Thread: ᴏɴᴇ ʜᴏᴍᴇ ʟᴏsᴛ, ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴡᴏʀᴛʜ ғɪɢʜᴛɪɴɢ ғᴏʀ [ ɢᴇᴍ x ᴡᴏʟᴢᴇʀᴇx ]

There had been many a late night where she had pictured a scenario quite like this -- Her two worlds colliding. Her past and the present somehow finding the other. She often tried to imagine her departed family sharing a space with her adopted one. They were as different as the night was from the day. In fact, they may as well have been night and day. Agnar, Frida, the boys, and even Freya when she got riled enough, embodied the light of the sun. Their smiles and voices could light up a room, their boisterous laughter completely contagious. Her dearly departed family held such an elegant and ethereal light unlike any other, their aura as mysterious as the moon herself. Her parents and siblings presence could quiet an entire ballroom simply by entering the threshold. Yet, despite the stark differences between her two families, there was not a single doubt in her mind that both would enjoy each other's company. Frida would harp at Amarisa for being too uptight. Milo and Kai would most likely worship the ground Gael stood on. Her mother and Freya would chat about their shared interests over tea, while Agnar and her father would peruse their wine cellar. It would have been quite a sight to see, but a joyous one. All that was missing...was Korm. Despite the uncertainty she had felt while being away from him all these years, she had also wondered what it would be like for him to meet them -- All of them. Growing up, he too, was the subject of similar scenarios. Staring at the stars, him at her side, Eli silently prayed that one day he could be more than just a forbidden secret. If only her family knew him, saw him in the same light she did. As time passed and the two grew, she became more and more aware of how unrealistic her hopes were. With each passing day the tension and distaste between their people festered. Both of them had come to accept that their friendship would only exist in secret. Now, fate gave her that chance -- A chance to be with him freely, meet her family without fear of such strong, hateful action. Yet, despite the scene before her eyes -- She had not anticipated it to play out this way. Rather than her family being unwelcoming, it was her. Rather than laughter, the room was gravely silent, only the sporadic crackle and spark off the hearth seeming to chime in at his narrative. As he spoke of his knowledge of the things that went on in the dark, she felt her hands folded in her lap, begin to tighten. The tension only built as he continued on, her knuckles beginning to turn a sickly white as she fought all urges of fight or flight. Frida had a stony expression on her face, choosing to listen to him best she could despite being wary of her elven sister. Meanwhile, Milo could only stare in awe, mouth slightly open and eyes alight with something akin to excitement despite the risks at hand. His words of warning and reassurance only brought anger and confusion. Eli did not want to know how it was exactly Korm received his information, nor did she wish to believe Korm could be on the participating end of such. But, if he indeed was a part of the city's underworld, all the more reason to keep him at an arm's length...right? How come he was making it so hard then? Why help them after such hurtful words were said? Was this simply him being noble as he always had been? Or an attempt at redemption of some sort? Perhaps, she was thinking too selfishly, though. His concern may not even be for her or her family, but the well-being of the sea-side city itself. It was clear he had made a home and life for himself here, after all. Whatever his reasons, at that moment, none of that mattered. Her mind could only fixate on the fact the place she had hoped to call home was no longer safe for them. His words were now only meaningless sound, garbled in her head as it continued to reel. Eli could not bear the thought of any more bloodshed, of losing anyone else dear to her. The thought weighed heavily upon her chest, her heart tightening painfully in response. What if she wasn't strong enough to protect them? What if she couldn't even fight? Why is it they had to fight in the first place? The irony of finding both a new family and home, only to lose it at the hands of another once more, was painfully rich. If not for the despair building in the pit of her stomach, perhaps she would have laughed in spite of herself. Instead, she found herself speaking, Lay low? We should not have to lay low at all . It was a painfully quiet return, her voice shaking in the same manner as her hands. Frida, sensing the escalation in her opened her mouth in an attempt to calm her, but Eli shot out of her seat before she had the slightest chance. Her stare remained glued to the floor, hiding the forlorn look in her eyes. We should not have to prepare for anything, let alone fight for our lives in to live in peace--! Much like the volume of her voice, the heat radiating from her hands began to dangerously rise as she clenched them further. Just before she could say any more, a large hand patted her head before tilting her head upwards. She hadn't even heard Agnar come in. He gathered her glowing hands in his own, squeezing them firmly without a second thought. If it were anyone else, she would have pulled herself away out of fear of burning them. However, it was a gesture that she had grown quite familiar with over the course of her time with the troupe, and it never failed to bring her back from wherever it was her mind seemed to whisk her off too. Now, Elenial. He began, the sound of her name pulling tears from her eyes. Hearing him call her such reminded her of her own father in the moments she needed the feeling most. Have I ever let anything happen to this troupe? Do you think a few ruffians are going to drive us from our home so easy? His laughter bellowed throughout the space, seeming to make the floor rumble beneath them. As he let go of her hands, she simply nodded, unable to join in his lightheartedness. ...Please...No more fighting. I cannot -- I cannot lose you all, too. The sentiment had her voice breaking, a sob shaking her frame as she took a backwards step toward the door. Her gaze swept over each concerned face, eyes lingering on Korm a beat longer. She wanted to tell him to leave, to not concern himself with them. One part of her did not want his help out of fear he may only add fuel to the ever-growing fire. Not to mention, part of him frightened her, that fact there was no denying. Yet, she also could not deny that his presence in all of this brought some...sense of security? It was a strange dynamic within herself -- One she did not have the emotional capacity to try and sort out in that moment. Finally pulling her eyes from him, she wordlessly moved toward the door, quickly removing herself and running toward her spot on the cliff. They all watched her go, knowing better than to chase after her. This was nothing out of character for her, especially in those moments of being completely overwhelmed. She would be back before dusk. With a long, heavy sigh, Agnar took a seat in Eli's place. The air felt solemn as each of them finally turned back to Korm -- All except for Kai, who looked as if he wanted to follow behind her. ...I hope you can forgive her, Korm. I cannot condone her lashing out, but I also cannot say her feelings are unwarrented. Agnar murmured, lifting Kai onto his knee. I'm sure you, more than any one of us, know the tragedies Elenial has seen. And, although she may blame you for them, I know she could never bring her heart to truly believe you would do anything, but protect her. And, I am deeply grateful for everything you have done for her and the rest of us. You are not your people, Korm. And, I'm sure Elenial, deep down, knows that, too. She'll come around soon enough. Frida chimed in gently, disappointed in herself for letting her bias cloud her judgement. It was obvious he cared for her in a way she could not fathom. Plus, if he had made a home for himself here, he must have wanted nothing to do with whatever it was his kind took part in. Hopefully, Eli would come to realize that soon. I would hold off on going after her for now, though. This isn't anything new, don't worry. Just...Don't give up on her, Korm. And, thank you again. Us halflings gotta stick together, am I right? She flashed him a big grin, thumbing her nose proudly. Keep us updated. We'll make sure to stay alert.