Katrin's arms were laden with various instruments. As she had just finished her last scheduled set, she had decided to return to her tent and deposit most of her load. She walked slowly across the Green, heading toward the camping area behind the trees and beyond the sight of the patrons. That she would be so ready to keep such valuables in an unattended place caused a few of her fellow performers to raise an eyebrow or two, but no one really questioned her trusting behaviour anymore. After all this time, most people she worked with regularly were aware of her generous spirit. They all knew that should they find themselves in need of anything, were Katrin to hear about it a solution would be found. Her tent was always open for a session of trouble divulging, a safe place to go to cry and receive comfort, or simply for a midnight chat. She easily won the hearts of the veteran performers after her first few weekends of faires, and now, nearly four years later, she was one of the most well known acts among the patrons. On occasion, some mischief-maker or other who was new to the scene would think to relieve her tent of its musical burdens. They would not get far, however, before finding themselves caught by the self-designated 'Kati Protectors'. Somehow, this group of vigilantes always managed to uncover the 'Evil Schemes To Do Harm'. The miscreants in question would thence be marched to whatever locale Katrin could be found in and told to apologise. At this point, she would sigh and, with a look of disappointment, she would say something to the effect of, "If you were in such great need, you had only to ask." And with that, she would take the person(s) under her wing and find out what troubling matter provoked such drastic actions. This, of course, regularly astounded those who knew her not and slightly puzzled those who did.

Her means, which would allow such generosity, were unknown to just about everyone she worked with at the faires. Though kind, caring, and friendly, Katrin remained a private and quiet person. Her 'Protectors' knew better than to take their efforts away from the faire grounds and into her personal life. She was almost always available at the drop of a hat whenever one of her friends should call, and a select few had the privilege of visiting her small apartment in the city. But no one really knew what she did, besides playing at faires. It was usually discussed when she wasn't around, and the general consensus was that she either had some wealthy relation who had left her a large trust fund, or she had been extremely lucky with some investments at an early age. No one really knew for sure, and they never bothered to ask. They figured that she had her reasons for keeping secrets, and they loved their Kati for all her eccentricities.

Katrin arrived at her tent, dwelling on the ponderings of her friends and acquaintances, for she knew the rumours though all attempts were made at keeping her in the dark. "They don't know how close they come with their guesses," she muttered to herself as she struggled with the opening. She managed to get inside without dropping anything, and as she placed her instruments safely down on her bedding she began to chuckle softly to herself. Pulling her long, brown hair over her shoulder, she contemplated it for a moment before deciding to loosely braid it to keep it out of her way as she wandered around for the rest of the day. Tying it with a small piece of leather, she picked her guitar out of the small pile and, slinging it over her shoulder, she exited her tent.

Her thoughts turning to her 'generous spirit', she remarked aloud, "I wonder where it comes from..." A small rustling in the trees caused her to look up and she caught sight of a barn owl. Katrin laughed. "Well, it certainly wasn't from you!" If ever an owl could pull an indignant expression, this one did just that. "Oh, come on. No need to get all miffed," she told it, still laughing. "We all know what your definition of 'generous' is."

She suddenly sobered and took a step closer to the tree. Looking furtively around the campsite to ensure she was alone, she asked it in a low voice, "What are you doing here, anyway? It is not even close to dusk. Pray, is something wrong at home?" The owl shook itself, fluffing its feathers and shuffling its feet on the branch. Katrin's eyes narrowed. "You're not keeping a 'watchful eye' on me again, are you?" The owl seemed to grow uneasy under her penetrating stare. "Honestly, I'm twenty-three years old. One would think you'd finally be able to trust me to handle myself. Besides, you know and I know and practically everyone who walks in the gates knows that I've got a troop of big brothers practically aching to show their devotion. So stop worrying!" She smiled warmly at the owl, then shoed it away with a flick of her hands. "Now get out of here before someone sees you and starts wondering what an owl is doing sitting in a tree at four in the afternoon." She paused. "Not only that, but wondering what I am doing talking to said owl!" The owl hopped on its branch then flew off into the trees. Katrin chuckled to herself once again then, shaking her head, turned back to the faire grounds.