{OOC: Other Elves - Saeriel - Other Character }
Saeriel grimaced when her gaze met Victor's. He looked beyond confused and altogether upset. She felt a thread of guilt weave its way around her heart. The elven woman wasn't used to caring for people and was often treated more like a man than she was any type of woman. So for Victor who had complimented her and treated her as an actual woman deserved a bit better than to be treated with a type of superiority from her people and an indifference from Saeriel. Saeriel thumbed her bow uncomfortably as Victor asked her a question. "Is that who you were speaking with?" Saeriel chewed on the inside of her cheek gently trying to find the words to explain it to him with. So far she had refrained from speaking her native elven tongue. After all, although the elves hadn't kept up completely with human technology, mostly because they didn't believe in the chance of having it malfunction, they had kept up with several languages that the humans spoke. The elders took care of teaching the younger elves to speak it. It was hard to explain the gatekeeper in normal words without seeming strange she supposed to them. Saeriel finally deigned to answer simply. "Yes." She glanced at Lalana hoping the girl wouldn't ask any questions about the gatekeeper either. Saeriel almost palmed her face knowing that she was being an ass. First she tells them to ask as many questions as they needed but when it gets difficult to answer she wanted them to shut up. Saeriel returned her gaze to Victor and raised a brow as he stuttered, "M-Maybe it's better if I stay out here…." Victor lowered his eyes and Saeriel felt that niggling guilt again. "I don't want to cause trouble for you or your village…." Victor's voice was weighted with his emotions and Saeriel's hand clenched on the bows' grip. He crouched down, pinching some snow between his fingertips as he sighed heavily. She turned her gaze away from the sight and let her gaze travel the quiet forest. She knew Erulto was probably snickering at her awkwardness as he listened. "I'm sorry." She apologized not knowing what to say for a moment. She stepped closer to him laid a hand on his shoulder. The pull she felt from his nature strengthened but she had become comfortable with it over the walk and the new strength to it only made her itch to step away. Otherwise there was no reason to avoid him. Once she felt like he could understand that she was sincere she stepped away and got back on the path.
She led them the rest of the way through the forest. The path began to become more distinct as the tree aligned on either side of the trio and became less grassy and more like an actual dirt path. The snow had also started to thin and eventually as they neared the village edge became nonexistent. Due to the power of the area the land around the village only had two seasons and that was fall and spring. Snow never fell much and if it did it never stuck to the ground. However the chill was in the air and the leave were in that state of deciding what color they wanted to be. Most of the leaves on the trees were yellow to fading green but never red or orange and Saeriel peered up at the bridge where a guard scowled down at them. She waved and used her other hand to making a hushing motion over her lips and the guard shook his head at them.
The lights in the trees were still off but she figured they would be on soon as she took a glance at the sky. The sky was turning shades of pink and blue and some orange on the horizon as the time neared sunset. Saeriel murmured softly as she thought about the task at hand. We don't have much time. It will be nightfall soon and the feast will begin. I need to take them to the medical hut immediately. I also need to speak to the eld- Her thoughts were cut off as Lalana asked her a question. "So um, Saeriel, Do you think they can…um…make me at least tangible? It's a bizarre feeling to see yourself, but not the effects you have on the world…not even a foot print in the snow." Lalana trailed off into silence. Saeriel tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ears and wondered why she hadn't braided it before answering the apparition. "Honestly, I'm not sure. I've never heard of it but I'm relatively young in elven years and untrained in the medical arts. Jaenenne would know more. Also, she's a creative character and comes from a strong line. She'll help you somehow." Saeriel grinned, briefly proud of the little healer. "Well. We should get going before the sun sets on us and the feast begins." Saeriel gestured for them to follow with her right hand and turned to keep walking. "We should stick to the main ground-path. It will be busy at this time but it is easiest to get from here to the grand tree." She informed them.
Saeriel walked along the path for a while and waved to many of her people. At this hour many of the hunter were coming back with their bounties and from what she could see only a few had caught anything big. One band of hunters had a cart full of birds and few wild pig and Saeriel called to them. "Hey! You caught plenty! Tell me your secret spot next time okay?" The men laughed and some raised good-natured fists while others raised their bows. One man will long blonde hair stepped around the others with a fierce smile. "Saeriel. " He greeted before glancing to her guests in tow with an inquiring look but he didn't comment on it, instead clapping the fire-haired elven woman on the shoulders. "You aren't carrying in a deer. The men will be glad to have won that bet." He reserved saying what Saeriel had threatened to take from the men but Saeriel was unabashed even with Victor and Lalana behind her. "You mean their balls? It would have been a reward. They don't use them anyway." She teased sarcastically and responded to his touch with a affectionate pat on his hand. Saeriel turned slightly to see her guests and gestured at the blonde elf, "This is Valanthar. He is my-" She paused searching for the correct word in normal words. "Best friend. We grew up together so our people call him my Ban-Fral-Nid-Cinhil" She enunciated is word as clearly as possible without clustering them as she usually would in her language.
