The Human and the High Elf

[hex37 737]

I've spent the better part of today thinking over my new character, and in writing the app (that I didn't need) I accidently ended up writing an entire short story in it's own right about my new character Nienna and her late friend (who never really existed) Diane. I may end up adding more later as the server Lore gets expressed. What do you all think of it so far?

The night sky was calm as still water. Nienna, and her life-long friend, Diane, had the fortune of sharing the same birthday. As a result, they had a long-standing tradition of enjoying nights like these together, under the stars.

Tonight was the eve of their 107th birthday.

Nienna was naturally tall, but for a high elf, she was unusually filled out, and curvy. It had the net effect of making her look like a human scaled up to match her elven height. Her hair was a bright silver, and she was wearing one of her favorite bright blue dresses, made to compliment her eyes.

Unlike Nienna, Diane was only human- a 107 year old one. Hair that was once a Fiery red now glistened a silvery white. Her frame was small, hunched slightly, making her look like a small doll compared to her high-elf friend. She wore tonight what she wore every night, a humble dark grey robe a witch would wear, which, to a certain degree, Diane was.

"Come on, come on!" Nienna enthusiastically exclaimed to Diane as she helped her up a hill's gentle slope.

"I'm fine, really." Diane lied, her hips were protesting heavily at the excess movement.

After a certain amount of fussing, both were able to make it to the top of the gentle slope. Nienna had laid out a small picnic blanket her and a single chair, for her aged friend. Diane, a stubborn lady to the end, immediately refused the chair and, quite painstakingly, laid down on the grass beside Nienna. For a time, they laid there in silence.

"Ni-Ni?" Diane exclaimed, after awhile.

Nienna looked to her friend, "Yes, Di?" she responded with a playful expression.

Diane looked up at the sky with a stern face. "Have I ever told you about the stars an the comets?"

Nienna's expression faded, and she shook her head softly. Her friend was about to go into one of her philosophical diatribes, Nienna knew. Tonight, however, was special, and Nienna decided on bearing with it.

Diane continued."Stars and comets are good rivals, they are. Stars shine brightly every night, and never seem to go out. Were they the only thing in the sky, they'd probably stay the same forever. Then, you have comets." A thin, nostalgic smile spread across the old woman's face. "Comets are but brief, beautiful bursts in the night sky. The stars love and sometimes envy them for their brilliance, but the tail of a comet fades all too quickly, and disappears in the night sky as quickly as it comes."

Nienna propped her head on an arm, and gave her friend a knowing look."Di, I know you all too well- This is about me and you, isn't it? I'm the star, and your the comet, right?"

Diane chuckled softly. The chuckle turned to a cough, which became a fit of hacking. She managed to retrieve a handkerchief from a pocket as Nienna helped up into the chair, which Diane suddenly felt thankful for. As the coughing subsided, Diane managed to continue. "Yes, I'm definitely quite the comet, aren't I?" Diane noticed that the handkerchief was now spotted with drops of blood. She quickly stuffed the piece of cloth back in her pocket, for fear that Nienna might see.

"And I'm the star, then?" Nienna questioned.

Again, Diane smiled softly. "As to that, I sometimes wonder."

Nienna put on a curious expression, "Wait, so if you don't know, what's the point of the analogy?"

"Here, come closer." Diane tiredly beckoned Nienna. "My eyes aren't exactly what they used to be." Nienna complied, kneeling down in front of her tiny friend, so she might get a better look.

Diane regarded the face with a warm smile. "Look at you. Many a flatterer would say that you haven't aged a day since I met you, they would." Diane reached out a hand, brushing aside the hair concealing almost half of Nienna's face. It revealed a massive burn wound with a matching eye-patch underneath. Lightly, Diane cupped this part of Nienna's face with her hand. "I know a bit better though, don't I?"

Nienna's curiosity turned to a slightly annoyed disbelief. "What... are you saying, Di?"

Diane lowered her hand from Nienna's face, speaking softly. "You look like a star, Ni-Ni, but you burn like a comet. If you keep up like this- living your life so wildly, you'll go out like comet too." Before Nienna could answer, Diane took her hand. "Listen, I'm not going to be around much longer, Nienna. You know it, and I can feel it." Two lines of tears began to work their way down the wrinkles of Diane's face. "But before I die, Ni-ni, you must promise me that you won't follow, that you won't follow for a long time."

"I-" Nienna began to respond, but she was interrupted by Diane grasping her hand more tightly. Nienna's voice broke down into silent sobbing.

"Nienna," Diane continued, "Please, just promise me. Promise me that you'll stay safe, for me, always- even with your sulfurous alchemy."

Nienna wrapped her long arms around both Diane and the chair as she responded. "I- I will, Di. I promise."

Diane slowly returned the massive embrace. "Thank you."

The tall elf and the little human hugged for a time. For awhile after, they returned to silence, Nienne too embarrassed to speak further, and Diane a bit too busy enjoying her last few moments on earth.

Diane had always been good at her job, and one of the perks of being a healer is knowing how much time you have left. By her most recent estimate, she was sure she had about three minutes and forty-three seconds left, around two minutes and twelve seconds of which would be spent unconscious, leaving her approximately a minute and twenty one seconds left. She did one one last check in her head to make sure all of her affairs were in order; that the baker's foot would be looked after by his daughter; that Old Witherspoon's back would be in check (at least until he started climbing cliffs again); and a large number of other things that people generally needed a healer for. Finally, satisfied with her own work, she finally drifted off into a deep sleep.

Two minutes and twelve seconds later, Diane, Healer, drew her last.

Nienna wouldn't notice until midnight.

[Narco 6]

Wow man, that was actually really great! One question, however: Why are you writing an application for her? Just curious :D

[hex37 737]

I- Ah, thought I had to.

I didn't >_>

[Quavinir_Twiceborn 1050]

*slow claps*

[Pr0nz0r 7]

*joins in the clapping*

[The Best Basileus 97]

Nice work :)

[steelersfan1221 300]

Well written!

[Αμφίονας 41]

Amazing climax.

[Praetor 1550]

Excellent story! Kudos to you!

[Knox213 10]

Moved to the Archive. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.