Chap 53 Compliments to yours truly!
Hmm 'Restore the tower heart' is mission in Overlord game like noonshade
Funscene: Do pointed-ears react the same way?Mood-meters such as indications of elation, anger, wisdom, sadness
Elves: Nuts! That's generalization. (they grin though pretend to be annoyed)
Algrim: er, I don't notice when they move.
Us: yours show when u are happy! As for Ilks when he's upset/ worrying about something. Conclusion not all are standard size nor mean the same mood! :D
"Has anyone told you personally how handsome you are?" I asked one day. I was at one end of his kitchen helping to sort food items. Godbrother did not answer right away, until he came to the table with some packets of spinach and celery. He ought to have heard me. The mage estimated how much he wanted to cook and sorted them into fresh and to-be-cooked categories. Having completed my task, I came over.
"Huh? Why do you ask me that? " Ilkar paused halfway, holding one stalk. His eyes were bigger than usual.
"Just didn't occur to me before. And I know not to say it outside. Have they?" I grinned. I notice the tips of his ears redden and he cleared his throat.
"Andriel, think this is enough for 3 people? Need to do this first." I gave my opinion and put the rest into the fridge. He soaked the rest into water bowls.
"Not directly saying it. Yes, I've noticed and some have tried to, um, romance me. But I turned them down. Still, remember what we talked about? Will you still treat me the same if I ever get my face burnt, scarring?" Perfectly serious the elf replied and we had eye contact.
I nodded earnestly. "I know we will! Aw but please be careful. The skin on our face is very vulnerable and takes a long time to heal." He smiled.
"Alright. You had better be. Or I'll be angry. Ah those are heavy." He meant bottles of cooking oil. I said I would shift them into the store room. He had recently cleared a side room for storage. "I think you're acting weird, out of sorts today. Are you fine?" I didn't see his face, and his voice reflected both teasing and honesty.
"I am! Coz I never get tired of praising you most fabulous dear Elf pal! No harm adding to the love."
"Ah thank you. You are my unique, friendly, constant companion against depression, sister. Now let's move on. Rebraal sent a gift, he wanted to do it when I told him about birthday traditions. I forgot to give you, come." Ilkar washed his hands and motioned for me to follow. He went into his study and checked under a pile of things. He handed me a pouch of soft stuff. It looked hand-crafted and the rustle of leaves could be heard.
I emptied the contents onto my palm. "What is it?" The mage began to unravel it answering it was most likely a necklace. "Quite soft, probably not for wearing just to decorate? Like it?" His eyes shone.
"So Cool! Yea! Can you thank him for me? The last time, Rebbie said he's not home? Right?" We both sat down, me on the opposite chair while he leaned back on the soft chair behind his desk. He looked pensive. "He has to, this month. Hurt his leg, had to defend the western temples against intruders. Some sent word… I felt helpless and frantic. So, my mood was bad." I understood now, last week his patience had seemed frayed and he even raised his voice.
I found my voice. "That's terrible. How is he now, Ilkar? Can't you take leave to visit?"
"Yesterday got word he's all right and he doesn't want me to get ill. Otherwise I'll be sleepless again for another night. I'm sorry if I vented my anger. Because the others were rowdy, I didn't want to appear weak." He frowned and looked apologetic.
"It's alright. Understandable, hey he's blest by the gods. Better not to lose control of the rowdy ones. Though we were stunned."
"Hm. Nice to know. Brother is blessed, I try to tell myself he's okay."
"Did you tell the rest? I'm sure colleagues will not mind and help."
"Oh, just two to three of them. Let me see how you look." He smiled and gestured for me to wear it. "Hehe stunned. But I did not feel sorry then. Don't tell them. Good for them to notice my fierce side."
I agreed. He got up and patted my head.
Later while we watched tv and he was mending a hole in his shirt, I said I wanted to make a gift back. He was delighted. "Great! Rebraal does not collect many things. No problem, go ahead. Then I'll send it together with my response. "
I had no idea when we missed recognizing him, until some of my group was on the way out of a store. Someone asked me 'ah do you know him' and I turned around. It was godbrother wearing verdant green, blending with the bushes nearby. Ilkar's expression seemed downcast but he smiled faintly as we approached. "Hi nobody saw me. I'm a little lost here."
The guys gave him directions, then before I could speak, he left in quite a hurry. "Yea he teaches me sometimes for maths and Chem." I replied.
"Hey Ilkar? So sorry we didn't notice you just now. Are you ok?" I said on the phone.
A slight pause. "Yes. Not really. Just moody."
"Let's give you a treat. What would you like to eat?" I was concerned by his short answers.
The elf went on without answering, "I feel sad these days. As if people have forgotten me. Maybe not on purpose, they have their own lives and families. I don't need history, fame… but… remember what you've told me before?"
"Yea I had same thing happen to me. When my childhood friends acted distant, I know your pain, Bro. Not all of us are like that. Really sorry."
"Hm not because of that day. I got lost, hehe. Ah yes food, that makes me hungry. You want to treat?" We discussed about that. Then he said poignantly he had not got my letter. "Can you write me again? Don't know if it's lost. Um, I feel like a coffee doughnut."
Stupid post delivery! I inwardly cursed and promised to. "Ilkar, you're my favourite Elf mage, and won't forget you." Never had I said this mushy stuff but I didn't want him to be suicidal.
"Oh, thank you. Helps to hear that. Had a lonely kind of nightmare. Don't know why I brood now." Though he did not elaborate, I gently reminded him of the peace in Alfheim and that I'd buy him some pastries.
Two days later when we met in the morning, I gave a warm paperbag plus my mail. He peeked inside, grinning. "Hehe they look yummy. I got you something too from there." I had received my favourite chocolate brownies! How coincidental we had similar cravings.
Dearest Ilkar,
Forgot most of the content of my previous letter, but never mind! I hear your loneliness, very sorry for ignoring you. Yea I know I've said so, but hope that you're more consoled seeing in epistolary. That's a new latin word for documents & letterforms. :) One day I came across a few other books of the Quotes series. The one we gave you was white, volume 1, there are others in green,blue, purple and green. How lovely they are in an entire shelf! Would you like to buy another one? Let me know.
Did you like the dogs better at the Animal Sanctuary? When we're down, animals are able to reach out and touch something simple. I hope they cheered you up, though haha you didn't like the mud.
This time post exam break is until next week. I've felt less troubled about my father's irritation. Then I read up about why he's like that, because of OCD obsessive compulsive disorder, hence the need to control. Yuck and there's no cure. Good news, Achanos came to join us willingly for a General Ed. Project and shows more friendliness. I had to concentrate hard on what he was saying, but it's much better. Of course his grammar is weird. When we told him about your concerns, I think he will turn up for the tutorial sessions. Mwahah, I thought when you were in Balaia always got dirty!
Most of all, I Love You plus Mira, Kruz, Mercun, Faradei don't forget that!
Best Wishes from adoring kids+ Phoebe!
I was confident he would feel more uplifted by my jokes.
