Chap 89 Our Excursion !
FMA opening 4. My week was not as enjoyable with home turf wars, and flames, though I didn't cry.
Hence I came up with this for amusement.. To Kate, P. C. and all my supporters! Will have courage as the awesome Elves!
I poked him. Noowa was really deep in his slumber. It was boring looking at the same unmoving trees. I knew I should rein in my impatience.
Elf yawned and stretched. He asked, "What's the matter?"
"Better? I want to explore." I thumbed up the path. Nuada seemed recovered from the nap, his lips had lost the pallid color, bright ambers matched the rays of the sun. I held out my hand. The prince accepted my help to rise.
"Where does there lead to? It's always different when we come here." I wondered.
He smiled, not speaking. We ambled up the slightly undulating slope. He was able to match my pace. Nuada breathed more intensely than he usually did. I pointed out that he could sleep despite the music blaring in his ear. My player was still turned on to 'Never enough' a rapid celtic piece.
"Yes. Are you hungry? I am a little." Elf touched his stomach and sighed. He never admitted weakness. After walking straight for awhile, he took out his map and read it. I waited.
Few turns later, a street of food materialized. People's wares were on the air and I salivated. Nuada spoke in their dialects. The stall was packed, so we stood at a long row of tables. Some seats popped up. I watched as he ate some cake, spongy kind of masses on a plate. I didn't know what to order. "How?" Nuada nodded and summoned a waiter. They both explained what each item was for, finally I picked a dessert. It had the look of a jell-o. Everyone around us looked human.
He asked, "Lyra are you all right?"
I nodded. He smiled. You seem lost. I can take care of us, okay? Where now?
Nowhere in particular… I know. Relax. Hm is there a place to lie down if any fae get ill? Like accidents? A clinic, or hospice?
"Yes there is. See those? We can rest there." He gestured to some open doors of what seemed like chairs and tables in short blocks of houses. Some people walked in to lie down. They looked very weak.
Nuada coughed. "But I don't need to go there."
"I'll be the judge of that." I said firmly. "Hm feels so hot, anywhere with lots and lots of water?"
An expanse of lake not far from the place. I noticed that like other fae mystery places, if my guide willed it, they would appear. The Prince did not conjure any magic. His coughing worsened immensely to the point he gasped, leaning on a tree. I was concerned. "Darn, take my water!" I took out mine. "Don't move."
Nuada took my hand and I sat beside him on a flat bedrock. "It'll pass. Ahead is a bay where we can cool down. I don't really like water though." He admitted. When he had enough rest, we continued through the bushes. A scent of fresh spring water.
Perhaps he didn't swim? "I see. I just think it'd be good to wash up. I'm sweaty. Can't a bus be coming?" I wondered, shading my gaze to look around. The elf was amused and pretended to glare at me.
Their people walked everywhere, unless horses and wolves were accompanying them. I felt it was quite low-tech. Prince shrugged. "I've no energy to argue. But I think to have buses will mean production costs. And Uriel has been petitioning for months to get a Central hospital constructed. Given the laborers are doing everything by hand, without technology, most do not support. Some plans are in the midst of progress."
Very arduous slow processing. I remembered the talks Abe and him had attended with the diplomacy of the Rockhurren.
It was fun to splash water on my skin. Yea! I stayed within the shallow area. Some elves talked among their friends and some swam in the safe areas. A sign had been posted, don't go over, unsafe zone. My elf had settled under the shadow and looked after my belongings. Hehe, he didn't like getting damp. I waved. He smiled.
I came back to dry myself, had brought a towel along.
Dreamily my friend reminsced, "A serene, tranquil place. We used to mix freely without suspicion and revenge. The villages did not need to take any precautions. Most of the people I knew were untainted and simple. Did you have that, in your town?"
He seldom had this kind of gentle mood so I listened for more. He regarded me with astonishment.
"Nope I much prefer to lock our door. Some people are very nosy or dangerous. Anymore to talk about?" I showed the symbol of our hearts opening. "Oh yea I brought some vials of the syrup. Need to take 3 times a day."
Obediently he drank the dose. He was moved that I had not forgotten. "Hm not really anymore to say. Give me your hand, I'll show you."
Everyone was free and running about. Dancing in some festivals. Relaxing moments of colorful clothings and joyful laughter.
Then we emerged at a familiar part of my hometown. I remembered a wishing well. Wonder if it was still there. Nuada seemed weary, leaning on a tree. I asked him if he would like to go. He caught his breath. "It's ok. Maybe next time."
He held my shoulder. "I don't mind going now. Really." Then I noticed his longsword sheath as he moved. Had it been there before?
I touched it. He said he did not want to be defenseless.
"You can fight? I think we ought to retreat. Remember the trolls that attacked? Don't want that shit to happen again!" I hit my forehead gently.
