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Peggy raises a sardonic brow at Geraldine, then smiles at me. “Honey, I’m none of those things. I used to be a corgi breeder before all this. But I am glad to meet you.” She uses her walking stick to point at a vacant spot on the opposite side of Geraldine. “Take a seat.”
“Nice to meet you.” I wave, feeling a rush of endorphins at their friendly introductions. I plonk myself down and try to think of an interesting response. “Um... I guess I’m new here. I like collecting things, and by collecting, I mean stealing.” I laugh nervously. “But your items are safe from me.”
I cringe at my attempt to joke. Max, the Well-send, gives me a little chuckle.
Geraldine’s gaze drops to my face, and I tense, waiting for the inevitable questions. But she skips across to my ears and notes, “You’re not like us. But I thought only mortals could enter the exhibition.”
“My mother is from your time.”
She pushes a bowl of nuts toward me. “Help yourself to a pre-pageant snack.”
“I’m so hungry.” I toss as many into my mouth as possible, not caring how impolite I must look. Too hungry to worry about etiquette.
The others give me empathic looks, and Max pours me a drink from the pitcher. Peggy slides over a bowl of something white and gunky. My nose picks up spices, milk, and wheat. I smile gratefully but leave the bowl where it sits before Geraldine. I probably shouldn’t take everything at once. I’ll get to that next.
“So,” I start, “how long have you all been awake in this time?”
“A few months,” Geraldine replies. “I’m sorry, did you say mother before?”
“Yes. She woke in Elphyne about twenty years ago.”
“Elphyne?”
“It’s oceans away.” I scowl at the room. “And nothing like this. Well, that’s not exactly true. There’s a war there, too. And I guess it’s not so great inside Crystal City where humanity has been banished, but out in Elphyne, everyone can do what they want.”
They look at me like I’m speaking another language.
“But humans are banished?” Geraldine asks.
“It’s complicated. Direct fallout descendants of the quarantined believe fae are warped, tainted animals. They’d rather stay in their city than follow the same rules the Well sets for everyone else.”
“Rules?” Max blinks.
I blink back. Is this land truly so different than mine?
“What’s the Well?” Geraldine adds.
“Um. It’s the source of all mana—magic—and life force. It’s what’s kept you preserved for all these years in the ground. The Well gives fae magic and immortality. In return for this gift, we must protect the earth. That means no use of forbidden substances like metal and plastic.”
Even though I’m breaking one of those rules right now through the dagger at my belt. And even though everyone around here continues to use metal. It’s odd.
“I could get on board with that.” Max nods emphatically.
“Can we go there?” Bob blurts. His voice is raspy with age. “Can they make spectacles so I can see again?” He gasps. “Do they have pianos?”
My heart squeezes.
“To be honest, I’m not sure about the pianos. As for your sight, they might be able to heal it completely,” I offer. I’ll need to find manabeeze to activate the portal stone home first, but I know my parents will do everything they can to help.
“Like laser surgery?” He scratches his head.
“Um... I don’t know what that is, but a healer in Elphyne uses magic to fix you.” I gesture at the left side of my face where my acid wounds still smart. “Before you ask, my wounds are here intentionally. I don’t want...” Tinger’s little face hits my mind, and I shake my head, unable to voice anymore.
“You don’t need to explain.” Geraldine’s eyes fill with empathy.
An awkward silence stretches until Max says, “Only Radiants can heal to that extent here. But none of them would help aNothingfor free.”
Geraldine nods her agreement. “Some Chasers have earned the ability to heal or glamour. But again, no one does anything for free.”
