Thicker than Blood [Aidan]

[Deleted]

February 3, 2026

Imbolc was the Druid celebration welcoming spring. After the month of January, a time for reflecting, it was fun to celebrate. Many birthdays and coming of ages had happened over the time, and the day before had been a festival to remember. Aofe had feasted, drank and danced to her hearts content. After spending countless hours searching and retrieving list creatures, it was good to let loose. She celebrated until the light peaked over the horizon, then returned to her family home at the foot of Dragons tooth and slept until late in the day. She had no intention of going back out today, but she would have to get back to her job soon enough. Finding the creatures whom had fled when the barrier went down hadn't been an easy task, and there were still many missing.

Stretching and running her fingers through her ginger hair, she dressed and made her way out into the forest. Hy-Brasil was peaceful, calm, quiet. Very different from how things had been last night. She had been back for a few days now, but was still running into familiar faces that she hadn't seen in a while. Bouncing along the path, she came across a niffler. The small creature seemed to be dragging a large shiny object across her way. She tilted her head as she could see the young creature had obviously taken more than he could handle. She walked up and crouched down. Laughing, she lifted the little creature and the object she was sure belonged to one of the visitors. "Little over ambitious aren't we." She scratched the little creature, and he seemed to enjoy it.

Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn

[Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn]

3 February 2026

Aidan hadn’t been expecting to be home again so soon, but he was so happy at being back on the island that he couldn’t stop smiling. His family was undoubtedly the most important part of his life, and it hurt his heart to be away from them for so long. He didn’t understand why his parents, his ma especially, insisted that he needed to spend time away from home. But he was a good son, so he did it anyway, and took every opportunity he could to visit. And this time, it was really good! Because Brígh was going to be visiting Hy-Brasil, and Aidan was so excited at the prospect of getting to show her his home. And of seeing her again, too. He missed her, and liked being around her, and wanted to see one of those trademark Brígh smiles again.

Until then, Aidan was doing what he did best – aimlessly wandering from coast to coast, mountain peak to valley, checking up on all the creatures he’d known since childhood. He’d gone running with the unicorns earlier in his animagus form, and had spent hours cooing over the baby hipogriffs he had found. Now he had returned to the Wildwood, the apple of his eye and heart of the island. He slung his staff casually over his shoulder as he walked, smiling at the distant sight of two crups wrestling with each other. He was tempted to transform and join them, but he resisted the urge and kept walking along the dirt trail, stepping over a log carefully. He still had some daylight left before he needed to turn around and make his way back to the family home to help his mother and grandmother with dinner. And naturally, prepare for the next celebration. Imbolc was the most fun time to be on the island. Aidan froze as he heard a voice carry over from the next patch of trees, and he broke into an excited trot. “Aofe?!” he exclaimed excitedly as he finally turned a corner and came across a familiar figure. He hadn’t seen her in forever, and he laughed in delight as he bounded up to her. “Aha, what’ve you got there?” he asked the niffler in her hands playfully, carefully hooking a finger around what was undoubtedly a piece of mainlander jewelry and holding it up to the light.

@aofe

[Deleted]

Aofe smiled as she scratched the niffler, casually ensuring a grip on the item it had taken. She would be sure to get it, and then to someone who could find it's owner. That was when she heard someone shouting her name. She looked up with a smile, recognizing the voice, standing up, creature still in hand, just in time to see Aidan come around the corner. Her smile widened. "Hey Aidan." The boy had sprouted up quick, and easily toppled her. It wasn't fair how everyone seemed to be taller than her now. She remembered when Aidan was small and cute. Though he was handsome. He asked what she had and same laughed. "Just a friendly little scavenger, returning to it's nest after scavenging the Foxtrail ground for lost shinny's." She cooed at the little guy. The jewelry looked expensive enough to be missed. Rather than mounting a search after it was reported, she could help skip that part.

"Never mind me," She said, looking up at the boy. "Heard you've been training in the mainland, how's that been going?" She had gone though a similar process after she first completed her NEWT years.

Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn

[Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn]

Aidan gave a delighted laugh as he let the niffler frantically reclaim the mainlander jewelry – clearly something that hadn’t been made on the island. It didn’t get away with it for long, as Aofe casually hooked her fingers around the expensive-looking thing to make sure the niffler couldn’t run away with it again. He had missed her so much. Once upon a time, he’d been nearly inseparable from Aofe, following her around the island and cutting class as necessary to do it. All druids had a natural affinity for animals, of course, but most sought to use their talents in other fields – healing, farming, even winemaking. Not everyone appreciated the wild and understated beauty of the natural world, or the creatures that inhabited it. But Aofe always had, and Aidan had always dutifully followed, trotting after the older girl and trying to keep up.

But after he had left the island, and she had become the Head Ranger, he saw her much less often. It was a shame, and one of the reasons that leaving had hurt almost as much as the separation from his family. “Scavenging or stealing?” Aidan asked playfully as he ran a finger over the niffler’s head, giving it a small nudge before glancing up at Aofe mischievously. “And are you catching him or helping him?” he continued with a laugh. Aofe was hardly the first druid he thought would turn to a life of crime, but he knew the feeling of getting carried away. It was easy to fall into the temptation of forgetting responsibilities and just have fun, especially when there were magical creatures in the mix. And no one could accuse a niffler of not knowing how to have fun!

He made a face as Aofe asked about his training in the mainland. It was important, he knew that. In the two years since he’d left, Aidan had learned so much at the nature reserve about magical creatures and how to heal them. Someday he’d come back to Hy-Brasil with so much more knowledge to share, about that and the world more generally. But… “I miss home,” he admitted, feeling the smile on his face flicker. “I miss my family, and speaking in a language I understand, and looking for demiguises with you.” He pouted for a moment at the thought of all the things he couldn’t do in Hogsmeade while he absent-mindedly began to pet the niffler in Aofe’s hands. The mood was almost too serious, so Aidan tried at a new smile as he continued, “And I apparently missed the Shrinking Charm you were hit with too!”

@aofe

[Deleted]

Cradling the niffler in her arms, she ensured that the valuable item wouldn't be lost for ever. Looping her finger around it, she scratched the little creature softly. It felt right to have Aidan with her now. Though there is a bit of an age gap, they had always been really close. She felt as though he was her little brother. He'd follow her around, and she never minded. In fact, she loved it. They both understood and loved the magical creatures they lived with. While all druids felt a connection to nature, it seemed less were as fascinated with their surroundings as these two were.

Unfortunately the two had seen so little of each other. Hopefully once Aidan finished his training on the mainland, they would have more time to spend time together. She laughed as he went to clarify. "In his eyes? scavenging, but in the eyes of the jewelry's owner, stealing." It was really all how you looked at it. The boy gave a great grin to Aofe, asking if she was helping or catching. She laughed, "Well, this looks quite expensive, to mainland standards, if it wasn't, I'd let him keep it. But someone is going to require it back, and I figured it would save everyone some time if it was already found." It wasn't uncommon for valuables to go missing on the island. Why guests brought them, she never understood, but they did. And when they caused enough of a huff about it, everyone had to search for it, mostly the rangers, but guardians and residence helped too. Had she not been the head ranger, she probably would have let it slide, and just wait for the panicked visitor to demand it be found. But she had a reputation to uphold, and felt like the balance of the forest would be kept much better without hysterical mainlanders searching for their lost possessions.

She then moved the creature closer, placing the chain into her mouth, so that she wouldn't lose it in the seemingly bottomless pouch the creature had. Using her hand to pull something out of her pocket, she showed an iridescent shell, the colors seemed to dance in the light. "Trade?" She muffled to the creature. The little guy agreed. It seemed to understand that the shell would be free, but the piece of jewelry wouldn't be relinquished. Once the trade had occurred, Aofe pocketing the item she had rescued.

Asking the boy about his training, he pulled a face. One she knew all to well. She had worn that same face during her time. He mentioned all the things he missed, and she pulled him into a tight hug, still holding the fuzzy niffler. "It will get better." She promised him. He then mentioned her height. This made Aofe laugh. She was by far one of the shortest full grown druids on the island. Pulling back with a smile, "I didn't shrink, you simply sprouted up like a freakin' Redwood." She laughed. Why did everyone keep growing passed her? It didn't matter, Aofe loved her height, even if it was a bit inconvenient at times. "Tell you what. What if I come and visit you at the reserve sometime? You can show me around, and we can talk about whatever you want."

Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn

[Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn]

Aofe was just so cool. Aidan had been learning from her for almost as long as he could remember, and she still had new things to teach him every time they were together. Druid schooling was like that, after all – classes were informal, and they only really used textbooks when it came time to study for mainlander exams. Some stupid Ministry rule that even the druids had to be subjected to the same curriculum and exam standards as the other students. Whatever. But real druid education started at home, with children watching their parents and copying them. After that, it was about wandering around and finding your mentor. Aofe had never been his teacher in an official capacity, but she taught him just by being, by living her life and letting him follow after her. Aidan was in absolute awe of Aofe and everything she knew.

So he watched eagle-eyed as she initiated a trade with the niffler, offering him a shell in exchange for the mainlander jewelry. “You’re so smart,” he said admiringly as he watched the niffler enthusiastically examine his new treasure. Her logic regarding tourists was also incredible and Aidan had no doubt that she was right. The whole island would be in an uproar until the jewelry was found, and even then there would be grumbles about the druids and their ‘inability to control their animals.’ The idea of controlling or dominating another creature was repulsive, in all honesty, and Aidan thought they were better off without that kind of thinking. But Aofe was thinking about the bigger picture, like always, and so he made little notes in his mind about what he had learned. “Something like that happened at the nature reserve once,” he remembered with a laugh. “A bowtruckle stole a lady’s hat. The only reason he didn’t get away with it was because it was too heavy for him to carry!”

He melted into the hug with Aofe, touch-starved after so much time spent around proper mainlanders. He still hugged his friends, and family whenever he came to visit, but it was much less physical contact than he was used to and he missed the feeling. One of the benefits of coming from a large family was that he'd never had to think about it before -- at least until he'd been separated from them. “That’s what you said when I first started,” he sighed as he reluctantly pulled away after a few moments, “but it’s still hard. I can’t wait to come back home.” Aidan was almost ready to downward-spiral into feeling sorry for himself, but Aofe’s observation about his height made him laugh again and shoot a fond look down at her. “When can you come?” he asked eagerly at the thought of Aofe visiting him in Hogsmeade. “Tomorrow? Next week? I could show you the mooncalves. My friend Eli and I, we watched them dance two full moons ago. They were so happy!”

@aofe

[Deleted]

Aofe never considered her a teacher. She never taught a class of young druids. But she was always happy to share her knowledge with eager eyes. Even when she was a student herself, she took to taking care of magical creatures. Even as a younger girl, she had memories of the younger boy at her heals, wanting to know everything. That was the beauty of Hy-Brasil. Their education was informal. Sure, they gathered for lessons, but it was also up to the kids themselves to ask and learn what they wanted to focus on. The worst part of their education was that they still had to take exams according to mainlander standers at Hogwarts. This left many druids ahead in some subjects, but potentially behind in others. Though many seemed to work hard and pass their exams there, so it didn't seem to be much of an issue. It was annoying though, how the mainlanders felt like they had some form of right to dictate how they did things in their culture. The way druids learned on their island started at home, and with those they respected. They could branch out and learn anything from anyone, but many ended taking jobs on the island that one or both parents had done.

She loved showing the boy all the she could. She never considered herself his teacher, or even his mentor, just a friend sharing her passion. She always loved spending time with him, when she was young, she would start to miss him when he wasn't around to share in something amazing. But soon, hopefully he would return to the island, at least after his training, and they could have more moments like this. She was glad that the little creature agreed to the trade. It seemed to understand in some way that while what it held was shinier, the thing she offered, while still pretty, was free. She smiled at the boys compliment "It's all about making sure that they know that taking the offer is the better end of the deal." Why mainlanders chose to bring expensive shiny objects to an island with nifflers on it was beyond her.

She chuckled at his story about the bowtruckle. Creatures always had a reason for their antics, though many people didn't bother trying to see it from their perspective. "Poor little thing was probably trying so hard." She sympathized.

