The fairy burst into flight, as much as a thing that small can manage it, and flew at Aster.

Aster’s wide eyes crossed, and her mouth formed into a surprised o, as she tried to track the creature now perched on her nose.

To her credit, she never moved, remaining as still as one of those people trained to be a professional mannequin. “What’s the matter?” She asked.

“She doesn’t want to leave you. She’s afraid we’re taking her away.” Prin said. He couldn’t suppress a little giggle.

“I think she wants you -specifically- to help her.” Elwin said. As an aside to Valor, he added. “The fairy jumped up and flew into Aster’s face to get her attention. It’s now resting on her nose.”

“I wish you wouldn’t.” Aster said. “And why me anyway? What do I have to do with any of this?”

“Oh who wouldn’t? You’re very likeable.” Prin said, as though that should explain it all, as well as half of everything else that had ever happened in Aster’s life.

Valor turned toward Elwin. “How can you stand this?” He motioned from Aster to Prin. “Thing they’ve got going on between them?”

“Shh, it’s not like that.” Elwin scolded. “Don’t be jealous.”

“Is Aster that pretty?” Valor said. His lower lip stuck out slightly, the fairy momentarily forgotten under a veil of petty concerns.

“Yes.” Prin said. He put his arm around Valor. “It’s okay to like people, even more than one at a time. It’s okay, you should try it.” He laughed again as Valor’s frown deepened. He couldn’t help it, he was just so cute. Like a pouty toddler. Something about this moment was giving him a sense of exhausted euphoria.

Although it only lasted a precious few seconds before he was jarred out of it by remembering he was a man wanted for murder.

“About these men, do you think . . . they’ll go away soon?” Prin asked. “Back to wherever it was they came from, I mean?”

“Hmm,” Aster said. “Soon? I don’t know.” The fairy flew back to the top of her head. A white flower on a curly red tree, until somehow both gradually and all at once, its color again changed to match. Red as a head full of dyed curls. “It depends on the deep pockets of whoever hired them.” Aster added. “And how soon they catch the guy.”

“What if they don’t ever . . . catch them?” Prin asked. He realized he wasn’t being cautious enough, but since it was Aster . . . its not like he was afraid Aster would suspect him of anything, just like he would never suspect her. However, only one of them actually did do it. Prin would have to try to remember to not act so guilty of something.

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“I don’t know bunny, I guess they eventually go back to the mainland and look for the killer there. A lot of those guests went home before people even realized anything was wrong, and the murderer probably escaped with them. If you want my opinion.” She laughed. “I mean, who in their right mind would stay on this tiny island after tearing apart someone of prestige like that, you know?”

Elwin exchanged a look with Prin. He didn’t like where this conversation was going and probably wanted Prin to drop it, or steer it in another direction.

“Someone without the resources to leave.” Valor said. “Someone who would have trouble hitching a ride with rich party goers.”

“Not one of them, in other words.” Aster said. “Like a member of staff. Interesting. So you’re thinking . . . it may have been payback?” Aster flashed a savage grin. “A great opportunity to get back at an employer, or former employer. Who treated you some kind of way. With all the people and chaos around. You know, I did always suspect that she wasn’t a very nice person, when the mask was off.”

“Are you?” Valor asked.

“No mask in here, kitten. This is a mask free zone.” Aster laughed. “In fact, I’m practically naked. Not that you’d know that.”

“The mask isn’t an item of clothing.” Valor said. “As you know.”

“Oh I know, I know. Of course I know.” Aster said, waving one dainty hand dismissively. She tilted her head to the side in thought. “There are many masks we wear, not just one. Masks for friends, masks for lovers, masks for . . . work. Masks for your parents. If you’re lucky enough to have the right kind of friends, maybe the one they get is the smallest one of all. Allowing more of your real face to show. And if you have a friend like Prin, you’re lucky enough to know someone with no mask at all. What you see is what you get with this guy, and maybe that’s part of what I like about him.” Aster gave Prin a cheesy grin.

Prin felt so guilty, if only what Aster said was true. How he wished he didn’t have that one big, final, unforgivable secret that no one could know.

Valor looked on the verge of saying something, but instead just smirked.

Well, no more people anyway.

“Aster is a nice person, even the versions of Aster I’ve never met.” Prin said. “I feel sure of that.”

“That’s why all the clients are such big fans.” Elwin pointed out helpfully.

Aster laughed. “There’s more to the job then just being nice and looking good. Although it doesn’t hurt.”

“I don’t have a mask.” Valor declared.

“Maybe you should get one.” Elwin said. “No, really.”

Aster and Prin both burst out laughing, startling the fairy into the air, though she quickly realized nothing was wrong and resettled into her nest.

“I guess I’ll have to take some lessons then.” Valor said.

“I’m sure we can help you with that.” Aster winked. She stretched her arms way up over her head. “My lovely boys, I really need to get some sleep. Otherwise I’ll be cranky all night, and it’s re-eally hard to keep the proper mask in place when you’re cranky.”

“Sure! I mean, I’m sorry again for bothering you.” Prin stood up, preparing to head for the door.

“Wait a second. Before you go, maybe you could answer one question for me.” Aster said.

Prin braced himself for a tough one. He knew that Aster was a very smart person, and even though she trusted him (he thought), it was possible that she had noticed or sensed something off and had saved it until now to confront him with.

“Anything.” Prin lied. He didn’t know how he would answer a question about the death of Freya but, he couldn’t tell Aster the truth. Not now.

Aster pointed to her head. “Just what am I supposed to do with this thing?” The tiny fairy waved its wings, as though to say, Yes what are we going to do with me? I’d also like to know.