43: What the prince felt! (with his signature blank amber look)

To make it less confusing, more personal for Nuada so this one is his totally!

Nuada

I didn't like being quiet for that time. It was less pain than last time I was hurt badly, but I rated it Worst time ever. Paper and pens were necessary. If not I'd get a migraine from mindspeaking too long. It took energy to project thoughts, unless Abraham and Krauss were around to feel them. Besides, I loved writing on the paper. It has more substance.

Nuala made me favorite foods. For the first few days, I could swallow very liquid foods only. Bland. So I wanted fish and other types. It did not hurt my gullet, unless I forgot and swallowed too hard. Only my voicebox was damaged. Yes the healers discussed if I could ever speak again. My answer: definitely! Just focus on making the medicine.

I forgot occasionally and when I tried to talk, the pain returned. The children loved to perform for me. It was so nice that they were able to come here often. Today we stayed downwind of a herd of deer.

"Teacher say something. I'm sad, awww." Boy Halfling grumbled. She kicked him.

I still can. Very good boy. I'm very happy, I replied. No need to be loud. I can hear.

Deliberately, Joe spoke slowly as if I was retarded. Being mute causes this misunderstanding, we are not deaf nor think slowly. Just voiceless. I had to clarify this many times. "Nuada is annoyed. Use normal tone," the girl said.

Thank you. I touched their ears.

"Look! Blue's here. Yo!"

I felt unhappy. Even in the forest, my time alone with friends, he has to come. Can't he leave me alone? They spoke about trivial things. Don't come over here. Damn. He blinked at me. In his high voice, he went into the speech:

"Hello Nuada! How is it going? Nuala needs to help some people at the lab. So she asked me to make sure you're alright. Here these sweets can help. Finished the older ones?"

I did not offer to touch his hand though the fish was waiting. My face was a storm cloud, I was screaming internally: go away! I don't want to see your face! Laira noticed my mood change.

"What's wrong? Why are you angry? Thank you Abe."

I turned and walked away. Joe followed. "Hey what's wrong? Something bothering you?"

Not at all. I am bored. I rolled my eyes. Why welcome him? Pointless to elaborate, mainly he said it's important to strengthen our bond. A load of bullshit. We were already related what more to be closer? While I try to concentrate since there's no need to talk during battles, Abe'd try his utmost to drive me insane with his constant jabbering. It would be all right if it is fresh topics. But they are always the same: 'how are you, does it hurt, I understand how it feels, can teach you how to meditate so it hurts less, drink more water, get some sleep.

The only good thing, I could see he did not need protecting. While shooting, the fish kept being considerate to me. The term is multitasking, like the computer tasks. Sigh.

Hence for this private time, I wanted to see other people, not him again!

My soulmate ran back with the sweets. "Hey Nuada don't be rude. Abe is an Empath. How can you hurt his feelings?"

I showed her my pained face, but she was annoyed.

Joe pointed. "Look! What're those?" Wow! Worker fairy gnomes without wings, collecting food to store. They are so rare. I Sent this excitedly and wrote: you are improving. Yay!

The boy hugged me. I was moved.

"You are the elf Champion! Best teacher man. Haha!" I smiled.

Laira was going to breach the 'don't be rude to Abe' subject again. Well I put it off long enough. Had to let her speak frankly, since truths are to be shared not hidden in our custom. Should have imposed conditions on that, she applies it to our context too. Which I don't need.

I drank water and unwrapped a sweet. It's a special herbal sweet to help with inflammation of the throat. Are you better? She touched my ear.

Yes. Want one? It's nice. I offered her some.

"Ok. You're relatives now. Didn't we have a conference some time ago? He is so concerned for you."

I knew all those! But he pesters me. I know how to care for myself. The rest I used pen: did you know it's everyday? Every hour? He says the same old things. Eat, sleep, etc. Drives me crazy. I am no cripple nor a child! Don't need his care. I don't want him to talk so much.

She smiled. "I see. I will tell him."

No don't! I don't want him to cry. – I frowned. Oh shit.

"He's so rejected. You're unfriendly to him, elf. Poor Blue. I told him you're like this, it's normal. That's right," Laira said. She gestured she wanted the pen.

L: I WANT TO GET IN UR SHOES. SO I'LL PRETEND I CAN'T USE MY VOICE EITHER.

ME: GREAT! THANKS, I AM FRIENDLY ENOUGH TO BLUE.

DON'T U AGREE?

L: BUT HE STILL WORRIES 4 U. ABE THINKS HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT HAPPENED. RED WON'T SHOW IT BUT ITS NOT ABE'S WAY. SO HE

WANTS TO CARE 4 U. THE ONLY WAY HE KNOWS HOW.

