*Cassae's POV*.
"Yes. You didn't make me do it." I said in a happy tone. "Varis and the Elders used to scold me over not fighting the weather. Even if it was taxing for me to do. The stronger the storm, the stronger I must be to redirect it. It's exhausting because nature doesn't like to be forced. Is there anything I can do to help you prepare?"
"Unless you happen to know earth magic, then no. The dwarves can handle a little torrential down pour." He said. "And unless you plan on carrying Lael to Hearthstone and back, then you can mind the house while I go inform them of the storm coming."
"Yes, I will do that, then." I replied, still smiling brightly at him.
He shook his head as if exasperated, but I saw a slight smile on his lips. "Then, I will be back shortly." He aaid as he started to leave.
"Come back safely." I replied, before turning back to my sewing, since I'd fixed a strip of cloth over the needle prick.
"I will do my utmost." He replied as he left.
I was a little surprised he responded to my words. It made me smile. I knew the wind was going to ramp up shortly. Just like I knew there was going to be no lightning. I felt mildly annoyed with it, because this would delay me getting started working. I also had to decide if it was worth while to take Lael to Sylvia and Sienna for the learning and play with their kids or not in the rain. It took another hour before it finally began to sprinkle. Tilton hadn't come back yet. I'd finished the dress I'd made for myself and started another for Lael.
After another twenty minutes, I knew the rain was about to be coming down hard, so I set everything aside and went to get a towel for Tilton. He'd be wet when he arrived back. By the time he arrived home, it was a little over an hour to dawn, and pouring rain. I hadn't experienced rain before, and it was coming down hard enough to sound like pebbles falling. Clearly, I was at the door with the towel for him. I'd used some wind magic to warm the towel for him before he'd arrived.
He'd entered and accepted the towel and I'd glanced outside before the door was shut. I'd almost expected it to be hailing, but it wasn't. The wind was whipping the trees and turning the rain into little needles that thumped heavily into everything it touched. When I looked at Tilton next, I was sure he was chilled from the rain. I wanted to help warm him, but I decided that would be quite inappropriate. Despite staying in his home, I was not his friend, nor close with him.
So I simply smiled and said, "Is there anything I can do to help you warm up? The rain seems to be chilly."
"Unless you can wring my clothes dry as I wear them, I don't think so. I am going to go change. Thank you for the towel, though." He said.
"I could use wind to dry you..." I replied.
He wiped his face and neck with the towel, then said "Alright. Let's see what you have."
I hesitated before reaching my hands to either side of him and summoning a warm whirlwind to circle Tilton. After a minute he was dry, and I stopped the winds, dropping my hands. The dying winds settled his hair properly before fading entirely. "Is that alright?"
"Felt like I was wrapped in a warm summers breeze." He said. "I almost wanted to rest."
I smiled a little at him and said, "That was the intent. I was not sure if it was something that would be welcomed."
"I can't imagine why it wpuldn't be welcome. I was cold and wet, you made me warm and dry." He replied.
"My father preferred to be dried by Mother privately, and.. My late husband hated for me to dry him in any manner. For the winds, he said if he wanted to be assaulted he'd go back into the storm." I told him, shame faced at having been a poor wife in that aspect.
"I can relatively understand your father's point. When my wife.. was still alive.. she had to use a towel." He said. "Hers is the name that.. escaped me yesterday in the study."
"I'm sorry to know that she was lost to you. Sorrier for the pain you still feel." I replied sincerely.
"It is a pain I've grown accustomed to." Tilton told me. "And yet a pain I am sure she would ridicule me for."
"I would like to refute that, but I do believe you'd know better than I." I sighed. "I must be quite uncomfortable for you."
"At first, yes." He said. "After some thought it came to mind that it made no sense. My past is my past, and that is where it shall stay."
"I have never heard of someone out logic-ing emotions." I said with a small smile.
"It is a difficult process. And one I wish I could say I perfected." He said.
"Emotions shape a person." I told him.
"If one is not mindful, it can cripple them." He replied.
"Very true." I said, moving back towards his study. "I shouldn't speak on emotions anyways, because I am keeping myself from so many of them."
"If you wish to speak on any of it.. I will listen." He said, following me.
I smiled at him, before picking up the things I'd set aside and storing them. "If you wish to be burdened, I can tell you."
"By all means, laden me with your worries." Tilton replied, sitting in his chair.
