[Azaelia of Willowbottom]

"Don't worry yourself over an Outsider," Thistle advised. "More trouble than they're worth, usually; don't recognize decent folk when they see them. Don't understand us Shirefolk. And those who them folk do understand tend to be a bit queer in the head. At any rate, I'm sure 'twas nothing you did, lass."

Peony smiled at that. "I'm glad you think so! I just couldn't think of anything that I'd done to upset him so." Now that someone was talking with her, she didn't feel at all sad and out-of-place. She tried to convince herself that the Outsider was the last thing on her mind, and succeeded in pushing her worry about him to the very back of her mind.

She looked at the half-finished order of mushrooms, then nudged the plate towards Thistle. "There's plenty left if you want some," Peony offered. "Though I'm afraid they've gone rather cold..."