DREAMS UPON THE GRASS

***DREAMS UPON THE GRASS*** is set between the thirty and thirty first session of *Glimpses Into The Fade.*

## **Synopsis**

##### Bran's Dream

The dream starts to the south of Esmos, amongst the trees and many fields of corn, in the small farming village of Corna. With its tight and small community, not many secrets can be held long among the village. A small Maker statue sits at the city center, but there is something much more significant, at the edge of the village, that the people adore and take care of. An enormous weeping willow tree sits atop a small hill, casting a shadow over the village's center. A lot of Corna's people believe that the tree's shadow is the Maker's, protecting them and watching over Corna. In its center is a small chapel, where people from Corna are starting to gather, as today is a special holiday for the Maker's believers.

As a bright 8 (going 9) years old boy, Bran is surrounded by his family, his mother Nimue, his father Elliot and his twin baby sister, Violet, getting ready to head down to the chapel. Bran is taken aback by the sight of the comfort of his home, remembering him laying aching and hurt on the grass mere seconds ago. While the boy's family doesn't practice the teaching of the Chorus, Nimue makes a point that they attend today's celebrations, as doing otherwise would not be seen positively by the twonspeople. Bran knows he needs to behave especially good today, to get the promised new book that his mother is willing to buy for him and his sister. Among the family's giggles and chatter, while Bran's parents finish dressing up and getting ready to go out, the boy'Bran's twin sister, sitting on the the bed, calls out to him, asking him to fetch the cane she uses to walk, as Violet says that her knees are aching a bit more than usual today. Before leaving the house, the twins tell their birds to stay home for the time being, Violet calls out to hers, Berry, but when Bran tries saying Mint's name, a garble static leaves his mouth instead, which doesn't strike anyone as odd.

As the family heads down to the chapel, the twins start talking excitedly about which books they're going to choose later. Violet tells Bran that she's looking forward to buying the newest edition of the "The Adventurer's Book", that she's been waiting for patiently. Not being able to perceive it through his excited chat with his sister, Bran fails to notice someone staring as the Gromery family passes the chapel's entrance, Elliot carrying the slow Violet in his arms to prevent others behind them to grow impatient. Right before the ceremony starts, once Bran and his family are finally sitting down, the boy finally notices the child who was staring at him at him, and still is, a few benches away. Bran's face lits up as he recognizes his best friend, Norlan, before the latter looks away.

Bran considers Norlan to be his best and only genuine friend. As the other children don't tend to be driven away, bored, by how slow Violet is to them, unable to keep up with their running around and hurrying everywhere, Norlan is the opposite. They're only a few months older than the twins, but already seem very mature to Bran. They're very quiet and soft-spoken, always keeping their thoughts to themselves. Bran is amused at how aloof Norlan often looks, always seeming to be in their own world, and is always enjoying the time they spend together by the willow tree or the river. Whenever Bran isn't keeping his sister company, Nimue knows to look for her son wherever Norlan is. Bran reading exciting adventures aloud to Norlan, often acting them out, and Norlan sitting quietly by his side, staring at him or drawing. Aside from the soon-to-be-bought book, today feels extra special for Bran, as earlier was the first time ever that his best friend asked him to meet up.

Getting a brand new book and meeting Norlan by the willow tree sounds like a perfect day to the young boy.

