The first God to grace the universe was Lucis- God of Daylight. Her brilliance illuminated the world but her light at times was too great, at least that's what Raevern thought. She loved Lucis of course, admired her, always reached out for her. Unlike Lucis, Raevern was black of wing, covered in shadow and at times lived only to survive. It was constant. The need to survive. The daylight left nowhere for most to hide. Left no time for rest.

One day, Raevern had a thought, potentially a dangerous one, but a thought nonetheless. She went to her one and only friend, know as Ploceidae, or quite simply as 'The Weaver'. The only creature of its kind. A golden bird that could weave anything.

“Ploceidae, my dear friend,” she said, “I need for you to weave something for me. The little bird only nodded in response as Raevern continued, “Take from me my shadow and make for me a blanket of darkness! Enough to cover the sky!” The little creature cocked its head to the side and shook its head.

“I cannot make something so large,” it explained, “but I can make something around half the size you requested.” Raevern nodded and thanked her friend. This was fine. While half the world would be covered in darkness, the other would be illuminated in light.

Once the blanket had been weaved, Raevern thanked her friend and gathered the other ravens. Together the creatures pulled the huge cloak across the sky. Once they were done, she could rest.

Now they could ALL rest!

From 'Lucis and Raevern: Celestial Beginnings'. Author- Remi Moonfare

“Pffffft....” Kal couldn't help herself. The sight before her had her in stitches. In a valiant effort to conceal her laughter, one hand was clamped over her mouth and the other on her stomach.

“Haaaaah,” there Lero Rero stood looking dejected, wearing a trainee volunteer Sirenfly Badge. “How humiliating...”

“Hey now, it's how every Seelie witch and fae start their crime hunting career.” Lero's head snapped up. Still with that deadpan stare, their bottom lip stuck out ever so slightly.

Sulking? Hah! That was.... unexpectedly...

Kal coughed and cleared her throat. Now then, on with what they were here to do. The duo had returned to the Under Brim. Specifically to the grand tree that housed the set of flats where Lero lived. Most of the Under Brim was filled with them. Ancient beings in their own rights, they had sustained families here for thousands of years. Kal couldn't help but feel pity carve out a pit in her stomach. It isn't what it once was. Now it was the criminals capital. Privateers, brigands and the impoverished and orphaned. It was no place for children and yet, this is where Lero had grown up. Kal gazed at Lero and marvelled at the life they had managed to carve out for themselves.

“Stop it...” Lero's eyes met Kal's stare.

“Stop what?"

“You know what, I don't need your pity and neither do the people here.”

“I... I didn't mea-”

“What do you know? I mean actually know?” Kal didn't understand. Seemingly sensing the confusion on her face Lero went on.

“Have you lived here?”

“Well... no... but.”

“Do you know any who hail from here?”

“Just those I've arrested...”

“Then, I'll ask again.” Lero positioned herself in front of Kal. Standing on their tiptoes they reached up and prodded her forehead. “What. Do. You. Actually know?”

“N..nothing...” Kal looked away. Shame burning on her face. Lero sighed.

“I didn't mean to embarrass you.” Lero looked her in the eyes. Again, speaking so clearly, so honestly. “Evidently, it seems you might actually be decent at your job if you've already figured out I'm not some criminal mastermind," they explained, “unlike some.” Kal chuckled a bit.

How refreshing.

“I don't know anything either, about wherever it is where you're from. Which is why,” Lero prodded her again, “I do not let the opinions of others or tall tales cloud my judgement.”

“You would make an excellent Seelie,” Kal laughed, knowing fully that Lero Rero would not take that as a compliment. Lero clicked their tongue and started to walk away. “Ughhh let's just get this over with!”

Door after door it was the same, “I aint 'eard nothin' now piss off Seelie bitch!” Or at least something akin to it.

“Well, your neighbours are pleasant.”

“They are what they are,” they said, looking up at Kal. “I'm bored... next one?” The Seelie nodded in response. On the next flat, the duo stood outside the door. The number '23', tarnished after years of being exposed to the elements, hung loosely. The door itself was marred and covered in dirt from storms and passersby. Letters stuck out from the postbox off to the side. Grass and moss grew all around, cheered on by the damp conditions. The twinkling of small nocturnal fae and minuscule creatures beckoned in the twilight, refusing to be outdone by the neon lights below.

Kal had sighed a lot today, this moment was no exception. She didn't have high hopes. She knocked on the door and the pair waited for a few minutes. They heard the creak of floorboards as the dwellings occupant made their way to the door. A click and creak and the door was open. It revealed an elderly looking brownie. She looked weary from sleep. She had well worn slippers on her large feet. Gangly legs hung from a patchwork nightgown. She blew hard to move the tassel of her nightcap from her long pointed nose. Her skin was resplendent Kal thought, like a well aged oak, moss grew around her ears and inside the crevices of her bark like skin. Wirey auburn hair was neatly braided but slightly disheveled from slumber.

“Who... what? What do ye want young uns'?” She asked, wiping sand from her eyes with gangly fingers.

“Terribly sorry to bother you miss, but there have been a spate of small burglaries in the area,” Kal explained, flashing her badge, “we're just investigating the area and going door to door-”

“I don't no nout 'bout any brek-ins young un',” the brownie explained.

“Of course, but have you noticed anything weird lately? It could be anything at all, strange noises, unusual folk etc etc.” Kal worked hard to not sound desperate. This was the first of the residents who was willing to talk.

'Hmm...” She pondered, rubbing the sprouts on her chin.

“Are you getting this Lero?” Kal said, pointing to the small notebook Lero was scribbling in.

“Mhmmm...” Lero nodded, engrossed in the task at hand.

“Now I don't reckon I noticed anythin' like that, there always be strange folks comin' 'nd goin' round here,” before Kal lost all hope she carried on, “But, you could try askin' Hal the grand trees manager. Aint nuthin' happenin' round 'ere without him knowin' 'bout it!” She said smiling slightly.

“Thank you!” Kal said.

“Always 'appy to 'elp the young 'uns,” the little brownie said, waving as she went back inside her home.

“Well, we know where we're going next!” Kal exclaimed. Lero merely yawned in response. Excitement was building in each step Kal took. It wasn't a dead end. The case had plagued the department for months. Constantly getting pushed to the bottom of the pile as more serious crimes demanded attention. When they had reached the building managers office, Kal's stomach dropped. The building manager was a boggart. Was he feeling kind or malevolent?

Of course there nothing wrong with boggarts, and much like their brownie counterparts, they cared much for their hearths. They were mischievous and in constant precarious moods. Perhaps Lero had sensed Kals uncertainty because the researcher felt the need to jab her in the hip and show her a note.

They are what they are... but you're not really looking.

That phrase again. Had Kal ever really looked? Day to day she saw criminals and she saw victims. Is that all she saw? Did she ever see past that? In less than twenty-four hours, this tiny unassuming witch was starting to make Kal question herself.

“Merry twilight Mr... um Hal is it?” Kal smiled.

“What does a Seelie and a tenant want with me?” He asked, eyebrows quizzical.

“Well-”

Groooowwwlllllll

“Blimey wit was that?” Hal and Kal looked towards Lero in unison.

“My stomach, these beasts haven't fed me all day,” Lero stated matter of factly. not a glint of embarrassment in sight.

“HAHA!” Hal grabbed his round stomach as he laughed heartily. “'Ere! I know a place!” He said walking off. Kal looked on in stupor. What is happening? “Come on strange un's off we go!” Without a word Kal and Lero followed a few steps behind.