Criala

Mama always said it’s the choices made in life which show how we are as a person. Life has a way of taking unexpected turns, throwing one into situations they’d never even dreamed of. Outcomes one could never fathom. “When those times come, what would you do, amore?” “What do you mean, mama?” “Take the easy way out?” “Err…” “Would you run?” ┗.༻❁༺.┛ ┏.༻❁༺.┓ Who are these people? I've never seen their armor before. What do they want with my family? What could they possibly want? What do we do? What can we do right now? They all have weapons. Gracia... Ludovica... Cosimo... ┗.༻❁༺.┛ ┏.༻❁༺.┓ “Take a stand?” “I..” “With your head held high?” ┗.༻❁༺.┛ ┏.༻❁༺.┓ Shouts echoed through the Falcone family home. A gauntleted hand pointed a finger at Natalia. Slowly, she released her daughter. Given a rough shove forward, the illatian woman made her way towards the armored figure. Once in range, her arm was grabbed, and she was yanked forward. Her eyes locked with her husband's, something mouthed as she was dragged along. 'I love you, take care of our family.' ┗.༻❁༺.┛ ┏.༻❁༺.┓ Mama always said it's the choices that make who we are, show who we are. When she first told me, I didn’t understand it. I was just a young child after all. Now I do understand. My life has taken turns which I never dreamed of. Perhaps this was the biggest one of all. “Do you accept death?” “And if I don't?” “True love is selfless. It is prepared to sacrifice.” - Sadhu Vaswani

Natalia read a new book given to her, an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. [Reserved]

The best pixel art ever, definitely worth getting!

Across the table within the dining room of the Tathvir Hall lay multiple things, most of it in a container to keep it from making a mess of the table. Blood, phlegm, biles and ectoplasm were all in containers. The herbs were laid out on a piece of paper. At the table was a mali’fenn woman. Long white hair pulled back partially to keep it out of the way. Her back was to the wall. After all, she never sat with her back to an open space. Turquoise trailed over each container and herb, a small eyeglass held within her hand. There was a slight noise, almost like the floor creaking. Only a slight falter to what she was doing. Normally, she would have paused fully, head snapping up to see who or what was near. But she was within the family home. It was a place of safety. “What’re you doing, Haelun?” The voice, however, caused Estellise to pull her attention from the herb she'd been looking at. A tall mali stood to her left, hair white, light brown skin and turquoise eyes that matched her own. “Identifying the signs for these.” Estellise motioned to the items set out across the table. “Signs?” Sulion asked, tilting his head ever so slightly as he glanced at each container and each herb upon the table. “Ti.” Estellise nodded her head, turning it to look back at the task at hand. “It’s alchemy.” Another voice reached Estellise’s ears. “Hello, Rhae.” She said, giving a brief glance up, before her focus returned to the items. “Hi, Haelun.” A pale woman with white hair and electric blue eyes was now making her way around the table, skirting around Sulion. “Hi, Sul.” “Hey, sis.” He offered in return, dipping his head to her. Rhaella’s attention was on the containers on the table, a hand reaching out to try to grab one. “Don’t even think about it, Rhaella.” Estellise spoke, without even looking at Rhaella. “I’m not doing anything!” Rhaella continued to reach for one of the containers, the one full of ectoplasm, fingers wiggling at it. “You can’t eat them.” One of Estellise’s hands shot out to swat at Rhaella’s hand, not pulling her attention from what she was doing. “Have you tried?” A cheeky grin spread across her face, though she pulled her hand back. For now at least. “No.” Estellise replied easily, a hint of amusement flashing across her face. “You’re weird, sis.” Sulion shook his head at Rhaella, moving to occupy the seat to Estellise’s right, resting his arms on the table in front of him. “Normal is boring.” Rhaella slipped into the seat to Estellise’s left, her eyes still on the container of ectoplasm. A set of footsteps could be heard, though no voice accompanied them. Just the sound of them, and soon the sound of someone sitting at the head of the table. A pale woman with semi-short white hair, blue eyes and clad in black. A curious gaze drifted over those at the table, then the items spread out across it. Before Estellise could offer an answer, another walked into the room, and her gaze shifted to the doorway. This time, a mali’fenn man with white hair and turquoise eyes. An ‘aheral woman with pale blond hair and blue eyes was being dragged along with him by the hand. “Well, what’s going on here!” Arevthor asked, a bright grin spreading on his face as he made his way to a seat across the table from Estellise, Rhaella and Sulion. He patted the seat beside him for Neia to sit. “Alchemy ingredients. I’m identifying the signs for them.” Estellise, yet again, dropped her attention to the items in front of her. The small eye glass was held up, her head dipping down to look over the previously set down herb. “What sign is this one?” Sulion asked, nodding his head to the herb. “Let’s see…” Estellise trailed off, taking a few minutes to look over it more thoroughly. “Earth.” “Earth.” Sulion echoed, nodding his head. “Will all the herbs be earth?” Estellise set the herb to the side, proceeding to take the time to look over each of the herbs with the eye glass. After she was done with each one, it was set to the side. “Yes, all earth.” “What about that?” Rhaelle pointed a finger at the container of ectoplasm which she hadn’t taken her eyes off of. “What is it?” “Ectoplasm.” Estellise answered, taking the container and setting it in front of her. Using the eyeglass, she looked over the ectoplasm. “Aether.” “What about that one?” Arevthor squinted at the container of phlegm. “What is that?” “Phlegm.” Estellise wrinkled her nose a bit, swapping out the container of ectoplasm for the one of phlegm. Again, she took the eyeglass to look it over. A few minutes of silence before Arevthor got his answer. “Water.” “Interesting.” Arevthor hummed, before falling silent. “That one?” Valerica nodded her head towards the container of blood, voice soft as she spoke. “Ah, the blood.” Estellise moved the container of phlegm so she could place the container of blood in front of her. Eyeglass in hand, she looked over the blood. The sound of a container being picked up reached her ears, and Sulion going ‘sis’ from her right. “Also water.” She pulled her attention away from the blood container to look to her left. What she found was Rhaella, opening the lid of the container and her finger already dipped into the ectoplasm. ”Rhaella!” Upon being caught, Rhaella quickly shoved her finger in her mouth, as Estellise reached out to take the container away from her. “I swear…” Estellise mumbled, setting the container far out of Rhaella’s reach, in front of Sulion. A knock on the door had Valerica pulling herself up from her seat. “I’ll get it.” With that, she headed for the front door. “Your fault if you get sick.” Estellise commented to Rhaella, putting the lid back on the container. “Worth it!” Rhaella chimed, after she licked her finger clean of ectoplasm. With a sigh and a shake of her head,, Estellise took the container of biles now, setting it in front of her. As she lifted the spy glass to look it over, the sound of two sets of footprints reached her ears, one heavier sounding than the other. “And this one is fire.” She said, now setting the spy glass down. When she looked up, Valerica was accompanied by a tall, bearded man. Right as she was about to open her mouth to greet him, the sound of a chair screeching across the floor and the sound of Rhaella retching on the floor. “She ate th’ ectoplasm, didn’ she?” Hareven asked, looking right at Rhaella as she threw up all over the floor. “You guessed it.” Estellise nodded her head, letting out a sigh.

TOFFEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 🥰

Outside of the Tundrak bloodline hall a package was left. If opened, one would find a set of six statuettes. There was no note on the package or inside of it. They were carved out of birch wood. Upon closer inspection, one would find that each statuette had been carved to the likeness of certain elves. Aesilnoth, Idril, Visenya, Annatar, Elanor and Rhaella. The base of each one was five by five inches, with a height of roughly ten inches. The one of Aesilnoth was carved with its left arm out, so it could wrap around the shoulders of the one of Idril. The right arm was carved outward as well, so the hand could rest on the left shoulder of the Rhaella one. In front of Aesilnoth and Idril were Visenya and Annatar. Idril's hands were carved to have one hand on Annatar's shoulder, and the other on Visenya's shoulder. Elanor was in front of Rhaella, a hand reached out to be clasped within one of Rhaella's, the other touching Visenya's. Rhaella's free hand was also reached out to be resting on Visenya's other shoulder. The only sign of a maker's seal was a small rose carved upon the bottom of it.

"A letter?" A mix of confusion and curiosity laced the Lilac druid's words at the appearance of the letter. Closing the door to the burrow, she turned to venture deeper into the home. She opened it, teal scanning over each written word. A frown of concern spread across her face. The letter was reread multiple times, the pain and guilt within the written words felt deeper each time. "Hareven..." She reached out for her staff, which had been resting against the wall nearby. With staff in hand, she called out into the burrow, as she planned for a journey to the Owl's Perch Tavern. "Cal, I'm going out for a bit."

Leilani's mother senses screamed on the inside, sensing something was not right with two of her daughters. Rosalia was blissfully unaware of the situation her sisters were in, telling her son of his aunts.

