Emalia wore a coy smile on her face as she strolled through the city. Her thoughts were not on where she was going, but on the sunrise, and the way the light played on Hellstrom's eyes. Odd that she would remember the sparkle. It was as if the stars had come down to sit right before her and she had been given the best of both worlds... sunrise, and night, all in one.
The smile faded as she stopped in Market Square, biting her lip. What was she thinking? Her trip wasn't about Hellstrom, it was about clearing her mind, being by herself, choosing her life's path - the one of being alone. At the very least she could call on Colin to tell him about her night. He had wanted to hear her report when she returned, and in short order, she linked to him mentally and steered him to Market Square.
Colin recommended a nice, relaxing place where they could speak, and it came as a small, hidden surprise when he lead her to the park in Westbridge. All around them were couples in various stages of necking, kissing, holding hands, and hugging. They were a goodly distance from all the others, and sitting a friendly distance from one another as Emalia began raving about the starlight.
Stars turned into sunrise turned into Hellstrom. In a simple breath, she spoke a sentence worthy of any woman in a fairy tale, "We watched the most gorgeous sunrise."
Colin's expression went unnoticed, but the sentiment wasn't. "Hmmm.. I thought you were making a private trip." "It was going to be... and until I woke, it was." "See... I thought it might be a good idea to have someone accompany you. Advise you against sleeping on the cliff edge and so forth."
Colin's tiny grin relaxed Emalia, and it wasn't until Colin spoke next that she realized something. "I must admit I was rather lonely without you. Nobody to share my chicken with."
Emalia deftly changed the subject. As the sun set, Colin offered to walk her home. His face fell as she declined the offer, opting instead for the instantaneous magic granted by having clan membership.
After she waved to Colin for a final time, Emalia arrived in the Guardian's hall. She felt relieved as she made her way to the Swiss Miss, but as she entered the cafe, the familiar green cloak greeted her. Though he wasn't large and muscular, she felt some sort of pull to Hellstrom; quite contrary to her idea of leaving behind the love business in trade for the life of a celibate healer.
They only made minimal conversation and Emalia had barely time to turn away before the clatter of Hellstrom's axe hitting the floor turned her back. "Everything alright?" "I'm fine. I'm... just a klutz is all." "A klutz..."
Hellstrom nodded, and Emalia stood there for a moment. How could someone sent to hunt cats, someone who lived in the forests for so long, in fact, someone who was to teach her the ways of the woods, be clumsy? She, however, wouldn't deny him dignity - though she couldn't help but make a remark in jest, "I can perhaps teach you how to hold onto your axe... perhaps when you teach me about woodland safety."
It rather seemed the blushing was mutual as the two parted. Emalia to her quest, Hellstrom to spend time given to him by Elbryan to have a "break". She turned to the Swiss Miss to say goodbye, and the knowing smirk the woman held on her face said it all. "Oh, no no. It's not like that." "Please," the Miss replied. "I've seen it hundreds of times. You can't think I'm that blind." "Well, no, I... I don't think you are, m'lady." The Miss waved her hand. "Drop the m'lady." "Well, alright. But it's not what you think." "Then what is it?"
Emalia stared at the Swiss Miss, apparently long enough to warrant a smarting slap to her cheek. "Wake up. Go kill the pixie, girl." "Oh... sorry... I'm... I'm sorry."
The Miss had a point, and as Emalia cast a spell of relocation, she was wondering... What *is* it?
