Research or is it? (13 Alfheim)

This is the ideal synergy of what people should be like, but they fall short often. Why, because of our different expectations. In contrasting conservatism and openness of Algrim and Ilkar….

"I have charisma? That's a first. I tend to be sarcastic," Ilkar candidly replied, one ear pricking. He peeped at what I was doing, on the dead historians. "What are you looking for, Reslin?"

I sighed. "Got to write a paper about some dead man. He can't be a mage, has to be someone who did sciences. And we can't go online to cut and paste either. Oh online means the internet. "

Ilkar nodded. He gestured to the computer terminals and I said yep that's what I meant. I didn't intend to cut and paste either- I just wanted the stimulation of typing in search and looking with pictures. The deadline would be next week and the teacher was Very ultra strict, called Jeriel. She had the style of barking our names. Ouch! None of us wanted the humiliation of being the target. Why didn't lenient people teach us history?

"What about him?" he pointed to a black and white photograph of a guy called Herrin. "It says here he is someone who invented the light of the nine realms and came up with the system."

I read more and couldn't help grinning at his humorous tone. "Ah. Yea thank you. Really you are sarcastic? Aw, please don't."

He chuckled. "My friends think so. I'd always crack that kind of wise joke. Sometimes people get offended. Not with students, I wouldn't want to stir trouble for nothing. Fine, let's focus on work now." I tried to focus on mine, managed to write down some key points. The elf took down everything he was reading in a smooth calligraphy.

Even with book reference, it was best not to plagiarize. Then I remembered about Algrim and him together.

"Ilkar? I'm glad Algrim and you are being friendly. What did he show you?" I whispered.

He smiled and raised a slim brow. "I thought I felt someone watching us. Didn't he let you know? Nothing magical really."

I shook my head. "Er he would say I shouldn't poke my nose into other people's business. I'm more comfortable with his style now… and he is still quite strict. Oh. That's ok then."

"Some kind of rare plant. He recommends this herbal tea to ease the adjustment to Alfheim air," Ilkar replied. "Don't worry, I'm glad you came by that day. Or I'd be still lost. I like talking with him."

"Great. Me too. I was happy to help. I can come by when I'm free?" I almost hit my head against the table. He had a girlfriend! Gah, how could I?

He chuckled. It made me flush. The best would be if he would give me permission to visit him at home. Ilkar put the last dot on the sentence. "No problem. Don't skip class though. Ah I see, you wish to visit me? Maybe not this week, it's still quite messy in my place. I'll see how it goes."

We had both finished what we came to find. Ilkar noticed he had to go to another place and so did I. He waited patiently until I was ready. "Alright. I believe we'll see each other soon."

"Ok! Thank you," Maybe Ilkar had some Empathy, he could read my mind.

Algrim teased me about my crush on the new mage indirectly. It was so funny! As he mentioned less about his realm in our letters, he had lost the moroseness. Today was questioning-session, so I brought out the history paper. "Can you help me? Is this an ok person to write 1000 words about?" I sighed.

He nodded and browsed. His pale locks seemed to have grown longer and tickled my face. My mind wandered: Comparing Drizzt who is likely to have a well-defined athletic frame with pronounced arm muscles as he wields double swords, Algrim is now a civilian. He still looks as graceful as a dancer! I shook myself from reverie, worried Al would Read these thoughts. Haha, I can always flatter him and want to improve my writing!

Then I noticed he had the medicine container open on another small table to the side.

"Yes it's all right. Remember to rephrase it. History is not my best area though. "

"Why? Can tell me?" I chuckled.

Algrim smiled. "Not going to let you laugh at me." Then he pressed his chest and closed his eyes. I retrieved the medicine container, closing it properly. He accepted the medicine and swallowed down with water.

"Are you ill again? Shall I call…"

"No need. I'm better. Maybe I didn't have enough sleep." The dark elf carefully closed the lid, massaging his chest. I assured I would try to be good and he should rest. "Later. First, I want to show you something. I'm glad you have improved in the test. Not sure what kind of gift you like. I heard about the tradition of gifts for Christmas I believe?" Algrim slid open a drawer I had not noticed and took out something.

"Oh no no you don't have to give me a gift. I…" I waved my hands. In our practice, I couldn't possibly accept an expensive gift.

His golden eyes softened. "Don't be shy. I couldn't decide, when I went to the Square bazaar, so I bought these. Hope you like something, Andriel." He placed it on the table, facing the open side to me. My mouth fell open, all sort of gleaming gold, crystalline brooches, earrings with beautiful dangling designs and necklaces laid out.

"Ah, I've always been taught that, I can't take a free gift."

"No it is not free. I want to give you encouragement." He insisted.