Not being able to fight the sleepiness despite trying to keep himself awake by thinking about which book to get later, Bran falls asleep during the sermon, only to be woken up by the soft shaking from his father a few minutes later, some townspeople looking his way. Her physical condition slowly getting worse recently, making Violet unable to attend school more often than the other way around, and as her mother was in the process of starting to homeschool her, Bran's sister does a better job at keeping herself awake, a part of her being excited by the feeling of somewhat being taught again, listening attently at the ceremony and even taking notes on her little church booklet. Towards the latest part of the sermon, Elliot allows Bran to go sit next to his twin sister after his son asked him to move away, hoping chatting with Violet would keep him distracted enough to avoid falling asleep. The twins start chatting about how the ceremony is going. Bran complains about how boring the priest is while his sister shows her notes on the Church's teachings, explaining to Bran how nice and kind the Maker sound, that maybe after asking for forgiveness, or by being kind enough, the Maker will reward them by healing their pain and making things good again. Violet expresses her wanting to know why the Maker has turned his back to his people. The twins ponder, "Maybe our ancestors said a really bad word, or did something bad like how we sometimes stay up at night reading, and the Maker punished them.". Violet's mind is full of questions, and hopes to get a chance to talk to the Maker one day to get answers. Once the service ends, Nimue hands the twins a silver piece to put into the chapel's donation box. Seeing Violet struggle to put hers in, Bran tries to cheer her up by imitating his mother's mage hand and put both his and his sister's coin in. After seeing his son, Nimue reminds Bran to not use his magic in public. After her husband hushes her to lighten up, Nimue tells the children that they have 2 hours free to wander around the bookstore, not handing them money. As usual, while the parents go shopping for food after the sermon, the twins have to wait for Nimue to come to the bookstore to pay for the books.

The twins walk into the shop and greet Mrs. Emma, chatting with her a bit before going to look for a new book to buy. With how much time the twins spend in the store, Emma and them are on friendly terms, and the shopkeeper immediately pulls out the green "The Adventurer's Book" from behind the counter, that Violet has been waiting for eagerly. Bran's interest diverges to a serie him and Violet enjoy, about a magicless hero, who finds strength in the capable friends he meets. The wizard, tabaxi and cleric he meets complete his lack of magic, speed and healing abilities, and the entire serie is about love and friendship. Hoping his mother will allow him to get the 5th and 6th volume, Bran brings both to the counter. After telling her brother that their mother will never allow them to get 3 books, Violet suggests that she takes the 6th volume and asks Mrs. Emma to keep the book she originally wanted to buy aside, for next time. Upon Bran's cheers, the bell to the bookstore rings, and the doors open to let in Kass and Shaeni, the children that usually bully the Gromery twins, always especially tough on Bran. Right upon entering, Kass starts shouting harsh remarks and insults directed at the young halfling, making fun of him falling asleep during the sermon, or his physical appearance and upbringing. As usual, no one reacts to the children's behaviour, and the only adult present doesn't take Bran and his sister's side or even attempts to defend them, and Mrs. Emma stays silent at the kids shouting insults to the twins. After a while, Kass and Shaeni come up to the counter, telling the shopkeeper that he wants to buy the green book, that Violet just put away. Despite Bran speaking up about the situation, for once, Mrs. Emma eventually sells the book to Shaeni, who pulled out more than the original price from their pocket, since the twins don't have money. Kass then grabs the book before snatching Violet's cane from her hands, and running away towards the weeping willow's hill. Bran immediately chases after them, leaving his sister behind at the store.

Eventually, Bran reaches the bottom of the hill and faintly hears Kass and Shaeni's laughter, and amongst their chatter, Norlan's voice, quiet but clear. "I told you they'd be at the shop. Did you get the book ? He keeps talking about how eager his sister is to buy it.". The smell of smoke is in air, and Bran hears the crisp sounds of a fire, pages being ripped. Shocked by hearing what Norlan said, Bran slows down, and walks up to the willow's side. Once he reaches the top, he sees Kass holding Violet's walking cane, and Shaeni ripping the book Violet had been waiting to read for months, throwing bits and pieces of it into the fire. Next to her stands Norlan, with two sticks and matches in their hands. Despite knowing how smart Norlan is, Bran refuses to awknowledge what is clearly happening in front of him, and immediately rushes to his best friend, shouting at at the other two kids to leave them alone, demanding some explanations about what they've done to Norlan. His ears and mind being flled with the crackling of the pages being burnt, Bran grows even more confused as Kass tells him that he wants to burn Violet's cane, to keep her from walking ever again, calling the twins "freaks". As much as Bran tries his hardest to fight Kass back to keep the cane away from the fire, in the end, the other,, stronger and taller child, also helped by Shaeni grabbing the cane behind him, ends up pulling the cane their way, making Bran fall to the ground. In a desperate attempt to turn the situation around, Bran turns around and asks Norlan for help who doesn't move, doesn't reply, and instead kicks what's left of the book in the fire. For the first time, Norlan turns to the halfling child, "They said you're a freak. So I don't want to be around you anymore. You only ever talk about yourself anyways." in reply to Bran asking their help over and over again. "We have done nothing to these people, I've never shouted, never hit. My parents have taught Violet and I that the greatest gift you can bestow upon others is love and care, and that kindness is more important and more rewarding than anything. So why... why are these people so cruel to us.", the years old child thinks. Kass laughs, repeating the word "freak" and other insults directed to the twins.

