Chap 71 Calligraphy lessons

A fresh perspective each time, though it's been quite long. Miss you regulars checking in. my thoughts are always with you, except the enemies.

Sioundtracks: Elvenpath! by Nightwish, Complicated Bon Jovi

Nuada

She asked me to decorate my manuscript. "I love the styling, the curvy letters g and y. want to add in a flag, a sword or something?" My friend suggested, tipping my ear back.

I shook my head. "No. I don't want to. I like it plain."

Laira asked me to teach her some elven. The budding interest in our culture was not as bad as I thought! The terms were still not curses, but the differences between coarse market tongue and middle class language. I smiled at her attempts to learn how to shape the strange words. Time passed for months, sometimes I had missions but they went smoothly. None of us had injuries or they were flesh wounds. Good to be alive!

After subduing three demons of the minor realm, Hellboy wanted to open conversation with me. I checked the lock was intact and nodded to the people.

"I never saw you come out, Waif. Why not? Ain't it boring?"

Maybe he did not see me leaving. I don't stay in all the time unless I sleep.

"I come out for meals," I answered, gesturing for the cigar to point away from my face. He blew out smoke. "Now I am outside. This is enough."

The red guy laughed. I strolled to the other side so I could breathe fresh air. His footsteps plodded one step behind, my ears found the rhythm and moved. I actually relished the company of this person. He asked, "So what's the price?"

I shrugged. Price for…? HB did not feel impatient, the cigar had disappeared and the sleepy ambers went wide. Without brows, the slant of his brow went up. "Nothing to do inside the hideout. What's to do?"

"Why not, I can read, paint, write, watch movies, even use internet. Fixing what I've collected…. For internet, I went to the lab." I frowned at his big smile, grin then guffaws. His tail tipped at different angles and he held his stomach.

"Anug un rama, explain. I don't get this laughing." Exasperating.

"Damn, my last cigar, woohoo. Lemme see, your face is funny."

"What the f- ?" I almost swore the word I disliked. Then my annoyance transformed to plain curiosity. "Why is my face funny? I am not joking. Don't be full of shit."

Spotting a rare white bird, I tailed it. Perhaps an owl swooping to the treeline. But even though it went out of sight, I did not feel letdown.

He looked surprised as he caught up. "Ooh, rare bird?" I nodded.

"Little owl. Okay, explain now."

He meant the scars blending and changing shape when I glared and the timbre of my voice described as 'I don't care, royal assness' tone. I blinked, really didn't understand such humor. "The real spirit of an Elfie." Demon looked smug.

I smiled a little. "Not elfie. Surely you can do better." My voice took on the aristocratic air, haha.

"Yep, get it. Noo-wa-da Sire, Highness. But I don't do the bowing. Hey once got so pissed, you started whacking me. It hurt, but I wanted to protect Abe. Silly Blue guy, he was gonna get trashed."

I felt a pang of remorse. Why bring it up again? Someone called out we could take a break. One transport left. Some people were eating or sleeping. I stopped at the edge of a cliff. Welcoming canopy.

"Don't be mad. Here. Non alcoholic," demon said, holding out a can.

I accepted, glanced at him. His tail indicated moods- up was happy and cynical, waving uncertainty, down was sad. The tail was now half mast. "No I am not angry. True, I had been furious then, both with Abraham Sapien and sister. Then you called me insolent names. I had enough. You don't- no didn't respect me."

I closed my eyes savoring the fluid wash down. Hellboy muttered an apology. "Good fight though, Nuada."

It did not matter now. He went into a lot of things admirable about me. I listened without interrupting. He said I shouldn't ask weapon of choice but strike them already. The playful demon pretended to punch with his rock hand. I chuckled. "Fine, I shall not ask. So, spent time with Trudi and Josh well?" They were the light of the couple's life.

Hellboy detailed with pride and joy about their bonding. His son was going to be like him, only at Sherman's insistence Josh would have more education, less swearing. The girl was opening up more. "Will you come talk to her? She's scared of tough warriors."

Hmm I thought I had already demonstrated my affectionate side! Who saved them from harpies? I Read his mind that the girl was begging to meet me again. "Sure. When I'm done with breakfast later."

Trudi ran across the room. I asked her to slow down, but she easily cleared the roomful of weaving cats. "Uncle Nuada!" The child smiled, one front tooth was missing. The firewoman was reading and absently called her to come back. "I wanna ask questions. Come come in. Mummy where can we sit?"

Liz cleared the other bed and a chair. Trudi bounced on the bed and took a doll. That was supposed to be a doll replica of sister. The clothes were made by Uriel's wife, and looked wellworn. Trudi hugged her once, and blurted, "What's it like being an elf? Do you like it?"

I was surprised almost speechless. Hellboy was on the other side of the room, not hearing. Sherman smiled, thinking- won't be ignored. These days she'll keep bugging us why do we fight baddies. Go with it.

Her hair was like Sherman's, eyes wide as marbles. "Good being elf?" She had one hand on my shoulder, and pressed against me.

