"Now we drink and create the energy to send to our Abigale so that the Elements bless her to be reborn as a new vassal!"
There's another mighty roar, followed by the flock of feet towards the tables with the mead, while, and food all set out. I really just want to sleep right now, not get drunk or be around a bunch of intoxicated people. The thought makes my skin crawl at the moment. Drinking alcohol at a ceremony to honor my mother, who was murdered by a drunkard.
"Bav, I think I need to go lie down." I cling to him, resting my face against his shoulder.
"Of course, my love." Bav wraps his arm around me and he snaps us to our room. He helps me undress and tucks me into bed, joining me shortly after, holding me tightly in his arms. Exhaustion from the long day makes me fall asleep quickly, safely tucked in Bav's arms.
I'm awoken from dreams of banquets with food everywhere, by the severe growling of my empty stomach in need of sustenance. It's difficult to rise from my deep sleep, but when my stomach painfully growls loud enough that even Bav stirs behind me, I move to get up.
"Shall we go get some food, darling?" Bav pulls me back against him, nuzzling his nose against my neck and ear, sending a flood of shudders down my body.
"Yes, I just hope that everyone is not inebriated." I look to the window, noticing the sun is not high in the sky yet. We've probably only slept an hour or two. "What time did we all arrive here last night?" I roll over in Bav's arms, stroking his hair and face softly.
"It was around midnight when you arrived." Bav looks to the window as well, "I'm guessing it's barely ten in the morning. Your stomach though does not care what time it is. I do believe it is going to start to attempt to eat you from the inside out soon. If we continue to ignore it." He releases me and we begin to get to dressed.
I'm only in my support garments, when I notice Bav's hungry gaze on me. "Save it, my love. I need sustenance first, other wise I will faint." I giggle, pulling my dress out of the wardrobe.
"I am well aware, my Kara dear. I can still appreciate the view and plan for later." He sends a wink my way, making me blush even though I purse my lips and scowl at him, fighting a smile.
We make our way back outside, to find music being played, while others are singing and dancing. I scan to find the musicians are using barrels for drums, the wine jugs, empty cups wooden, brass plates and silverware, just what ever was around them. The music is jovial, creating a fun atmosphere that people would want to dance to.
"I was not expecting to find this scene when we came down." I comment, eyes wide in pleasant surprise.
"All elements are reused, Rakara. Even those that are invisible to our eyes. We mourn the vessel, but rejoice in her distribution of energy to start a new cycle." Nordrem's deep voice startles me from behind, making me bolt around to look at him. "We celebrate our lives and the memories of those that touched it while apart of it."
I don't know why, just his statements made me begin to cry silently again. I nod to him, "Thank you." before walking off with Bav to eat something. Soon we are joined by Veyr, Amara, Calire, Flair and Marco, who sit and talk with us about what we have missed during my nap. We had only been asleep for three hours, so it was mostly everyone eating and then the impromptu making of instruments and finding the harmony with them.
Then several of the Dragosvellierians stepped forward to help them understand the language.
"Well, I'm sorry I missed out on that." Bav gives a tight smile and sighs, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Good thing I still have a translator though." He kisses my temple and I lean into him, enjoying his presence.
Soon, Synthea and Griven come join us, taking a break from dancing with large glasses of mead. When they realize that Bav did not receive the gift to understand and speak with the Dragosvellierians, they jump to their feet and pull him to go fix that. Veyr and Marco ask Amara and Calire to dance, leaving me and Flair sitting on the grass watching everyone.
Flair stands up suddenly, stretching, "I will fall asleep if I stay sitting here. I'm off to get my blood flowing." He walks away, smiling, leaving me by myself.
"May I sit here?"
I turn to see Soot's standing awkwardly shifting his feet, waiting for my response. I turn to continue watching the dancers.
"You may. How much have you had to drink so far?" I scan him for any signs of intoxication, preparing to leave if I feel the need.
"Not much. Only one every hour to wet my throat really. I'm still sober." He takes a seat, still keeping some distance between us, but close enough. He doesn't say anything, so I just sit there in silence.
He grumbles, obviously frustrated at something. He fiddles with the ground, his shoe digging at a spot in the grass.
I ignore it, I'm waiting for him to say what ever it is that he wants to say.
"I should not have acted like I didn't know who you were when I found out your name. It was stupid and it hurt you, and I'm still not sure why I didn't say something. I knew I wanted to see what you were capable of, but when I saw so much of Abigale in you.... Mainly her headstrong attitude.... It pained me, reminding me that she's gone. That there was nothing I could do for my little girl."
He groans, avoiding my now direct gaze, his eyes falling to his hands as he struggles with his next words, "I guess... what I.. I am trying to .... to say... is," he takes a deep breath, letting it out as he says softly, "I'm sorry. For everything. For becoming upset over the truth and letting my anger at myself be vented on you. For keeping the truth from you. For not trying to find you or send a letter to find you and make sure you were okay. For being an ass this whole time. For not being there. I will never claim to be a smart man when it comes to life. That's why I didn't mind as much about making this place." He gestures to the world around us.
"I could avoid the outside world and all of its expectations. I could just be me here and I never realized how different I've become when it comes to social interaction with others. Veirda helped me when she was still alive and I've become more of a recluse since your mom left. More of a grumpy, old man, too." He smirks, momentarily at that but gets serious again.
It's quiet between us, as I take in all he just said. I don't know what to really respond with over his revelation and apology. I received an apology from him.
"Well, I certainly was not expecting all that." I shift my posture around, trying to buy me some more time before I respond.
"When you first met me, you called me Abigale. I knew in that moment that you had an idea of who I was, our resemblance makes it obvious we are related. I knew deep down, that you were related, just not how. I accept your apology, but I need time to process all this. I'd also appreciate your help in learning how to use my gift. We can not stay here forever, Bav has to help his mother on Earth. I also have a my shops and work I must attend to again. This was supposed to be our honeymoon, and I still don't know how I am going to handle the fact months have gone by here, but only a few hours when we go back. I just need some time, it's overwhelming at the moment."
Soot's nods, "I understand, that was a better response than what I was expecting though." He gives a lopsided smile and asks, "So this was supposed to be your honeymoon? I wouldn't say this must have been your ideal situation or destination for one?"
I sigh, "Our 'honeymoon' hasn't exactly been what I expected, but I am grateful for this extra time with my husband before we go back."
"Extra time? Are you not joining him while he helps his mother?" Soot's leans back in question.
I shake my head, "I'm afraid not. It would be too dangerous for me. He's going to be helping her handle a revolution as he has put it."
"His people are revolting against his family's reign?" Soot's eyes widen in surprise.
"More or less, his father's reign. His people still love his mother the queen. They want her back on the throne. His father though is becoming more cruel and tyrannical with each passing day."
"That doesn't surprise me, when I was at the courts he was showing the signs of cruelty growing in his heart then." Soot's discloses this information casually, making me turn slack jawed towards him.
"You've been to the Fey courts?!" I exclaim.
He just shrugs and nods, " Yeah, I had to have help to create this place."