No man had ever given me a present! Hesitantly I fondled a pair of long chain earrings, swallows at the end. And there was a very simple pendant of a heart with a key. "What do you like? I have to buy something back too, which is what Christmas is about. Spreading love and joy to everyone!" I replied, grinning.

His ears pricked. "I don't know. I haven't considered what I like, other than food. Hm that's nice. The festival has another name here."

I immediately wished to buy gifts for Kruz, Mira, Ilkar, Hallien! My mum had sent me a cheque so I had some money. Since we already had a vacation, there would be lessons but free and easy time. No tests, only small assignments. Cool! "Alright. That'll be noted. What do you like to eat?" Algrim took out a recipe book and showed me.

Mira, Ginger and Candice asked me to go shopping this weekend. I wore my new jewellery. They were astonished. "Your folks give presents? Or is there someone we don't know of?"

I laughed. "Nah. I… my friend gave to me." Algrim had requested not to be mentioned, because he had to be impartial to all people. The other reason could be his shyness too. After we checked the recipes, he had mentioned he had no expectations of presents in return. Haha. I thought of ideal presents. Mira liked handbags, the rest weren't so close, maybe small gifts for them.

Hallien would be sure to give something. He liked cute gadget things… I studied the small ornaments shop, similar to what the elf had asked us to take. Kruz my fellow animal-lover? A woodcarving toolbox! I asked them where the shop would be.

I bought cute ornaments for Hallien first. For the girls I made a note to come back so the surprise wouldn't be spoilt. Ilkarlikesbooks,knowledge.Hmmwhat kind of fiction or non fiction did he enjoy? Or simply literature?

Mira pointed out a new comic. It was about vampires. Yuck, I had enough of those, and here on Alfheim they also sold it. I myself enjoyed the high fantasy, about mages, heroes, villains but not the sizzling sex. Normally I quenched this urge at the Fiction Archives, a basement level hangout for us teenagers.

Should I be direct? Thinking back to our conversations, the new elf had a modern way of perception. Too bad I didn't have his phone number, I felt less tongue tied not looking into his lovely eyes! How about email? I met one of the guys Brendan. He looked through a pile of notes. Yes there was a phone number given! Scrolling down, the email address portion had brackets (better to call and talk to me directly).

"Yup that's what he told us today. He's not into comps. So cute eh?" the boy commented.

I stored that in my phone. When would it be alright to call? I decided to, when I was sitting by the big pond. The ringing tone started. As I was going to hang up, a click sound and Ilkar's voice, muffled through the phone, "Hello?"

"Hi! Um. Is it ok to talk now?"

"May I know who you are? I am in the middle of… things actually," the elf replied politely but almost impatient.

"Sorry. It's me Reslin. I'll call you back?"

A long pause. But he didn't hang up. "Reslin… um, ah yes yes, I remember you. Better to call back in, let's say, an hour? Damn, have to go! Bye." I blinked, imagining some kind of household disaster with the mage. Oh he might be cooking or clearing something. Brendan asked me what happened. He had stood there? Man!I handed him back his paper.

This time I gave more than an hour before a text message. I wrote how sorry I was for interrupting. What do u like?It's almost the time for giving gifts this season and I was thinking of u.

Hm should be okay. I hit send. Judging from what he had written I doubted he knew how to respond by any text. I took a stroll around the pond watching the ducks waddling and then smiled seeing the pegasi landing. I noticed the orange Pegasus landing. I waved to a friend I saw. Faradei called me. I noticed his green breeches and the bow he carried. "Hello. Let's see, I forgot who you are. Gabrielle, or Evelyn? Hazel?"

I grinned. Faradei smiled, rubbing his chin. "Nope. Reslin. I don't have any powers, once I brought Algrim here."

"Oh yes. Come to see the horses?" the nature guy walked along beside me while we surveyed the wildlife.

"Not actually my plan for the day why not? Say is it common for elves not to like tech?" Faradei laughed heartily. I smiled.

"I do not mean to laugh at you. It is not common indeed. You mean some elves in general or all of us? Dangerous hint," he joked, green eyes twinkling.

"Er I mean some. Like… the new consultants. I like this guy." But I didn't want to reveal his name. The ranger elf nodded in understanding. "I don't know if he would.. um see what I sent. He was busy."

Faradei said he was always forgetful. Best to do face to face. I told him about surprises. "Ah then it's less tricky. A call will be good. I'm sure your crush will respond… I should guess the dark hair Julatsan eh?"

How did he know? Faradei laughed again. Most girls asked him about the mage. I felt a little worried. No wonder Ilkar sounded harried. "How do you find him, Faradei?"

