Chap 75 Salem takes us out, reaction to Fishman

I gain some insight about being forgotten. Can relate to how the fae feel when they become marginalized. People are most excited abt themselves, which is a sad truth. In my exp, I don't like it when people only care for their own lives. But I shall not hold too much hope.

Nuada

I went ahead to buy the rare editions of the stampset for my soulmate. They were exquisite and would be perfect for her collection. Had they received my letters yet? Maybe they sent me via the internet, since the letterslot was empty. So I went to the lab. I usually forget to log in.

Yes there was a new message from their mother:

Hello,

I hope u see this and reply. =) How are you, dear boy? I passed by this concert by singers. And was immediately reminded of u. do u sing by any chance? I would like to hear your voice, it's so long since I heard from u.

Thank u for looking after my kids. No matter how old they are, I still worry. I haven't been very responsible a mum. I admit that I got jealous there, and doubted yr intentions. But now I am proven wrong and elves have honor and kindness, mercy… it was a thoughtful outing that we had together! Hmm but I haven't seen Nuala's hubby before. Why is he always busy when we meet up?

Is he sick? Hope he is well. Have tried to phone u but no answer. When can I talk with u again, Nuada? I understand u don't do tech well. I took 3 years to bec good! It's wonderful to go online. I have a blog, here's a link- .com

sharon

I smiled. Yes, Abe had always been absent. But would she not have a heart attack seeing his…. Unusual fishy looks? Nuala did not tell him or he'd be hurt by the exclusion. I slowly made out a reply. Sharon is a good person, she has stopped being angry with our union. If I were a parent, I'd protest more over our relationship. Also, she did not ask about what happened to my family. Much relief. How could I share it without breaking down?

Hi Sharon,

Thank you for replying. Haha I'm sorry. Sometimes meetings and lunch are at odd timings. Also, my phone was spoilt for awhile. Yes you can reach me with this address. I will have to find my cellphone number, can send texts.

No I cannot sing. I'm out of tune. Nice that the outing was good, Nuala and I are pleased. Your words are touching. I did not have a good impression of the humans who pushed us to hide in another world. Not all humans are what I encountered…. For centuries we had conflicts and war. I was saddened by the losses. I understand your similar worries about elves.

Yes I'm bad with tech. improving but I don't like it. So I can go to this page by the link? Ok. I will try to answer the phone if I'm in. Abraham is fine now. Yes he was alw busy or sick. (I wondered if I should tell her the truth)

Take care, Nuada

After reading over my draft, maybe the woman would be enraged by my hostility to humans, I clicked Send. No, she was able to accept truthful matters. I found my cellphone number and sent it as well.

Then I called Laira and asked, "Hmm should I tell Sharon about Abe?"

"Errr. It'd be bad idea right?"

I chuckled. "So I'm consulting with you. She sent me email, and wonders why Abe gets sick everytime we meet."

"Awesome! She gave you email, Noowa. One day we'll show her a photo of him. Can you snap one? Then…"

I was warming up. "Ah show the picture first before the real man. Have you received my letter? " I understood completely if they were too preoccupied, simply queried if it got lost. Once my letter was lost. I was angry with the postal service. How could they do that? I ensured my writing was legible too! That week I made out a new one. In that case, it will be shorter as we can't remember what happened before.

"Yes I did. Ah, I forgot to send mine. Sorry! Were you sad?"

"A little. I see. Glad it didn't get lost," I responded softly. She promised to mail it out by today. "I bought the new stamps. The one I told you about. They are beautiful."

"Yay! Thanks so much, elf. Um I think it's better I receive that in person. Normally I try to send by registered mail to ensure the parcel reaches." She always made things lighter, so did my heart and mood. I agreed that I would bring it along when I visited. Getting a photo was easy, I knew how to use my new camera phone.

Hard part would be to do so, unnoticed. Fishman had huge eyes and peripheral vision. I seized the chance one day when he was talking on the phone. As I was walking past him, pretending to be innocent haha, he called me.

"Yes?" I looked solemn.

"I missed you the past week! How's things?"

I told him a bit and listened to his gossip. Accomplished mission!

Laira

Salem wanted company to buy groceries. He got Nuada to agree and so did sister. It had been ages since we last made a trip to the Eastern side. "At the same time, you should stay a while longer, my house is quite spacious." The jovial guy invited. I beamed.

"We should not impose." Prince replied gravely. He excused himself and went into another room.

"No I am lonely. First we buy and fill ourselves. Later we can decide all right?" the other persuaded. "Don't mind the place will look oldfashioned."

"Nope. I support all kinds of markets. Haha!" Nuala laughed merrily at my comment. She had her hair worn up and donned a red dress with black patterns. Then she winced, touching her stomach. I asked what happened. Her eyes were a more intense shade of amber than her twin's, so everytime the she elf looked at me, I had to admit felt spooked.

She replied softly, "He's having a tummy ache. Ah, normally I don't feel our Link."

Had Nuala heard my remark? It was rude of me. I hurriedly changed my mentality to 'going out and have fun'. Nuada took a longer time than normal. Salem paced about. The door opened and our friend emerged, did the finishing knot to his blue sash. They did not wear the red sash anymore, to symbolize their separation from the past unhappiness.

His upper vest was done by a zipper, a special touch to the usual buttons and hooks. Grey vest with midnight blue, plus small patterns. "I am sorry for the wait. " He glanced at her, she smiled and held his arm. "I had a strange… stomach upset."