I sat as well, and took a moment to organize some of my thoughts. "I miss my parents and friends. Even though Varis and I were on bad terms, I miss him, too. Their deaths weigh on me, and if idle, I wonder why I should bother to continue on. Then Lael laughs and I hate my weakness." I took a steadying breath and continued, "I'm getting things together and moving forward with things I believe Lael and I will need to continue living, and even as prospective orders are made, I don't think I'll meet the standards of the customers. I love how your home is organized, but I have little desire to burden you with myself and Lael, though seeing Lael so happy to see you makes me happy.. I hate that I find you so comfortable because it reminds me that I couldn't be comfortable with Varis."
He stood and began brewing some tea. He then said, "Please, go on."
"I'm not acclimating well to this new area. there are so many new or different things, from the weather to the people, that it feels like some kind of fever dream. I have thousands of questions coupled woth a fear of my ignorance showing, even as I'll speak of my ignorance." I told him. "I am worried about Lael. I fear he'll forget our parents, but I also don't want to remind him of them. It serves no purpose besides to wound, and if he's smiling I think that's better for him. I feel terribly that I failed him to the point that damned dragon murdered him feet before me and I could do nothing to stop it. Then I remember poor Aust who also died that day, being half eaten.. I don't know who is alive still, and I feel guilt over not being there to assist them."
"I may be entirely wrong, but I feel your guilt comes from not knowing whether or not you actually want to go back to help them. But as you have stated, everyone you had a connection to has already passed." Tilton said, handing me a cup of tea. "I cannot speak for you. But I think you've already come up with your answer on if you want to go back."
"Doesn't make it easier, my parents would be ashamed of me." I said, sipping the tea. I'd let them down in many ways. From being born a female, to my gentler demeaner, and my failure in marriage. They had accepted me back home only when I told them I feared having a child with Varis only for Varis to be as disgusted with our child as he was with Lael. I wouldn't be able to bare such an event. They had blamed my inherent weakness in the failure. Though, they'd also agreed that Varis and I had been a poor match.
"If your parents would be disappointed that you are choosing to keep you and your brother safe then I truly do not wish to understand that society." Tilton replied directly.
I smiled a little and said, "That is a lovely way to state it. That I'm choosing to keep the two of us safe, rather than abandoning my duty and people."
"The truth is the truth. It doesn't matter how it's stated." He said.
I smiled in earnest and said, "As you said, I can speak to them and see what they'd like to do. A choice is all they need. Lael should be waking soon."
"When do you plan on contacting them?" Tilton asked.
"That is a very good question. I likely should have already. Between now and noon would be the best time." I acknowledged, his tea really was lovely.
"If you don't want Lael caught in this, then now would be a good time." Tilton said.
I inclined my head and said, "Yes. I suppose you are right. I'll contact Talasphir. He is pro moving."
"I will be here if you need me." He told me.
My cheeks colored a little, probably noticeable with the porcelain color of my skin. But I smiled at him in response and excused myself to make breakfast while making contact. I'd prefer to keep my hands busy instead of idle when stressed. I put the earring into my ear before getting busy. I began to focus on the earring while getting ingredients ready. I thought of Talasphir, picturing him in my mind and activating the magic, connecting to him.
["Talasphir, it is Cassae. Are you well?" I asked in Elvish, our natural tongue.
"Cassae? Girl, we thought the dragon ate you, where are you?" Talasphir responded.
"The Material Plane. I am safe, I got banished with the dragon. I am staying with the person who rescued me." I answered with a half lie.
"How are you coming back?" He asked. "There are things that need repaired."
"..Has the decision been reached to not relocate? The area I am in is-" I was trying to tell him it's safe and guarded, but he cut me off.
"The decision has not been reached. The Material Plane is unsuitable for us. You need to come back." He said.
"That is unreasonable. I've looked around, there is room enough and a mountain range with barely any inhabitants. It would be simple to adapt to." I stated, working on the dough for biscuits.
"It's unlikely an agreement will be reached to move." He said.
"Then you'll all die. It would be better to move. The dragons can't all be killed." I protested.
"You're coming back, right?" Talasphir asked.
"I do not intend to. There is nothing but death there." I explained, shaping the biscuits. "I've not been here long but I feel entirely safe."
"Then you've absolved yourself of everything here, huh?" He asked.
I grimaced and took some time, focusing on what I was doing to make breakfast for Lael and Tilton. It was starting to bother me that he wasn't mentioning Lael. Then I said, "It's been difficult to get away from the guilt of not being there to help protect everyone... But I don't want to die. I want to be able to focus on my crafts."
"Selfishness is not something our people are meant to be raised to act upon." He scolded. "You're young, you should remarry and work towards making a family."
"Will you consider posing relocation to the area I mentioned?" I asked. Ignoring his words.