"Let me think. It is good to be elven. We are the guardians of Earth. I am more agile than humans. And we live a long time, hundreds. We love nature, animals. Some have magic. These are special gifts. Sometimes, we are energetic, active. But on bad days, I feel tired as well."

Had I answered her question? Not comfortable with the prolonged touch, I moved away. Trudi let go and sat on the bed. I leaned back against the chair. She was focused on my forehead. "Okay. Better today? I'm good."

I smiled. Liz kissed her cheek and whispered something. She began to tell me about the doll and making a story. After the story ended, the girl reached out almost to touch my hair. Stopped. "Why?" I whispered.

On her own brow, Trudi made a whirling circle. "What is it, scar?"

I traced. "A runemark. No it does not hurt. Not a scar."

To my beloved anamchara,

That is old irish for soul-friend. I came across the word in a book, surprisingly by a historian who studied medieval Ireland myths. I wanted to start this before I forget. This will be with calligraphy, my people's heritage. Want to learn more? I'm giving free tips, not for everybody. Haha.

In fact when we take the time to write at a leisurely pace, language flows and will not be untidy. Neatness can be accomplished if you are careful and conscientious. It is not a secret. Yours are fine, legible. I've seen worse ones. Is it also called graphology?

Abe speaks fluently, his mind is a vast storage. He finds it hard to hold a pen.

I found out why H.B is always humiliating me. He has nothing better to do. On Wednesday, we were preparing to go after a successful mission, when he laughed at me. I was explaining what I enjoyed in my spare time. Cannot understand humor. He said my face looks funny. But he is okay… I thought I would be much angrier but I didn't.

When I look in your eyes intensely, what does that mean? Not going to tell. (tongue stickout) If I explain it will spoil the fun. Maybe I am pondering or watching you. Do not worry about having to be perfect. I used to be like this honestly. I had to be perfect in public and it was a lot of pressure.

We are all here to learn what we can and acknowledge we are not immortal. Fey can be immortal, but it means longlived, not forever. Even with the Youth water, the physical ailments can be healed, but any of us becomes mortal should there be mental illness. Is it hard to grasp?

Can you cope in the limelight? In Bethmoora, there are no reporters and media attention but civilians making judgments seem to have the effect. Nuala, my colleagues and I always have to deal with that when we travel. Some of them point fingers at me, whispering things I cannot catch. Do they fear, or are curious about me?

Internet has lots of dangers and insane people it seems. I am glad I don't feel reliant upon it. Don't worry, not going into why humans are hollow. You understand right what I will say. I like repairing watches and things. That watch is fine, I found the battery working well. Something came loose. Doing this activity fulfils inside. Haha.

More later. Sincerely, Silverlance

Laira

The day came when we could invite our friends to a feast in our name. yay! We wore simple matching meridian robes and my hair had grown longer. I had rebonding done. Prince pretended to be shocked by my new hairdo, but he liked it. Leaving my hair was definitely an elven trait. Coming to my house, Nuala loaned me her seal necklace- not the sea creature but the symbol of their kingdom.

"They have no magic, but come, try them on." They were sparkly and jangled, four on each wrist. I loved them.

We didn't have to wake up early. Nuada wanted to sleep in. The nightmares weren't too bad now. I had to wake him up this time. Of course I was worried my friend would be mad but he was fine. I forgot the exact time, only the day was breezy, not too sweltering. The venue was sheltered, had access to the natural view of greenery. Some friends asked, "Hey why didn't braid the hair?"

Nuada sighed. "No. It hurts." And he was crownless. We had hoped he would don one! Most of the people on my edited list turned up. My elf had removed some, his friends were more than six but fewer than twenty. Grandpa came and talked with us. I was pleased to see him. The Gang of Abe, Liz, Red, their kids also joined us.

There was nothing formal about this lunch event, guests could come and eat their fill, mingle with friends. Elf showed nothing of his 'shyness' and managed a warm smile. I walked with him when Grandpa said he wanted a lookie round. Haha.

"Can we make the exchange of wine public? I wanna do it again!" I said. I loved the drink.

He laughed. "It can be done only once. I'm heartened that you found it nice. Did we translate?" I didn't think so. "I shall show you the manual. The passages are somewhat like the in sickness and health, take each other as husband and wife thing." Passing by the cake table, he introduced me to a piece of golden sticky cake. This kind is specially made by the middle east fey. They bring it on long journeys. My favorite.

Yea not too sweet. Also the taste was salty caramel. Main dishes of fish, bird, desserts, wow name anything and there it was! Food haven…. Despite the three or more helpings I still had room for more. Red gulped down some stuff, Abe was sipping at a glass. Liz was feeding her children. The boy waved to me. I smiled. Many pure elves were here, but their behavior was friendly, not condescending. Nuada graciously agreed to talk with my friend Jasmine. She had attended Nuala's flowergirl. I noticed her goofy smile. Ooh crush was bad. I did not bother too much though, the warrior was taken.

Hellboy could not walk straight when he drained yet another glass. He was super high, singing. People chortled. Nuada shook his head. "Hey Waifie, awesome day! Drink with me!" He held up a glass. Uriel and Salem toasted, then took away his beverage.