From The Streets - Chapter 23

“Do no harm,” Krystal’s ‘villain’ character stated.

Sophie as Trinity shook her head.  “Does not compute,” she said in a very human, icy tone, and picked up a rocket propelled grenade launcher prop, squeezing the trigger.

“Cut!” Krissy called.  “Perfect.  Okay, let’s get Krystal in the harness for the rocket reaction stunt and we’ll call it a day.”

“That gave me the chills.” Anna said. “I can’t believe Amazon doubled our budget.”

“I know right?” Sophie said as she sat down, and an intern handed her a bottled water. “Now we can really pump up the explosions. Thanks Hailey.” she waved to the intern, Sophie and Destiny had taken the time to memorize the interns and their names.

“That’s such a great line,” Krissy said.  “If I do say so myself.  I can’t wait to dig into Episode 2.  The big reveal is going to blow everyone’s minds.”

“We’ve got a 3 week break coming right?” Sophie asked to double check.

“Yup.” Krissy nodded. “You and Destiny have that photoshoot right?”

“Yeah,” Destiny spoke up.  “And then it’s off to Boston to round up my family for the big clansmeet in Ireland.”

“Good luck on that one.” Krissy laughed, “Yeah, so Saturday we wrap, and then you guys get 3 weeks off while part 1 goes to editing, and then we meet back here in Seattle to start back up again.”

“Great,” Alyssa said, “Because my drama teacher is losing hair over me being gone.”

“Well Part 2, you won’t be here for most of it.” Krissy said, “Some at the start and a few scenes at the end, so you’ll have more free time in part 2.”

Alyssa giggled.  “Well, the play is in two weeks.  After that it won’t matter anyway.  I’m just amazed you talked my mom into letting me do this.”

“Oh hey Alyssa.” Angela said. “You got fans already.” she pointed to some older teenage girls. “They were talking about you earlier.”

“Wha?’ Alyssa said, confused.  “What were they saying?”

“Nothing bad.” Angela giggled.  “I was signing autographs between takes and they asked me if you were on Twitter or Instagram.”

“Oh God,” Alyssa groaned.  “My Instagram is full of selfies from the drama department right now, plus two or three around here.”

“Ready,” Kat called out.  Everyone got quiet.

“Rolling,” the guy behind the camera said.

“Action!” Krissy called.  One of the cameras got a close up shot of Krystal looking surprised, and then panned out in time for the second camera to capture the harness pulling her backwards and through the fake plate glass window, “shattering” it and pulling her out of view of the camera.

“Cut!” Krissy called.  “That’s a wrap!” Several rounds of applause erupted around the area.

Anna approached the group of teen girls, “Would you girls like to play dead bodies?” she laughed, “We’re going to need some aftermath, and we’ll get you in the scene before the explosion as well.”

Krystal, now out of her harness, came over to Sophie and the others.  “Sophie, got a minute?” she asked.

“Sure Krystal, what’s up?” Sophie asked.

“I just never got a chance to... you know, thank you.  Dawn told me later it was you that set all that up to scare me...”  She trailed off, sighing.  “It sure as hell worked.  I mean don’t get me wrong, I still crave the shit like crazy, but my new therapist is helping me deal.”  She paused and looked over at Krissy.  “It helps having a zero tolerance director.  That’s how I got started, you know?  Backstage party.”

“Yeah, you don’t need that.” Sophie said, “Glad my scare tactic worked.”

“What really got me was that girl who used to be an actress like us,” Krystal shivered.  “Her story was just like mine...  You know, hashtag me too.  That’s how I got hooked.  I’m going to the media soon.  Wanted to warn you first in case you get more backlash by proxy.”  She chuckled a little.  “Ireland’s Princess helps junkie clean up her act, but is it a ploy?” she said in a bad fake headline news voice.

“Oh we’ve been through worse,” Sophie laughed and hugged Krystal again.  “Don’t worry.  Just focus on doing what you need to do  I’m happy to get Dawn on a flight if I need to.”

