Chap 25 Coffee Addict!
WanTing- Drenched
Ilkar took a small cup of coffee from a vendor close by. "How long haven't you drank one? Hehe." I enquired.
"Can't remember, too long. Much too long. You asked me if I am a coffee connoisseur. What does that mean?" he asked pensively.
"Oh I meant expert. Like, which tastes do you prefer and how to decide if it's delicious or not? Coffee is sooo bitter." I screwed up my face. Ilkar finished the last part and tossed the cup into a dustbin. We began the few minutes stroll back to his house.
The mage said humbly, "I see. No no I am not that much of an expert. Well, usually the taste is bitter. I like the aroma. You can add sugar and milk. We used to enjoy a few cups on hard journeys. Keeps the body warm and alert when feeling sleepy. What a nice word, your English is great."
I beamed. "Eh thanks. I like reading up about food and fiction. I prefer tea, more sweet. Caffeine is addictive, in higher amounts. Some other good points of coffee, preventing long term illnesses but it hasn't been concluded yet. Tea has a longer history I think."
Ilkar listened carefully. I felt very treasured and smart! Before he unlocked the door, he said, "No need to be shy, Hugh will go off in a while and we can spend the time together. Hal will come much later." I liked his affectionate tone, perhaps he did feel lonely and they wanted to prevent that. Of course I felt more inclined to talk without other extra people. Hugh came out and they embraced. The friends talked in Balaian, Hugh seeming apologetic about something. Ilkar's accent had sharpened considerably with more vehemence, did they have an argument?
After the man left, Ilkar flopped down, glum. I asked,"What's wrong?"
"He said he has not heard from any of them, the Raven. Denser and Hirad, especially Hirad! Bloody guy has forgotten, everything but his dragons," he muttered, crossly and not in hurt or sadness.
Huh? Did I hear wrongly? Ilkar shook his head, scowling. "Ah never mind, let's eat some ice cream." He took out cups and spoons, humming. I helped to categorize the products in neat piles and shelved them. The elf was able to make sizeable portions of the dessert for me, more in my serving. I licked my spoon.
"Sorry for rambling. Oh I made a text yesterday did you get it? Spelled badly, I tried shortforms," he said lightly.
"Yes! You put me borez, n all can go. Dun wan spare. Hehe, did you mean you felt bored? So cute. Not all can go, where?"
He smiled, reddening at the ear tips. "Quite bored, they wouldn't let me do anything. I meant I felt like a spare- extra thing. What's the word?"
"Spare tyre? (he said aha) Aww. You shouldn't exert, not so soon. If it's ok, can I ask does it hurt?" I shifted closer. His hazel eyes glittered. He shook his head. "Oh then you can tell them you're feeling good."
"I take regular naps until night is hard to go to sleep. Trying to shorten naps in between now." Ilkar stifled a yawn. "No pain, just aching sometimes. Hold on, I want to show you something…." The mage rose and hurried to another room. To my delight, Ilkar held our gift when he returned.
Sincerely, he confided, "Oh I enjoyed this inspiration stuff a lot and they kept bugging me to talk but I didn't want to. Reslin, thank you. This part comforted me- even if I walk in the valley of shadows no evil will I fear, for you are there with your crook and staff," Ilkar recited in his melodious voice, stroking a bookmark with green string. Mira had picked that. "Who is that?"
"That's God, He will be there to guide. He's likened to a shepherd that leads us, the sheep. It's Christianity. Oh I hope you're not offended. The summary behind said it's a general spiritual thing."
Placid and quiet, Ilkar assured he didn't. I think it's wonderful how accepting Ilkar is of different aspects. Not all teachers and wise people are able to embrace us. He flipped to the title page where I had penned my wishes in blue and drawn a small wand.
Hello Ilkar!
Get better soon! I hope u like this book when u feel tired. We pray for u everyday!
Hugs: Reslin, Mira, Algrim
Algrim had just signed his name without any fanciness. He had paid for the wrapper and another gift too. Ilkar sounded emotional when he mused, "You shouldn't have gone to the trouble. Just come and talk to me. I'm curious. Do you believe in this God? Why does he need a crook?"
I began explaining my perspectives and what I knew when I used to go to church. In return he talked at length about his culture. "Ohh, I don't pray much. Our Gods are not the same, there are many both male and female. My people believe in the rites of life and death. To me, I stopped believing though it was a must to attend the temples as a youth. Yniss is the main deity… we are all born under different gods. There's a chart that brother insisted I packed in too. Would you like to see it?"
I grinned, hell yeah! So my friend headed to his bedroom. I followed him, didn't want him to faint and peeked through the door that was ajar. Oh there was a sticker of a green leaf on the front of the door! Ilkar was kneeling at the foot of his bed where a chest of stuff was. He might feel odd that I was spying so I returned to the kitchen table and washed my cup and spoon.
"Come outside, it's big." The elf spread out the chart on the living room table and pointed to the names. They were done in a kind of family tree design, at the top was Yniss. "This is Yniss main god of all Life, creation. Tual- a female Beeth, Shorth and so on. I think Shorth is death but he is merciful. The warriors will normally invoke his name when someone they love is suffering." I repeated the names as he explained who did what. In a history-culture class which all must go through to practice tolerance for all religions- there are two kinds monotheistic and polytheistic. So I guess Christianity was mono, and the elves'one was the second genre. "Every one of us is born under a different god."
