogwood roses and garlic, ey? Having vampire problems, are we?”</span> he asked in a conversational tone.
You didn’t answer, because Stephen didn’t give you much of an opportunity to. He just kept talking right over you.
<span class="mu-b">“If I had to give an answer I’d say…none. No type of fairies would even be remotely interested in flowers that are meant to ward off supernatural creatures.”</span> Strange explained. <span class="mu-b">“They wouldn’t be nearly as effective as something like Rowan, but typically, fairies don’t appreciate components that meddle with their abilities.”</span>
<span class="mu-b">“So they wouldn’t show up.”</span> Cat concluded.
<span class="mu-b">“Precisely.”</span> Strange confirmed.
<span class="mu-r">“Would it even be a good idea to attract fairies in the first place? I hear they can be pretty mischievous.”</span> you said.
<span class="mu-b">“In my personal experience? No.”</span> Strange proclaimed with a shake of his head. <span class="mu-b">“They play childish pranks and get their kicks out of incessantly annoying mortals with their ridiculous games. Most people that are aware of them try their very best to avoid having them interfere with their lives, let alone having them in their homes. I can honestly say that I don’t recommend it.”</span>
<span class="mu-b">“But there are probably some benefits to having magical friends, right?”</span> Cat asked, surprisingly interested in this particular topic. She had even stopped trying to steal from the wizard.
Strange shot her an amused grin. <span class="mu-b">“My dear, there aren’t many people that the fae would consider to be ‘friends’. And it works quite the same when you flip it the other way around. If they aren’t hated, then they are feared. And if they aren’t feared, they are held in high regard. I keep them out of my Sanctum so as to avoid offending them, for that is far worse than avoiding them altogether.”</span> he said, trying, and failing to suppress a shudder.
<span class="mu-r">“That bad, huh?”</span>
He shook his head and blew out through his mouth so as if to say, <span class="mu-b">“You have no idea.”</span>.
<span class="mu-b">“Be warned. The fae are old, inhuman, bitter and very cold when it comes to their approach to morality. They do what amuses them, regardless of how we humans feel. Don’t go to them expecting favors and friendship. For if they don’t scorn you outright, they’re likely to play a trick on you.”</span>
You glanced at the box of flowers and frowned. Hanging out with fairies honestly sounding like it was more trouble than it was worth. Sure, you’d be able to get in contact with magical creatures, and the possibilities were seemingly endless where that was involved. But if you were to mess up or misspeak, then you’d have a real problem on your hands.
(Cont.)
