The Fae stared at Nevin for a long moment, head tilted to the side. Should she really put all of her faith in this man? The last human she ‘trusted’, she ended up having her soul removed from her body and possessed by a psychotic old mortal too afraid to return to the earth. Her hands hesitantly reached for the human, her fingers hovering over his cheeks. She continued to stare warily as she spoke.

“I, on the name of the Summer Court, solemnly vow not to harm the creature known as Ezra and only assault the soul of Ezoreth Vrall to ensure he returns to the earth where he belongs. I agree I also vow one boon to the human Nevin Aimaparapoiitis in exchange for the knowledge of my child’s current whereabouts and if the child is found, will be in his care until I am able to reclaim him or is able to be safely returned to the Summer Court. I once more swear upon the name of the Summer Court and upon the name of Asteria. Consider this contract agreed to and sealed.” She moved close and pressed her lips gently against his, the faint spectral press faint against the human for a brief moment. The Fae - no, Asteria, - pulled back, looking at Nevin with an almost soft look of thanks combined with a steely glare of determination.

“Now, go, Nevin. May Titania bless your path.”

Nevin stared at the ghost for a solid ten seconds, processing the fact that a Fae ghost just kissed him. Wordlessly, he bowed before tightening his grip on the alchemical text, and turned to head up the stairs. He did not say a thing until he had made it to the ladder, and climbed up it - pausing partway up to look back to her with a very strange expression on his face. “Dare I ask why a kiss was needed, Madam Asteria?” He seemed almost hesitant to ask, from what he knew a kiss wasn’t necessary to make a deal - a verbal agreement was enough, from what he knew.

Asteria looked to Nevin from where Nevin had left her, and she placed her arms behind her back. “There could be many reasons, silly human. Perhaps I am indebted to you for assisting me at all. It could be that I am grateful for your agreement to find my child. Or it could be I am just thankful for any sort of communication after who knows how many years and wished to show my appreciation.” She chuckled quietly, running a hand through her hair before returning her stance to a much more relaxed form.

“Or maybe, just maybe, I couldn’t help but mess with your head. Who knows? Maybe I’ll tell you the answer when you return? Leave you in suspense a little.” She gave another chuckle and a small wink before fading from Nevin’s view.