Aofe loved hugging Aidan. He was like a little brother to her. He mentioned that it was hard, and that she had said it would go by fast when he started. She knew that feeling. She smiled up at him. "Just hang in there." She mentioned coming and visiting. She knew that would help, if only for a little bit. She was glad that he had made friends too. "Not when the Hogwarts students will be here, other than that, my schedule's fairly open. When would you most need me to be there?" She wouldn't be visiting for herself, but for Aidan, so it felt right to let him choose when she would visit.

Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn

[Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn]

Aidan watched the niffler eagerly examine his new seashell, a thoughtful look crossing his face. It definitely seemed like good logic when it came to negotiating with creatures – since communicating in a human language wasn’t possible, they had to resort to making their intentions clear in other ways. Aofe had never seemed to struggle with communicating to a creature that it was better to work with her rather than against her – that was why she’d gotten such an important job on the island, Aidan supposed. The Elders knew that she could be trusted with managing their creatures, and more importantly, with managing the outsiders that visited. In many ways they were more difficult to deal with. But Aidan was absolutely rubbish at handing out punishments, even when a creature was misbehaving. “But how?” Aidan fretted, “I can never say no. Not when they look at me with those adorable eyes!” It was the sad truth - Aidan was too easy to win over.

Thinking of the bowtruckle made Aidan laugh again – bowtruckles were such temperamental creatures. It was easy to offend one, and they tended to behave more like children than anything else. “He was,” Aidan agreed, stroking his chin thoughtfully, “And then he was in a bad mood for the rest of the day. Wouldn’t let anyone come near his tree. I would’ve been worried, but he’s always this dramatic. I wonder if he’ll grow out of it?" Healing creatures was one thing, and he’d received plenty of training both in Hy-Brasil and the nature reserve, but creature behavior was another issue entirely. Aidan had observed their habits his whole life, and much of his knowledge in the subject came less from reading textbooks and more from simply watching as he grew up. Still, he didn’t envy creature researchers like Eli – who had to make official observations and write it all down. He much preferred the Healing component to it, even as he liked to discuss the subject with an expert like Aofe. She’d always had more insights into why creatures did what they did. Maybe she could even examine the bowtruckle when she came to visit to give some idea of what stage of life he was in. Aidan wouldn’t be surprised to hear he was in a ‘moody teenager’ phase.

Speaking of visits…Aidan gave a reluctant nod to show he’d heard her. She’d been telling him the same thing for the entirety of the almost three years Aidan had been gone – not too much longer, learn what you need to and then come back. She was right, of course, but it seemed easier for her and his family to say since they got to stay in Hy-Brasil. Aidan lived in a house of dead wood (nothing like his family’s ancestral home), and he always felt so cut-off from nature and his community in Hogsmeade. He’d made friends at the nature reserve, and he valued those connections, but they just weren’t the same depth or length as the ones he’d left behind on the island. Still, the thought of Aofe coming to see where he worked cheered Aidan up. She told him to choose a time when the Hogwarts students wouldn’t be visiting Hy-Brasil, and Aidan agreed with a, “Yup. Definitely. Gotcha.” He tried and failed to keep a blush out of his cheeks, since he in fact also had plans for that particular field trip. But anyway, he finally decided, “Ostara. It’ll be hard being away from home, but it would be better with you!” The Spring Equinox was coming up in March, and Hy-Brasil’s festival for it was always exciting. It would be tough to celebrate another Ostara away from home, so Aidan figured it would be the exact right time to see Aofe.

@aofe

[Deleted]

Being a ranger on Hy-Brasil was the only thing that Aofe ever saw herself being. While she knew Mermish and the Goblin language, she knew that that words were not the only way to communicate. There were many creatures on the island who didn't understand words, even if they were simple. Making her intentions clear was the only way to ensure they understood what she intended to tell them. Though there were also many that she enjoyed having a good conversation with. This island helped her remember that, while they were stewards this place, their way wasn't the only one out there.

Her job was to maintain balance on the island. She ensured that peace was had between the creatures and that the plants maintained their harmony as well. That was her favorite part of the job, though she did have to deal with misbehaving visitors and those with problems, such as a search for a missing item, or even guest. In times like those, she wished she could turn into a larger animal, but no, she loved her small minx form. She had other ways of quickly searching the island. Aidan wondered how. The boy was sweet, claiming that he couldn't say "no". She chuckled, and looked up at him. "You don't have to say no, you just have to figure out where the yes is." It wasn't easy, but she never saw it as depriving the creature of something that they wanted, it was more like finding a way to direct them to where she wanted them to go.

