Chap 36 Are you a purist? Critical period!
Many dictators were purist… Someone wrote about a bad purist elf too. I think the title is White fox. I hope my good friend will be ok soon, I miss her chats.
*info about Calaius from the Elves once walked with gods series, they were enslaved for 150 years. not recommended if u have weak stomach
Lyriel The Wolf
After seeing this comic about a dictator evil Elf based on real history, I couldn't stop my vigorous brain activity if they are purist. I dismissed running out to the streets and asking random people if they agreed or disagreed. Had done so for 'do you like pointed ears', reactions had been annoyance, amusement or refusal to respond. Survey failed! I decided to pose it to Ilkar, who had not minded my curiosities. We started arguing amicably about this point. "Ilkar, I'm wondering do you think elves are purist? I think it's true."
He looked serious. "Wait, what does the word mean? Is it negative?"
"No no sorry. I mean in general kind of 'you'. Well, purist is someone who wants ideals eg the world should not have killers or full of loving kind people. In my comic, the bad guy becomes extreme and starts exterminating those he deemed as impure. Even those who didn't agree."
"Ah I might be, when it comes to ethics. The world shouldn't have bad people. Let me check the online dictionary. I know how to." He began to type slowly on his laptop. Wow I was impressed. "So, how did they take meeting Al? Good?" I didn't answer, gaping with shock at this tech savvyness. Just goes to prove that even if he says he's old and not willing to learn new stuff, he still can. He laughed.
"You mean my brother? Yea I told him before, but they had a peaceful time when I introduced them. My mom said he's cute. He is gentlemanly and concerned for us."
"Hehe, Algrim is harmless. Just darker, found it. Purist means a person who wants to be pure. I think some of us can be, as years pass. I don't mind this label. Elves can be set in our ways."
"Hitler was cruel, he purged countries of those who don't have blond hair. The Jews were mostly like our hair color and he hated Jews so they were all sent away to be executed. Horrible eh?"
He wanted to know who that was. "I would have zapped him. Yes all those innocent people. Gods. Nah I don't think I am like that. Purists should be good not evil." His ears twitched, one more than the other. "So your question is can we become purist? Some can I suppose." He leaned back and stretched.
"Some can become bad purists. Oh no! What if they try to impose restrictions?" I gasped and shook my head.
"I won't accept that, will gladly rebel against that sort. Quite interesting but today I'm tired. Let's not argue ok?" He took my hands and looked beseeching.
I said Algrim was going to make us a multi layered cake soon. The mage grinned. "Yay. I hope he will set up a bakery soon. Done, I don't like computer time. Don't understand how all of you can type so long without getting strain and body aches."
He rose to his full height.
"We do but too engrossed in the stuff and chatting. Wah! You've grown up." I measured from my head to his chest.
"Funny. Stop that I'm embarrassed, Reslin. Probably my shirt is longer, this one is different size. I'm an adult, can't increase anymore." He stroked the ends of his sash. Ilkar had become slimmer again. I hoped he was not over exerting himself.
Algrim wrote a new letter:
Dear Reslin,
How are you? I was really glad to meet your family. They might be shocked by my appearance but quite polite and unfearful. That is enough for me, I don't have to chase after them. (smile) Interesting, how do I feel about purists? I do not have anything against them, but will be angry if they try to convert me to religion.
Hal and Ilkar told me about your question and we had fun. Ah he got flattered by Winnie. Doesn't she know our age span? But it's fine, you had a good time bonding during the week I hope? Your brother is extraordinary, he and I discussed about theories and mathematics. I see some resemblance in the family. Don't mean to compare though, you are unique. He has an air of arrogance. I think I had a few brothers but forgot their ages. Most were younger than me. Vaguely have memories of us fighting often as children, and then we left home early. It's a Svartálfaheim custom not to stay together as a family unit.
I sense you went to Ilkar's house again. It's fine, you are a positive influence on him. His health is improved and he seems to brood less these days. Ilkar's like a brother to me and we also share ideas.
I'm sorry for not immediately replying. This is therapeutic and yes we won't feel as shy talking about issues.
Sincerely,
Algrim
I smiled, of course I couldn't hurt his feelings by rejecting that I won't respond now that I reply to a few more people. I could do short notes and memos, for some of the other friends I was getting acquainted with like Hal. He didn't respond all the time, but liked pictures and cards, and I got requests from my classmates to do paper memos. Now Mira ran in complaining, "Oi the pile inside the box is exploding. Gah!"
Dallas had given a card to thank us for baking a cake.
A thicker cream envelope bore Hallien's scribble and a smile. Sticker of apples.
