Naveen

"The majority are worthless. But I've seen a few humans who are gems among coals. They could still use polish and may be stained by the rest. But their worth shines through in how they treat everyone else." I shrugged. "I can think of a few I'd find enjoyment in killing myself. Others that I'd rather stay my blade. And a rare few who I'd want to protect."

“I found Fredric wounded in the woods.  I saved his life.  My people wanted to put him down,” she said.  “I think it may be a matter of perspective.  They aren’t worthless.  They’re ignorant.  I’ve seen that on both sides,” she said defiantly.  

There was a short knock on the door then the lock turned and the captain entered the room.  His eyes fell on Talon in surprise and then concern.

I started to reply, but when the Captain entered the room my lips closed again and I looked at the man sizing him up with a look. My arms unfolded and while I didn't grab the hilt of my sword, I was closer to being able to draw it.

Vera went to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, muttering a quick explanation that Talon had come to make sure of her safety.  The captain looked him over with skepticism but no hatred.  

“Thank you for your concern, but I would appreciate you not being in here alone with her again,” he said carefully, with an arm around the elf girl.

I bowed my head to the man, relaxing slowly. "I understand. I preferred to keep this quiet. I was worried for one of my kind." My voice was polite, but nothing more.

Rina:

I was concerned when the captain left dinner early and had been nervous for Talon ever since. Now dinner was finished and Talon was back. I excused myself and went with him to find a private spot for us to talk. “What happened?” I asked once we were tucked away.

"They are in love. She saved his life when her people would rather see him left to die. After being outcasted by her own people she traveled with him and they fell in love." I said then went on to explain the entire conversation I'd had with her. I folded my arms and gazed out the window we stood next too.

Rina:

“They’re in love?” It kept ringing in my mind. “He loves her?” It was a surprise. I was sure that the captain was keeping her against her will. That he only wanted her as his mistress. “You’re sure?” It disturbed me. Not an elf and a human being together, that was what most people would find disturbing. But it was on a more personal level.

I didn’t look at Talon while I thought it all through. They saw a life together. That was what bothered me. They thought they could be together, that it wasn’t temporary.

"Yes. They both said as much, but you only need look at them alone to see it on their faces." I glanced at her. The idea wasn't nearly as foreign to me. But I'd had some time to get used to the idea for the Captain and Elf.

Rina:

“But… How?” I was speaking without thinking first. Talon has said that she was young by elf standards, which meant that she had hundreds of years ahead of her. He had fifty at most if he was lucky. It didn’t make sense. Why would either agree to that?

My arms wrapped around my middle mindlessly and I angled slightly away from Talon.

"It is not unheard of. She is young sure, but that makes her heart all the more easy to go where it pleases. He will pass in time, and she will continue on. But so too could she choose to end her life. That is also not unheard of if the bonds are especially close." I shrugged slightly. "It is not my place to tell her how to live her life."

Rina:

“I suppose so,” I said and glanced to his face for a moment. It was ridiculous of me to let it bother me. Talon and I were not like that. We had an arrangement. Nothing more. We were friends outside of that but that was all.

I turned to look out the window. “I guess I was hoping to finally be able to do some good for a non-human. But she doesn’t need saving. I’m glad for that, but still…” I sighed softly. I felt useless.

Talon:

"It is an example of what could be should we manage to make this work. That is enough." I watched her instead of the night sky outside the window. "The Captain and elf are a good example of what we strive to fight for. A world where they don't have to hide what they are, and emotions can flow freely."

Rina:

I felt his gaze on me and glanced up at him, my eye shifting between his. My cheeks felt warm. “Yes, it is something to strive for,” I said quietly. “I think I’ll turn in for the night. It’s been a long day.” I gave no indication that I wanted him to join me in bed. I thought I needed some time to myself and I didn’t want to think any more about the elf and her lover. That would be difficult to avoid if I had an elf in my own bed.

"Sleep well Rina." I called to her with a faint smile on my lips. She had seemed troubled about it, and it made me wonder just what she really felt about humans and elves being equal. Perhaps this was an eye opener for her that it could work.

Turning my gaze back out the window I tilted my head up to the moon. I started to wonder myself, was this all possible? And at the end what would it be like to fall in love with a human.