Aofe had figured that the most important thing about interacting with the many different creatures around was showing them respect and understanding. But she also knew that there was more to it than that. It wasn't something you could simply teach or explain. She laughed as he mentioned the little guy always being dramatic. "I don't find that they usually do. But sometimes their better about it if you become friends."

Being away from their beloved island was the hardest part of her training. But once the time was done, it felt like it had flown by. Mentioning the Hogwarts trip seemed to get the boy a bit flustered, but that wasn't her business. She knew that one could get very lonely while away. Then the boy mentioned the holiday in March and she smiled, nodding. "I can come there, and you can show me around." Finally setting down the little creature who had started to get restless. "Maybe I can bring you some spring greeting from the island."

Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn

[Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn]

“Another piece of Aofe wisdom to remember,” Aidan teased at her advice on how to negotiate with unruly creatures. Don’t say no, just find the yes. He really liked that, and it suited him better than trying to learn how to grow a spine at this late stage. He was stubborn, not really because he tried to be but because of his upbringing. He believed, one hundred percent, in everything he’d learned from his parents and teachers growing up. The druid way was ancient, after all, and if it had survived this long then it must be because it was right. He’d learned a thing or two on the mainland, that was for sure – Aidan even remembered with pleasure all the English slang he was learning from Eli and Brígh. But when it came to the important things, taking care of creatures and keeping them happy, he didn’t need to change a thing. The druids of Hy-Brasil knew what they were doing.

He brightened at Aofe’s suggestions for Ostara. The mainlanders had their own holidays, and sometimes they even lined up more or less with druid ones. But he missed a proper druid celebration, and Aidan knew there were plenty coming up. They had only just finished the Time of Passing, after all, and there were all sorts of festivals coming up. As Aofe set down the niffler, who began to run circles around them to work off some excess energy, Aidan took the opportunity to stuff his hands in his pockets and glance around the Wildwood. “You’ll have to tell me when the mimbulus mimbletonia start to bloom,” he said wistfully. He knew they were considered rare on the mainland, but in Hy-Brasil they grew like crazy, and when the magical cactus began to flower, it was always a surefire sign that spring had arrived.

Still, as much as Aidan missed home, he really was happy with what he was doing at the nature reserve. “We have some new baby hippogriffs,” he said proudly, especially since he had assisted in the deliveries. “One gave birth too early, though, so we had to stay with her for a while. Oh! And a new dragon just arrived from one of the dragon reserves in the mainland. He’s young, and rather shy…won’t breathe fire for anyone. The veterinarians don’t think it’s a medical issue, so we’re starting some confidence-building exercises when I get back.” He had a habit of becoming quite the chatterbox once he started talking – less of a problem in English, since he still struggled with the language – but Aofe was so easy to talk to that Aidan often found himself going on long, detailed tangents about everything he was doing. He caught himself starting again, and gave Aofe a sheepish smile. “But how are you?” he asked, eager to hear news from the island. “Fae must be keeping you busy, huh?”

@aofe

[Deleted]

Aidan teased the older druid by stating that she had given him yet another piece of wisdom. The girl laughed a bit. "Seems like I'm always doing that with you." She smiled. Maybe it was because the boy felt like a younger brother to her. She wanted to pass on everything that she knew, as long as he would take it, to the boy. Soon enough, perhaps, they would be working together. she had found that their could be some really stubborn creatures out there, it was much better to take the path of least resistance. For Aofe, that was to find out how to get her way, while helping them think that her way was exactly what they wanted. It wasn't always the easiest, but being a druid helped. She realized that this method wouldn't work as well for those on the mainland. But she wasn't' on the mainland, and she knew that Aidan planned to return to the island once his learning there was done. If any mainlander wanted to learn their ways, they would have to come onto the island to learn. She would be happy to assist in that, but they would have to be patient and have quite an open mind.

