Xanthy stepped aside before a child could barrel straight to her. Her arm lashed out as her fingers gripped an arm, stopping the child from face-planting into the streets.

"Daria, I told you not to run ahead!" a familiar voice came from behind Xanthy. She turned and came face to face with none other than Nyxis Helgase. His eyes widened when he saw her. Then, her eyes landed on a small child no older than five cradled in her friend's arms.

"That's fast," she blurted.

"What? No," Nyxis took the hand of the child who almost ran into Xanthy. "It's not like that."

Xanthy narrowed her eyes as they moved out of the road and into a nearby merchant caravan. "Then what is it like?"

"We've opened a home for unclaimed flower-children," Denara's rich voice greeted Xanthy's ears. She turned to find the sprite had grown her hair longer over the year. She's...she looked good. The sprite grunted as she fixed her hold on yet another child on her arms. "I'm beginning to regret leaving Feyrith back home. He could have helped us calm Daria down since she's not used to these many people at once."

Nyxis nodded his agreement before turning back to Xanthy. "Yeah, it happened just like that. I've been taking Denara around the island to get her acquainted and we happened to see a lot of orphanages shutting down or in just plain need."

Unclaimed children...

Such a thought didn't cross Xanthy's mind even when the Arbotro explained how fairies were born. A parent needed to claim the child with their blood so they would have kin. If that didn't happen and the seed blooms...who would be there for them to call their own?

Xanthy pursed her lips. "This is really a good thing for you to do, Nyxis," she said.

"It's mostly Denara's fault," he glanced at the sprite who slapped him in the arm. "What? I'm right, though. I remember you crying that night saying you want to save these children."

"And that didn't change," Denara rolled her eyes and made Daria wrap her arms around her legs before the child could run out again. "That way, we could start doing everything we planned to do like, say, opening an infirmary, a brewing academy, an arts school, and many others. It's hitting two witches with one spell."

"Plus, we have children," Nyxis turned to the side in an attempt to spread his arms while carrying a child. "Sometimes it pains me how much of a genius you are."

"Please," Denara jerked her chin at Xanthy. "How have you been, Your Highness?"

" 'Xanthy' is fine, really," she tucked her hair behind one ear while she eyed the passing carts. "Been studying how to run a territory for the whole year as you two well know," her friends nodded. After all, they've been teaching her several times the past year about various things. Xanthy stuck her bottom lip out. "Apart from that, I guess I'm good."

Nyxis rocked the child in his arms, urging her to rest her head on his shoulders. "What are you up to?"

"Oh, just walking around," Xanthy circled her finger in the air in vague gestures. "Mom has been showing me the different feasts in each territory and Dad has been buying me sweets for the past hour. How about you?"

"We're taking the children by batches to see the huge wish tree in the center of the city," Denara said. "Want to come with?"

Xanthy glanced at Airese who shrugged. What's a wish tree? Hmm. Maybe she should ask June when she got back. Where was he anyway? It's so weird that he'd miss the holidays. She turned back to the sprite. "Maybe next time," she smiled as an apology. "I'd love to visit more of the regional feasts first."

Nyxis nodded. "Well, best be on our way," he began turning when a thought struck Xanthy.

"Wait, Nyxis," she called. The ice sprite stopped. "Do you know where June is? I haven't seen him since the holidays started."

Nyxis knitted his eyebrows. "No, I don't," he said. "I'm sorry."

Xanthy waved her hands in the air between them. "Not your fault," she said. "Well, thanks anyway. Best wishes to you and your...family."

The lines beside Nyxis's eyes crinkled as he smiled. "To you, too."

With that, Nyxis, Denara, and the children with them walked away until they were but mere dots in the sea of people with them in the streets. Xanthy sighed as she nodded to her parents and they resumed their trek towards the next exhibit. She offered the basket to her father and he stuck inside to draw a random candy. Well, at least she knew where she got her food senses from.

A small part of her brain picked at June's absence and sent sadness curling at her gut. She shook her head. The Seelie Court told her to enjoy the holiday so she's going to. With whatever she has.