“No,” Krystal said, “No that won’t be necessary.  But I know a couple of actors who are going to need bodyguards once this gets out.  My dad’s going to want to kill them.”

“Can’t help them there,” Destiny spoke up.  “If what I heard from the girls at school is true then they fucking well deserve a shotgun in the face.”  She hugged Krystal next, adding, “C’mon, let’s take your mind off it.  This is Seattle, home of Starbucks.  Let’s get into our streeties and hit the coffee shop.”

~oOo~

“Welcome to our home in Ireland..” Sophie giggled, she and Destiny had went to check out the house that the sidhe were building them. Destiny’s mom and brothers were with them as the other relatives were getting the park setup for camping.  Getting 40 of Destiny’s family to the right flight and on time went precisely as predicted: like herding feral cats.  Somehow, they managed it though, with only one TSA scare.

Destiny’s Uncle Mike had once been on a DNF list but had been removed, and it showed up.  But the TSA people were nice enough about it after about 30 minutes.  It didn’t help that like Sophie, he played tin whistle, however unlike Sophie, he owned several expensive ones and kept them in a case that looked suspiciously like a gun carrying case.

Mike also spoke with an Irish accent, like a few of the other family, but his was distinctly Irish not American Boston Irish.

“Oy,” Dean said, looking around.  “Where’s the solid gold banisters and marble floors?” he teased.

“You mockin the Princess?” A Scary lookin woman with Fairy wings on her back asked, she had long blonde dreadlocks as well.

Dean grinned.  “Na, I’m mockin’ my future sister in law.”

“Oh!” The woman laughed, “Serry, I didna think you were in yet.”

Dean laughed as he walked over to the woman and stuck out his hand, much to Sophie’s surprise, and gave her a warrior’s handshake.  “Dean McGrievy ma’am.”

“Shia Andrews.” The woman said, “Resident Builder Fair.  I count about 39 of your kin workin’ the campsite, an’ I know another 60 are coming from around Eire too,” she laughed.  “Gonna be one hell of a clansmeet.  I ere we got a new girl that’ll be joinin ya too, she’s a McGrievy. Bit lost in the brain she is, but a good girl non the less.”

“You know,” April said as she came in carrying two sacks of groceries in her arms, “Not to perpetuate stereotypes, but you wouldn’t believe how hard it was to find a store with enough potatoes to feed a hundred people.”

“Oh we bought out the market.” Shia laughed. “In a few days time we’ll be having our own clansmeet, about 9,000 or so strong too this year from wha I hear.”

“Jeezus Christ,” April laughed.

“Aye, it’s the first since the clan Settled.” Shia nodded. “I hope you enjoy yer roof, we jus finished it yester.  Enough guest rooms to house yer whole family plus more space to spare.”

“Oh god no.” Destiny laughed, “We’ll let them use the campground.”

“Probably a good idea,” Dean laughed.  “I heard Thom talking about making a big pot of franks n’ beans.”

“So Shia, what's up?” Sophie asked.

“Oh jus hookin ya into the solar grid.” Shia said and waved her screwdriver.  “Yer already on fiber, and we’ve got cat6 ports throughout plus a wifi extender in the kitchen and living room if you fancy wireless instead.”

“Shia not only does builds, she used to own a computer repair shop before she became a Feral sidhe.” Sophie said.

“Folks were City sidhe, when I turned 29, I found out, and came to live with the fam.” Shia said, “An ere we go, turn the lights on, will ya?”  Dean reached over and flipped the light switch by the doorway he was leaning in, and the overhead light came on.

“Cool.” Dean said.

“There ya be, I’ll be out of yer folks hair now, jus be careful goin aroun,  tonight's the wings festival.”

“The wha?” <Dean’s brother> asked as he came in now, carrying four big 20 pound sacks of potatoes in both arms.

“Festival of the Wings.” Sophie said. “It’s where the Fair folk wear wings and play in the woods, till 4am.”