Ostra was a druid celebration. While many of their festivals brought more tourists to them, Aofe was sure she would be able to leave the island's well being to the other rangers for a few days while she visited Aidan, even bringing him some things from home. Their were plenty of celebrations on this island, especially with the end of their time of reflection. She could stand to miss one. And it was important to help Aidan and show him her support. She set down the Niffler, and let it run around. Soon it would be off to it's nest.

After setting the creature down, Aofe watched it run around for a time, Aidan spoke up again. He mentioned the abundant cactus plant mimbulus mimbletonia. They knew that as soon as it bloomed, spring was surely here. "That I can do. I can bring you some if you want." She offered. She would be coming up to see him during the spring equinox, so the flowers would be aplenty. It was fun to see Aidan talk about his work at the reserve in Hogsmeade. She could hear and see the passion for magical creatures that he had. It was the same spark she had. He talked about baby hippogriffs, and the girl cooed. Baby animals were just the cutest. "Really? That's amazing." She beamed as he continued. It sounded like the reserve was doing a lot of good things lately. "We'll you'll have to show me everything, when I come out." She was proud of the young man. He clearly had the passion to do great things. Once the kid started going, he could really go. She loved that about him.

In time, he realized, and sheepishly smiled. The girl laughed. "Been doing great. I've been away a lot, so I understand how good it is to be home for a time." The girl sighed. Their were still so many creatures missing. She wondered if they would ever be able to find them all again? "I feel like I'm always flying form one place to another. I'm confident that Lir is glad of the break." She didn't like flying on a broom. while it was still magic, their felt like a strange disconnect to her. But riding on the back of her Winged Granian horse, was just right. The breed of horse were well known for their speed, so getting places wasn't usually a problem. But any kind of travel could be exhausting.

Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn

[Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn]

Aidan was learning all sorts of new emotions on the mainland, ones that maybe had always been locked inside him that were only just starting to develop into something new. Some were good – he’d never really noticed girls before, not when there were so many amazing magical creatures to obsess over, but he was infatuated now and Brígh was always on his mind these days in one way or another. It was unknown territory, but much like the first time Aidan had ridden a thestral or hung off branches of trees with the jabberknolls…it was exhilarating, like he was both a thousand feet off the ground but also with his feet firmly planted like roots in the soil. Like there was an amazing thrill of discovery, but one that felt deeply familiar like he’d always been waiting for it.

But some weren’t so good, and Aidan had to grapple with them. One new emotion was jealousy. Aidan couldn’t really remember a time in his life when he’d been filled with a burning jealousy – yes, sometimes he would fight over apple tarts with his younger sister, or he’d beg his ma for a new pair of dragonhide gloves once all his friends started to show theirs off. But none of that compared to the jealousy Aidan had begun to feel when he spoke with druids that stayed on the island full-time, if they had ever left at all. He missed his home so much, and all the wonders of Hy-Brasil that were missing on the mainland. And every time he spoke with Aofe or another druid, he was reminded of everything he didn’t have in his life since his parents had forced him to leave and ‘grow up a little.’ And as Aofe offered to bring him a bloom of the mimbulus when it was finally the right season, he was so grateful but the smile still took a moment to light on his face. And there was some strain there that hadn’t existed three years ago. “Thanks!” he chirped, although at a much lower level of enthusiasm than his usual.

Thinking about the baby hipogriffs and the shy dragon helped, because at least they were creatures Aidan could take care of – even if he felt somewhat helpless at solving his own problem. He never had to try hard to simply relate with the creatures that were under his care, because there were some experiences that transcended the individual level and were shared by all. Watching a mama hippogriff groom her young, or gently encouraging the dragon to find his inner fire…Boudicca’s spear, that was why he had been placed here on this earth. That was his life’s calling, and there was nothing that gave him the same inner peace as simply lying in the fields at night, closing his eyes and listening to the cooing of the Golden Snidgets and the murtlaps building their burrows. Aofe would appreciate it, too – all druids had some connection to the natural world, but it was stronger in some and his friend had an appreciation for magical creatures that was unmatched. He was eager to show her the source of his pride.

