It is unknown exactly when Undae came to be. But it is thought he is as ancient as Lucis herself, for without water, there is no life. Undae’s relationship with the god Tempus has always been a tumultuous one. They can often coexist with no bother whatsoever... but their brawls can be seen when storms arise. The cause of these skirmishes? Well, Undae has long been infatuated with Tempus’s son Zephyr. God of the western winds, Zephyr is known for bringing forth gentle breezes, spring storms and being an immense flirt. Tempus has always been a doting father and certainly, a protective one, much to the Chagrin of Undae. 

From 'Gods and Scandal: Storms Arise’. Author- Luciel Borneov

Microfae and dust danced in the sun streaming through the shutters. Magicked sheets of parchment floated quietly, an air of mischief to their strange movement's. A gift perhaps from their masters' magic and crazed ramblings. Relaxed chirps and mewls could be overheard from Leros wall of creatures. After a wild night of fervent research and documentation, Lero had rolled into their favourite blanket like a moss ball, their favourite way to rest and nap. Blanket moss made for excellent... well blankets. It had been grown for this very purpose by witches and fae all across Wistervander for an age.

Lately, there were nights consisting of deep sleep. Not a single dream, no passing thoughts. In fact, Lero hadn't even rolled their way to the kitchen for their usual midnight drink- Ponta (a personal favourite). It was odd that their bones ache so much. Every small shuffle, no matter how minuscule, made their bones creak and complain.

“Uggghh... was I in a fist fight with an ogre last night?” Lero moaned, their voice deadpan as usual, but with an unfamiliar raspiness. Most likely a result of the barren wasteland Leros throat had turned into, “P... Pontaaa... need drink...” they grumbled, willing their body into motion.

“LERO? YOU AWAKE?” It was unfortunately Seelie witch Kals voice.

“... Does that detective hate me?” Another discontented noise escaped Leros mouth. Has she mastered the art of throwing her voice? So loud...

“I’ll take that as a yes then!” Kal beamed as she walked into the flat, paper bag in hand. “You really should lock your door,” she commented, looking around.

“Mhm really starting to see that,” Lero complained whilst trying to roll their way to the kitchen, “Do you have to barge in here? Can you not just call me instead?” Kal cocked her head to the side with a tired expression.

“I did, five times...” she said, now towering over the make-shift moss ball.

“Oh...” Lero wriggled in response. Kal sighed before lifting Lero back onto their armchair.

“Wait here, I’ll whip up some breakfast, well I guess it will be lunch now,” she commented, putting on Leros' apron, comically small and tattered in comparison to Kal’s large body and neat clothes. Lero merely grunted in response. They began to cautiously stretch out limbs one by one. Each wriggling extremity wary of the crisp air. Every movement earned a wince and a hiss. Seriously, what did I do last night? The researcher silently cursed whichever celestial being was responsible as they cracked their neck. A shiver ran through their body as their blanker finally relented and fell to the ground, revealing its cranky inhabitant in all their glory. A mess of hair argued over which direction to go. Glasses hung unevenly on their face, and Leros limited edition ‘Creatures of Wistervander” sleepwear vest and shorts set hung too large from their small frame. “Tch... the only size they had left...”

“Do you want marmalade on your pancakes?” Kal’s smooth voice called from the stove where they were cooking. Leros' inane thoughts were replaced with thoughts of marmalade. Their brows twitched.

“Marmalade? On pancakes?” Who does that? How interesting, “Sure.”

“Odd choice I know, but my mother has made marmalade for as long as I can remember, I don’t go a day without it.”

“Your mother?” Lero asked. A strange feeling washing over them.

“Yes, she’s a culinary witch who specialises in healing mag-” the Seelies voice trailed off. Lero sighed.

“You’re doing it... again.”

“Huh? Do-doing what?” Lero watched as Kals hulking stature crumpled further. Retreating into herself.

“Pitying people. You can talk about your family- Celestia above it’s better than having you boss me around.”

“But-”

“It’s not like I can miss something I never had.”

“Lero, that-”

“GRUGGLEEE!” Interrupted by the odd sound, both witches turned to search for its origin.

It was Clarice.

Leros' beloved new find. Yet another displaced critter. Pot bellied Glowy Grogs weren’t naturally found around rivers, especially not in the Under Brim. They were often found in shallow swampland and despite being amphibious, they were poor swimmers due to their adorable stumpy legs and round bodies.

“D... did that noise come from Clarice?” Kal questioned, looking over at the Grog, perched haphazardly on the arm of the armchair.

“Indeed, the poor thing must be starving. Make some extra Pancakes for them, would you?”

“Pancakes? That surely can’t be good for them?”

“On the contrary detective! Grogs are living dust bins,” they explained, “an absolute marvel! Perhaps due to their cute- I mean unorthodox shape, they are terrible hunters. Their bodies evolved to be able to safely digest and draw out nutrients from practically anything! Even highly toxic and poisonous flora and Fauna!” Lero was in their element. Kal listened, intently, not taking their eyes away from the excited researcher for a second. A warmness began to wash over them. An odd sensation they had never felt before. “I... in fact I wrote a paper on them!” Kal smiled and their eyes softened.

“I’d love to read it sometime.” The detective responded with a softness that threw Lero. What an odd witch. She was normally so serious and bossy... So what was this? They quickly shifted their gaze.

“I guess... I could dig it out... for you...” Lero pouted. Kal chuckled as she served up three servings of pancakes, healthy dollops of her mothers marmalade on each. Even a bottle of Ponta for Lero. The meal was delicious. It was new. The warmth in Leros' chest persisted. No one had ever made them anything before.

“Your mothers marmalade is... ambrosian,” Lero commented, mouth stuffed. Ambrosian? Am I an idiot? But Kal merely smiled.

“Just the marmalade?”

“Ah... the pancakes are also um, pretty good.” Kal grinned, evidently very pleased with herself.

“Good! Now that we’re fed! It’s time to get down to business!”

Ah, back to reality.

So she just wants her lil’ worker trainee Sirenfly well fed? Hmph! Lero crossed their arms.

“You know, I have important research to be doing,” they sighed.

“And your wall of critters is looking rather empty.”

“Give ‘em back then!” Lero pouted. The Seelie chuckled.

“You’ll get them back, don't worry. I’ve already had it all arranged. Besides I already got written consent from the Etymos guild- so either way, you’re assisting me!” This was the worst. ‘Written consent’ basically meant a command. The guild had now officially commanded Lero to assist.

“I don’t know why you’re so intent on having me assist you, you’re the detective- go and detect!” They moped, kicking their feet.

“Hmm.. I don’t know either...” WHAT? Lero blinked in disbelief. “It’s just a theory, but I can’t help but think all these strange goings on are related,” she explained, “the small-time crimes, the displaced critters and now this talk of a creature.” She flicked through her notebook, “Besides, if this ‘creature’ is responsible or at least connected in some way, then your expertise is going to be invaluable!” Kal smacked her notebook shut.

It would be untrue to say Lero had no interest in this talk of a creature. Hal's description had piqued the researchers interest. Dammit.

“Fine, but you can help me investigate the displaced creatures whether it's related or not!” Lero relented as Kal nodded. “What do you suggest we look into first?”

“I thought you’d never ask!” Kal beamed, excitement in her voice, “the stolen besom!” Ah, the so-called ‘borrowing’ that Hal had described, “a reasonable place to start,” Lero mused.

“Indeed! Now get dressed!” Kal threw Leros overcoat at the disgruntled witch.