Valanthar was slightly taller than Saeriel but he had a boyish quality about him. His piercing blue eyes tended to woo many of the elven women but most never did anything about it because of his childish face. However, he was very strong and physically fit and tried his best to appear nice. Valanthar bowed and when he raised, his eyes raked over Victor then Lalana before he gave Victor a reluctant pat on the shoulder. He turned back to Saeriel. He lightly touched her elbow and his smile warmed her causing her to return it happily. "Try to not to anger the Elders will you, not intentionally okay? Every time I see you you're fighting something or getting into more trouble. Plus, Eldren and Mirkwan are waiting for you at the Grand Tree. I don't know what about." With that he strode back to the men who had leaned in to listen to Valanthar apparently curious about the guests. Saeriel waited a moment before looking to Victor and Lalana. "When you meet my people they may be more touchy than most other…species? It is how we become friendlier. However I would suggest not initiating it until one us does, just in case. Especially with the older elves." She reminded them. "Also, Lalana, Jaenenne may be able to touch you. I just remembered that Jaenenne often communicates with the spirits in the glen. So be prepared for her to try." Saeriel murmured with a shrug before continuing to walk on.
The sun was just a sliver on the horizon when the trio came upon the murky pond with a large regal tree in the center. A faint glow at the top signaled that the fire-elves were just beginning to stir the flames for the feast. The area around the tree was filled with fireflies and other insects buzzing around. A frog croaked loudly in the background and Saeriel was miffed not to hear the crickets chirping. She supposed it was not dark enough yet. Elves stood around talking in quiet voices as they looked to the trio and then away after giving them curious waves. Some of the guardians had gathered but definitely not all as Saeriel only spotted four so far. She stepped onto the wooden bridge that led to the grand trees roots and the entrance passageway that would take them into the tree. Magic left a tingle on her skin but was not similar to the barrier that Erelto used to ward off other creatures. It was a comfortable sensation that caressed her skin like a blanket. Saeriel led the group into the Grand Tree and was thankful not to see Eldren and Mirkwan as she continued through the lamp-lit passage. She took them through winding passages and intersections before they eventually came upon a door. The door was simply an entrance with leaves covering it to create privacy and Saeriel strode through the leaves and took a look around.
The she-elf was unprepared for what came next as a small girl slammed into Saeriel enclosing her with a hug. "Sae! My lovely hunter!" The girl squealed cheerfully. Saeriel regarded the elf with a slightly annoyed smile. "Jaenenne. My favorite little pest." She chuckled, only slightly serious. Jaenenne flashed her a wild smile and turned on the guests. "Hello! Sit down, please. I insist." The elf-girl gestured towards some ottomans nearby. Jaenenne stood at about four foot nine with long flowing dirty-blonde hair and grey green eyes. Her complexion was fair and she had cute thin lips that curved up in a beautiful smile. Her robes were a woody brown and Saeriel eyed the wing attachments on the sleeves that were mementos of her mother's. Saeriel took a seat in the corner facing the door and crossed her arms as Jaenenne scrutinized Lalana. "Jay-bird, give the girl some space will you. She's not your newest toy." Saeriel lectured the healer. Jaenenne glowered at Saeriel before huffing and bowing to the two guests. "I am Jaenenne. Healer of the Hidre'thael. I am extremely pleased to meet you." Jaenenne chirped happily, raising to give Victor and Lalana pleased looks. Saeriel turned her head to peer out of the small window to her left as she let her mind wander while Jaenenne talked. "I am sure Saeriel brought you here for a reason and I assure you I will try my best." She looked to Victor and smiled charmingly. "You are very welcome here in this hut." Jaenenne assured him as if reading him like a book. Saeriel glanced at the others with amusement and figured she would warn them. "Jay-bird, don't intrude on others emotions either, will you?" Saeriel eyed the girl with scorn but she was sure Jaenenne sensed her humor. Jaenenne shrugged giving Victor an apologetic grin. Jaenenne looked to Lalana. "Spirit, what ails you?" Her voice edged with seriousness but Saeriel knew she was having fun because her eyes glittered with mirth.