Clear sky, birds chirping and hardly a breeze in the air. A figure stood just outside of the clinic, within the Garden of Healers. Her frame was petite, long brown hair hanging to her waist. Two words caught her attention. Illynora Sylvaeri. “I tried my best to make you proud, sister.” A murmur beneath the woman’s breath. After a moment, she tore her emerald gaze away from the words, shifting to the next set of words. These ones ripped into her soul, burning a hole into her, which was soon filled with guilt. Eraami Aureon Reeyse. “But all I did was let you down.” The guilt was evident in her face and words. Almost instantly, she tore her gaze away from those, continuing down the line until she stopped at a specific name. Medli Amaeden. “I let you down most of all, Medli. And for that, I am sorry.” Forgiveness isn't something she expected from Medli. After all, she vanished without a trace, opting to leave the burdens of running the Aegrothond Clinic and lessons on her own behind her. She pulled herself away, taking a step back before turning to completely leave the garden. Enough time spent getting lost in the past and the guilt of it. Now it was time for her search. Thoroughly, the city of Elvenesse was searched, a glance sent at every house with a name on it. None were the one she was looking for yet. No, it took time for her to find Medli’s home. When she did, she stopped at the door, but she didn’t knock. Instead, she stuck an envelope against the door. Once sure that it wasn’t going to fall to the ground, she departed. Should the envelope be opened and the letter inside unfolded, it would read... ━━━━༺❀༻━━━━ ‘Medli, There’s many things I could say here, but I’ll start with I’m sorry. It’s not something I’m proud of, vanishing on you all like that. I ended up overwhelmed, with all the duties of the Clinic falling on me. No matter the reason, it wasn’t right of me to disappear like that. I hope you can forgive me one day, though I don’t expect you to. I’m so proud of what you accomplished though. I know Illynora would be too. If you ever need anything, I am a bird away. Yours, Eraami ━━━━༺❀༻━━━━

Quiet. Still. If one were to walk in, at first glance, they would think the hall empty. But, venturing further inside, one would find a lone figure. A ‘fenn woman. White hair hung down just past her shoulders, frame clad in black. Before Valerica was a wooden plaque, one in the shape of an otter. Icy blue eyes lingered on a marble set within the plaque, hand lifted up to fiddle with a ring hanging from her necklace. She knew what was on the back, right behind that marble. The letters R T. Rothilion Tathvir. Her face twitched, an expression of pain and sorrow almost seeping through the blank facade she so carefully had in place. Emotions were something she seldom showed, especially lately. But, for him, for Rothilion, they began to slip through the cracks, as much as she tried to keep it at bay. The ring dropped back against her chest, fingers reaching out towards the marble. Just barely a brush of her finger tips against the smooth surface. “I love you, Snowflake.” Too long it’d been since she’d heard those words, but they were still clear in her mind, as if he’d just said them yesterday. “I love you too.” So low, that it was barely audible even to herself. Once again, the room fell into silence, and she was alone with her thoughts. An arm looping through her right snapped her out of her thoughts, her head turning to find another ‘fenn woman. Long white hair, turquoise eyes and clad in dark teal and gold. Estellise let herself lean against Valerica’s arm, offering silent comfort. After all, sometimes all you need is someone to be there, even if there’s nothing to say. Before Valerica had the chance to do more than give a slight smile, she felt someone take her left arm. A look to her left showed yet another ‘fenn woman. Long white hair, electric blue eyes and one ear. Rhaella tightened her hold on Valerica as well, causing the woman to be effectively squished between her and Estellise. Another set of footsteps came up behind the three. A ‘fenn man. Short white hair, turquoise eyes, features that bore a striking resemblance to the three ‘fenn women. Arevthor scooted around them, so he could pull the three into his arms, as best he could. Silence soon settled around the four, but it was the words not said that were the loudest. No matter what, you have us.

We just can't keep it this a secret anymore. It was bound to come out eventually. Our Prince, Vytrek, is a snow elf in appearance. But, in reality... We just can't hide it anymore that he's really a carrot.

I am 28!

