It was another normal day for the citizens if Norlov, something that Timothy had begun to be slightly jealous of as of late. Not that he was angry about his new lot in life, far from it, but more towards the fact that he would probably never know true peace again. Ever since becoming the high priest of a goddess people came to him to solve their problems all the time. While he did his best he wasn't sure he was up for the task. Living in the capital of the kingdom meant that there was no end to the people seeking him out at the temple, and even more came from all over the land on pilgrimages everyday.

There was also his fairy companion, someone that was more thrust upon him than willingly associated with. He didn't mind Salferia all too much, having crazy magical girls in his life seemed to be the new normal after all. But she did get a bit too mean sometimes and he worried about her lashing out with magic at random humans. Yes the goddess had put in place rules for her, more so a threat, but even that couldn't stop her from pulling pranks sometimes. Non-dangerous ones of course, but that could change at any moment.

Today however was another day where the goddess Jenna herself would be involved with affairs. There was to be a meeting at the castle about the state of growing monster attacks throughout the kingdom. There seemed to be an undead plague of sorts proliferating the northern and western provinces, something that the kind seemed to think a goddess should already have handled. Timothy didn't know that much about it himself but it sounded scary. His fairy friend upon hearing the news seemed more angry and knew little about such terrible magic.

At the moment Timothy and Salferia had just finished arriving at Castle Korchock where the meeting was to take place. Jenna was already here somewhere probably and Timothy didn't want to be too far behind her. He was far from late as the meeting was to happen during midday, but it still made it feel awkward to show up after everyone else had.

Salferia was currently sitting on Timothy's right shoulder, her purple pigtails swishing behind her as she bobbed up and down. She made a habit of riding around on top of her human companion regularly as it allowed her to be extra lazy. Though she'd never admit it there was a part of her that liked the idea of being carried around like a damsel, that concept being even in fairy society. To make up for her embarrassment she often called Timothy her beast of burden.

As they both traveled through the castle with their guard escort Salferia sighed and poked at her transport's neck. She was still in her usual exploring outfit.

“I think its stupid how humans can't even solve their own problems.” She said snidely.

Timothy did his best to ignore the verbal and physical prodding of the fairy when he answered. He knew what she was truly commenting on.

“There are many terrible things in the world.” He replied. “Some things too dangerous for humans to handle alone. There's nothing wrong with asking for help, especially from a goddess who loves us.”

The fairy sighed and stopped her attack, instead swinging her legs in the air.

“I suppose. You'd never catch my kind stooping that low though.”

For the rest of the walk through the castle the two of them stayed mostly silent, the guard who was escorting them leading the way. Timothy was lost in thought, his mind wandering to topics such as fairies and fairy society. Salferia was loathe to speak much about where she came from, something to be expected of a fairy. However there were times she let slip things here and there, usually when insulting humans in some manner.

They eventually reached the main meeting room of the castle where the guard stopped. There was another pair of guards standing by the door and they quickly exchanged information. It seemed the goddess and crown prince were already inside the room. The others hadn't arrived yet, namely the head mage and one of the advisors.

Timothy had only met the head mage Illiad Westbow once before and didn't like the elf much. There was something about how haughty he was that had made him think he looked down on humans too. This was something confirmed this, seeing as they were both fey folk their cultures intermixed often. It was a general sentiment that the lesser lived races were inferior to the fey, though fairies and elves had no true love for each other either. Elves were overly serious stink rags according to her.

The doors of the room soon opened and Salferia took the air, fluttering up and around Timothy's head to land on top of it among his hair. This was a favorite spot of her's as it allowed her to feel above everyone and get a good view.

Timothy walked inside the room and saw that indeed his goddess was sitting down at the table on the side closest to him. On the other side of the table was the prince Turshok. The two of them seemed to be having an actually pleasant conversation about some kind of food, something that surprised him.

“H-Hello.” Timothy started. “S-Sorry for being late.”

Jenna turned around in her seat and smiled at the young man.

“Hey Timmy!” She said happily. “Don't worry you're not late.” She then shrugged. “I just got here early is all.”

Turshok had only to look over at Timothy as he was already facing him. For a royal he seemed quite pleasant.

“Welcome Sir Timothy.” He said with a nod. “I've heard little about our resident high priest. I apologize for not knowing more.” He then gestured to the chair next to Jenna. “Please sit down and make yourself comfortable.”

Timothy walked over to the table and pointed to the fairy laying across his head. There was a nervous smile on his face and his cheeks had a slight blush.

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“I've also brought a friend of mine.” He said. “I hope you don't mind. She wouldn't say no.”

As he spoke Salferia pulled at some of his hair as she sat up. There was a pout on her face.

“Like I'd ever miss a chance to go someplace fancy with my human!” She exclaimed. “He'd likely wither away from age should I take my eyes off him!”

While Jenna seemed slightly annoyed at the fairy's presence she didn't say anything about it. Obviously there was a slight tint of jealousy of this other magical girl laying claim to her priest, that much was obvious, but she also seemed too confident in her power to be threatened. That's how Timothy figured things were anyway.

The prince on the other hand was completely shocked and somewhat frightened upon seeing the fairy. It was a normal reaction of course when confronted with something like her and Turshok was immediately visibly nervous.

“O-Oh!” He stuttered, sitting further back in his seat. “I'd not heard there was a fairy at the temple as well.” As he spoke he looked nervously between Jenna and Timothy. He then held up his hands. “Not that I have anything against them of course! We have an elf serving at the mage tower even! He's actually coming to this very meeting!”

