Fable - Ask An Escort to Vel Anir

[Varo]

Varo smiled so wide that it was almost painful. He stifled a laugh as she gulped her water, his hand coming over his face like he was wiping away some of the sauce from his mouth.

"Yes." He told her with a quiet chuckle. "It can be."

He didn't know why. Couldn't have said, but in his chest he felt the urge to just lean over the table and kiss her. Perhaps it was the way she was exploring a new world, or the expression on her face, or the way that she was enjoying her time.

Varo had no idea, but the urge desperately grew in his chest.

Instead he prodded one of the veggies she'd pointed out with his fork, picking it up and taking a bite. "Oh."

He exclaimed.

"This is from Ivladrin." Varo declared, excitement pulling through his voice. "I didn't recognize it at first."

 

[Colette]

”Ivladrin? That’s your home isn’t it?” Colette was nearly certain of that fact. If so, maybe it made sense in some strange romantic kind of way that she preferred the fruit from Varo’s home.

Although the thought brought another question. ”When are you planning to see your father again?” They’d never really discussed it much but she missed her parents dearly. To her it was only natural that he missed his father just as badly.

Maybe he’d left due to his… affliction but surely his father would welcome him back with open arms. If she needed to prod him to do the right thing then so be it.

Colette spooned another serving of the veggie salad into her mouth as she stared at him. She knew he was scared of whatever that beast inside him was but at least now he wouldn’t need to face it alone. She could stay by him, for a while, and coax him to return home.

His father would look after him and once she was done with her service she could take over. Make sure he was okay.

 

[Varo]

"Yes." He told her with a smile.

Varo hadn't said so explicitly, but it warmed him to know that Colette had listened to his words closely enough to pick it up. He smiled wide at her, watching as she enjoyed more of the fruit.

The expression snapped away as she asked about his father. "I...errr."

It was not something he had considered, not something he had even thought about over the last few months. Home, in his mind, had been utterly off limits. There was no going back, no facing the shame of what he had done or what he now was.

He was too afraid of what his father might say, might think.

"I don't..." Teeth sunk into his lower lip. "I haven't really thought about it."

It was the truth at least, though if he had been completely honest he would have told her that he had no plans to go back at all. Not with what he was now. Not with the monster in his heart.

 

[Colette]

Colette stared at him in a mix of pity and a desire to comfort him. The way his demeanor shifted from excitement to discomfort at the mention of his father caused an ache in her chest.

She placed her fork down and reached a gentle hand across the table to touch his. Delicate fingers rubbing along the top of his hand until they settle into a loose grip.

”Do you miss him?”

It was a simple enough question that would answer so much. Perhaps his father hadn’t been kind to him and Varo’s unique condition had simply been a catalyst to something he always wanted to do. Maybe his father wasn’t the kind of person the guardswoman had imagined. If that was the case she’d do her best to stay grounded, to avoid the topic if he wished.

A beaming smile of warmth shone across her face. ”We don’t have to talk about it,” she gave his hand a firm squeeze, ”if you don’t want to.”

He was allowed privacy, at least on a few things. He’d already let her into more than she thought he might’ve been comfortable with. She wasn’t about to push her luck.

 

[Varo]

"I..." Lips thinned for a moment, his eyes glancing down at her hand.

He hadn't spoken about his father in nearly a year. No one in Alliria ever asked, not because they didn't care, but because they were a collection of misfits. They didn't want to share, so no one wanted to be rude by digging.

Colette wasn't being rude, she cared.

She wanted to see him happy, wanted to make sure that there wasn't a part of his life that he was missing. "I do miss him."

Varo admitted finally.

"He was...is a good dad." Always had been. Though standoffish at times and not entirely understanding of Varo's human side, the old man had always done his best. "Aside from my mother I was the only Human in Ivladrin."

It was called the Hidden city for a reason. "I was...different, than most everyone there."

Obviously.

"But my father always made sure It didn't feel that way." As difficult as Varo himself had made that at times.

 

[Colette]

Knowing that he missed his home and his father added new weight to Colette's heart. This weight was only magnified by the revelation that he had always felt out of place. She was certain he felt just as out of place as the only half-human in an elven city as he had felt out of place as a werewolf. Or as a sudden thief who, from no fault of his own, was practically forced to steal just so he could survive.