Nuada shook his head. I refreshed his memory when he was hurt and I was at the markets, they were sent to kill him. He looked embarrassed. "Hey don't be loud. I won't do it again." Yay the well was there. Crowds of people were tying their papers. It was a general gathering place for people to make wishes and donations. Colored papers flew. The well was defunct, it was a symbol of love and hope. I had lots of coins.
No one noticed he looked pale. His glamour had slipped. I beamed. He tried several times but it did not change. The belt had no more juice. "Wow that doesn't matter. Want to try?" I took a slip of paper. It was a tiny space, so we had to be very very concise. I wanted to say, I wish for my family to be healthy and harmonious always, especially dearest one Elf.
I finished tying my paper. Prince watched the throng hesitantly. "Hm I don't know. What to say." I suggested some things. He remained tense. Oh well… After a while, he came back from a stall with papers and ribbons. Chewing on the pen, he got an idea and inscribed neatly. To respect secrecy, I turned my back.
"I'm done. Can I borrow coins?" Nuada dropped in the coins, peeking into the dark hole dubiously.
Cute! I whispered, "So what was the wish about?"
"Secret. I like the concept. Hungry again." It was good that he wanted to be honest with his needs. The mall was the best place to meet our needs. He slurped some noodles ramen style, while I ate a similar meal. The time was earlier than when we usually ate dinner.
"Are you recovered? Let's head back now. Okay?" I touched his hair. Here, some people looked curious. Nuada agreed, rubbing his face. Um, can get the glamour up again? If not I'll just talk about cosplay. We tried to press a few buttons on his belt, which did not help.
He glared and more people squeaked and ran away. Nuada shook his head exasperation unfolding. "I look like a ghost to them. Argh."
The phone rang just as we popped in. Abe was concerned. Nuada touched his throat. didn't want to answer. "Oh he's fine but doesn't feel up to talking. We went out. Yep."
I let Abe speak some more. Nuada went inside to take a bath.
He smiled and hugged me once.
Had a good time. Thanks. I will be good boy now. I chuckled as he tickled me. I watched some dramas, as Nuada leaned back. Having some bodyaches. Hope I didn't over exert myself. Nuada rubbed his eyes.
I massaged my neck. Want me to help? Take a good rest. I sprung up to press his shoulders. He sighed. I wanted to do it always.
He said it was fine. Pausing to remove his shirt, he let me continue. I checked for new scars, seemed to be the same. Nuada was silent. He needed it.
I checked my website and found some nasty comments. "Shit! What the hell!"
In horror, I noticed half were flames. I tried to delete them.
He asked, "What's up?"
"Such assholes! I didn't do anything wrong, I changed the settings too. Brainless idiots!" I ranted. Nuada's hand rested on my back.
"Sorry. Don't look at it. Move away." He advised me. I took deep breaths. "That is why I dislike going on the net. I never get why people feel good seated and look at a box thing." I grinned.
"I seldom get such problems. Why don't people just wake up and stop being selfish and shallow? No no, it's not everyday it happens. Only when people react. Online we can talk to friends and keep in touch." I replied the okay ones and shut it down.
Later I calmed down. The elf was not asleep, but he had withdrawn into a meditation trance. I touched his hand. If there was any indication he was a fierce elf, it was neutral now.
The next day prince was more active. Nuada stood in the centre of our living room that had a bigger space now we had moved an ornamental piece. Naked waistup, he was doing some stretching exercises. His legs were apart. He moved his arms imitating sword thrusts. Then Nuada picked up a sheathed short sword and parried an imaginary enemy. I watched him for awhile, and he was so engrossed that he did not detect me though I was right in front of him.
"Hey be careful. What's the rush to exercise man?" I waited till he put it down. Because if he felt shocked, the weapon might come at the person who roused him.
"I know. This is very easy. I have started the water boiling." His free hand wiped off sweat from his neck.
"Ok." I attended to the kettle and made some honey tea. "What do you want to eat? Is the medicine finished?"
He blinked. "Hm I don't need to finish them all. No more coughing. I want bread and butter." I watched him eating in delight. He was curious. What, didn't see me eating before?
"I have. It's so fascinating… this time you had neglected eating much."
He smiled and stroked my bangs. His gratefulness merged with mine and I relaxed in this virtual embrace. He got butter on the side of his mouth. I wiped it off. Then I touched an ear tip. Hehe! "Hey stop that. I will sneeze. How about we rest.. what's that word, chill today? I want to watch something nice."
It was code for: he was exhausted from yesterday. Nuada had more days off to recuperate. He pulled on an orange shirt and tied his hair, lounged beside me. I toggled through the anime channels. "I'm confused. Wait, go back to that one." Tinkerbell. He wanted to see that, and commented about the problems with it.