The three of them had made it successfully past the guards with Daisuke's smooth talking and Aira batting her eyes. Elora was sweaty and stiff from being packed into the bag storage for an hour, her neck and back ached massively as she stepped into the subtropical air. A waft of damp foliage blessed her nose as she gawped at her surroundings. Lush forest spread as far as the eye could see, packed with enormous trees. The buildings were built with blue glass and stone, spreading far up into the tree tops only connected by a complex set of stairs and white-steel bridges. Fey and humans alike flooded across these bridges, nothing stopping them from falling.

"Quite the spectacle for an outsider." Daisuke watched as she took in the beautiful, treetop city. Much of it was embellished with blue crystals that glowed brightly under the evening sun, lighting the shade from the trees, Elora wondered to herself as to what magic made them glow so brightly. She noticed that the buildings were incorporated cleverly, built almost into the trees that grew through the centre of each one. Music played softly and the warm wind blew her wet hair as they walked down the cobblestone path, she sighed and smiled to herself, though she wasn't looking for peace, but for answers.

"Good evening Master Dirgefang, Aira, is this girl with you two?"
A fey girl stood firmly at the gate, her gloved hands held a spear almost to her shoulder. She may not have been the tallest but her uniform gave her an air of superiority, she wore laced boots over her calves and black stockings to her thighs. Her top half consisted of a black, green and white puff sleeved top with a hooded cape to match. Her hood was barely covering her white plait and red hairband that rightfully complimented her eyes of the same colour. Visibly she was younger than her three visitors.

"Yes, Soleh this is Elora."

She put her hand out to shake, only the fey girl rejected and stamped her foot, saluting her.
"Pleasure to meet you! Soleh Havenspirit commander of the Springvale defence unit 5th division." Her voice was soft, but she masked it with volume and solidity.

"Right, hello."

"You are permitted to enter Springvale under the military code."

Elora was a bit lost in the formality, and bowed the the fey girl, beginning to walk up the stairs.
"Eager much?" Daisuke bounded up after her, his brow furrowed. "What's so exciting?"

A sense of exhilaration filled her soul as she looked down from the canopy layer of the city. The people below would fit perfectly into her hand at that size, the world really was her oyster. "Don't lean so far you might fall." Daisuke swiftly pulled her away from the swirly railings as she muttered to herself.
"You sound like my father."

"What?"

"Oh nothing."

Seeing as it was her first day, she decided to familiarise herself with the townsfolk and their traditions, figuring that was the best way to understand the recent changes due to the murders. She'd made her way into another dress Daisuke didn't approve of and meticulously fixed her hair, before heading over to the market. The canopy layer of the city was not only miles in the air but home to a bustling market. Children chased each other out of the watchful gaze of their parents who roamed the market eagerly searching for a bargain.

Elora walked through the crowds looking at the stalls curiously. One that particularly caught her attention, was filled with little crystals carved into a range of intricate shapes. The detail sparked an admiration as she walked over avoiding eye contact with the stall owner, though he must've noticed her eager eyes anyway because he pestered her relentlessly.
"Hello young lady! Would you like to buy anything?"
She sighed in defeat.

"May I have that one?" She pointed to an angel, carved from rose quartz, the feathered wings were perfectly proportioned and the figure's pretty face smiled, content at its purchase.

"Oh yes of course! She's a pretty little thing isn't she, my son's girlfriend used to like rose quartz! He was going to propose to her with a rose quartz ring."

"Did he not get to?"

"No, he died."

Elora sympathised with the old man and patted his shaking hand. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked."

"No, it's alright, better to spread the word, maybe someone will find the disgusting thing that did it."

"He was killed?"

"Yes, haven't you heard of the night stalker?"

Immediately understanding, she forgot all about her purchase, her eyes widened, "Is that the murderer that keeps beheading its victims?"

"Yes that one."

"Why is it called the night stalker may I ask?"

"Because it follows its victims through the night, before murdering them at dusk." He almost whispered it, his gritty voice as low as the murderer.

"How did you find that out?"

"One of the locals, claimed he saw it."

"Who may I ask? Do you know his name?"

"Isaac." He said almost immediately, "Isaac Pethier, he's a teenager that works in the library. He's usually got his head in his books, poor kid is so paranoid he won't leave his room, his family live in number 345 on the understory layer. Little house, hexagon shaped."

Elora decided not to point out that all the buildings were shaped like hexagons.
"Alright thank you sir! I'll try to help him, and thank you for the angel."

"Anytime! Come back next week!"

She walked down the stairs to the understory, realising how far the walk was going to be, she set off quickly in hopes she wouldn't run into Daisuke who would be opposed to her investigation.

She had been walking through the endless houses for a while before she grew weary and decided to take a break, a nearby cafe waited close by. She sighed and held her dress as she walked up the wooden steps. A waft of tea enthralled her as the doors opened, telekinesis, she thought to herself eyeing the girl at the cafe counter.

It was a charming size, decorated with white roses and birch tables, the glass that spread all the way over the walls provided natural entertainment for anyone sitting inside. Elora walked hastily to the counter, conscious of the beady eyes all around. "You need anything?" The girl sat with her chin in her palm, she used her other hand to tap a beat on the counter.

"May I have a-" She looked up at the chalk menu.
"A diabrosia infused tea?"

"Sure, whatever." The girl signalled to the plants in the kitchen, a fly trap snapped at its flowery companion. Two vines grew from it's sides as it began to brew her tea.

"Whatcha lookin' at?" The plant turned on her and screeched.

"N-nothing, sorry ma'am."

"Do I look like a ma'am to you?"

"S-sir, I'm so sorry." She rushed off, her head hung low and sat down at the nearest table. I just mis-gendered a plant, she cursed herself, laughing ineptly. Though the plant folk were rumoured to be common among both the humans and the fey in Springvale, she'd yet to see one for herself.

"Here's the tea, hope it's not poisoned." The lady from the counter placed the tea down and walked away, leaving Elora dubious and quite pale.

She took a small, cautious sip of her tea, catching a snippet of a conversation on the table behind.
"What do you mean? I really don't have all day."

"I-I can't talk about it. It might be watching, you might be it!"

"Are you insane?"

"You might be what I saw!"

Elora spat her tea out and leapt up, there was no way she was going to miss this perfect opportunity.