"Oh, ok. How about in the family? And there're some numbers at the side?" I ran my finger on some lines. The scroll must be quite old but the paper seemed very hardy. From the markings of the pens, they must be hand scribed. Cool!
"Numbers meaning lifespan of years. Ynissul, the followers have a different syllable added behind, live to 1000 years. A very long hard existence. And Tual people 800." His voice took on a factual historical tone, but his expression was downcast.
"Oh are you all right, Ilkar? Is it very sad for you? I'm sorry."
He had been standing, and now he sat down. He glanced at me. "Yes. We get attached to mortals which is painful for us. Do you know we bond for life?"
"Yup from Lotr, lord of the rings. A scene when the human Aragorn fell in love with Elrond's daughter and she was going to die in a prophecy scene. Um, I always read about fantasy, elves being my favourite people. Don't worry I won't die that quickly." I patted his hand.
Ilkar chuckled, and thankfully his downcast expression cleared. "Yes. Reslin you can see the future, I had no idea. What is Lord of the rings?"
"Yea I can! That's a famous three part movie about mankind and elves. We have the set, when you're free we can watch it. It's pretty thrilling, romantic and action based. Have you seen a movie before?" I looked at his confused face, just like when I had been helping him with technology.
"Er, is it when people speak on the big screen? Yes, we were shown one during the orientation I think. I fell asleep," he admitted. He scowled. "Ahem. Why are you smirking?"
"I am? Movie is something like -you record people acting. So cute, what was it about?"
"Yes it's rude. Here I am confiding about our heritage and you look naughty. I forgot, too dull. The place was very dark and comfortable to sleep in." But he did not look angry, just a bit hurt that I had the audacity to think he was joking around.
"With all due respect, sir I'm not laughing at you. Which god category are you?" I pored over the smaller names- there must be trillions.
"Let's see. My father followed Yniss and so is my brother. They thought I ought to be, but when I went to Julatsa, I found that I'm Ixii. Don't strain your eyes, hehe." He poked me on the arm playfully.
"Aw I can't find it here. Ixii, so cute! I want to make a drawing of that. No pictures of the gods." I jumped up and opened my pencil box. In amusement, Ilkar watched me doodle on the sketch book. He laughed merrily. "Why is it a blue chick? I doubt a god looks like that!"
"Coz Ixii has that sound effect. Oh, I've been here quite long. Ilkar you look tired. I'll be going." I could have hit myself on the head. Hallien had reminded us a few days ago that Ilkar had not fully recovered from the fatigue.
How could I wear him out, when he had just told me how old they lived to be. Questions popped how long an ixii person lived but it would make me sad so I refrained from asking.
Ilkar replied in a small voice, "Don't have to go yet. I'm fine. Unless you have to attend class?"
I shook my head. "Great, I like you to stay." He gestured he would like to see my drawings. I blushed. It would be rude to turn him down so I 'surrendered' it. One or two were of him when I sat in. Ilkar flipped through. "Oh that is supposed to be me, am I right? I'm touched. So nice, I like this one too. What is this?"
He meant a pink colored dinosaur. Feeling extremely self conscious, I murmured the answer without looking up. Ilkar complimented me some more. "Can you teach me to draw something another time? I ran out of blank papers." He checked under various piles and found nothing, all of them were written to the full.
"Really? Okay. You're not tired? But the medicine is drowsy, Hal said," I reminded gently. Ilkar was not listening, he didn't reply until he had seen all fourteen of them. His dark locks brushed across his forehead and his hair was collar length, curling slightly on the collar. "I just remembered something. Wait here." The elf went into his bedroom again and the door closed softly.
I began doodling a random cartoon character and did not hear him come back, until a shadow and a box of colored pencils were set in front of me. "This is for you."
"Huh? But… I cannot take it," I gaped. A complete set of 36 colors, premium edition special shading nibs.
"Why not? You don't like it? But I have a gift from you and I want to return something. It's only right." He sounded puzzled and hurt. Ilkar's hazel eyes were curious and full as he took a seat beside me.
"No. My father said we cannot accept expensive presents from anyone. Thank you, Ilkar. Sorry I don't mean to…." I swallowed.
"He is not here to see. This will be perfect for you. I will explain if he questions." Now the elf sounded annoyed and his fine brows were angled. I nodded. I reached out and hugged him tightly. Ilkar felt so thin I wondered if he had eaten well. His breathing calmed.
I closed my eyes. His moods were so erratic! Then he said ok please let go now. "Um will your fiancé be jealous if girls hug you? Secret ok?" I commented. Ilkar didn't think she would.
"Definitely." In the silence we both smiled and it was understood.
Mid-afternoon, Ilkar did feel weary. He had taken a light lunch, then after yawning, instructed me to let in only the medical staff. Now he was having a lie-in. I had said I would leave but he didn't want me to. Until we said a proper goodbye.
The front door had some knocks. A woman was with Hal. "Coralz, this is a specialist on wounds and recovery. Where's Ilks?" the elf asked.
"Oh I'll go wake him up. He's taking a nap now inside." The woman did not look like she was infatuated and purposefully followed me. Gently I knocked Ilkar's bedroom door, where he was rousing. The bedsheets were cream colored and he had changed into another tunic. "Guests."
"Thanks. Hi. I'm awake." He got up, and Hal gave him a hug. Ilkar laughed.