Colette squeezed his hand until she felt his bones between her fingers. She didn't want to let go. Not now, not ever.

"You should see him again," she said staring at him with longing, "he'll help you." Probably more than she could, at least right now. And Colette knew that until her service was over someone had to watch after him. Take care of him.

He couldn't go back to Alliria and just barely scrape by. Living off of whatever he could steal or scrounge together. Once she was done, her conscription over, then she could take that mantle over again. But the idea of him being all alone, turning into a beast that frightened himself as much as it did others, and risking his life on the wrong side of the law. She couldn't bare it.

Her eyebrows fluttered upwards as her face parted to show him some joy. "When I was a girl I could be a bit different too." Colette giggled to herself at the memory. "Surely nothing like what you had to endure but sometimes the other girls poked fun. I'd spend so much time trying to bake or cook but I hated getting my hands dirty. They'd all laugh as I kneaded dough and would take breaks to wipe away the residue every few moments."

"I got over it, but it was enough to drive them all crazy," she smiled and kept her eyes glued on his. She didn't want this moment to be tainted by regrets he had or childhood trauma. She'd listen, if he wished to share more, but a bit of levity might help keep this first meal together a happy memory.

 

[Varo]

For a brief few seconds Varo didn't say anything.

The idea of going back to Ivladrin still scared him in a way. He was ashamed of what he was, ashamed of how he'd left. Ashamed that he had not even sent his father a single letter. What did he think? Did he know Varo was still alive? Did he know what had happened?

His stomach turned upside down, and then finally he took a breath and made a small decision. "I'll write him a letter."

It might not have been going back. It might not have been seeing him, but it would be enough for now. The idea of anything more made him want to throw up.

He eased slightly as Colette talked about her own experiences, a smile touching his face.

"Want me to beat them up?" He joked, not even imagining that anyone could actually be cruel to Colette.

Well, except scum like bandits anyway.

He imagined her vigorously cleaning her hands after each batch of dough, smirking slightly at the thought. Briefly he wondered how she managed to stand it over the last couple of days. Even with the streams they'd encountered neither of them had really been able to wash.

"If you're done." Varo said with a gesture to the meal. "We could go see the rainbow fish, maybe go for a swim."

 

[Colette]

A letter was a start. It showed he cared, was thinking of him, and hopefully it would lead to more. If not the tender reunion she hoped for then perhaps just an awkward face-to-face that served to break the ice that so obviously loomed over their relationship.

She gave him an approving smile but didn’t comment on it. This was his decision.

”You don’t have to beat up everyone who bothers me,” she said with a roll of her eyes and cheeks ablaze in red.

The gesture was nice enough to think about. Even if she knew it was just bravado the idea that he’d fight for her caused butterflies in her stomach. Varo was a good one, she knew it in the deepest part of her soul.

Then he presented the idea of seeing the rainbow fish and going for a swim. Her heart skipped as she added, ”I’m finished and that sounds like a lovely way to spend the afternoon.”

 

[Varo]

"Suppose not." He said with a smile, forgetting the fact that he wasn't much of a fighter in the first place.

After a few more seconds he gently squeezed her hand, then stood. He gently tugged Colette with him, moving to the back of the strange 'restaurant' and finding the Elven woman who had served them. He offered a thank you in Elvish, then complemented her upon the meal.

He let Colette offer her thanks as well, and then the two made a b-line out the door.

When they stepped outside the found the town no more busy than it had been before. No one was rushing or milling about. Everyone seemed purposeful, as if they were doing exactly what they should. Again they earned some curious stares or warm smile, though most people seemed to ignore them.

Slowly the two made their way through the town until the buildings began to shift and become less like homes, and more like beautiful works of art shaped from nature itself. Huge spanning bridges began to take shape, arching and reaching over what appeared to be a ravine. As they stepped closer to it Colette would hear the sound of rushing water.

On the other side of the ravine was an ornate stairway hewn from rock that appeared to lead down into the ravine below. "You're not afraid of heights, are you?"

Varo asked as they stepped on the branch like bridge.

 

[Colette]

The Anirian girl offered her thanks to the chef, gushing about the flavors and variety of the food. She wasn't sure if she had overdone it or if elves were simply more soft spoken than humans. It was hard to tell if the delicacies in their architecture and diet extended all the way to their mannerisms as well.