I inserted why not rest awhile first? It's hard to find toilets there. The only privies were usually dirty, so if we were urgent, usually we restrained our bladder, till we could find someone's house. Salem echoed my sentiments. Nuada sat down and drank something warm. Salem spoke to him in their language. Other elves had passed by.

"Laira, they are coming with us. Will you mind?" he ruffled my hair.

They wore copper hair to their shoulders, wore similar uniforms. I shook my head and waved.

This part of town looked familiar. First, we visited the Fountain, filled our empty bottles. They washed their faces and hands. Their names were Melthondon, Balza'thir and Veryaminaidas. Sometimes one or the other would chat but I never got to hear their words. So soft! "Let me." Nuada noticed my difficulty in collecting the water, he smoothly contained enough and corked it. I wish I could do it on my own.

"Thank you. How long have you known them?" I nodded over to the group. Salem was naturally effusive and made them laugh.

Nuada raised a brow. "Not that long. But they are all right. Nuala, are you done? Okay."

Water spilled continuously from the gryphon's and winged beasts' mouth, nose. It was clear and crystalline! After browsing the handicrafts and potted plants on sale, we were at the fresh meat area. Butchers called out to customers to get their produce, from mutton, beef, to fish. All the signs were in English. I flinched at the brutality of a tusk faced butcher severing off a cow's head.

I did not make a sound, but was steered away. A hand rested on my forehead and my memory blurred.

Nuada! His hand emitted a little glow. I blinked. Come let's go this way. Sorry for that. We're buying pastries. He told me kindly. What happened? Was it magic? "Actually why are we walking away from the fresh produce? Have you all finished?"

"Yes. Done." Salem and Nuala replied. Wow that was masterful quick. Soon the pastries scent was evident. I sniffed happily- colored cakes with and without toppings, gravy, chiffon marble cake, bread of different colors, muffins. Salivating galore! Each of us took a tray and clamps, like tongs.

The grocer, a bustling rotund matron, gestured. "They're counted in batches of five. Take more kids."

Oh, my friends were not kids. What an insult! Haha, but nobody minded. At this moment, the new guys were within range and eating something. It was fun to choose them, we got all the different flavors. Green was not just banana, also a new licorice taste, pandan, though there was no chocolate (here they didn't make it, so when we bought dessert, the twins always wanted more!) Everything was finger licking. Yay!

As we took a table, I asked what happened. Nuada shook his head. Oh. His sister paused. She said he noticed I had been scared by something, so he quickly caused a distraction. "We haven't bought fresh meat for a long time. Metal's (shorter name) group wanted to. Otherwise it was not necessary."

He was so caring. After the pastries, the new elves said they would pay for this meal. I guess it was a mutual agreement.

Their currency was not the same as the dollar notes and coins I saw Nuada give when we shopped. Still the money was accepted. Nuada did not talk a lot to them.

What's wrong?

Nothing. I do not agree with their… sexuality. They are in love.

Huh? I frowned, not understanding it. Then I saw the display of kissing and hugs with each other. Oh! I got the idea. Nuada made a face that he was disgusted by their action. I smiled. Nuala chuckled. "It is good they will leave now. Then we can all be together!" he added. The trio made a move.

I asked if he had managed to get Abe's photo. He showed it to me, cool! It was side view, so mum would not be shocked if she looked at it. Nuada said, "She was already worried when I came. I can't imagine when he turns up. How open is her mind?"

"I don't know. I cannot predict, it took lots of persuasion for us to get her to accept you. She could accept sister. It's ok." I touched his hand, seeing a cloud form over his usual stoic visage. But we continued to have a lot of fun as we tried new foods and visited with Salem's family, an aunt and his sister. He had no guys in his home, no wonder he was very good with women.

"I hardly cook. But I know one dish, chicken soup. Please sit down and sample." He had made the stock the day before. Nuada joked that he might collapse from drinking it. They bantered. Two days there, staying at his home…. We had fun! Nuala did not seem so prim as usual. The other elf proved an excellent tour guide.

Casually I showed mum the photo of my brother in law when we had dinner together. I told her it was a good friend. Nuada watched her. She looked at it absently more engrossed in the food.

"What do you think? He's a kind friendly person." He gestured.

"Hmm." That was all the sound she made. I glanced at my elf. He frowned. What does that mean? Okay or not?

Not sure. She does not mind but she always talks like that. Oh dear.

Mum finally said she was okay with it. So I spilled the beans. "He's Nuala's husband. They married earlier than us." Elf smiled, holding my hand. She nodded. I think she was fine with the news, and also had not known Abe was not sick or away.

"What does he eat?"

"Well, all except fish. We work together regularly. I was skeptical of him at first. But he is a people person," Nuada remarked. What progress! This was already an excellent standard given the prince used to kick his ass. Then mum was curious why Nuala liked him at all. So different.

"She just does, hard to explain. Our Link is not as predicting as it used to be…" Nuada focused on his plate and ate a little more. His food was moving quite slowly. We were accustomed to it, but he didn't want to lose face. I hoped we could take our time. During chats, in elven culture, they don't eat as fast. Although some are quieter, same thing.

"Not hungry?" she looked sympathetic.

"No elves eat like that. I think it is great, they won't overgorge and can taste all the food. Living in the moment."

Elf made affirming sounds, ambers glittering. He was so calm and handsome today, wearing a simple blue robe, hair loose and a watch mum gave him. The glamour could be removed here as many fae visited Elsprings. Mum wanted to see him as he was, naturally. She winced at the scars till reassured they no longer hurt.