“Riiiight,” he said, deciding it better to say nothing at all than to insult the scary looking woman with the power tools, and instead continued into the kitchen with the groceries.

“Nice ta meet ya all, Goin for more art Dest?” Shia asked before she left.

“I think i’ll pass for now.” Destiny said.

“Thank the Lord,” Maev half-groaned, half-giggled.

“I might.” Sophie said. “Whos painting today?”

“That’d be Guin,” Shia said.  “She’s come a long way you know. You want spray or needle thou actually I should’ve asked.”

“Oh, needle,” Sophie grinned.  “The movie people love my ink, so I don’t feel bad adding a little more.”

“Ah, yeah that’s Guin then.” Shia nodded, and waved again.

“So she’s related to you?” <Dean’s brother> asked Sophie.

“An ta yer Sister.” Sophie nodded.

“Yikes,” he said.

Destiny laughed, “She’s not blood related, she’s from a clan Sophie and I belong to, actually the clan this land belongs to really.”

“The sidhe faer,” Thom nodded.  “Aunt Rose bent my ear off about em on the flight.  Interesting bunch.  I still prefer to live in the reality where o'wisps don’t plot to murder me in my sleep, but I understand the appeal,” he laughed.  It was probably the nicest and most intelligent thing either Destiny or Angela had ever heard him say.

“Will o’wisps don’t eat you.” Sophie giggled. “An Banshee aren't evil nor are any of the other sidhe kin.” she looked at Meav, “Can I take the boys fer a walk?”

Maev laughed.  “This is your land dear.  Don’t need my permission.”

Sophie giggled as Dean and <Fucktard> followed Sophie, she took them out along a path into the woods, and whistled, only two people were allowed to bring outsiders into the camp area of the sidhe, The Princess and Anj. “Anyone know where Pie is?” she asked several of the faces that peeked around trees.

“Oh! Aye, she’s down at the laundro in our new town.” A girl said, “Canna miss it.  Says Laundro on the sign.”

Dean looked at <Fucktard>.  “Ready to change your name to Sam yet?”

“Gettin’ there,” <Fucktard> said.

“Samantha eh?” Sophie said as she led them to the little town that was slowly springing up.

“The Winchester brothers,” Dean laughed out loud.  “From Supernatural.”

“Oh Supernatural.” Sophie nodded, “Whas that?”

“Oh you’d love it,” <Fucktard> laughed.  “It’s about two brothers who fight crazy supernatural demons and put down unruly ghosts and monsters and stuff.  I think it’s on Netflix.”  He chose, apparently, to completely ignore the Samantha comment.

“Pie?” Sophie called as they entered a small communal laundry building.

“Are round?” a reddish blonde haired woman poked her head around a pair of stacked clothes dryers.

Sophie giggled.  “Aye and some are very tasty too, great treat fer the Fair folk eh?” she quickly walked up to the girl and hugged her.

“Ya dern right,” Pie laughed and threw an arm around Sophie.  “Welcome home lass.”

“Thanks ye.” Sophie said, “I got two boys ere who need a good education on the Wisps o Willow.  Their aunt’s been fillin’ their head with nonsense. They think our Wisps eat humans.”

“Hey I never said anything about eating people,” <Fucktard> laughed.

“Oh Some education of the old.” Pie nodded, “You see Sophie ere, she’s the Princess as ya know right?  sidhe Elfin are the rulers of all sidhe, even the Whisps.”  Sophie pulled her hair back to let them see her slightly pointed ears.

“Whispers, the Will O’Wisps as you call em... light the path that a person must take in their life, or they guide you from bein lost.”  Pie continued.  “‘Ere, have a look,” she said as she took out her smartphone.  “I shot this just a couple nights ago,” she said, and showed the three of them some footage of an eerie, glowing light in the woods, off in the distance.

“See how dead silent it is?” Sophie said.  “I know those woods.  If that was a torch you’d hear all manner of branches and bush crunching.”