Special edition- Twin Act
First was Ilkar's neat script in dark green,
Good morning Phoe, like this color? I had seen this set of complete colors from red to black on sale. This will be from both of us. Finally he is tired of speaking and I have some peace. I'm less talkative with him around, hehe. Nice to meet Winnie, her name correct? She's so active and bubbly. Oh, if she is still here these days, I can comment about your report. What, I'm not an actor!
I was mentally drained that day. Now I'm pondering about the purist and idealist question. The thesaurus says both are similar in meaning, idealist means he who believes in perfection. Yup, that's true for me, I want to get castings and spells perfectly right. I know, you will accept even if I have flaws. Thanks. But yes we can become stressed if the idealist part is not met. I don't get angry at students who can't reach expectations, it's fine. Back home was different, any occupation had to be seriously undertaken, lives to be defended. I have lots of ideas on how society and boundaries should be. Alas but they can't all come true, nobody will waste money and resources for my suggestions in Balaia. I was sad and hurt.
Next best thing is sharing the ideas, Glad I can do so here with all of you and I won't be judged! (grinning face) I admire people who're flexible, I'm very stubborn and will repeat until people cry for mercy. Next page will be Hallien's.
Hugs (but not romance!) from Ilkar
Hallien's bit was chronicling his music and days, if I wanted to invite musician friends to a jamming session. The bottom of the sheet was a sketch of an elf child colored with green. Done by: me, ilkar (speech bubble: green rulezz don't argue with me!)
So cute! I chortled. I didn't like yellow green, and he would pretend to be mad and said he'd complain to Mom about how bratty I am. Finally both the elf and my mum had a common schedule and could meet.
He spoke well of me, well, most of it. Ilkar glanced at me as he said, "She has great potential, sometimes dreams and hard to get her to focus on one task at a time. But generally she doesn't give us problems, which is good. Any questions?"
Mum was sitting across from him, I was beside her, and the words seemed to have flown past her. Ilkar waited. "Oh, that's alright. You have nice fingernails, Irian. Let me see your hands. Ooh you have some scars here."
My friend smiled. "My name is Ilkar. Yes in my previous occupation… we had to fight. Don't worry they're healed." I never noticed that before and studied his hands. On his right hand there were crisscross pale scars. If only he had not got hurt by those assholes. "Winnie how long will you be here?"
"I'm staying for one more week. If she is naughty, scold her. I will support the teachers. Sorry, Ilkar… did I hear wrongly? Fight?" Mum leaned forward, frowning. I nudged her.
He shook his head and hazel eyes were warm. "No it's correct. People waged wars all the time, extremely chaotic. Good that Alfheim is safe and peaceful." I chuckled when Mum opened her tote and recommended him some healing cream for the hands. Ilkar declined and told her he didn't hurt anymore. But he had to take one as she was highly insistent. He always steered the topic back to my performance. Mum said he looked handsome too.
I sent her to her hotel, promising to return later. Ilkar was checking out the small container of handcream. "Here, take it back. Can't take this for free."
"Aww, use it. She really cares, and I didn't know you got hurt. Be careful."
He sighed, one ear pricking back. The elf pocketed the "Umhm. Which direction are you heading? Just this once. I don't want any presents, please tell her that ok?" He patted my shoulder.
We walked together to the Blue Sector, street P and then had to part ways.
Most of the elves here can cast and welcomed us to join or view their techniques. I didn't want to disrupt and cause any problems. Noticing me pass by, Ilkar shared that by using a certain concept and scattering a powder over me, I could actually stay. How thoughtful of him. Now I wouldn't be left out and abused verbally for being present. Some of the teachers stared at me dubiously.
To a question does a mage change auras, Ilkar laughed merrily. "No that'd take up too much effort. I know, to change green to blue eh? I wouldn't."
However, I still could not 'see' the spells woven. Since Alfheim is not a warzone, the adults would not be showing off any offensive or explosive manoeuvres. Haha! So much for our hopes being dashed.
"Fee (pronouncing my name) you still don't see anything? Aw." He said, coming out of his trance. He had been trying to assess my mana in private. I declined but he wouldn't hear of it. Ilkar wanted to return the handcream- favour.
"No. it's fine, don't drain yourself. You look pale," I replied, steadying him. He smiled. No sweat on his brow, that meant he had not been overexerting.
"While we were in ancient Civilizations class, Lariel went into how humans hated some of the Fae and persecuted them. Including slavery, she talked about Calaius history as a case study. Humans tortured your people. Ilkar you don't hate humans?"
