In the end, it was Sam who managed to shift the mood. He told the story of how Cass had survived, as he knew it, and how the tree below them was a very important nursery tree to not just Sam, but to the others in the area.
He also threw in a few smug remarks about how, and the other fairies that worked at the estate, kept making digs at any and all staff members of the Duke's household next door. The fairies took a particular delight in making the humans next door screw up their faces at their antics. Sam even bragged about a time he'd made one of them run away like he was going to throw up.
When Cass asked what he did, Sam just smiled softly and said nothing.
That was how he transitioned into getting everyone out of the changed room and down the steps into the large space under the mansion.
