[ WP ] Mythical creatures have started appearing around the world , but they lack the majesty of their story counterparts , and are ruining the ecosystems they enter . You are a mythical rights activist fighting against `` myth culling '' laws .

I hurried across the parking lot and stopped when I saw the protesters. They must have been here for hours already, though the sun was only barely over the horizon. Slogans ranging from “ IRON IS TORTURE ” and “ SAVE THE UNICORNS ” were shaken by howling humans in costumes. One of them had a genuine-looking winged horse primary feather sticking up from a headband. The feather was tattered and as long as my arm, its silver-on-white banding dulled by the death of its original owner. The hypocrisy turned my stomach, and I clutched my satchel to my chest, tucked my shoulder, and pushed past them without meeting any eyes. 
 
 Their hostile body language made it clear they wanted to stop me, but they let me pass. Ever since the first Fairy Incursion, people have begun re-learning the old traditions, sometimes the hard way. They were allowed their protest. But they could not impede guests of this place. I was on their side, somewhat, but they wouldn ’ t have believed me. 
 
 Once I was past the building ’ s security checkpoint, my guide showed me to a small room. “ The hosts of this place offer their Hospitality, ” the guide told me quietly, taking up a post near the door. The room was better suited to a family dining room than a corporate office, with a large wooden table against the wall. The'Hospitality' on offer consisted of a box of glazed donuts, a carafe of coffee, and for those in a hurry, a cheese and cracker tray. 
 
 As much as I wanted to take my time, I stacked a cracker with a slice of orange cheese food product and a chunk of pepperoni, then shoved it in my mouth, chewing rapidly. The cracker would count as bread and salt, it would have been enough on its own, but I was hungry. A smidge of cheese and meat might tide me over to lunch. I delayed a moment to dispense a few mouthfuls of coffee into one of the paper cups, slugging it down like a shot. 
 
 The guide had waited patiently, nodding as I returned. Some people took advantage of Hospitality rooms, but I ’ d prefer to just get to business. I was a guest here now, with all the rights and privileges that meant. 
 
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 After a quick round of introductions in the boardroom, I began the presentation. 
 
 The first few slides were a review of the company ’ s problem, the one they ’ d hired me to fix. I showed them a map of the region with a zone highlighted in pale purple. “ As you know, this Fairy Forest replaced a neighborhood called Bluebird Estates a little over one month ago. The authorities managed to extract the majority of the humans trapped by this Incursion, the existing infrastructure remains intact, but your property remains inoperable. 
 
 “ In my initial assessment, I determined that this new Forest is ruled by one Queen Allwyn. ” The following slide showed a brief pencil sketch of the queen—the higher-class fairies hate having their photos taken, considering it the theft and capturing of light, forcing it into a static image. Art, however, is another matter. 
 
 “ To briefly review our previous meeting, Allwyn descends from the Irish Fair Folk, but her flavor is mischief rather than outright hostility. ” She ’ d seemed disappointed that I understood the rules for dealing with fairies, but once I established my credentials, she seemed pleased that I was her negotiator. 
 
 “ In the past weeks, this has become clear, especially as the refugees have not suffered ill effects. The City is denying petitions to Raze the Forest, and the Perimeter Zone is being constructed as we speak. ” I heard a heavy sigh from somewhere in the room. The ideal situation for this company and many others was getting rid of the Fairies and their Forest entirely. 
 
 “ With that established, I opened negotiations with Allwyn on your behalf. ” The following screen listed off the company ’ s requests. “ First, you requested that your equipment be allowed to function when it crosses through her territory, and the information carried by your cables be unaltered both entering and leaving. This is something she is willing to allow for a modest fee. ” There was some rumbling in the room as the company ’ s leaders shifted and made soft, irritated noises. I could understand their discontent, but continued. 
 
 “ I will discuss her counter-requests momentarily. Second, you wish access to your cables where they cross through her territory, for maintenance and repairs as necessary. This one is trickier, but she seems amenable to working out a deal. 
 
 “ And third, the restoration of your field technician, Henry Connor, and his vehicle, equipment, and effects. ” I flicked to a slide of the technician, a smiling, stout fellow standing in front of a blank blue background. They had not provided this image, I managed to get it from the Tech of the Month wall. This was the important one to me. The company was primarily concerned with saving the company from the Fairies. I was interested in saving the people. 
 
 “ I have some good news here; Mr. Connor ’ s case is soon to be resolved, he will be released, sanity and equipment intact, on August 28th, the fortieth day following the Incursion, or approximately eight days from now. Queen Allwyn has agreed to this as a show of good faith; the remaining inhabitants of Bluebird Estates will also be permitted to leave with what belongings they can carry or carry in their vehicles, on that same date. ” 
 
 That resulted in a more pleased rumble from my audience. I held in a sigh and turned to the Queen ’ s demands. 
 
 “ Now we move on to Queen Allwyn ’ s price for permitting access through her territory. She requests a large screen television or projector set and screen, and furniture appropriate for a modern ‘ home theater. ’ ” My slide showed a photograph of what seemed to be a natural cave; it had been part of Bluebird Elementary ’ s auditorium. 
 
 Luckily, school had not been in session when the Fairies took over. Getting unattended children out of their hands was difficult. I followed this with a photograph that showed the same cave, but with a ghostly illusion of a giant television, a sofa, and speakers superimposed over it. Glamour does not show up well on film. Perhaps that is why they do not want photographs of themselves. 
 
 “ She will be negotiating separately with the power company and other utilities, but it is within her abilities to provide the power source for this equipment as necessary. She also requests the full premium cable package, all channels, movies on-demand, and the works, plus the highest-speed internet you offer. She said she will be obtaining her computer equipment elsewhere. ” 
 
 I could see some of the company ’ s brass exchange incredulous looks. 
 
 “ And as far as network maintenance … ” I paused. “ Her request there is that technicians bring her an offering every visit, including the initial service call to install and activate her service. Her current request stands at a half-gallon of fresh, unpasteurized milk, a full loaf of bread—uncut, home-baked, whole-wheat—and a box of Orville Redenbacher ’ s extra-buttery Microwave Popcorn. ” 