‘Wyrvun’s Landing’ “So, this is the tavern.” It was a soft murmur from an ‘aheral woman, head tilted up to look at the writing on the sign. Her frame clad in a long sleeve dark red shirt, dark trousers and a pair of boots. Just barely peeking out of the very tip of the shirt’s neckline was the head of a phoenix, done in crimson. A sword was sheathed at her left hip »»————-　✼　————-«« Her shoulders shook, teeth chattering a little from the cold, something she wasn’t quite used to yet. But it wasn’t unwelcomed. There was something about the snow and cold of the city, something within it, that brought a feeling of being at home almost. It was the ‘aheral woman’s first visit to the Fennic city. After all, it was just down the road from Irrinor, so why not right? Her exploration brought her in front of a building, blue gaze scanning the sign above the doorway. ‘The Silver Snowflake’ Walking through that doorway changed her life forever. That tavern was where she met a certain ‘fenn. ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── Image found on Pinterest Effect done with LunaPic ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── He was behind the bar, serving drinks to patrons seated at the bar and at tables throughout the tavern. As she entered, he gave a nod of his head and flashed a grin her way, before going back behind the bar. She dipped her head to return the greeting, before making her way to where the fireplace was. Flames licked at the edges of the stone, but didn’t spread out from it. She settled down onto the couch in front of it, enjoying the warmth radiating from it. “Not used to the cold?” The voice came from her left, slightly behind her. It caused her to jolt, head snapping to look up and behind her. Standing behind the couch was the ‘fenn who’d been serving drinks. “Didn’t mean to startle you!” He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Ah, it’s okay.” A sheepish smile tugged at her lips. “Not really, haven’t spent a lot of time in the tundra.” “Well, welcome to it, I guess!” The grin remained, looking right at home on his face. “Ahernan, I guess!” She couldn’t help her smile widening. His grin was contagious. “I’m Arevthor.” He reached his hand out to her for her to shake. “I’m Neia.” She lifted her hand, taking his hand to shake it. »»————-　✼　————-«« The Tathvir Hall was attached to the Tavern and above the Clinic, as she came to find out. Arevthor led her there one day, through the Clinic and up the lift there. “Sure this is okay?” She asked, glancing at Arevthor. “Of course.” He pulled a key from his pocket, using it to unlock the door. Once it was unlocked, he let her in first. She stepped in, soon finding herself in the main living room of the hall. A couch and a couple of seats, along with a rug laid out in front of a fireplace. “Cozy.” She commented, attention falling on the fireplace. “It is!” He nodded, his signature grin on his face. He made his way further into the room, and instead of sitting on the couch, he plopped himself down on the rug. He patted the spot across from him. “Come on!” She followed suit, easing herself down in front of him. “You’re welcome here anytime.” He said, pulling another key from his pocket to hold it out to her. The action stunned her to silence, her mouth hanging open just a touch, and her eyes wide. It took a moment, but she reached out to take the key from him. Her features softened, a smile tugging at her lips. “Thank you.” “Of course.” The smile was returned with one of his own. ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── Image found on Pinterest Effect done on LunaPic ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── »»————-　✼　————-«« ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── Image found on Pinterest Effect done on LunaPic ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── “It’s not often I don’t find you in the city.” The voice cut through the silence. He didn’t even have to look to know who it was. It was one he knew so well by now. “Empty day in the tavern. Need to get away every so often, get some quiet time to think!” “That is a good point. Quiet can be good sometimes.” There was rustling of grass beside him. A glance to his right told him she’d sat not too far from him. “It can.” He nodded his head, before turning his attention back to the horizon. The two of them sat there in a comfortable silence. »»————-　✼　————-«« Often, the two sat in front of the fireplace in the Tathvir Hall. A calm and comforting atmosphere. “I have something for you.” She spoke up, during one of these times, amidst a comfortable silence. A curious glance was sent her way. “What’s that?” “You’ll see!” A hand shot into her satchel, rummaging around before pulling out a package. It was almost a square shape, but not quite. She held it out to him. With a quirked brow, he took it from her and began to open it. Within was a blanket. Little books, quills and instruments were stitched on it, with the background of it being a shade of light grey. “I made it for you.” A shy smile came to her lips, her hand lifting to rub the back of her neck. “You did?” He tore his gaze from the blanket, so he could look at her. “Yeah.” A slight nod of her head. “Thank you.” He murmured. Unlike his usual wide grin, a soft smile spread across his face. He unfolded the blanket to wrap it around his shoulders. Then he held open the right side of it, motioning her over. “Are you-” Before she could finish, he cut her off. “Yeah, yeah, get over here.” He chuckled. “Okay, okay.” She scooted over, so she was sitting right next to him. The blanket dropped around her shoulders, a yawn escaping her. She settled down against him, head dropping against his shoulder. It wasn’t long before she dozed off. ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── Image found on Pinterest Effect done on LunaPic ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── »»————-　✼　————-«« He was on his way down the road to Fenn when he saw something off. An armored man, walking down the road at a brisk pace. But it wasn’t the armor that caught his attention. It was who was over the individual’s shoulder. Slung over the man’s shoulder, unconscious, was her. He’d recognize the pale blonde hair anywhere. ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── Image found on Pinterest Effect done on LunaPic ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── He snapped into action, pacing after them as fast as he was able. Unfortunately, he lost them when the man tossed her into a boat and rowed away. But he wouldn’t give up. He didn’t give up. With a boat of his own, he set off after them, with only one thought on his mind. »»————-　✼　————-«« When she awoke, the armored man was there, but her mind was foggy, and her hands were tied behind her back. Searing pain engulfed her face, centered from her nose. It was broken, there was no way it wasn’t with the way he slammed her face down into that chest plate. Blood was smeared across her cheek and chin. ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── Image found on Pinterest Effect done on LunaPic ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── The man before her soon revealed his name to be Thrandil. Honestly, she’d rather he kill her if that was what he was going to do. And that appeared to be his plan, when he wrapped his hand around her throat. But he didn’t squeeze, his hand drifting up to her jaw. Her head was turned this way and that. “You are quite beautiful.” He commented, looking over her features. “A perfect ‘thill.” “I’ve ‘fenn blood too. My grandmother was a mali’fenn.” A quick lie on the spot, in hopes of repulsing him. Much to her dismay, it had the opposite effect. “Exotic.” was all he said to it as he turned her head, so her left cheek was exposed to him. Her plan backfired. Any hope of getting away from this man left her. He brushed her hair behind her left ear, letting a finger trace it, before giving a slight pinch. His next words to her were whispered. “Consider yourself lucky. I am a mali’ of passion. Your beauty has saved you, thill.” With that, he released her entirely. He moved to the side, pushing at the top of her back to move her forwards. Because of this, she was hunched somewhat where she sat. The sound of something being unsheathed reached her ears. Despite his ‘resurrance’ of her being ‘saved’, her blood ran cold. But the blade sliced through the ropes around her wrists, her arms free and hanging limp at her sides, tingling all over. He picked up his pack and his helm, which he pulled back onto his head. The dagger was left in the dirt near her, and his parting words were something to haunt her for years. “You’ll be seeing me again soon.” He was gone after that, and she was left there, to dread any day she might run into him again. »»————-　✼　————-«« It took what felt like forever to find her, but he finally did. She was slumped against a tree trunk, her pale face already bruising from the abuse it suffered. “Neia!” He called out, jogging over to her. Once there, he knelt partially down beside her. “...Arev?” Her eyes slowly opened to peek up at him. Relief spread across her features when she saw it was, infact, Arevthor. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she latched onto him, the tears flowing into the fabric of his sleeve. ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── Image found on Pinterest Effect done on LunaPic ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── “It’s okay, I’m here.” He murmured to her, wrapping an arm around her, so he could scoop her up to carry her back home. »»————-　✼　————-«« ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── Image found on Pinterest Effect done on LunaPic ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── “I passed the trials for Csarathaire.” She said, looking rather proud of herself. A sword was now sheathed at her hip. “Ah, that’s great!” There was that grin again. The contagious one. “Thanks!” A small grin of her own snuck onto her features. “I’m excited. I worked so hard.” “I bet you are, and I know you did.” He saw it coming, so he could have dodged out of the way, but he didn't. He was caught in her arms, pulled into a hug, and his arms wound around her to return it. »»————-　✼　————-«« Time went by since she last saw him. On his way out of the city to take care of something was last she saw him. ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── Image found on Pinterest Effect done on LunaPic ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── Time went by. Many things happened in his absence. But it didn’t stop her from waiting and hoping that he would return one day. »»————-　✼　————-«« Seeing him again was by chance, in Aegrothond, some odd years later. She’d been going down the path around the back of the tavern when she saw him. Her eyes widened, her stride slowing to a pause. It was almost as if she’d seen a ghost. He stopped when he went to walk by, only then noticing her. “Neia?” “Arev…” It was all that came out, her breathing somewhat shaky. “I thought… I thought you were… Were dead.” “Can’t kill me.” He cracked a grin, that same grin she’d known for so long. He opened his arms to her, and before he knew it, she’d dove into them. Her arms wound around him, clutching onto him for dear life. He held onto her the same, holding her to him. ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── Image found on Pinterest Effect done on LunaPic ────── ⋅❅⋅ ────── “Hey, I won’t die on you, not ever. Okay?” He muttered to her. “You better not.” Her voice cracked here and there, her hold not lessening at all. A smile came to the ‘aheral’s face, an almost fond look upon it. She stepped forward to make her way into the tavern. One thing she knew was that no matter how far or how long, the two of them would always meet again, no matter what.

