Guess they like showing off. [ That, too, is the detail that caught him the first time -- though the discomfort caught him far more compellingly. ]

When I looked into the cafe proper, it was there. It told me to open the cages -- wanted the cats, I guess. I don't know what for. [ He frowns. ] Obviously, I told it to fuck off. It just seemed to think that was funny, but it got it talking for a while.

It called itself the Wyld Fae, 'the Beast.' It said the Animal Fair is a party it's throwing for itself because the other fae don't want it here. That's what all the feathers and junk were for -- it's a challenge.