“Aye, Wisps are also na Fair, but they are related like the Pixie are.” Pie said. “Some of us sidhe are Fair, and tonight is the night of the wings. You boys coming to see it?”

“Aunt Rose told us gents outside the clan aren’t allowed,” Dean shrugged.

“And yet you walked past the vail.” A girl Dean and <Sam’s> age spoke up, she was wearing pink Fairy wings.

“Well sure,” <Sam :P> said, “With Sophie.”

“Aye.” The girl said at <Sam>, “The Princess has shown you how to cross the vail now you jus got to see our Clan Leader.”

“Left at the convenience store, and then a right on Main?” Dean said jokingly.

The girl laughed, “You an my brother would get along.”

“Brother?” Dean looked at Sophie, “I didn’t think there were men here?”

“They’re born into the clan aye,” Sophie nodded. “Or Married in.”

“Ahh,” Dean nodded.

“You look tense,” the girl said, eyeing <Sam>.  “Y’alright?”

“Oh, grand.  Just trying not to think about the bloody ghost lights now,” he laughed nervously.

“Oh! Pie showed you the wisps?” The girl asked.  “Do you know.. “ she began not knowing <Sam> was a boy, “That Wisps are attracted to us girls?”

<Sam> gave her a funny look for just a second, before presuming she meant ‘us’ as in Sophie and herself.  She continued, “Princess, can I take this one ere and show er around?”

“Sure,” Sophie giggled.  Dean waited until the girl had practically dragged his brother away to let out a quiet laugh.

“Dawn sent me in ere.” A boy with long hair and was build to play rugby spoke up. “Said that the girl had a brother my age?”

Dean burst out laughing now.  “Oh, poor <Sam>.  He’s in for a long night,” he said, but he said it in an odd tone.  For once, he wasn’t poking fun.

“Oh no, should we stop Dawn and tell er, that it’s your brother?” The boy laughed.

“Nah,” Dean said.  “He’s got some repressed issues I think she’ll help him deal with.  Name’s Dean by the way,” he said as they shook hands and bro hugged.

“You wanna go play some Rugby?” The boy asked, “It’s Boys vrs. Girls.” he shook Dean’s hand and returned the hug, “James.”  Dean looked at Sophie who just nodded.

“Those are yer wife’s brothers eh?” Pie asked.

“Aye,” Sophie giggled.  “I think <Sam> is more sister than he realizes yet, but Dawn will help with that.”

“He’ll figure it out, the sidhe magic around ere is strong.” Pie laughed. “Even stronger now that yer home.”

“Aye, for a bit anyway,” Sophie nodded.  “I’ve got school tomorrow, but at least it’s streamed, and that’s only ‘till 2.  Afterwards, I’m hoping to spend some time with you all before I go and mingle with the McGreevys.”

“Anj had something she wanted to discuss with you by the way,” Pie said as Sophie helped her unload the clean laundry from the dryer.  “It’s not urgent according to her, just something she’s had on her mind fer awhile.”

“Oh well then it is urgent.” Sophie laughed.  “The guys will be a few hours, and Dest and Ange are recovering from the flight so I’ll go ahead and go find her.” She wondered off, not everything was done being built, they had most of all the main structures built however, using old style techniques and stone.

The ‘tourist’ village was well underway in a similar, but much older style to give it that authentic charm tourists love so much.  But there was a clear barrier, both of space, and an actual barrier, where the tourist village ended and the private town began.

Sophie found Anj standing outside a partially-finished tavern judging by the sign over the door, sipping a cup of coffee and reading something on an iPad as Sophie approached her. “Heard you had something you wanted to talk to me about?” Sophie said.

“Oh hey Sophie,” Anj said, putting the tablet into a big leather pouch at her side and then hugging her.  “Aye, but it’s nothing urgent.  I could use your advice though.”

“Anything you want Anj is always important.” Sophie hugged her.

“No, it’s really not,” Anj laughed.  “Or... maybe I’m just afraid to bring it to the elders for discussion.”

“What’s that?” Sophie asked.