Salferia flew up into the air and then settled down in the middle of Timothy's head on her backside.

“Elves.” She said with a pout, crossing her arms over her chest. “Bunch of sticks.”

This reaction seemed to both trouble and put Turshok at ease. Like pretty much all humans he had no understanding of the animosity between the fey races, well besides the fact goblins were universally hated. They all came from a world beyond the mortal realm after all and the prince was already getting worried about potential conflict at the meeting today.

Jenna as if reading the prince's mind, something Timothy assumed she literally was, decided to speak up. Her aims of peacekeeping were well known and she was likely trying to put the prince's mind at ease.

“I wouldn't worry about fairy on elf fighting.” Jenna said relaxing in her chair with one arm over the back. “They'll both behave with me around.” She then looked at the fairy. “Won't you?”

Salferia let out a yelp of fear and flew up into the air, fluttering behind Timothy's right shoulder and peeking up over it. She was clearly going overboard in her reaction, though there was real fear there. Once behind the human's shoulder she also pointed at Jenna accusingly.

“Help me human!” She cried. “Look look! That mean goddess of yours is bullying me again! She's a terror! An evil monster!”

Timothy was quite used to such bouts of acting out and was unfazed by Salferia's antics. He had dealt with said goddess herself in an emotional tirade so a fairy was nothing in comparison. With a slow and gentle motion he reached with his left hand over and grabbed the little fairy in his hand.

“She's not bullying you.” He replied with slight exasperation in his tone. “You know that.”

Salferia made no resistance as she obviously felt quite safe being handled by the young man. She even looked a bit smug as she was lifted up in his hand, likely trying to illicit jealously in Jenna. Her human handler deposited her on the table where she stood up proudly. The hand sized woman suddenly began strutting around and flaunting her looks, clearly overcome with pride.

“Oh she's a meanie alright.” The fairy said adjusting her clothing. “But you'll protect me wont you Timothy?” She smiled up at him. “You're such a strong human after all!”

Jenna could be seen rolling her eyes as she sat back in her chair. She didn't say anything to reprimand the fairy flirting with her priest however. Instead she flicked her finger on her left hand in the direction of the little woman and a small chair appeared on the table. It was in the fairy's size and had a plush seat.

“Why don't you take a seat little girl.” Jenna said with great restraint audible in her voice. “I'll allow you to stay for the meeting but I expect you to be on your best behavior.” She then sighed. “Better than your behavior now.”

Salferia seemed surprised at the sudden appearance of the chair but wasn't afraid at all. Creating items out of thin air was something she did on occasion, though she claimed it took a great deal of mana to do so it wasn't a frequent thing. She probably would have made a seat herself if the goddess hadn't for her.

The fairy smiled even more smugly and moved the chair closer in front of Timothy using magic. She then made a show of sitting down and lifted her right leg up over her left, sitting like a little princess in the chair. All of this she did in silence, seemingly satisfied with the reaction she had gotten out of Jenna. Her flirtatious attitude had vanished completely as it had served its purpose.

Turshok cleared his throat, his nerves seeming to getting the better of him. It was clear that having a goddess and a fairy ad odds with each other in his castle was putting him on edge indeed. With a nervous smile he placed his hands on the table in front of him.

“The others will still be a short while before they arrive.” He said trying to sound unshaken. “Why don't I have some tea and cake brought out while we wait? Surely that will help make the wait shorter? Though doubtless it will be less than half an hour.”

The prospect of something sweet always made Salferia perk up. She sat up in her chair after putting both feet back on the table. There was a grin on her face as she clapped her hands in excitement.

“Oh goody!” She chimed happily. “You humans make such tasty things!”

Jenna sat back in her chair again and seemed aloof. She waved her left hand dismissively.

“You know I don't need to eat or drink. Feel free to bring out whatever I don't mind.”

Timothy looked between both of them and smiled weakly. Then with a bit more confidence he put on a more serious, yet friendly, expression.

“Surely it can't hurt to try some at least goddess?” He asked trying to sound inoffensive. “I know you don't need it but it would be fun right?”

Jenna let out a small huff and rolled her eyes again.

“I suppose.”

Turshok clapped his hands together and smiled happily, perhaps only to hide his nervousness.

“It's settled then!” He exclaimed. “I'll have the servants bring some out immediately!” He then turned to the maid who was standing by at one of the doors. “Go and fetch some tea and cake wont you?”

The young woman had been standing there silently this entire time, something expected of a maid of the royal family of course. Whatever her thoughts were on the situation they were hers alone and even the fairy hadn't fazed her visibly. Upon reviving her orders she bowed.

“Yes your highness.”

As the maid left the room the prince seemed to be quite relieved. Introducing food and drink to a situation was a very diplomatic move. People were much more relaxed with something pleasant to sup upon after all and in his time as a member of the royal court so far he had learned women especially so. He likely had worried his proposal would be rejected, but it seemed sweets held some sway over girls regardless of race: human, fey, and even goddess. It made no difference.

Thanks to the efficiency of the castle staff the refreshments took only a couple minutes to arrive and with them to help ease tensions they odd gathering was free to discuss other things while awaiting the meeting's start in earnest. Timothy was amazed at the great tact and diplomatic skills his counterpart had shown, a skill that he wished one day to have proficiently in himself. It would certainly make his dealings with supernatural forces such as fairies and goddess easier to handle mentally.