The land was covered in a blanket of snow. Only the sound of footsteps against the icy path could be heard. Another few moments, slight crunches beneath the woman’s feet. Before long, the opening to the Fennic settlement came into view. Violet settled on it, slowly sucking in a breath. Too long it’d been, since she’d been among her own Fennic people and since she’d seen her sister. “Ali, come here.” The young ‘fenn’s head turned to look at her mother. It was only a brief look, because her attention was soon back on the feathers laid out in front of her. She began to gather them, so she could pile them into the empty basket beside her. “Ti, Haelun?” “Over here, come on now.” The older ‘fenn let out a slight sigh, a hand resting on her hip as she waited. “Almost… Done!” Alisaela nodded her head, satisfied now that all of her feathers were in place. She hoisted herself up, now making her way over to her mother. The sound of a door opening and closing was heard. A couple of minutes later, her father emerged from another room. A nod was shared between her parents, her father reaching out to ruffle her white hair. “Ali, we have something to tell you.” Her mother spoke up again. Alisaela tilted her head to the side, a look of curiosity coming to her face as she stared up at her mother. “You’re going to be a big sister.” “Sarya…” Alisaela murmured beneath her breath. Her bottom lip was caught between her teeth, gnawed on as her nerves threatened to consume her. Anxiously, the teen paced back and forth outside of the clinic room. A feather was held in her hands, one of a pale blue. Back and forth it was twirled in her hands. Every couple of minutes, violet glanced at the door to the room, waiting a few seconds for someone to come out, only to be disappointed and divert her gaze elsewhere. Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, the door opened. Her father soon appeared, a tired but happy smile on his face. Alisaela immediately scuttled over to him, the twirling of the feather increasing in speed. She said nothing, apparently wanting for him to speak first. “You have a baby sister. Would you like to see her?” He asked, motioning to the door. “Ti!” A couple of excited nods of her head, and soon she was led inside. Her mother was resting on the bed, propped against two or three pillows. A small bundle was in the woman’s arms, wrapped up in a blue blanket. With quiet steps, Alisaela scooted over to her mother’s side, to peer down at it. “Her name is Sarya. Do you want to hold her?” Her mother asked. A hesitant glance to her mother, before she nodded her head. Slowly, she reached out her arms so she could take the bundle into her arms. “Arm like this, and like this.” Her mother instructed as she transferred the bundle into Alisaela’s arms. Normally, she’d make a reply of how she knew what she was doing, but she was too engrossed in the newborn in her arms. A wide smile tugged at the corners of her lips, violet settling on the tiny face. The newborn’s eyes opened, blue meeting violet. “Sarya, I’m your big sister.” She whispered to the tiny baby, supporting her with one hand and using the other to lay the blue feather on her little chest. A hand rested on her shoulder, belonging to that of an ‘aheral man. Light blue offered reassurance, along with a squeeze of her shoulder. A bright smile spread across his face. “She’ll be happy to see you!” “I hope so, Maeh.” She offered a smile in return, before settling her attention on the settlement once more. With a deep breath, she stepped forward to head in.

