She smiled at the familiar face of Grim, feeling much more comfortable as she noticed his demeanor.

"Bravo, Charles." Her voice was pure song, made of poetry given sound, of every creative notion youve ever had. "That was quite magnificent. You can go now."

The man rose shakily to his feet, grinning like a little kid whose finger painting had been praised by the teacher. He was younger than Claire's stepdad, but not by much, the hint of a beard shadowing his mouth and jaw. When he turned and spotted them. His face and hazel eyes were blank of reason, as empty as the sky.

She looked up at the woman before looking back at the man. "That was lovely, sir." She commented.

The man blinked at Claire, dazed for a moment, but then his eyes grew wide. "You," he muttered, shambling forward, jabbing at her with a finger. "I know you. Dont I? Dont I? Who are you? Who?" He frowned, an anguished expression crossing his face. "The rats whisper in the darkness," he said, clutching at his hair. "They whisper. I cant remember their names. They tell me..." His eyes narrowed and he panted, glaring at Claire. "Rag girl, flying round my bed. Who are you? Who?" This last was a shout, and he lurched forward. Ironhorse stepped between them with a rumbling growl, and the man leaped back, hands flying to his face. "No," he whimpered, cringing on the floor, arms cradling his head. "No one in here. Empty empty empty. Who am I? I dont know. The rats tell me, but I forget."

"That is enough." Leanansidhe floated down the staircase, her gown trailing behind her. Sweeping up to the human, she touched him lightly on the head. "Charles, darling, I have guests now," she murmured, as he gazed up at her with teary eyes. "Why dont you take a bath, and then you can play for us at dinner?"

Charles sniffled. "Girl," he whimpered, clutching at his hair. "In my head."

"Yes, I know, darling. But if you dont leave, Ill have to turn you into a harp. Go on, now. Shoo, shoo." She made little fluttery motions with her hands, and with one final glance at Claire, the man scuttled away.

She lowers her head, "I apologize for any disturbance I may have caused. I do not know what he was chanting about though." She smiles sadly at her. Seeming flustered.

Leanansidhe sighed and turned to them, then seemed to notice the trio for the first time. "Ah, there you are." She smiled, and their faces lit up in the glow of her attention. "Did you manage to get the eggs, darlings?"

Warren snatched the backpack from Nelsons arm and held it out. "We found the nest, Leanansidhe. It was just where you said. But the dragon woke up then, and..." He unzipped the pack, revealing a yellow-green egg the size of a basketball. "We were only able to get one."

"One?" Leanansidhe frowned, and shadows fell over the room. "Only one? I need at least two, pets, or the deal is off. The former Duke of Frostfell specifically said a pair of eggs. How many is in a pair, darling?"

"T-two," Warren stammered.

"Well, then. Id say you still have work to do. Go on, now. Chop-chop. And dont come back without those eggs!"

The trio fled without hesitation, following the human out the same door. Leanansidhe watched them go, then whirled on the others with a bright, feral smile. "Well! Here we are at last. When Grimalkin told me you were coming, I was ever so pleased. Its so good to finally meet you."

Grimalkin descended the stairs with his typical indifference, completely unfazed by the Death Glare coming from Puck. Leaping onto a sofa, he sat down and began grooming his tail.

She watched the others go before smiling up at the woman. "Likewise! We've heard so many good things about you! It's an honor."

"And Puck!" Leanansidhe turned to him, clasping her hands in delight, practically ignoring Claire. "I havent seen you in forever, darling. How is Oberon these days? Still being henpecked by that basilisk of a wife?"

"Dont insult the basilisks," Puck replied, smiling. Crossing his arms, he gazed around the room, moving ever so slightly in front of Claire. "So, Lea, looks like youve been busy. Whats up with the crazies and the half-bloods? Building an army of misfits?"

"Dont be silly, darling." Leanansidhe sniffed, plucking a cigarette holder from a lamp stand. She took a puff and blew a hazy green cloud over their heads. It writhed and twisted into a smoky dragon before dissipating in the air. "My coup days are behind me, now. Ive made a nice little realm for myself here, and overthrowing a court is so tedious. However, Id ask you not to tell Titania that you found me, darling. If you went and blabbed, I might have to rip out your tongue." She smiled, examining a bloodred nail, as Puck inched closer to Claire. "Also, Robin dear, you neednt worry about protecting the girl. I mean her no harm. The Iron faery I might have to dismember and send its remains to Asia--" Ironhorse tensed and took a step forward "--but I have no intention of hurting the daughter of Oberon. So relax, pet. Thats not why I called her here."

She looked up at Ironhorse, making note of that comment before looking back at her.

Leanansidhe turned the full brunt of her glittering sapphire gaze on Claire. "You're so cute, did you know that? You look just like your father. No wonder Titania cant stand to look at you. Whats your name, darling?"