"I'll bring it up." He said stiffly, realizing I'd ignored him. "Heian is a fine man and will accept you as a wife, since your husband has died honorably in battle."
I felt significantly wronged by this point. I didn't want to pretend to take it into consideration. Instead, I took a few breaths before saying, "I could return only to help you all move. I won't return to stay. I will contact Ivellios tomorrow."
"Shameful." He said as I ended the connection.]
Feeling more stressed out, I turned my full attention to cleaning as I cooked. even the areas of the kitchen that didn't need attention got wiped down in between the biscuits being baked and the deer being cooked, since this is what he'd previously said he enjoyed in the morning. With jam. By the time everything was finished, I was in a better mood and set the table.
Once the table was set and ready, I went and got Lael, rather then tell Tilton it was ready. It was while I was getting Lael up and ready that I realized since he'd been married that he may have had children, too. He hadn't said so, maybe they were alive and out and about. I hoped, for Tilton's sake, that was the case. I would certainly not be asking him about it. Some pains you do not touch blindly.
I took Lael with me to stop by the study and let him know breakfast was ready. He was reading a book once more. "Tilton." I called him, "Breakfast is ready."
He shut his book and said, "Lovely. Have you finished what you needed to?"
"I would not consider it a success. I will contact Ivellios tomorrow and see what was done with my words." I answered him."But I think it won't go much further than Talasphir having the Elders agree that Heian should marry me."
"They are trying to force you to marry someone now?" He asked. "I'm sorry, but your people make less sense to me by the day. I don't know how you go from, 'I don't want to live there', to 'I'm going to marry someone.'"
"It is frustrating. He expects me to come back and fix everything that is broken and marry Heian and have his child." I frowned, showing a rare flash of anger that caused the rainstorm to react. Lighting flashed and thunder rumbled through the sky. "Not once did he mention Lael even as a thought! Th-" My next angry words were cut off by Lael's baby hand on my face, petting me. I glanced at him, closed my eyes and calmed myself. ":It's ok, Lael. Everything is fine.:"
Tilton lightly bopped my head with his book. "It is good to have control of your emotions. But you must not stop yourself from feeling them." Tilton commented, lightly scolding me.
"I do feel my emotions. I just shouldn't let myself ramp up enough to affect those around me." I replied.
"Unless you start swinging, I am sure we can handle it." He looked at Lael, then. ":Lael, does your sister whoop people when she is angry?:"
Lael shook his head, but I said, "I do believe a hurricane is possible in this area."
He looked at my, arching an eyebrow and said, "Is that a threat, Missy?"
"No. Just a possibility if I don't control my emotions. Heart of The Storm. I can call winds, whether I mean to or not and it is already raining a lot." I pointed out.
"I don't know, it still sounds like a threat, I may have to tie you outside to a post." Tilton said in an offhanded tone.
"I might like that." I said, giving him a coy smile.
"I might enjoy the process." He retorted.
"I don't believe you for a second. Additionally, your breakfast is getting cold." I warned him.
"Well, we can't have that. And you may not believe me, but I do know several ways to restrain people. It was a hobby." He said, setting his book down and heading towards the dining room.
"Let's try it outside sometime. We'll see which is stronger, my wings, or your ability to tie someone up." I replied, following him.
"You tempt fate in ways you don't wish. You think I haven't had to bind a flying creature before?" He asked.
"Probably. Avariel are trained to overcome such things." I pointed out. I set Lael in a seat and got his plate ready for him. "I would hate to have to employ my tricks and mess up your home. To me, there is nothing worse than a nice home being disturbed."
"I do have a training room that is quite sturdy." Tilton commented.
I smiled at him, before turning my attention back to Lael. I tried teaching him the Common words for what he was eating. I was still quite angry in my heart over the conversation with Talasphir. His great grandson Heian was my age, and he was nice enough, I suppose. But I didn't want to marry him. He was boring and vindictive.
My frustration was buried for now. Lael had been apprehensive, thinking Tilton and I were fighting. But he seemed to think everything was fine now. "Tilton?" Lael said suddenly, and pointed at some decoration Tilton had in his dining room.
":Yes, Lael? What would you like to know about that?:" Tilton asked, covering his mouth with a handkerchief.
I didn't expect him to answer Tilton, but he did. ":Why is it there?:" It was a painting of a farming town. It was well done, and showed no signs of aging.
":Well, I painted that myself the first time I laid eyes on this town.:" Tilton told him. ":As for why it is in this particular spot, it is because I quite enjoyed it. I wanted to be able to see it in peaceful moments.:"
Lael looked thoughtful. ":It is nice.:" He decided.