Great job, Toni! Ready for snelf life again!

The missive found its way into Alisaela's hands, violet taking in each word. A look of surprise came to her face, along with some excitement. Perhaps she could finally see her sister, Sarya, again. "Maehran! You'll get to meet my sister!" There was a delighted smile on her face, as she looked to the blond haired man, holding out the missive out to him.

Estellise Tathvir tilted her head, reading over the missive as Valerica handed it to her. A slight head tilt, turquoise scanning it over. Slowly, she nodded her head in approval. A mixture of emotions washed over her. Uncertainty, relief, before it settled on hope. This would be a good fresh start for all the 'fenn people. Her son would be able to experience his 'fenn side in person now. "So, this is what Arevthor does instead of visiting his family." The tone of her voice was teasing, full of jest. That tone soon died down, replaced with a hopeful thoughtfulness. "I'm interested to see what Vytrek does. I've faith in him."

BOOOOM BABYYYY!

Everyone worked so hard to get this done!! So proud of you guys.

To the tune of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Now, this is a story all about how My life got flipped-turned upside down And I liked to take a minute Just sit right there I'll tell you how I became the Tyrant of a place called Elvenesse In the land of Axios born and raised On the battle field was where I spent most of my days Slicin' out dicin' choppin' people all cool And all beatin' people in some duels outside of Linandria When a couple of human who were up to no good Started making trouble in my neighborhood I got in one little fight and the Prince got scared He said 'You're takin' over for me in Elvenesse' My fiancé begged and pleaded day after day But I packed my armor and I was on my way She gave me a kiss and then she let out a sigh I put my game face on and said, 'I might as well get to it'. High Prince, yo this is bad Making all of the treaties to save the land. Is this what the people of Elvenesse living like? Hmm this might be alright. But wait I hear they're difficult, hard to please, all that Is Elvenesse the type of place they send this cool Tyrant? I don't think so I'll see when I get there I hope they're prepared for the Tyrant of Elvenesse Well uh I got there and when I showed up There was a dude who looked like a fashionista standing there with my name out I ain't trying to commit war crimes yet I just got here I sprang with the quickness like lightening, disappeared I turned around to see a man and when he came near The hair was black and long and he has a crown If anything I can say this former Prince is rare But I thought 'Now forget it' - 'Yo Tyrants to Elvenesse' I walked into the Citadel about seven or eight And I yelled to the man 'Yo, Feanor, my city now' I looked at my kingdom I was finally there To sit on my throne as the Tyrant of Elvenesse

(Ngl, when i first saw the title, i thought it was gonna be a parody on the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Glad everyone's having fun though!)

Vienele could just feel Hareven's reponse, thinking that when he said that, she and Cal hadn't done that again yet!