My friend pondered, keenly watching me. He said no softly. "That was the past, before my father's time. Our leader, Auum… yes roughly translated as that. He's like a national hero has never trusted mankind. I know the old won't change their mindset, but I don't agree with them. Anyway most of you are part-human. The leaders of this College won't tolerate any hate of race. Don't worry."
I said I wasn't. As the elf sipped his tea, he asked, "Lariel did that? She did not check with me." He seemed terse.
"Huh? Then she should have asked for consent first. I still don't like her." I stuck out my tongue.
Ilkar shook his head. "Andriel, it's not a problem. I don't mind… didn't know my country would be included in case studies. You realize not liking someone is not healthy?"
"Yea but I still don't. Oh what's that?" I saw a jar of flowers. They seemed dried. Ilkar unscrewed the cap and rubbed the petals with his fingers. He laid them out in a basket. "For brewing drinks and some I use to bathe with."
Even though he talks a fair bit, he can be quiet when he does not really know the other people. I was happy that Ilkar was always polite even if he did not want to socialise. I know some people who just completely withdraw and though it's not their fault, it would be false to say I don't mind.
In the rainy Templar month season, more severe strains of colds were abound. Vaccines were made for Elves who were most at risk. I hoped that Hallien, Kirin and all of them would be spared. One day I called Ilkar. Unfortunately the phone static was loud and we didn't get much across. I asked if he had got the vaccine. He replied that he was meeting his brother at the train station.
Two weeks flew by. The next time we saw Ilkar was the central hospital! Oh god, when Junos told me the news I rushed there but we couldn't go inside. "What happened?" I almost shouted, and the blue guy held me back. His large eyes were moist with tears. The doors were forbidding, I couldn't endure it that he was in there alone!
"He's weak. Can't go in now. And this is yours." A slip of paper with scribbled writing. Hey reslin, suppose you will panic that I'm here. My body didn't take the medicine so well and internal organs giving trouble. Not to worry, brother is taking care of me, healers are kind. Tell the rest. Sorry couldn't tell you more. From Ilkar
"But I WANT TO SEE HIM, NOW!" I insisted.
"Sorry patient is sleeping. He can't receive anybody now," the nurse said firmly, barring my way. I hadn't realized the time, until Algrim showed up.
I had been drifting at the exit. "I know. Let's go, Reslin. Have you eaten? I just found out myself. Come." I hugged him and struggled to compose myself. My tutor consoled me that he would be fine.
Finally two or three evenings later, I received a phonecall with good news. Of course ideally for Ilkar to speak but it wasn't, another friend interning there said his ward was open to have visitors. Ms Adeline was there when Ginger, Abby and I reached. Before going in we had to wear gloves and cloth masks. She looked solemn, listening to what he said. We couldn't really see him, just under the blankets. A dark man with long hair stood up, spearing me with his glare. Wasn't he… Rebraal? His lips moved and Ms Adeline moved back. "Hey girls. One person only, Ilkar is fine though tired."
His hand grasped Rebraal's. The brother knelt to listen. The patient lay sideways back facing us, covered by blankets. His head was propped by a mound of pillows. Had Ilkar shrunk in size? My heart ached."Hi?' I said tentatively, coming to stand beside the bed. Rebraal was on the right side, stroking his hair. Ilkar shifted to lie on his back. The blanket slipped from his upper body, concealed his abdomen. "Reslin! You look funny." His voice was raspy. He squeezed my hand with a weak grip.
"Yea to prevent germs. We're all excited we can come… does it hurt?"
The elf spoke as if he had run a marathon. Several times, Ilkar had to pause to inhale yet he wouldn't take the oxygen mask. "Can't talk.. through it. Puked the whole day when… first came. Swelling inside. Can't eat." His beautiful eyes were shadowed. As he moved a little, I noticed a hospital bracelet and an IV drip. Beside his brother, Ilkar looked ashen and sleep-deprived. Even his lips were pale. I hesitantly reached to touch him, finding his skin was really dry and cracked. Could use some of Mum's recommended handcreams.
Ah I had one inside my bag. They both stared curiously as I rummaged. "Take this."
Ilkar smiled and spoke in elvish to Rebbie. "Thank you. He asks what that is." I explained to him, gently circling my fingers on my teacher's arm. "This, side effect. Wow. Your bag has many.. items." We laughed. I was glad he could joke still. Rebbie's fierce expression softened as he said hello.
"Oh you remember me? Cool. Later Abby and friends want to come." Ilkar clasped my hand.
"Oh yes I just asked Junos to bring my cellphone. I can receive messages, can't talk a lot now." He said, eyes closed. I said he should conserve his strength.