Rina:

The next couple of nights I didn’t ask Talon to come to my room, and he didn’t give me any indication that he particularly wanted to.  I missed his company but I also thought it was good for us to have some space.  

People seemed to be more agitated by Talon and of course Vera.  The captain stopped bringing her to dinner for that reason and he mostly took his own meals in his room.  I wished I could have done the same.  I hated putting talon through the ridicule as well, but for appearance's sake he stuck by my side when we were out.22:42:27

I could feel the strain growing among the castle the longer the Captain remained in port.  He had it easy, he kept to his room and kept Vera from being the target of much ire.  But that left me to shoulder the burden.  For appearances sake I still had to remain in the public eye and I didn't shrink from the glares or harsh words spoken behind my back.

It was especially bad when I had to escort Rina anywhere. It made us seem closer and that really got the blood boiling in the humans. A dance had just been held and I'd stood close by the entire time. I'd left her behind in her room just minutes ago.

The rushing of feet weren't any different sounds compared to what I was used to hearing. So as they came down the hallway behind me I stepped off to the side. I used the chance to turn my gaze out the window and to the moon hanging in the sky. As such I didn't see the club swung at me, but I certainly saw the stars afterwards. Staggering into the wall I only felt the rough hands while everything swam and swirled.

I let them drag me away, using it as a chance to regain my senses. It was their mistake to let me do so and when they finally decided we were alone enough the fight after wasn't difficult. But unlike them I didn't attack to kill. As it was I was out numbered and fighting on less than ideal terms. When I finally walked away I had a few gashes and a bruise across my cheek.

Rina:

I bathed and dressed in the morning. It was a new dress, pink and gold pattern with gold down the front. It was beautiful, but I didn’t think the color suited me. After months here, I was finally coming around to the fashion. I even enjoyed my dresses sometimes.

My maid was gone by the time Talon came for me. All thought of fashion went out of my head when I saw him. Instead of leaving with him, I pulled him into the door and closed it behind me.

“What happened?” I demanded, wide eyed. I reached up to touch his cheek but thought better of it. Instead I let my hand rest on his shoulder lightly.

"Some of the other servants decided to take matters into their own hands last night. Tensions have been rising quite a bit lately. They caught me unawares but I dealt with them. It wont be happening again." A cold fire bloomed in my eyes as I thought of my attackers. I wished now that I'd done more. But if I'd actually killed any of them it would have been a quick trip the gallows for me no matter if it had been self defense or not. I was an elf, I wasn't supposed to kill any humans.

Rina:

I sighed then put my arms around him in a gentle hug.  “I’m so sorry, Talon,” I said softly.  It was my fault he was here.  Furthermore, it wouldn’t have happened if he had been staying with me.  “Let’s not go out today.  We can stay in.”  I didn’t want to expose him to any more ridicule than he had already taken.

"It would be better not too. I don't want them thinking they can get away with this and think I'm cowering." Winding my arms around her I sighed through my nose. "But taking a day to rest does sound really good."

Rina:

I looked up at him, still entwined. “Then… How about I have breakfast brought to me in the gardens and we stay there for a little while. It’s open enough that people will see that you are with me, but unlikely that many will approach. Then we can come back here for the rest of the day, and take it easy,” I suggested.

I nodded with a soft smile, "That sounds pleasant." I liked the idea of being out in the sun. While the moon and night were my home, the warmth of the sun was always something I found pleasing. Being out there with her would make it almost seem like we weren't in the middle of a place that hated my kind.

Rina:

I smiled back in return. I took hold of his hand to lead him out of my room but dropped it once we were in the hallway. I found a servant and requested that breakfast be brought to me in the garden. I ordered it for myself, but there would be enough for the two of us.

We found a spot in the garden that was secluded enough to have privacy but still be seen by others. I sat closer to him than I usually did in public. I couldn’t seem to help myself. It seemed I had enough time to myself in the past few days. That was over now.

I arranged myself on the grass, removing a weapon or two to be able to sit comfortably. When she sat so close to me my eyebrows raised a bit in surprise. She wasn't one to break our apparent roles. Not in public. But to have her so close was nice. I had secretly not wanted to do this, finding no fun in being stiff and cordial while we sat. But with her closer it was enough to lower the tension I felt and made it all feel more natural.