Anj waited a moment for <Sam> and Dawn to pass on the opposite side of the street, disappearing into the new café, before sighing.  “I’m thinking of abolishing the rule about single men.”

“It was meant to protect the clan when were were roving wasn't it?” Sophie asked.

“Exactly,” Anj nodded.  “I’m considering letting tourists visit us in our town, but that’s more of a side thing.  We’ve been so secretive for so long, I’m wondering if it’s time to let the world see us for who we are.”

“I think maybe not so much there, but during our festivals maybe?” Sophie said. “You’d be hard pressed to find support of allowing outsiders in full time.”

“Aye,” Anj said.  “Including from myself.”  She winked.  “But abolishing the rule of joining the clan by marriage only, taken with the allowing of outsiders during festivals, could be good for us.”

“Ill voice my support.” Sophie nodded, “I know they listen to you.”

“Yes, but with your support they’ll listen even more.” Anj nodded.  “I don’t want e’ryone to just automatically say yes mind you.  I just want to promote discussion.”

“You’ll get a lot of that.” Sophie laughed, “86 years without outsiders..”

“Until you showed up,” Anj teased her and giggled.  “Things were never the same when Sophia DeShane returned. I mean that in a good way too.”

“All because I was avoiding going home to a drunken bastard,” Sophie giggled.  “Speaking of which how’s yer sis?”

“Oh she’s taken to village life like a fish to water,” Anj laughed.

“Good.” Sophie said as she watched Dawn drag <Sam> into the seamstress’ store.  “Oh lord,” she giggled.

“Looks like Dawn found a girlfriend,” Anj laughed.

“That’s actually <Sam>, Destiny’s brother.” Sophie laughed, “Well maybe more sister really.”

“That’s going to complicate things at home huh?” Anj half teased.

“Maybe not.” Sophie said. “Meav handled Destiny well.”

“Hopefully Destiny will take it well, too,” Anj said, grinning.  “I mean I don’t see why she wouldn’t, but it’s hard to tell granite from marble in the dark.”

“I get yer meaning,” Sophie laughed.  “But I’ve seen the worst of Destiny, and Angela for that matter.  Ashleigh Brown is well and truly buried in the past.  Dest has a heart of pure gold.”

Anj grinned as she put her arm around Sophie.  “I’m so happy to hear that.”

~oOo~

“You’re serious,” Destiny said, staring at Sophie.

“As a heart attack, aye,” Sophie nodded.  “You have a sister.”

“Unbelievable,” Destiny said.  “All this time he’s been giving me shit about being girly, and it turns out he’s just like me,” she sighed.

“Aye, want to meet your sister?” Sophie said. “She's with the other preteen girls, getting ready for the wings.”

“Is it safe?” Dean poked his head around the corner.  “Did she explode yet?”  Destiny picked up a box of tissues and threw it at him.  He ducked.  “Don’t be too upset at Sam.”

“Sam?” Destiny blinked.

“Samantha,” Dean laughed.  “She was just jealous of you y’know.”

“Why?” Destiny sighed.  “I had it hard dealin’ with Dad’s bullshit.  I paved the way for her to have it easy if she just came out instead of bein’ a bitch about it.”

Dean shrugged.  “I think maybe she was more afraid of me.  I know I ain’t made it easy for you either.”

“Ah bull,” Destiny said.  “I know you didn’t mean it.  We’ve been fighting since we were little.”

“Maybe, but she didn’t know that,” Dean shrugged.  “Anyway, we talked an’ crap.  Just go easy on her.  She’s scared shitless right now.”

Destiny sighed.  “Okay, I’ll go easy on her. Samantha Jean McGrievy!” she grinned as she walked into a rather large tent with girls around Sam’s age in all various forms of dress.  She pointed a finger at Sam.  “If you think for one second I’m going to go easy on you,” she giggled, “You’re right.  I am. That dress looks cute where’d you get it?”

Samantha blushed.  “Dawn picked it out.”

