Faren's Questionnaire

You are a curious sprite, aren't you? I suppose you are bound by your word, and see no harm that might come of it. To me.

I live here, not in any town or city, in this glade. In a week, or a month, or a year, perhaps another. The mountains provide, and in a way the Appalachians themselves are my home.

I have a fondness for New Brunswick, perhaps the fruit of nostalgia, or some quirk. Or perhaps I prefer the expediency. I need no introduction, and they are as certain to surrender quickly as they are to send for help. Hunters, soldiers from the Imperium, aspiring heroes all come. But mostly too late.

The glades too. I have a fondness, ever since the first, when I arrived. I stepped into a glade, perfectly half charred, and it felt like home.

Money? An intelligent sprite too, then. Yes, I do occasionally find or spend money, though as you know favor is the greater currency. Human money isn't even good for tinder, but once a real fire gets going it tends burn or melt. It can be hard for me to hold onto.

Many humans keep money in Conglomerate or Imperium banks, and make payments directly from their phones. Sometimes I use them to order transportation, into cities or towns where I am less well known. Money spends, if naught else, and I do appreciate fine food. I wish wine were less expensive sometimes, it seems a terrible waste kill just for that, but I have and may again. I keep some bottles for special occasions.

If you steal from me I will be just as amused by your screams, little sprite.

Well, that is an excellent question. I'm not chasing after love or money, or some petty dream. I want a court.

Hold your tongue sprite. No, I have already sworn an allegiance, if a loose one, and will be bound no further. Speak of it no more. The great courts of summer are not for me. I desire a court of my own. A Princedom of my own and all that entails.

There is no city I would not burn for such a prize, if not for the enemies that would come to seek revenge. I am confident, and I would put myself at risk, but only within reason. I am not too prideful to flee and fight another day.

I can confidently say we come from different places, you and I. If you were from where I was from, you would be dead. Sometimes creatures appeared that could not withstand the flames, but these were creatures from outside, creatures of distant dead stars and darkness. They crept around the burning light of the world.

Yes, fine. The question. My world was much smaller than- I told you I'm answering the question, and if you interupt me again I'll set your wings on fire. 

Where was I? Yes, much, much smaller, and there were others. When I glimpsed this place through the portal I thought it was one of those other places. Ordinarily it might have been foolish to step through, but I had lived, and I was curious, and I thought the portal would remain. I observed it for some time, and confidently strode through.

Yes, to find myself stranded. How insightful.

You won't accept yourself as an answer, will you? No, I didn't think so. Well alright then.

Harold is a caretaker of some sort or another, looks after a few different stretches of the mountain. I run into him now and again. We met when he found me walking along with a wild fire. He was rather polite all things considered, asking if I was the reason for the fire and what I wanted, telling me it was his job to look after the forests. Asked if there was anything he could do to appease me. I help keep fires from spreading too far and he makes for pleasant company when we meet.

Basil is a real piece of work. People are scared of fire, rightfully so, but Basil makes people scared. Tells them what to do, and they just do it. I once saw him literally scare a man to death. He hates humans.

Then there's Brittany. He's the most muscular human I've ever seen, and he's obsessed with fire. I'm not often in Maine, but I've seen him almost every time I've been, and he's hit on me without fail.