Moira watched Tamzin as she voiced her request to the unicorn. The mare stood calm and willing, the others looked on curious but unobtrusive. Naturally, the foals were more interested in the treats Moira still held. Absently she fed them each another, only half aware.

The whole process seemed to be charged with magic. The feeling, though, could also just be from the proximity of so many creatures infused with it. They almost breathed magic.

A unicorn nudged her again, one of the adults, and Moira reached up to rub its neck and shouder. Her eyes were busy following the crystal shears on their approach to the tail hairs, watched how they were cut and fell into the other witch's grasp.

Moira was nudged again and she let out the breath she had been unaware she was holding.

"Is it normally so intense?"

Tamzin was filled with an overwhelming gratefulness, no doubt inspired by the power of the unicorns and their favor. The Ollivanders had been using unicorn tail hairs for generations; it was a relationship she never took for granted. Proud phoenixes were happy to share their molted feathers and dragon heartstring came from the deceased beasts (natural causes, of course). But unicorns felt like they were giving a precious gift.

Moira's question inspired a smile in Tamzin. "Always. Never gets old."

One of the younger unicorns sniffed at Tamzin as she worked, it's curious velvety nose and warm breath amusing Tamzin. She turned her head and it trotted away, back to Moira for the snacks. None of the other unicorns offered their attention to Tamzin for an offering, so Tamzin was satisfied with the bundle of nearly weightless strands. They were as long as her arm - each would contribute two or three cores. The dozen hairs would supply the wandshop for the rest of the year at least.

The wandmaker stepped back and gently placed the coiled hairs into her pouch.

Tamzin bowed her head again. "Thank you, lovely. These will make fine wands to be matched with fine witches and wizards."

Moira stroked a unicorn's neck one last time. "Alright, you lot. That's enough for now." With any luck she would see them all again in the morning. If not, a visit during her lunch break would have to be arranged so she could try a different treat with them. The unicorns would probably like it as much if not more than the current ones.

Weaving her way out from the press of equine bodies Moira returned to Tamzin who was thanking the mare again. Moira smiled, offering one more treat to the mare before looking to their wix guest. "Would you like to stay longer or are you ready to go?"

Hearing her response the young witch offered her arm once again, leading them back down the way they came with the unicorns watching them depart. When the blessing left for their permanent home it would be bittersweet.

The cow was still waiting where she had stopped and moved to follow them again. With a chuckle, Moira paused. "You're lucky. I was able to save two." Pulling the last two treats out she gave them to the cow who munched on them as happily as the unicorns had.

Still glowing from the encounter, Tamzin walked with Moira arm-in-arm back out of the pasture. (The curious cow followed them, her bell jangling.)

"I couldn't have hoped for better," said the wand maker, her hand resting protectively on the pocket at her waist, the packet containing the rare magical cores. She couldn't wait to get into the workshop and get to work on some new wands, to match them with woods, to feel out the form and shape of the shaft that would work best. To polish them and prepare them for sale.

She gave Moira a squeeze. "There will be brand new shining unicorn tail hair wands in stock by summertime, just in time for the next crop of nippers."

They were soon back to where they started and Tamzin clasped Moira's hands in thanks.

"Now you let me know if you ever take in any phoenixes. Or, erm, very elderly dragons. I think you and I are going to get along famously."

Moira was pleased meeting the unicorns and getting the tail hairs had gone so well for the wand-maker. To an outside observer perhaps it wouldn't have been seen as anything special. The two of them went to the herd, fed the blessing some treats, and cut some hair strands with special scissors before going back on their way. There was much more to it though, foremost being the area charged with magical energy not just because of the unicorns but from the whole ritual.

When they arrived back at the barn Moira found her hands firmly clasped with the other's. Then phoenixes and elderly dragons were mentioned causing the younger witch to blink in a slightly dumbfounded way. Offering the hairs and feathers of winged horses would certainly be easier, but Moira knew the Ollivanders only dealt with the three specific cores so the idea was a pointless one.

 "I don't know if those are creatures the ranches take in. I mean, I can let you know if we do, but I'm not an important person here. Just an employee."

Tamzin tsked and leaned in towards Moira a little. She whispered conspiratorially.

"You are exactly as important as you decide to be. You're a witch. This is a universal truth."

With that, she patted Moira's hands and adjusted her belongings again checking the tail hairs were with her.

"Fare thee well, Miss Moira. You've been an absolute pidgeon. Come and visit Ollivander's sometime so I can reciprocate the favor!"

And with that, Tamzin disappeared with a crack.

Fin