“Tada..” Dawn came out of the back with purple fairy wings, “Oooh oops.”

Destiny looked from Samantha to Dawn.  “Her?” she asked.  Sam nodded, and Destiny walked over to her.  “So you’re the one that cast a spell on my little sister, hmm?” she asked, and grinned, giving Dawn a tight hug.

“A lil Fair dust was all she needed.” Dawn giggled and hugged back all the other girls giggled and went back to doing their thing, they were ready to protect Samantha, but since they just found out Destiny was her sister, they relaxed a lot.  “Don’t you worry none either.  When she goes back home to America, our city sidhe in Boston will keep an eye on her.”  She winked.

“Aye.” Sophie said. “I’ll put a protection on her.” she pulled out a fairy necklace and put it on Samantha, who laughed nervously.

“I’m honestly more worried what Vanessa’s going to say,” she said.

“Van can suck a dirty egg.” Destiny giggled.  “If she doesn’t accept you for you then she’s not worth having as a friend.”

Samantha stared at Destiny for a moment.  “How... do you even know about Vanessa?” she asked cautiously.  “I only just met her a couple weeks ago.”

Sophie giggled.  “Faer magic.”  She winked.  “We know almost all your secrets.”

“Kinda trying to figure out how you kept this one from us,” Destiny giggled.  “You really should’ve told me.  I know how it feels to suffer in silence.”

“I had my suspicions.” Sophie said. “But I got confirmation when I called you Samantha earlier.”

“You know what this means though,” Destiny grinned, recalling their conversation with her mother a few weeks ago.  “You may well be heading for St. Margaret’s now,” she giggled.

“Don’t kid a kidder,” Samantha laughed.

“Seriously,” Destiny said.  “It’s in my contract that you and Dean, and half of April’s because she refused to let me pay for more, education is covered by WP Entertainment.  If you want to enroll at St. Margaret’s and get a visa to stay in Ireland I’ll make it happen.”

“Wait you neogated for things for me and Dean?” Samantha looked at Destiny.

“Yeah I did,” Destiny nodded.  “Everything I’ve done has been to make everyone’s lives better.  Angela too.  When they asked me to renegotiate, I made damn sure you were taken care of.”

“Wow,” Sam said, giving her sister a hug.  “I don’t know what to say...  Thank you.”

~oOo~

The wings festival went really well, Samantha enjoyed herself, and Dean even surprisingly had fun hanging with the boys, who even got into it but not like the girls.  The McGrievy clansmeet went over well, too, with lots of music, drinking (among the adults), dancing, games and the like, which made the Wings Festival even better, because the kids were able to spook the adult McGrievys a bit.

And just like she promised, Destiny got her sister Samantha into St. Margaret’s.  Actually, with her test scores and transcripts, and Destiny’s name attached, they were quite eager to welcome her.  Susan and Victoria took her under their wing and taught her about things like makeup and fashion as well.

Anj stood up, it was the second day of the sidhe Clansmeet, the McGrievys had all gone home save Destiny and Angela, as they were sidhe now, “I know yer all here to meet family ya havent seen in years, and the new family ya never meet, and yer also ere to fuck and drink and eat.” she winked there was a lot of laughter to that. “But we’re callin a clan vote.”   she waved for Sophie to join her.

One big man, easily over 6’5” with broad shoulders, a big belly, and long, red hair lifted his tankard.  “Aye!” he said.  “Don’t care what it is.  Aye anyway!”  Another round of laughter followed.

“Jon, you atta wait till ya hear the Queen out.” A woman laughed. “She’s got the sidhe Elfin Princess wit er.”

“I want ta stress,” Anj said, “I am not making this decision out of the blue.  I’ve given it weeks of thought, discussed it with our elders, and they agreed we should put it ta vote.”

“We don’t vote unless it’s important.” A young man spoke up. “Usually ye and the elders make the choice.  If it’s tha’ important that you want all us to hear ya out, then we absolutely will.”