She focused on as much of the buildings as she could, sticking close to Varo. It was difficult to decide whether to look at the town, the elves who passed by, or if she wished to steal a glance at her half-elf companion.

They arrived at the ravine and stepped onto the narrow bridge. "No," Colette lied, "I'm not afraid of heights."

Colette clung to Varo's arm tightly as they tip-toed across the overpass. Daring a look downward she caught sight of the decorative stairway and gasped. "It's so pretty." Even from the high spot they were on she could see the colored light bouncing off the shining scales of the fish below.

Hearing the sound of rushing water and the colorful dancing sunlight gave her heart some relief from the terror of their elevation.

 

[Varo]

"You're an awful liar." Varo said with a smile, his head shaking as he slowly took Colette across the bridge.

His hand gently rested on her, softly guiding her and making sure that if she did trip he would be able to catch her without a second passing.

"There's something like this back home." He told her as they continued to cross the bridge. "Not as big, but a bridge over a ravine. We used to dive off of it as kids."

There was a fondness to his tone as he spoke, a smile settling on his lips as they reached the other side finally.

When they began to descend the steps Colette would be able to see the the fish properly. There were thousands of them, each one a different color, some two or three. They were beautiful, and as the sun cast over them the Koi almost seemed to glow and sparkle. All of them were near a meter long, and they lazily swam through the stream.

 

[Colette]

Colette smiled so broadly it formed deep dimples into her cheeks. Being guided along by Varo made her feel safe. Appreciated. Like she was precious to him, like she was valued. It was a unique feeling that she hasn’t experienced before now.

”I’m not lying,” the girl protested with a glint in her eye. ”You’ll have to show me your home. One day.”

She stepped carefully down the steps, glancing at the fish she could see more clearly now and allowing herself several oohs and aahs as they proceeded. There were just so many of them, every size and color was vivid enough to confuse her mind. ‘Fish weren’t supposed to look like this,’ her mind insisted. Yet, here they were.

Once they were across and onto the bank of the water she sat down onto the soft ground and spread her legs outward. A hand tugged at the half-elf’s wrist, beckoning him to join her. Over the sound of the crashing waterfall she called out, ”this place is amazing.”

Her dimples reappeared, along with her huge smile.

 

[Varo]

He smiled at her. "I will."

Varo wasn't sure if he was hoping he would, or if it was a lie.

The idea of returning home right now still tied knots in his stomach, but he tried not to think about it in that moment. All that he wanted to do was spend time with Colette, show her how amazing his people could be. The smaller wonders that she could have nowhere else.

Slowly he settled himself down besides hers.

"It is." He said with a smile as he gently leaned into her. The waterfall let a mist roll over them, a pleasant contrast to the warmth of the air.

The koi within the stream moved and shifted, slowly floating and drifting around. "Do you want to swim with them?"

He asked with a smile.

 

[Colette]

Her cheek settled against Varo’s arm as the young guard relaxed, her smile never fading. When she was done with her service the two of them could take a trip to Ivladrin. She’d get to meet his father, see the places he grew up in, it was a happy thought. The idea that he could be lying didn’t even cross her mind.

”We can swim with them?” Colette’s face glowed with excitement at the prospect of it.

Without waiting for a reply she kicked off the thin leather shoes she’d obtained from the elvish apartment and dipped a toe into the flowing stream. Several multi-colored fish swam out of the way without much issue, a few darted closer after they realized she wasn’t any sort of threat.

A grin formed and she tied her short hair into a loose bun while the crashing from the waterfall peppered her face with droplets.

She made the plunge into the water, gripping the shorehead, and staring back at the half-elf with a gleeful tint in her cerulean eyes. ”You coming?”

 

[Varo]

For a few seconds Varo just watched as Colette practically skipped into the water.

He smiled as the dove down beneath the waves, relishing in the smile that flickered across her features. This was what he had wanted. The joy on her face, the mirth that played across her features. It was glee that he'd wanted to give her.

"I'm coming." Varo assured her as he quickly tugged off his shirt and tossed onto the beach. A few seconds later he rushed forward, diving into the water and causing the great koi to suddenly scatter in every direction. A few of them rushed past Colette, causing small rippled beneath the water.

Varo laughed as he came to the surface, some of the koi already making their way back towards him.