Bran's impatience, mixed with confusion, witnessing people's raw cruelty for the first time, jumps on Kass with the intent to hurt him as much as he can. All of his pent-up anger and repressed rage about Kass' behaviour lashes out through his punches. Reaching out for the other burning half of Violet's cane, he hits Kass again, the punches not being enough, they're not hurting Kass enough. He needs to hurt more, he needs to burn, Bran thinks, before shouting "I've never done anything to you, I'm not a freak, I'm not a monster, I'm not a monster, I'm not a monster !!". With this overwhelming wave of hits, parts of Kass' body starts turning red and bloody, as the children start shouting, begging Bran to let go. Admist all of this, something in Bran flares up, he screams, shaeni and Norlan pull Kass away, and blinded with rage and overtaken by a magic beyond him, a massive gallon of grease surges from Violet's broken stick, and Bran smacks it against the Maker's tree. The children's fire is right there, with Violet's book still burning. The grease catches fire, and the weeping willow tree slowly starts burning abright. The small sorcerer child, who just mastered Mage Hand, is thrown back and away by the power of this surge, and rolls down the hill. Blinking the rest of the his consciousness away, Bran sees the willow tree burning. Burning away both the leaves and the Maker's shadow over the entire village of Corna. To the child, it looks like the Maker's arms, outsretched towards him and the village, burns away from his reach, never to reach out again. The child who learned about salvation a few hours ago, gives up on the notion entirely. Bran feels himself being lifted up by his worried and hurried mother, trying to defend her son from the angry shouts of the entire village, grease still on his hands. Nimue, still holding him, writes some kind of ruin on Bran's hand, stopping the fiery feeling from his hands, before leaving the house to fix the mess her son made.

The 17 years old sorcerer feels angry and confused, about how amendent the people of Corna were to blame him that day, for a fire he didn't start, for a fight that had been going on in the bright light of day. For how loud and angry the usually silent and blind growns up had acted.

In Orion, it's now almost winter. Bran's father brushes away Violet's freshly cut hair. He brings up a small cake to her bed, with a candle on top. "Happy birthday kids, I miss you so much.". The candle is blown, but not by the halfling child. The Fireflies' sorcerer is now 18.

Bran wakes up in a sudden shiver. He's sweating, he feels hot and out of breath. His blurry eyes take time to come into focus as he stares at the campfire before Hira and Vilya talking. Once his heart is beating at a normal rate again, he looks down at his hands, cupping them together, holding nothing, and blows onto an imaginary candle, silently wishing him and his twin sister a happy birthday, before trying to fall back into sleep.

##### Hira's Conversation

As the Fireflies sleep leaving only Hira and Vilya awake to tend to the wounded, Vilya calls out asking if she'd like to rest. Hira, who has kept watch facing towards the ring of trees, doesn't find herself needing to sleep and instead opts to keep Vilya company as she makes more salves. She states they think they'll be needing more seeing how their previous battle had gone. Hira agrees, then mentions Vilya avoiding her question previously on how she is feeling. Vilya holds herself, stating she doesn't know after being lied too, thinking Arel was their friend, but they were using her brother. She isn't sure what to make of it, making it difficult to know how she feels other then bad.

Vilya isn't sure what happened to Monsoon, seeing him in such pain. She asks Hira if she knows of *Vhenan,* to which she admits no, but had seen it on the drawing Monsoon shared with all of them before. Vilya explains it comes from Elvhenanian Elves, or Elves of the True Home. To call someone *Vhenan*, one's home and heart, that no matter where either of you are, your never going to be far apart, because Elves do not have that home. Vilya admits she saw it as romantic, but seeing her brother so distraught, that body and soul love hurt him greatly. She's seen Monsoon do this many times, she doesn't understand why he isn't scared by it. Hira admits seeing another Elf previously, Alphirin, which Vilya states was his first love.