One day said note was found. A curious look was on the 'ker's face when she picked it up, unfolding it to see what was written inside. "..." She shook her head, letting out a sigh. There was the faintest hints of a smile on her face though.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it? Since we first met." A 'ker murmured to herself, hand resting on the trunk of a willow tree. Head tilted back just a touch, eyes staring up at the tree trunk. "And what a journey it's been to get here." A glow of deep lilac purple took over the normal teal hues. Her focus was entirely on the tree in front of her. If anyone showed up now, she wouldn't have noticed. “It was always you.” The words were whispered aloud, her forehead now pressed to the trunk of the willow tree. “No matter what, it was always you.” Stopped before the gates of Linandria, the 'ker peered up at them. A tilt of her head as she did, eyes narrowing into a squint. Trying to see through the bars, no doubt. Getting inside the city was quick at least. The first row of gates lifted before she called out, and in she was. A male 'ame was who let her in. Brown hair, one visible green eye, a green bandana covering his left one. A dark brown coat that had seen better days, but it suited him. Right hand appeared to be made of wood. A joke came to mind, but she held it off. Well, for as long as she could. It wasn't made until later on in knowing each other, at least. Introductions were made. Calius Terin. That was his name. Or Cal, for short. Everyone seemed to just call him Cal. Her own was given in return. Vienele. Just that, nothing else to go with it. From the beginning, he was very easy to talk to. To spend time with. Time passed far too quickly for her liking when they spoke. Too soon, it ended. But he was always around, so it wasn't long before it started up again. There was a night a couple months later, recalled so fondly and clearly to this day. Playing her violin, along with a friend and their lute. Just next to the edge of the fountain, she danced along to the music being made. He was seated on the edge, not too far away, watching and listening as this went on. A smile on his face. Amidst her playing and dance, she glanced at him, letting her gaze meet his. Time stopped when teal met green. With that shared look, she knew. And it seemed he did too, with the way he paused and his cheeks darkened. That night stuck with her. He was the first she’d heard of druidism. An offer for her to watch a lesson with one of his students. She didn’t mind, curious to see what went into one. It was also a good excuse to spend more time with him. Some of it, she didn’t understand, since she wasn’t a druid. What she did know was it was about connecting to a seed and causing it to grow. What came from the seed Cal grew was a lavender flower. Once he was done with it, he gave it to her. A smile came to her face though, careful as she held the flower. Honestly, it took her focus off of what was going. So, anything else regarding that lesson was fuzzy. The lesson didn’t last much longer, from what she could remember at least. His student went home, leaving them by themselves. The night took them to the Terin tree, outside of the city, in the forests of Linandria. They stopped at the base of it, and he was kind enough to offer her a place to stay. Touched by it, she gave him a hug in return. The action surprised him, but he was more than happy to return it. It lasted a moment or two, before they moved to pull back. But not enough to be pulled completely apart. Their eyes met. He leaned down, and she stretched up to meet him. That night was when their relationship first started. After that, she met his twin sons. Ruin’nir and Tam’naeuth. They were the spitting image of their father. Maybe eight years old, left without a mother because theirs had died a few years earlier. Her heart ached for these boys, the boys that would become hers in time, for she knew the pain of losing a parent. Both of hers were gone. From the start, she treated them as though they were her own, without any hesitation. Nothing was expected in return. No mentions of them acting like she was their mother or calling her Haelun. Always best to let the children come to you in situations like this. Eventually, both of them said it for the first time. Her bottom lip trembled when she heard it, from each of them, tears threatening to spill as her heart swelled. Many years together, with Cal, went by. Last she talked to him, he said he loved her, and that he would be back home later. Later never came. Years went by, but still, she waited. With so many years going by, the worst was concluded. He had to be dead. The conclusion was heartbreaking. Grief consumed her, and she vanished. When she appeared again to find Caras Eldar in Atlas, it was a pleasant surprise to run into Tam’naeuth. Profuse apologies were given to her son, apologies for disappearing. He reassured her it was okay, but what he told her next caused her heart to stop and her blood to run cold. Cal was alive, but he was with someone. Heartbreak hit again, but it was mixed with something else. Anger. He was alive, and she knew nothing of it. Relief danced along with heartbreak and anger, because he was alive. Tam’naeuth tried to stop her, but she pulled herself up from the fountain bench, aiming to exit the city. If Cal happened to show up, she didn’t want to see him right now. Not with the hurt and anger so fresh. The universe has a funny way of working, because on the way out, Cal was on his way in. She froze, as did he, upon seeing each other. He found his voice first, though it was only an utterance of her name. Everything spilled out at once for her, her emotions unable to be held back. Cracks and falters with her words. It was a struggle to get those first words out, but once she was able, there was no stopping her. How she thought he’d been dead, how she’d had to take the time to get over her grief, and here he was. Alive and well, with a new partner, with no word to her. The more came out, the more her voice softened. Her gaze fell to her feet, droplets hitting the stone beneath her. His reply was how he’d run into bandits and wandered off after on his way home, into nature. The call of nature was something druids could not ignore. He thought her dead when he didn’t find her in Caras Eldar, some years before. Easy enough to think. She thought the same of him, so she couldn’t be mad when he thought it of her. Regret replaced the dying down anger. If she’d only continued waiting, if only she’d not disappeared. ‘I wouldn’t have lost him.’ Despite it all, she still loved him. She never stopped, and her heart still melted at the sight of him, as it had years ago. Within the tavern of Caras Eldar, a short time later, the two found themselves seated at a table. She had something for him. With a careful hand, she produced a heart shaped wreath, made of lavender flowers. Brown and clearly having been dead for some time. It was a miracle it was still in one piece. But great care had been to keep it intact. It was a gift she’d made for him a long time ago. Originally, kept so she could place it on his grave, if she ever found it. But, since he was alive, it felt only right to give it to him. Shock was evident on his features at this, stunned with how long she’d kept it. With a turquoise glow taking over his visible green eye, the wreath slowly returned to life, vibrant purple and green instead of brown. A slight smile came to his face as he thanked her, lifting the wreath up. The smile on his face brought a small one to hers. An internal debate went on, and in the end, she decided to bring it up, lest she regret it later. A love for him that never stopped, how she still cared for him, and a willingness to try again, should he want to. He didn’t have to, but the offer was there. There was a slight hesitation. He still cared for her as well, but with his relationship, he needed time to think about it. Something that she respected and wouldn’t push. In the meantime, she stayed around, often visiting the Mother Grove to check in on him. A reply to her hadn’t been given, but overhearing a conversation with his partner’s family was enough to tell her his decision was made. To respect such, she pulled back, happy as long as he was. No avoidance of him, just a distance maintained to be respectful. During this time was when she first made the steps toward becoming a druid. Her dedicancy became her focus, Guyden as her guide. Her Terin mark was also obtained this time. Unofficial, she’d been one for a long time, but it was now official. There was a willow tree outside of his house, in the grove, just down the hill from it. She found herself there, sitting beneath it or on the roots, just talking to the tree. On good, bad, neutral days. There was also time made to go see it and talk, whether the soul within it could hear her or not. It took her years to try to date again. The first a dark elf, but the relationship only lasted a few years, before he vanished. A handful of years later, she met her future husband. A whirlwind of a relationship with many ups and many downs. During this relationship, in the new land of Arcas, she was attuned as a druid. Sister Lilac. In that time, his relationship had ended, but another had blossomed. Her visiting the willow tree didn’t stop, even with the changing of lands. Arcas now, within the Talus Grove. Time was still made to stop by. More days than usual were spent there though, especially during the end of her marriage. Those were some particularly bad days for her. As time continued, it got better, but the amount of time she spent at that tree remained the same. A brief relationship happened, but it didn’t last. It wasn’t anything he did. He was a good man. It was on her side. Her feelings hadn’t faded, not even a little bit, for the man she first met back in Axios. No one was him. She tried not to think about it, because as far as she knew, he was still with someone. Nenar was the one to force her to confront it. Despite the way she deflected it, the ‘ame woman saw right through her, urging her to talk to him. An uncertainty of if he still felt the same way. But the argument was she wouldn’t know if she didn’t try. With enough prodding, she relented, but asked for time to be able to bring it up. Sure, but if it took too long, Nenar would talk to Cal herself. It was atop the willow tree, where a bench was, when the talk happened. Nenar and Tam’naeuth sped the process up, with their comments and jokes. Ruin’nir seemed to be none the wiser, but made his leave to attend to business. His brother and sister followed not long after. That left them alone to talk. Nerves were almost eating her alive, but they were eased, for the most part. Talk of how they’d missed one another, and how they hadn’t stopped feeling for the other. His green bandana was removed, two green eyes meeting her teal ones now. Her hands lifted to find his cheeks, gently cupping them as her forehead rested against his. The rest of the time was spent with quiet conversation and kisses being made up for. Some time later, they were seated beneath the tree, her sitting beside him. Hareven made his appearance, chatting with the both of them. Not long later, Cal left, leaving her alone with Hareven. And what he said caused her to choke on air. “So, y’all *******?” Art By VixieBee

It wasn't until the missive of Toffee's that Rosalia learned of Hook's end. A frown tugged at her lips, amber reading along each word. "Oh." The only sound that came out, filled with a sadness, for the Musin she'd only met once. Not only that, but the rest that of the Musin, for they surely felt this loss deeper than she did. After all, they were his family, not her. But he was a nice little Musin, and she'd liked him. How could anyone have wanted to hurt him?