":Thank you. Thought I did a nice job myself.:" Tilton replied.
Lael smiled and said, ":What are we doing today?:"
":If you would like I can take you to see Sylvia, Sienna and their children.. I can not finish the furnace today because of the rain.:" I told him, but I didn't have plans for today since my initial ones were ruined.
He didn't seem to like my answer, but also seemed interested.
":It has been quite a while since I've been to Hearthstone Town myself. Maybe I'll pay them a visit and see how they are doing.:" Tilton commented.
":You were just there this morning..?:" I said in a confused tone. Then I remembered Bryna's words again. Tilton isn't a very honest person.
":Yes, I was there to give them warning, not to inspect.:" Tilton replied.
I thought over his words and why he'd be choosing to do this. Lael reached a conclusion first, saying, ":I like Tilton to go with us.:"
":Well, then, Lael, I suppose I must.:" Tilton replied. He still had that aloof vibe to him, but his tone hinted at being pleased.
":Are you sure? You may get drenched again.:" I pointed out, teasing him.
":It's alright. I've been made aware of an excellent way to dry off.:" Tilton replied.
":But you can make snow not touch us?:" Lael said confused. He didn't know I was teasing Tilton.
Tilton raised an eyebrow at me and said, ":Oh? So you can make it so we don't get wet at all?:"
I giggled and said, ": Yes, I can manipulate the weather around myself easily enough.:"
":Just yourself, hm? I suppose the rest of us will have to be a little wet.:" He said.
":If you stay close enough to me you won't get wet. I could also stretch my wings out to shield you further.:" I said, smiling.
":You are just wonderful for rainy days, aren't you?:" He asked.
I felt my face color once more. ":Will we fly?:" Lael asked.
":I don't know if your sister would be able to handle both of us.:" Tilton said.
":I should be able to, but it would require you to hold onto me.:" I said, the color to my face deepening. ":It would be a short flight.:"
"Are you sure you are ok with that, carrying me around? I did just threaten to tie you up. It would give me quite the advantage." Tilton said, his tone dry.
"Sure. We can turn it into a spell throwing event. I can cast Freedom of Movement, and we can see if you can dispell it and I can counter it." I said, half bluffing.
"Maybe not while mid air, hmm? I don't need to test if I can still break a fall using trees." Tilton replied.
"Oh, you see, I would have to use my Tempestuous Magic to catapult us up into the air to give myself advantage over your superior experience." I smiled sweetly at him.
"I may have to get a bit rough if that's the case." He noted.
"Please do." I smiled and said, ":Either way, your call if you wish to fly or not. I did promise the other day that I will not drop someone that I am carrying.:"
":Well who am I to pass up such an opportunity?:" He replied.
":Then we shall fly.:" I stated simply. Lael grinned big and clapped his hands happily about it before finishing his breakfast. I hope to whichever gods had mercy that Lael was going to keep talking.
After Tilton also finished his meal, I cleaned up the dishes while Tilton went to change clothing. I decided after I'd finished the dishes and put dry ones away, that I would change both Lael's and my clothes as well. I did not put my armor back on, nor did I equip my weapons or arrows. I did, however, place my knife in a thigh holster. Lael looked adorable in his clothing. His pretty wings and snowy hair stood out against the dark color of the cloth. My own skin, eyes, hair and wings were also quite striking with the dark color. It wasn't quite black, but nearly.
Once we were ready, I checked that Tilton was ready and we stepped out into the rain. Using my Storm Guidance, I created a zone around myself that rain would not touch. Once Tilton was ready, I tossed Lael lightly so that he was flying, so I could get Tilton situated in my arms. I reminded him to hold onto me, that was I would surely not drop him, I blushed fiercely as he complied. It was probably just because we were in a warmer climate, but his body was so warm and inviting. More so than my husband's had ever been.
Lael tucked himself onto one of my arms, settling his little wings. While Tilton adjusted himself to hold Lael onto us, I used my usual gust, extending my wings once I was away from the house and began to fly. I first took us half way to the clouds, instead of feeling the chill of the air, Lael and I remained perfectly warm. I took my time heading over to the cave entrance, telling Lael Common words on our way. He finally attempted a few.
Tilton had looked around as we flew, seeming to be perfectly calm and unbothered by the closeness and height. The farm land and pasture behind the entrand to Hearthstone Town was rings with trees that were unnaturally grown together. Probably to ensure no one comes in that isn't supposed to be, and no animals escaped, as I also saw many animals in a tree barn, sheltering grom the rain. There were well designed run offs grooved into the ground; ditches.