Monsoon has had many partners, Alphirin, an unnamed Human man he loved until his death - which hurt him a lot. He kept to himself for a time until he met Arel, then Odin. She was happy for him once, seeing Drow as similar to Elves, but now she isn't sure, admitting she'll need time processing what occurred at the lake. Hira agrees to save the Arel talk for when everyone is awake. She asks where Vilya had grown up, apparently wherever Rune allowed them to wander, never in one place for too long. They travel by Aravels, caravans carried by the winds through sails, in a way asking for Mithal to guide them to their next destination. Vilya admits life moving around constantly was tough, but was fun while it lasted before their father tried to kill them.

Hira is confused by Rune only allowing them in certain places, to which Vilya tries to explain the strange law due to the nomadic Elves being seen as their own people but not owning land. Rune had taken it from them after the Blight, so much time has passed they don't know where it is in the first place. Elves have spread far, wandering through Esmos, Atral, Hesmad, and perhaps even Oris. Hira asks if that's why *Vhenan* is important to them, as a sort of home. Vilya expresses its about having people, having each other is all they have, to find someone to be that for you is seen as a grand thing. She mutters it's her brothers biggest weakness, loving people with all of his heart, but it's his greatest strength as well.

Hira doesn't understand the strength in such thing, seeing the pain he felt upon learning Arel isn't who he thought they were. But Vilya explains that Monsoon will deal with that and move forward, finding someone new and fall in love all over again, that is his strength that she admits she isn't sure she can do that. Hira attempts to ask how old she is to no avail, but can assume they're both long lived, whilst Monsoon has had multiple partners she asks if Vilya has ever had a partner. Vilya states she hasn't found her yet, she's had women she was interested in but nothing came of it, a hook up here and there. She leans forward looking up to Hira, saying she's never had someone that made her go *"I love you, body and soul,"* causing Hira to be at a loss of words. Vilya asks if she's taken aback, to which Hira apologizes stating yes, it's nothing she's dealt with before.

Vilya proceeds to ask if she's interested in romance at all, at a small scale like holding hands or dates, not to Monsoon or Oriza's levels. Hira clasps her hands tightly, noticing it isn't as warm as the first time their hands brushed. Hira says yes in interest and Vilya quickly moves on saying it's her turn to ask a question. Hira asks why she had apologizes to her in the midst of battle, the reason being she had to leave her. Hira reassures her it's alright, saying she isn't her responsibility in the first place, she ran to her brother in a time of need. She reminds Vilya is a good sister, which she proudly states she knows this. Hira says Monsoon is also a good brother, then questions the face Vilya makes. Hira asks a second question: did Calypso put her up to anything?

Vilya tells her one time Calypso had made her taste something extremely under seasoned, but that's about it. Vilya asks why she asks her that, to which Hira admits she had a dream where her Aunt admitted to asking Ambrose to watch and provide for her. Vilya looks shocked Hira isn't aware why Calypso asks so much of him and admits she knows why, the two leaning in as if sharing a secret as Vilya truly asks if she doesn't see it. Hira thinks back now - times where her Aunt had pulled her hand away from his, to market runs that have gone too long, returning with flowers and more things then usual. Taking a moment, Hira then asks what *Kadan* means. Vilya explains its a Sylvan term used for those you value highly, or for someone they love it could mean *their heart* or *where the heart lies*.

Extremely taken aback by the news, Hira remembers Calypso had news for her when she returned home. Vilya explains he's probably trying to be in Hira's good graces as he courts her Aunt, he isn't subtle about it either as he speaks about her whilst at work. Ambrose apparently takes calls with his brother where he expresses excitement for the two to meet, how he plans to take days off to spend time with her and so on. Vilya admits she thought Hira had known, Hira had thought they were only friends, admitting she wasn't aware of the signs growing up in a place with little to no romance. She then wonders why neither of them had told her, but Vilya expresses that perhaps Calypso wasn't sure of love either, was taking a moment to figure it out herself. As the initial shock fades away, she admits she can find a few reasons why she wouldn't say anything.