"So far I haven't spoken to him for more than an hour. Ilkar is sincere, thoughtful and surprising at times. He is not as… proud as the other mages from the bigger realms. They all need time to adjust." I whistled to Jojo who circled us and then getting our scent she waited for a cuddle. Faradei talked to her indulgently.

Now would be enough time. I redialed Ilkar's number. I waited with bated breath. This time the mage came quickly. To his quiet greeting of 'evening' I said, "Hi is this a good time to chat now? Did you get my text?"

Then I almost wanted to knock myself out for the rush of words as if I wanted to grab him. Ilkar responded in his usual tone, "Yes better now. I think I received it, the envelope thing? Something about gifts?"

"Yea. What do you like?"

"It's fine, I hardly know anyone. Thank you, but there is no need."

Oh. I suggested the books I had seen. "I notice you like to read a lot. Because I'm looking out for stuff at the same time. No trouble. You don't have to answer me now."

I looked at my fingers.

"Okay." Ilkar paused, then added, "I do like reading and dreaming, casting. Haha that's about it. Where did you get my number?"

I flushed. Oh dear I must seem abrupt and rude. "Not that I mind. I wasn't expecting any ringing and got startled."

"I'm sorry. From a worksheet. What happened?" I listened.

"I had just spilled something, someone came with a delivery, tripped over some piles of things. Quite busy at home." Ilkar doing all that! Wow! I shook my head in awe.

"Aww that's a lot. Settled now?"

"Yea thankfully. Is there anything else?" he seemed about to hang up.

"Not really. Someone's coming?"

"Hm no don't think so. Never mind, finally I can enjoy peace and quiet." Ilkar sighed happily. I smiled, how cute he was, I could imagine him leaning back with a soft cushion.

"So it seems we do happen by each other a lot? I didn't expect this much of concern."

I laughed. Ilkar said he wanted to sleep soon. We said goodbye.

Hallien thought it'd be an excellent idea to celebrate the season with housewarming and a concert. Once more he wanted Algrim to take part too. The dark elf sighed and shook his head. I giggled. His student was Gabrielle an exotic looking half-lion girl. She purred when she spoke and had come with Hallien to be more social. I liked her tawny color and voice.

"This is a real unique place elves and all," she said huskily. I agreed.

Hallien checked the map and decided to go to the mage quarters too. He didn't live there, instead he lived in the medical unit downstairs. He bade me to come along. Each house we went to, Hallien gave the invitations and hugged the mages even if some of them looked startled. He was not bothered at all. A few consultants lived together, two to one house. I guess they felt lonely. The last people here were Junos, a white door and beside his, Ilkar. "Which one first?" the healer asked us. Gabrielle waved her tail and pointed to the brown door. Ah!

Hallien beamed and knocked. The lion girl was in front, when the fair elf opened the door he smiled but seemed taken aback. He stepped back ears moving. "Hi! We're having a concert and some kind of party for the 30th! The central hall over there, Ilkar." The healer told him, touching him and pointing out the place.

"Ahhh alright. Thanks." Today he was wearing a deep green vest and trousers without a sash, barefoot. He shook hands with Gabrielle and then noticed me. I grinned. Ilkar smiled. The two said they needed to give more leaflets to others, except I knew it was only Junos. They were giving me a chance.

"Well, hi again. That's my friend. Hallien is very nice eh?" I began.

Ilkar opened his door wider. "True. You can come in today, Reslin. I managed to tidy everything." Hesitantly I stepped in after my new friend, who walked inside. He asked me what drink I would like, warm or cold. The stuff were brown still, but now on the walls hung some small paintings.

"I like cold juices like iced tea or coke. What do you have?" I asked, sitting down. My voice need not be so loud, elven fine hearing. He came back and held up a bottle labeled Churien.

He read the label,"Says it's chilled juice." I nodded ok and looked around. The paintings were probably from his homeland, nature and skies. One was a picture of a woman, with dark hair. Ah I knew who that was. Many books were stacked on the mantelpiece table, as well as on a desk to the right side. The luggage bag I had helped to carry was stuffed behind the couch. Some music was playing softly. Varied colors of robes mostly in green and blue draped over the chairs. I had chosen to sit where there were no clothing and belongings.

I only knew he came back by the clink of the glass and spoon behind me. He served on a tray and sat gracefully on the armchair beside me. "The glass. Feel free to take some candies. Well what do you think?" Ilkar gestured to the overall surroundings.

"Er, fine. Very artistic. I can't say it's not nice," I replied, sucking on a sweet.

The elf leaned back against the cushions. His frame seemed even smaller in his home. I felt a rush of tenderness surge within me and tried to push it back. "Rather untidy I know. That's okay, I don't mind frank comments. I'm not as sensitive as I look."