When we arrived, I made sure to have a gentle landing. Hovering in a way, and allowing Tilton to half slide down my body. Lael has decided to fly a little to help ease our landing. Tilton's feet met the ground gracefully. My own landing was as good as it ever was. Except without him so close I shivered a little. Lael ended up in my arms again. It was quite common for Aril-tel-Quessir to carry their young in our arms for the first five years of their lives, so it wasn't abnormal to me.
We entered the town, so I dropped the Storm Guidance ability for now. We headed down towards the town area of Hearthstone, where I understood Sylvia and Sienna would be. I did notice a difference immediately, with Tilton next to us, no one stared so openly at Lael and I. Though they still did look towards us. Once we had approached them, they smiled and greeted us. Sienna, I noticed, was sewing decorations into a shirt.
"I had not expected you to come today." Syvia admitted. "Since it was raining I had assumed you would not be working on the furnace."
"I will not be. It would take too long to dry it and may not work well with how humid it is. I can change a things about the weather, but drastic alterations can bring catastrophes. I prefer to avoid that." I sighed. ":Besides, I still wanted Lael to be able to play and learn.:"
Lael looked at the twins, Amergin and Lirit, before he looked at Tilton and smiled. ":It was fun to play with them. You'll play, too?:" He asked Tilton.
":I am not much of one for play time.:" Tilton responded.
Lael seemed to accept that, as I set him on his feet to play with the children. Not a child to complain, he said, ":I will play with you later, then.:"
":I will be around.:" Tilton told him.
Lael turned to the children with a smile and said, ":Good morning, friends.:"
":Good morning, Lael.:" They replied.
The children began chatting, with the twins switching between Common and Elvish. Lael actually attempted the Common words with them. Eos staunchly chose to speak in an entirely different language. In response, Lael spoke Auran to him. Eos didn't know the language and had to ask what he said.
"Did you want to look around, Tilton?" I asked him, since he'd said he wanted to inspect this town. I didn't want him to feel like he must stick with Lael and I. Although... "I can accompany you if you would like."
"Alright. Let's go take a look around." Tilton said.
It had surprised me, I hadn't expected him to accept the offer. ":Lael, mind Sylvia. Don't fly high, lest you fall.:" I told him. Once he acknowledged my words, I nodded to Tilton that I'd go with him.
Alexander started playing some soft music, it was a very positive sound. When I glanced at him he was grinning broadly. Still, I followed Tilton away from the group. He glanced around, then approached the medical area. Checking their herb stocks and medical supplies before doing the same with mess hall. He asked how things are, if they are having supply issues or any such problems. Next we headed down the stairs, though, I cheated and flew down.
"Well, that was graceful." Tilton commented when he reached the last stair, where I waited.
I smiled at him and said, "Graceful in flight only. It's such a precious freedom."
"It certainly was a different perspective, flying here instead of walking." He replied.
"I am glad you weren't afraid. I would have felt guilty." I admitted to him, I offered my hand towards him playfully, "Where are we going to next?"
He raised an eyebrow and said, "Well, then." He took my hand. "Shall we walk the city and see the school?"
I smiled brightly and said, ":I am with you.:"
"It would be difficult for you to be anywhere else so long as I hold your hand." He replied.
We walked around the city, checking out the places that Bryna hadn't shown me much of. He wasn't concerned with their supplies here, it was a business district, after all. Supplies were their business. But we did head to the school and look in on some classes. I was rather enthusiastic with that, in the next few years Lael would be welcome to participate. Though, the more attentive Sylvia and Sienna were a preferred method of teaching in my opinion.
It was when we were leaving the school that a tall smiling nearly human man with black hair that had white streaks approached us. His eyes were brown, and though I was unsure of his nature, I knew his wasn't bothering to act human. He felt like a hunter. Tilton still held my hand gently, though I noticed he rolled his shoulders back slightly. I knew from the man's expression he wanted to speak with me, though I was unsure as to why.
"Hello, and welcome to the Material Plane." The man said.
"Hello, to you, sir Hunter." I replied, curious.
"An odd, yet accurate, greeting." He replied.
"Is there something you would like?" I asked.
"I have been recently informed that you will be teaching Tilton here how to make Glassteel. It has been some time since I had seen the process. I was wondering if I may sit in?" He asked.
"..I do not mind." I replied after a moment. "I am most interested if other's can craft it. Though, it shall be raining for a couple of days at least, and the furnace is not yet built."
"That's alright. I have plenty of time. One could say that is my greatest resource." He replied.