Vilya reassures her there's worse men for her Aunt to end up with for her to be with a Prince of Esmos is a good match. Hira fears if it's plausible for the two to be together, considering Ambrose's royal status, but Vilya explains the Esmos political system doesn't care anymore since King Agreste has someone next in line. She suggests Hira to brush up on her politics, considering the relationship Calypso and Ambrose have. The two continue to ask questions — Hira learns that pressure also aids in grounding Vilya, that the Elven tattoos are called *Vallasin*, white ink is mixed with magic and done during a rite of passage. Vilya's is in reverence of Mithal, whilst Monsoon's regard Falon'Din, their God of the Dead. Vilya explains that in birth they come with Mithal, a gentle welcoming breeze where one lives, loves and creates, and in Death comes a fierce storm, going down kicking in fiery battle over what you believe in the most, representing a cycle.

Hira finds that quite beautiful, poetic in a way. Vilya thanks her for asking, admitting it's not something often spoken of. She continues to ask of the ritual to earn Vallasin and Vilya explains at a certain age, they devote themselves to a God. The more marks one has, the more devoted they are, as the process is extremely painful and they cannot make a sound whilst being tattooed. Hira looks ghastly, asking how long ago this was, Vilya admits she doesn't remember. She then asks Hira to tell her something nobody has asked her about, but wishes to be known. Looking around at the flowers and field, Hira admits she's always wanted to be a Druid, saying they were highly regarded in the Lying Eyes. She mutters she always wanted magic of her own, to which Vilya looks puzzled before making the connection.

One of nature's best gifts is that it can be learned, Vilya offers to help her, it would come with a history lesson though. Hira looks confused, unaware one could learn the magic to become a Druid, believing she has no magic prowess of her own. Vilya was taught that they were blessings, stating as a kid, Monsoon couldn't do any magic of his own. But with studying and training, with enough time Falon'Din gave him the might of the storm. Whilst Mithal blessed her upon birth, so many others, like Priestesses had learned as well. She tells Hira whoever told her that is wrong, that everyone has the potential. Hira hesitates hearing they could be wrong, but the two continue forward in conversation.

Hira asks where Vilya had come from during their trial, to which the Fade seemingly led her right to them. As her last question, Hira asks if her Halla has a name. Vilya tells her she's named Hilani, to which Hira asks if it means anything. Vilya finds it embarrassing but admits it to be an Elvish colloquial term meaning 'cute baby.' As she begins to finish up her salves, Vilya says she's glad she kept her company, their conversation helped keep her mind off things. Hira says she's happy to help, which Vilya echoes back. She doesn't mean to preach, but can tell a troubled person when she sees one, offering to listen if needed. Vilya leans in, holding out her hand motioning Hira to bring hers. Vilya drops a small druidcraft antler of a Halla in her palm, a lucky charm so to keep it on her for her ease of mind. If they ever need it, Mithal's Halla will be able to find them. Vilya hopes that the All Mother will aid her, and if she doesn't, then she will.

Hira thanks her once more, for everything, the healing. Vilya reminds her she still owes her that foraging she owes her, perhaps back in Orion, but that means she's got to stay alive. Hira states she plans to live, considering her Aunt has something to tell her. Vilya asks if it's a royal wedding if she can be her plus one, to which Hira agrees too. As they begin cleaning up, Hira approaches Monsoon's dishevelled unconscious body. Hira brings up how terrible his hair looks, saying they should redo it so when he returns, he looks fancy again. Kneeling down to braid his hair she pauses, looking to Vilya realizing she isn't able to braid. Vilya teaches her as they rebraid the strands of his hair, sharing a moment with each other as the Fireflies begin to wake.

## Featured Characters

#### The Fireflies

* Anthir
* Bran
* Hiraeth
* Oriza
* Riya

#### Returning

* Monsoon
* Vilya
* Elliot Gromery
* Nimue Gromery

#### Mentioned

* Ambrose Alpenlou
* Calypso

#### New

* Shaeni
* Kass
* Norlan
* Celias
* Armille
* Armundal
* Drewe
* Mogak 'Oga'