Over the next three hours, Haze engaged Lily in a deep conversation about the past twenty years. When the Queen mentioned her mother's passing, the two of them really connected. 

     Haze told her about the hellish pain and agony of her own mother's death on earth. Lily began to feel a little more sympathy for the fairy. 

  The empress just kept refilling the mugs and listening to them get to know each other, a little at a time. She was overjoyed to see them try to get along. It was one small step to Haze's path to redemption. Good to see things working out so well, even if only for now. 

   After another cup of pixie brew the queen hugged the both of them goodbye. The empress walked her out, thanking her again for this meeting. Then she returned quickly to the office, to talk more with Haze. 

    Once she got situated in her favorite chair, the empress winked at the fairy. 

"That went much better than expected." She said.

"Yes, I'd say it did. Thanks for your help." Haze replied.

"Anytime."