I’m about as content as I can be surrounded by near strangers with my cup of honeyed milk, when Baine, her man and not just a stranger, but a new companion join us? Another man? I study his profile and movements as they wander over to our table. He reminds me of a neuter or one of the androgyne. I find that rather odd, but even more so as where he came from. Both Baine and Hadaig were supposed to hiding out all day like the rest of us, so where did they find him? Hadaig kind of looks like Sean at the moment, territorial. Wonderful. Sean's got to realize that I notice the way his eyes roves over Keu.

New greetings are exchanged and the rest of us learn the name of the stranger, Labraid, as well as the story of the bull, some of it. Baine shoves Nion over and I’m glad. He smells none to pleasant. Must have stepped into a puddle of horse piss and soaked his boots. Baine on the other hand, smells like the outside and of pine trees. I wonder what she was up to...

The Outside is where I’d rather like to be. I find the activities of the inn too busy and enclosing for my like. Too many people. Too many folk who could turn on me.

The talk is light as the others slurp up their bowls of stew. I haven’t said a word since we left the cave. Baine taps me, "Is there something wrong?" I shake my head no, but she’s not convinced as she peeks under my hood. I let her see my eyes flash in the dark folds, but push her hands away when she tries to see my face full under the dim lights. She turns her attention to Sean whispering, “What happened? What did you do to her?”

”Nothing…not a thing,” he semi stammers as he squirms under Baine’s stare. “You should ask her what she did to us!” Sean motions to Keu. Baine raises an eyebrow at that.

”Wee Winter Mist…didn’t…couldn’t…well…I’m not sure,” she hesitates while thinking about that, “So what happened then?” She puts an arm around me this time feeling my arms and shoulders for tenderness. I squirm in my seat with this fuss over me, trying to shrug off her searching hands. I already said I was fine.

”She’s got a ban-sidhe wail,” says Sean with a hint of awe in his voice and eyes. “She caused both of us to be dead to the world for a time.” Baine processes this and by this time most of the other conversation at our table has stopped. Labraid even looks vaguely interested rather than indifferent. Keu continues to search the bottom of his ale mug. Nion nods ponderously to his cousin about this new bit information as if he just figured something out. Hadaig doesn’t seem to care as long as Baine isn’t studying the new stranger.

”Is it true,” she asks, “Is that why you aren’t speaking?” I try to rasp out an affirmative, but it causes another nasty coughing fit. As I hack and cough someone pulls my hood off. It’s too late for me hide back under it. An exotic sidhe for all to see. Sean hands me my cup of milk to coat my raw throat with true concern. Baine visibly relaxes to see my face unscathed.

”By Dagda's Cauldron…look at those ears,” says the quiet Labraid with wonderment, which seems to surprise both Labraid and the rest of the table because it didn’t sound so cold.

”I LIKE those ears,” defends Sean as he gives a hard look to Labraid. It’s about this time that Toad says his piece. I think he heard the crickets at the table…