October was already awake when he heard the sound of steps hitting the stairs. His sleeping schedule had never been the best. Or even existed. The sound was lighter than his own feet, almost like a cat, and if he wasn't used to the silence inside the tower, he would have missed it.

He left the bed, too big for a single adult - don't think of that - and walked outside. The door to the library-turned-bedroom was open. Peeking inside, he saw the wyvern toy looking back with its button eyes from the clumsily made bed.

When he went downstairs, he found February still in a nightgown but with her glasses on, with a knife and an entire block of butter, “You aren't going to eat all of that, right?” he asked her.

“No.” She answered.

Curious, October walked closer to look over her shoulder, and saw that the girl was ripping pieces off the butter, turning it and giving it a vaguely humanoid shape.

“Are you carving it into a golem?” He guessed.

“Yes.”

When the block had turned into a figure with stubby, but recognizable legs and arms, February carved the word ‘Truth’ on the golem's forehead, right above the two circles that served for eyes and the crooked line that did as a mouth, and left it standing near a slice of bread.

The yellow golem blinked and made a high-pitched sound, then walked slowly to the bread before letting itself fall face first on it.

February grabbed the toast.

“Wouldn't it be easier to just spread it normally?” He asked.

“Yes, but it's more fun like this.” She said before biting one of the golem's hands.

"I see." October stepped away, and started preparing his morning coffee, "Would you mind staying here today, February?"

A sharp inhale, "Why?"

"I have to go to the forest for certain ingredients. Need them for a potion for the Dying Sun festival of a nearby village. The mayor always comes to me, so I usually have it prepared beforehand..." his voice began dying as he stared at February. The girl's white glow had weakened. She was looking down and grabbing her hands together, tight, like a vice.

October felt the urge to slap himself over that particular bit of stupidity of asking an abandoned child if they were okay with being left alone for an entire day. She probably thought he wanted to leave her, just like her mother.

Anger claws at his stomach, this time towards the fairy that had given him his powers. All in exchange for a child she hadn't grown to love in twelve years. October wandered, not for the first time in his life, why someone would have a child if they didn't plan to care about them.

But it's not like you planned to care about her, right?

"Hey," he said, "it's fine. You can come with me if you want to. Just don't go too far away on your own."

"It's fine. I can stay." She answered in a whisper.

"Nah, you're coming now. That's an order." He tried to say it in a light tone. He wasn't sure it worked, because February remained stoic and emotionless when she responded.

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"Okay."

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They reached the woods and October was sure they were both sweating. It was a little difficult to tell with February, since she was constantly shinning, but for him, it was a reminder that he wasn't twenty anymore. At least he kept in relatively good shape.

"By the way, February, be more careful with the books. The old ones could break."

"What does that have to do with anything?" She said, innocently joining her hands behind her back, and looking to the side. It was an almost perfect 'What-do-you-mean-I-didn't-do-anything' save for a little fact.

"Do you really think I didn't hear you during the night? I'm not even talking about the one you dropped, I could hear you turn the pages." He laughed.

"Ah."

And what right did he have to admonish her, when he had done the same thing at her age?

"Hey, look! Those are mushrooms, aren't they?" February pointed to a dead trunk laying on its side, where moss grew, alongside some bright red caps with white motes.

"Not quite." Nice changing the topic, young lady.

He walked to the trunk with February following him. Once they got close enough, the 'mushrooms' sprouted thin legs and arms and ran away, screaming in a bird-like high pitch.

"Pfft," February puffed a laugh, "That was funny. What were those?"

"Wood Goblins," he explained, "And even if they had been mushrooms, the ones we need grow in the shadows and glow a bit."

"I can find them!" Said February, joining her hands, this time in front of her chest. "I can sense lights in the dark, you know?"

"I didn't. All Void Fairies can do that?"

"With a bit of practice. It's not very hard. Maybe I could teach you?" She said, radiant.

"I'm afraid that wouldn't work." He explained. He summoned a will o' the wisp with a snap of his fingers, like he had done in Lerrelth's cave, "Witches and wizards only hold power over one element per deal. I only got fire magic, so we couldn't teach me to use void magic."

The girl looked pensive for a moment. She dragged her left foot across the ground as if she wished to walk, but something was stopping her. "What if I made a deal with you?"

Now that was a surprise. "What would you ask of me in exchange?"

"I don't know. I could think of something."

"Well, I've been doing well with just fire magic for years," October said, "You have time to think it."

"Don't worry, I won't ask for too much... probably." She added before breaking into a sprint. She gestured for her father to follow her. October ran behind her.

They arrived at what he recognized - and explained - as a silver laurel. The wood from which the tree got its name was used for some of the furniture in the Royal Palace.

And below the dense mass of leaves of this particular specimen, as if they were taking a nap under the shade, little dots of blue bioluminescence were visible.

"February this is wonderful!" said October, "There are enough for next year, too!"

She nodded and clasped her hands. She seemed to be very fond of doing things with them. "Can I go search for snails while you pick them up?" she asked.

October doubted for a moment. But it's not like he hadn't played in the woods. And playing in the woods was precisely what led him home, once upon a time.

"Sure, but like I said, don't go too far. And don't touch anything you aren't sure is not a snail, not even plants. Some bite, you know?"

"... I can see why you didn't want me to come." She said, only half-joking. But she still walked away- or, rather, merrily skipped away.

With the loud sound of her boots crunching the dry leaves beneath calming him, October turned his attention to the mushrooms. Known as Pixie's Hat, they were tiny, but bright. He searched for the ones with a slightly softer texture, an indicator that they were perfect for the potion he had in mind. He took off his hat and began storing them inside the enchanted space inside.

October didn't know how long he spent picking up materials. But he did notice when the crunch of boots became louder and quicker and suddenly, he felt a tight hug as February hid her head in his shoulder, a curtain of white hair covering her face.

"Hey, what's wrong?" He said, gently pushing her shoulders. By the time he caught her fearful face, the sound of gears turning, steam blowing and four feet - no, paws - moving towards them had already caused his stomach to twist is a knot.

Slowly he turned to face him.

A robotic wolf the size of a small horse stood there. Clockwork was visible in various parts of his body, specially the joints. He tilted his head slightly and frowned, its mechanical face.

"... Hello, Osenain" Said October to the wolf.