Slowly he swam forward just a bit, motioning to Colette.

"This way!" He shouted above the noise of the waterfall as he swam towards it.

 

[Colette]

Colette gave a playful splash when the rogue's coppery hair surfaced. When he insisted she follow him towards the waterfall she did so at great haste though she was unsure of why they'd swim into the splashing torrent.

To her shock though as she hurried after him the rainbow of koi melded with her movements. They swam in front of her, beside her, behind her, in a symphonic palette of color with Colette as the centerpiece. Just ahead she noticed the same sort of pattern swarming around Varo. This is amazing, she thought to herself.

A few more seconds of paddling her hands through the warm stream and they were nearly at the base of the waterfall itself. She'd managed to catch up to the half-elf though whether this was because she was superior swimmer or he'd simply slowed for her to reach him was unknown to the blonde guardwoman.

"Where are we going?" she asked earnestly.

 

[Varo]

He smiled at her, floating just a few inches away. "There's a cave."

Varo almost had to yell so that he could be heard over the roar of the falls. The sound was nearly deafening, droplets of water cascading and splashing against his face as he stayed afloat. He smiled and motioned towards the base of the falls.

"Just dive down." He told her. "Then come up behind the falls."

The Half-Elf made a wavy diving motion with his hand, took a breath and then dove down beneath the waters.

As he slipped into the water the Fish seemed to move in ripple, shifting and swimming around him as they followed beyond the falls and into a small cavern that lay beyond. He came up first, a soft natural light flickering over the cavern from naturally glowing mushrooms.

 

[Colette]

His yell over the sound of the crashing water was more soothing than a shout should've been. She nodded and followed him without question into the depths of the water. Colette swam low enough to graze the bottom of the riverbed before emerging on the other side just after Varo.

"Wow," an audible thought echoed off the cavern walls.

Bright azure eyes were wide as she took in all of the lights from the fungi. Her ears filled with the raging sound of water crashing against water, almost sounding muffled against the rocky backwall of the cave. She moved herself a bit further inward through the water until her feet collided with ground and she could walk upon the rocky shelf.

Colette sat herself down on the rocks and let her feet dangle into the rippling water, both hands wrung water from her short sun-colored hair. It felt impossible to keep her eyes off the half-elf who, at least for now, was still in the water. He'd been so good to her and there was so little to complain about when it came to him.

The guardswoman, very briefly, recalled their initial meeting and how he'd savored the blueberry loaf. How he'd comforted her when she awoke in that cage within the bandit camp. The first time they kissed. The pain in Varo's face last night when he had opened up about his curse.

That all only lasted for a second though before she cast a playful look at him and gave him a wink. "Come here," she said while tapping the rocks beside her.

 

[Varo]

Varo floated within the water for a few moments, watching Colette as she pulled herself into the cavern. He couldn't remember the last time he had been this happy. The last time that he hadn't worried about what the next day would bring.

The last time he hadn't worried about his next transformation.

In that moment his focus was entirely on Colette. The way that she smiled at him. The wink in her eye. The way that she perched herself like a Queen in his eyes. Varo was entranced by her, and he knew that, but he did not care.

When she commanded quietly for him to join her he slowly swam through the waters, pulling himself free from the small pool and perching himself on the rock she had so softly patted. "What do you think?"

Varo asked quietly.

"Worth the walk?" The Half-Elf smiled, his hand slowly reaching out to thread through hers.

 

[Colette]

"It was definitely worth the walk," she said with a blush as her fingers locked his into hers. Droplets dribbled their way off her blonde locks and splashed upon the hard stone. For now she just let the sounds of the waterfall crashing be their backdrop. The illumination of the various mushrooms be their only light source.

It was nice to let words fade away whilst she gripped his hand tighter.

Eyelids closed tightly as she simply savored the moment. Enjoying Varo's presence, enjoying the bliss of this second in time, and wishing she could just run away from it all. Forego her guard service, magically transport her family here so she could just stay with him forever, cure his disease.

Eventually her eyes opened and she stared into his. "This place is amazing." She meant it too, her words more honest than almost anything she'd told the half-elf thus far. "I think I could die right now and have zero complaints."