ME: NO NEED. THAT IS SILLY. IT WAS NOT ANYONE'S FAULT.

Didn't I clarify it with them? I did not tell them directly, but my body language had. Laira tugged my sleeve. NUADA HAVE U TOLD HIM? U ARE FINE. AND THANK YOU? HAHA

ME: NO. WHY SHOULD I?

She gave me a scowl. First time the child was like that to me. I chuckled and added: IF I DO HE'LL CONTINUE. YUCK. I'M NOT A BABY.

After laughing hard at our imagination of my small little screaming self, I wrote: THIS IS NICE. IS IT INTERESTING U PRETENDING LIKE THIS? I smiled.

L: NAH. (scowl face) I UNDERSTAND. QUICK GET BETTER! She urged me to take more sweets.

I made a face. Didn't want an overdose. Joe had gone very near to the houseful of gnomes. But they paid no attention. I carefully went to investigate why. I think it was marvelous, he seemed to have made himself invisible.

There was this note I made when I felt like being social. Not an everyday basis.

Guys hungry! Want to eat together? It was understood that when I showed it, I felt lighter in mood. They never refused. Red always seized the chance to point at me and laugh, slapping his knee. Don't know what was amusing.

If Nuala came, she would speak on my behalf. One day Abraham did not come. I used the marker. Where is Blue? Is he not hungry?

Sister glared at me. "You said he shouldn't fuss over you right? So he's by himself today." Inside she simmered over my rudeness. Stupid fish, he had to go and report how hurt he felt.

Is he crying in private? I wanted to know.

Infuriatingly, Nuala did not answer.

Liz gave me a dumpling. "Oh I saw him at the entrance awhile back. Why, Nuada?"

I nodded my thanks. At least they were not so sensitive. Emotional people are a real pain to me. Ack! Liz was fine and had stopped blaming herself. We went to see some of the unicorns. A breathtaking sight. She was telling me, "God I felt awful. You were bleeding until your shirt was soaked. How can we not feel worried huh? Stop looking at me like that."

I was regarding her with my most serene face. I patted her shoulder. She pointed to her mind and gestured can't get. I opened my notebook and replied: it is normal for us to be injured. You also collapsed once, remember? I told you before, I am not that weak. I understand you care for me. Do not blame yourself. Liz.

"All right, you're tough. I get it. It's remarkable both you and my husband can be case studies." See, clear enough!

I should solve the problem of the miserable Sapien. Not that it would be nice. What if he wept? So I finished the grapes and went in search of him. Laira Sent, you're gonna tell him you do care! I'm so happy.

To be honest, I don't care what he thinks. Because my sis is angry with me. I love her so I'm doing this. There the fish stood, looking through some papers. He did not seem perturbed by my behaviour at all. I stopped behind him. He turned. "Oh Nuada! What's wrong?"

I took his clammy hand and tried to sound civil. Look I was only rude because I don't want to be lectured to do things. I know how to care for my own needs. Just not able to speak for now, but I am normal.

"I don't mean to be patronizing, Nuada. I only hope you will recover soon. I cannot do anything else but advise." He was giddy with happiness internally.

I managed a frosty smile. Yes yes, Blue. So are you still upset? Have you eaten?

"I have eaten. Thank you…." He discussed his favorite food. I pretended to listen.

Red said, "All going well! Yea! How kind you are, waif."

I smiled when the door slid open and the children were waiting. They made a fuss of me.

The day I tried my voice, Laira was on her way out. I felt ready to, maybe it would be very weak. Or a whisper. The problem with air conditioned places is it makes the throat dry which was worse for my case. The healers were concerned I would develop a cough that'd slow down recovery. Moisture was very important. Yes! "Laira wait," I whispered.

She paused and turned around. "You spoke? Noowa!"

I nodded beaming. Her hug was very tight then she kissed me a few times.

Everyday following, I could talk more loudly. "We miss that singer's voice. Right, Uriel? Which elf are you?" Liz said, shaking my hand.

"Yep me Uriel. But don't push it, prince. No shouting," he lectured me.

I signed: I know!

So it was an unfortunate incident, but I gained a valuable lesson.

I could sympathize with the people who could not speak, having experienced the frustration they face everyday. It must be stifling that people look down on their capabilities. Then I watched a video on how deaf-mutes use sign language.

"How do you feel about your period of silence?" Nuala asked. She waited with an air of nobility.

More and more the aristocrat. "Not pleasant. But I learnt about certain needs and changing some habits."

"Can't claim nobody is affected by you, brother," she concluded. Yes I understand. I should be more considerate to her husband. "Argetlam."

What? Laira was saying it so loudly. I closed the door. "What did I tell you?"

"I forgot, haha sorry. It's nice, your real name." Why don't people not tease me so much?