He still liked hearing about her adventures, even if he wasn’t so thrilled about his own sometimes. “Where do you go?” Aidan asked curiously, his imagination alight with all the wonderful magical creatures she must have seen. Hy-Brasil had plenty, but they didn’t have the right climate for some. And, Aidan remembered a beat later, Aofe must be one of the central figures in charge of finding the missing creatures. Aidan had assisted on a few rescue missions, but nowhere near her level. “Tell me more,” he begged, wanting to hear some stories with a happy ending for once. Magical creatures safe and happy back on the island, and the wonderful places Aofe must have gotten to see while on her important mission. Aidan liked stories a lot, he just didn’t like living them.

@aofe

[Deleted]

Offering to bring a simple blooming plant during her visit wasn't a hard thing to promise. And if it helped Aidan feel closer to home while he was so far away, she would do anything. Though it took a while for the light to come when she promised. It seemed as though something was bothering him. Either it was what he had talked about before, the struggle of being so far from the home he had always known, or something else. If it was something else, he would tell her when he was ready.

The two shared more than just the connection that the druids felt to nature, but a true passion for the world around them.

Talking about her travels Aidan asked where she went. She thought about it. "All over really. Mostly just searching, unless I get word that someone has sighted one of ours. I just returned a large griffin that had made it's way all the way to Whales. It was near the Snowdonia Dragon Reserve, and a magizoologists had run into him and sent word." It was always fun to recall her stories and tell them. But there were times where she felt pulled in many different directions as the Head Ranger. But she wasn't one focus on that. Aofe just buckled down and got to work. What else did she have anyway?

She was happy when he wanted to hear more about her work. Her efforts were vast, and often felt overlooked, especially with the current state of things on the main land. "Finding them is possibly the hardest part, but you always have to be careful about bringing them back. Many mainland wizards want to trap them and force them back." She gave a heavy sigh, shaking her head a bit. "I, as you know, prefer to coax them. That means that we usually have to fly at their pace. It can take a bit longer, but once they realize where they are going and see the island, it all feels worth it." Many of the creatures that had left through the fright of the barrier going down were lost, and were happy to return home.

Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn

[Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn]

It was nice not to have to explain himself to Aofe. His ma had always been the prying type – she liked to know everything that was happening in the family – and it was hard to keep secrets in the family home anyway. There were so many gingers packed into one tree that privacy was unusual, and everybody seemed to know everybody else’s business. Aidan was lucky in that he didn’t have much business to speak of besides all his fun stories from the reserve and all the cool people he worked with, but…he did have a secret now. And it was weighing on him not to tell his family about Brígh because he told them everything, and also because he didn’t like the idea of keeping her secret like he was ashamed of it. He wanted everyone to know how happy he was. But…she wasn’t a druid, so maybe he didn’t want everyone to know. Because everyone would definitely not approve.

So with that mess of a problem in his head, it was nice not to have to answer hard questions from Aofe or even worry about what she would think. She got it, not only because she was just a very understanding person (although she definitely was), but because she usually felt the same way about things. Magical creatures, and Hy-Brasil, and their little community on the island. He listened eagerly as she explained that she’d just been near a dragon reserve, and he ‘oooooh’d as she described the griffin that had found its way there. “Fae will be happy,” he said with a nod – it was no secret how much the High Druid had been worried about the magical creatures, but everybody knew she had a soft spot for her family’s griffin farm. Then the worry hit, and the magical veterinarian he wanted to be someday. “But how did he look? Healthy, groomed? Did something hurt him?”

Aidan had been trying to help out with the escaped creatures, so he’d signed onto a recovery team that went out to actually bring the creatures home. But if there was anyone who would know what she was talking about, it was the Head Ranger for the druids. So he listened intently as Aofe explained, because ultimately that was how druids learned. Classes were boring, and Aidan had never been able to sit and simply read his textbooks. It was so much more interesting to watch other druids in their areas of expertise, and even to be able to help. So many of Aidan’s little tricks and knowledge had come from Aofe and her lessons. “Remind them that home is waiting,” Aidan added eagerly as Aofe explained her tactic for bringing back the creatures. That was the druid way, after all, and Aidan made a face as she suggested that mainland wizards only resorted to trapping and forcing them in a certain direction. Truly, it was a wonder that any of them knew what they were doing.

@aofe