Her grin spread to her ears and she leaned in fast to plant a kiss upon his lips, not giving him a chance to speak on her previous comment. There were probably a dozen things they could talk about but for just a few seconds longer she wanted to forget about the word. She wanted to just enjoy this. Enjoy Varo.

 

[Varo]

A happy noise passed his throat as her lips pressed against his, fingers tightening within hers for a few seconds as he took a deep breath.

His thoughts reflected hers.

Varo very happily could have died in that moment. Thoughts of the Wolf inside of him was forgotten. Memories of what he'd done, what he'd run away from, all of that ebbed away in an instant as he took a long breath and slowly wrapped his arms around her.

Muscles flexed, and then he dragged her from the rock and into his lap. He pulled her into himself, dragging his fingers slowly over her body. "I wouldn't trade this moment for anything in the world."

Not even a return home.

Not even a reprieve from his curse.

"I am so glad to have met you." Varo told her softly, breathing before he once again kissed her.

 

[Colette]

Lips that dazzled in the light of the cavern formed an infectious smile as her body went limp and allowed itself to be pulled upon Varo's lap. A hand ran gently through his rust-colored hair while he spoke, her blue eyes intently staring at his.

Colette agreed with him, this was a moment more precious to her than anything the guard or Vel Anir or the elves could offer her.

She returned his kiss and squeezed herself closer to him, arms wrapped around his torso. Their mouths broke away from one another briefly and she joked, "I can't let you steal from Anirians again, lest you meet some other guardswoman." Another kiss followed her quip, this one longer and more passionate.

Nothing bad could ever come from him. The sense of security and protection she felt around him was so overwhelming that she'd already forgotten the story he told her last night of the wolf. Surely that must've just been a dream. He wasn't capable of harming even a fly, much less a sentient being.

She squeezed him tighter and continued in that moment of joy.

 

[Varo]

"No stealing from Anirians." He agreed with a smile and another brush of his lips against hers.

His arms wrapped tightly around her, and for a time they stayed like that.

Varo couldn't have said how many hours passed by, how long they stayed intertwined. Every now and again they dipped back in the water, swam through the waterfall. They laughed, joked, spoke of more pleasant things than they had upon their journey passed. It was a calm, almost quiet day.

The first of it's like that they had been allowed to spend together, but certainly not the last.

It was when they were sitting on the warm beach together, the sun casting over them that Varo let out a quiet yawn. "What do you want to do next?"

He asked quietly.

"I could show you some of our artistry." Varo offered. "Or we could see the Lieuthen Cliffs."

Before she could ask he explained. "It is said Dragons used to roost there."

Though not anymore.

 

[Colette]

Colette had been completely caught up in the moment. Just enjoying herself here with him, smiling at his agreement, entangling her limbs with his and being alone in this wonderful place. It wasn't until they had returned some time later to the shorehead that any meaningful speech emerged.

"Dragons roost there?" The excitement in her voice making it evident she hadn't really processed the, "used to," part of Varo's sentence. "I've never even seen a dragon before!"

In a flash she was on her feet and pulling at the half-elf's wrist. If they could go and see where dragon's roosted she wasn't going to miss a second of it. This day had already been incredible between the unique food, the rainbow fish, and the experience behind the waterfall with him.

But now they were going to go and see dragons?

Amazing. "Hurry! I want to make sure we see them while we still have daylight."

 

[Varo]

"W-wait I said used t-" Varo didn't get the time to finish his sentence.

Colette practically dragged him up the beach and back towards the stairs. Her fear of heights practically forgotten as she raced up to the heights of the cliff and dragged Varo along with her every step of the way. A few times the Half-Elf found himself nearly stumbling over, though he caught himself each time.

Eventually they crested the top of the ridge once more, stopping just before the bridge as Varo finally managed to catch his breath. He glanced and pointed in the opposite direction of the bridge. "That way."

He told her.

The cliffs were technically outside of the city, and if they went there today it meant they wouldn't get back before dark, but that was alright. This area of the Falwood was as safe as could be.

At least the way he remembered it.

Together, walking in stride this time rather than Colette dragging him, they embarked down the path towards the cliffs. The canopy of trees began to grow around them, a thick jungle like forest that seemed as dense as a city block.

They walked for some time, the sound of bird chirping echoing around them. Cerillian Water Foxes and other small creatures watched them from the woods, some even trailing after them in curiosity.