Ali woke to the sound of soft chiming, like tiny crystal bells in a gentle breeze. The domed ceiling above showed a sky transitioning from starlit twilight to the eternal sunset that seemed to be the Summer Court's default state. For a moment, she was disoriented, the events of the previous day feeling almost like a dream themselves.
But no - the golden vine bed beneath her was real enough, as was the weight of her mother's silver bracelet on her wrist. Across the room, Sage was also stirring, her honey-colored skin seeming to glow slightly in the changing light.
"Good morning," Sage said, then paused. "Though I suppose 'morning' might not be quite the right concept here."
"Time seems to work differently," Ali agreed, sitting up. The golden vines of her bed shifted slightly to provide better support, tiny luminescent flowers blooming where her hand touched the frame. "I can't tell if we slept for hours or minutes."
A soft chime sounded again, and this time Ali realized it was coming from what appeared to be a delicate wind chime made of crystal and starlight hanging near the door. As they watched, it began to form words in the air - glowing letters that hung suspended like morning dew:
"Tributes are invited to break their fast in the Garden of First Light. Your guide will arrive shortly. Appropriate attire has been provided."
The words dissolved into sparkles that drifted to the floor and disappeared. Both girls turned to look at the starlight wardrobes, which seemed to shimmer invitingly.
"Well," Sage said, standing and stretching, "shall we see what counts as appropriate breakfast attire in the Summer Court?"
The wardrobes had indeed provided new outfits - seemingly simpler than the previous night's magical gowns, but still clearly fae in nature. Ali found herself drawn to a dress that appeared to be made from morning mist and dawn light, its fabric shifting between pale gold and soft rose with every movement. Sage discovered a similar garment in shades of early morning sky - pale blue fading to white.
As they dressed, Ali noticed that the tiny crystal waterfall in their bathing area had adjusted its flow to provide perfectly temperature-controlled water for washing up. Everything in the room seemed designed to anticipate and meet their needs, though Ali couldn't help but wonder if this apparent helpfulness had a price they couldn't yet see.
"I had the strangest dreams," Sage commented as they prepared for the day. "Nothing like what the fae described at dinner - no gardens of musical flowers or anything that poetic. But..." she paused, frowning slightly. "I dreamed about stars falling upward, and voices speaking in colors instead of sounds."
Ali nodded, remembering her own dreams of dancing stars and moonlight shadows. "Maybe being here is affecting how we dream? Like how the Cup of First Steps was supposed to help us perceive things differently?"
Before Sage could respond, there was a soft chiming sound and the door dissolved into mist, revealing Rowan-In-The-Whispers waiting for them. Their copper-wire hair seemed even more flame-like in the morning light, moving in patterns that suggested excitement or anticipation.
"Good morning, tributes," they said, bowing slightly. "I trust you rested well? The first night in our realm can be... adjusting, for mortal minds."
"We rested well, thank you," Ali replied carefully, remembering Moonweaver's warning about expressing gratitude too freely.
"Excellent. The Garden of First Light awaits, and there is much to discuss over the morning meal. Other tributes will be joining us shortly."
They followed Rowan-In-The-Whispers through corridors that seemed different in the morning light - where the previous night everything had shimmered with twilight and starshine, now the walls appeared to be made of crystallized sunrise, casting rainbow patterns across their path.
The Garden of First Light proved to be an open space that somehow managed to exist simultaneously indoors and outdoors. Delicate crystal trees grew in spiraling patterns, their leaves made of what looked like frozen sunlight. Flowers that might have been crafted from dawn's first rays bloomed in perfectly arranged beds, and the air was filled with the sound of what might have been birds, though Ali couldn't quite spot any actual creatures making the music.
Several small tables were arranged throughout the garden, each seemingly growing naturally from the ground and each surrounded by chairs that appeared to be woven from morning light. Ali spotted other tributes being led in by their own guides - including Michael, who still looked somewhat uncomfortable in his fae-provided attire of pale gold and silver.
"Here we are," Rowan-In-The-Whispers said, leading them to a table where the chairs seemed to brighten invitingly as they approached. "Others will join us shortly. Remember - while breaking fast together is a more... relaxed affair than formal feasts, certain courtesies must still be observed."
They had barely seated themselves when other figures appeared - including, to Ali's surprise, Maple-Songs-At-Dusk and Moonweaver. The two fae joined their table with fluid grace, their very presence seeming to make the morning light dance more vigorously around them.
"I trust you both slept well?" Maple-Songs-At-Dusk inquired, their autumn-leaf hair creating a striking contrast with the morning-themed surroundings. "The first night's dreams in our realm can be quite... illuminating."
"Very illuminating," Sage agreed diplomatically, and Ali noticed how she avoided mentioning the specific contents of her dreams.
As they spoke, breakfast began to appear on the tables - though 'appear' wasn't quite the right word. It was more like the food grew naturally from the crystal surfaces, blooming like flowers made of actual sustenance. There were fruits that looked like they had captured sunrise within their flesh, bread that steamed with patterns of constellation-like seeds, and what appeared to be honey that glowed with its own inner light.
Following the previous night's example, Ali waited to see the fae partake first before trying anything herself. The sunrise fruit proved to taste like summer mornings felt - warm and full of promise - while the constellation bread left traces of starlight on her tongue.
"Today," Rowan-In-The-Whispers announced as they ate, "you will begin to learn the basic patterns of our court. There are rules to be followed, traditions to be observed, and..." they paused, glancing at Maple-Songs-At-Dusk, "certain abilities to be tested."
"Tested?" Michael asked from a nearby table, his voice carrying a note of anxiety.
"Nothing to fear," Moonweaver assured him, though their smile held a hint of something that suggested perhaps there was. "Merely an assessment of your... affinities. The Summer Court has many aspects, and it's important to know where each tribute might best... fit."
Ali noticed how carefully they chose their words, and she wondered what wasn't being said. She caught Sage's eye and saw her friend had picked up on the underlying tension as well.
"But that's for later," Maple-Songs-At-Dusk said smoothly. "For now, enjoy the morning meal. There will be time enough for tests and trials once the day has properly begun."
As they continued to eat, Ali couldn't help but notice how the fae seemed to be watching the tributes closely, as if their very manner of eating might reveal something important. She took extra care with her movements, remembering her mother's lessons about fae scrutiny and the importance of maintaining composure.
The morning light continued to dance around them, and somewhere in the garden, the not-quite-birds sang their mysterious songs. Ali couldn't shake the feeling that this peaceful breakfast was merely the calm before something much more challenging began.