A slightly lavender flush hit her cheeks. Ariadne ducked her head, absently brushing a stray piece of hair behind her ear. The trees were her best friends, so when someone complimented her orchard, it was like they were complimenting her. And she wasn't the sort who generally got many compliments.

Not as herself, anyway.

"Thank you," she said, "although I think Sodder probably deserves more credit than I do. I'm just taking care of the gift she gave me."

She gave Sophia's trunk a final, affectionate pat, before she turned to the stranger, crossing the garden so they could speak. Politely, she dipped into a curtsy, even though she was wearing her leathers, rather than a gown.

"Forgive me for asking," she said, "I know it's not necessarily polite but...are you an Elf?"