“Thank you.” Anj said. “I want to take it to vote to allow outsiders during our festivals, and to abolish the male rules.  They were established rules durin’ our roving days meant to protect our ways from the like of ancient foes.  First the Romans, then the Saxons, then the Normans.”

“Archaic now that we’re settled.” Sophie nodded her agreement. “And Southern Ireland is free.”

“A freedom we helped to ensure,” Anj nodded.  “Is why we settled here in what the English call Ulster - that and we owned the land anyway,” she added in a joking tone, to another round of laughter.

“That is a serious thing.” The big man, Jon spoke up again.   “Allowing men to join without marrying, aye that I can see.  Times have changed an’ we don’t have bands of raiders trying to infiltrate anymore.  But our festivals can seem... Well... terrifying to outsiders.”

“Aye.” A woman nodded. “We still use real blood in some.”

Anj nodded.  “That’s why I wanted to open this for debate.  I know the negative connotations our rituals could bring, even if we’ve not sacrificed a human since the days of Caesar.”

“I say, we could for the softer festivals, the Festival of wings, maybe the winter lights.” The young man from earlier spoke.  “And the Spring Feast.”

“Oh god I love spring feast.” A woman laughed.

“The Solistiaces.” Anj nodded. “Except summer, not sure how outsiders will do with nudity.” she laughed.

“What about allowing approved outsiders to some of our more arcane festivals?” another young woman asked.  ‘I have friends from the outside, Pagans, who would be understanding.”

“But how do we screen them?” Another asked. “The Dying of cloaks is a festival that hasn't been seen by outsiders ever.”

“Same as we screen any outsider?” the girl asked.  “I mean we don’t have to advertise, just bring them up before Anj or the Elders for approval before telling them what they’re approved for.”

“They’d have to be sworn to secrecy,” Jon said, putting his tankard down.  “And threaten though we might, we can’t very well cut out their tongues and burn out their eyes for breaking the vow.  Not without incurring the wrath of the outside world,” he laughed.

“Aye but there are other things we can do.” A woman spoke up, “I am a lawyer after all. We can make them sign binding legal agreements that will stand up with the outsiders court.”

“That’s a fair point,” Sophie said.  “Threats of violence aren’t needed when you can threaten to financially destroy them for the rest of their, and their children’s, lives.”

“So let's vote and then we can work on the details after the clansmeet.” Anj said.  “And remember that this affects us all, so whether you think yourself true sidhe or not, your vote matters.  You are all sidhe, city or no.”

~oOo~

The clan put it to a vote, all 9,000 of them though the results weren’t truly known ‘till the end of the Clansmeet.  It was ultimately decided that they would allow some outsiders to their secretive festivals, and open their more general festivals to all as a chance to teach the outside world about the clan’s history.

Ultimately, Sophie was granted an honorary title by the Republic of Ireland, and, to her surprise, an English title of Princess of Ulster by the UK government - honorary of course.

Filming went on as scheduled, with the much larger budget.  Destiny wasn’t terribly surprised to hear that her new sister was interested in acting, but rather than coming back to America to join her in LA, she had taken up with St. Margaret’s drama club instead.

As for Sophie, she added a new Celtic Trinity knot on her shoulder that trip, different from the one on her back both in style and color, opting for a more vibrant mix of green, blue, and reddish pink.  Krissy loved it so much that she had Sophie’s body suit modified to show it off, giving Trinity more “flesh” though gradually, she reasoned, the other Angels would have flesh-like skin in their arms and legs, with only their torsos being metallic.

And as for Casidhe and Ellen, their single ‘The Causeway via Galway’ hit the top 20 UK Charts for a month straight before dropping below the top 100.  But they didn’t care.  They had a taste of success, and now they were well on their way, like their slightly more famous actress cousin.

One thing was certain above all else.  Anyone who knew Sophie for very long, quickly found their lives changed.  And whether you believe in magic or not, it’s not hard to see why the Shite called her Sophia incarnate.

The end or is it?  Probably.  Or IS IT?