Torien sat working in his workshop as the dull glow of the evening fell upon the cottage. Yukara, her lute in her cradling arms, was playing her latest creation, and he was perfectly happy to act as a test audience. Alas, he was having trouble with the house order he'd been doing, and it showed in his furrowed brow.
"What's the matter?" Yukara asked, stopping her strums to listen.
"It's this damnable crossbeam," Torien replied. "It continues to bother me. It won't stay in place and if I want to fix it easier I'll have to take apart the house."
Yukara sighed. "Well, you've already been behind on repairs, so I don't know what a few minutes will do--"
"It's the whole house that I will have to take apart, Yukara."
"O-oh," the woman replied. She stood up and looked outside towards the village. "Perhaps I should head back the village? It's getting late, and my gig at the alehouse is supposed to be soon."
"I would rather you stay here since your music keeps me from overworking myself, but if you have money to earn, I won't stop you."
As Yukara peered out the window, she drew in a short breath. "Um, Torien? I know it's not my place to ask, but I think someone is outside."
"Yukara, I told you- as long as they don't touch the nettles by the gate and get stung, there is no way for them to get in. It's locked by a key, and only fae-height folk can pass through the bars."
Yukara pursed her lips. "I'm gonna go outside and make sure they aren't causing trouble." She headed towards the door.