Private Tales The Night is Long

[Elyr Mendrev]

Alysandra Mendrev; Desiminla Mendrev; Unity Mendrev; Asuego 'Susanna'

Elyr's mother was a master wordsmith. Take this simple missive, received by post on the eve of what he had taken to calling The Event in his own mind. The Event, moreover, which his mother had been insistent that the family plan and organise. The Event which she would now no longer be able to attend. The letter was formally composed, as was her want, and at first glance succinct and to the point. The curved text only took up one half of the sheet of glossy paper and was signed 'with love' as its only truly emotive input.

And yet, concealed between the lines of this simple communication, tucked between her disappointment that she will not be in attendance and her well wishes for such social gatherings to repeat in the near future, was a veritable treatise of subtext. She listed a few of those invited, pretending to ask after the health of a small number of eligible young women who would be in attendance. She likened the weather to a family outing from long ago in which they had shared a particular bottle of wine from the Sunken Cape - a bottle of wine she knew full well they also had stored away in the cellar. And she repeated three times, alarmingly, that she looked forward to seeing how the children were getting along at some point. That meant she was seriously concerned, though she was clearly unable to elucidate without writing out her worries plainly, a feat that was beyond her.

Still, Elyr found himself smiling as he descended the steps of the manor toward the dining hall. His mother was a constant that he could rely on. He was dressed simply, a white shirt and breeches - the time for dressing well was later tonight. Along with the letter from mother was a number of other related communications. Receipt of intention from the musical troupe, the dining menu from the caterers... The Event had become the equivalent of full time employment, especially as the day drew near.

It had been two weeks from the conversation that had precipitated The Event. He remembered that the evening had been unusually dark, fraught with clouds. His mother had presented a missive from the Elbion council sharing mild and very polite concern that the townstead around the manor had not seen their lord in a number of months. He himself had not reacted fittingly, and had shared some hurtful words that he now regretted. And now that his tempers had cooled he had to agree that the hosting of a party to show the people of the southern town that their lord was still hard at work on their behalf, ironically, was a sound one. They would see the lights and hear the music and all would be well.

He sighed as he entered the dining hall. The long mahogany table was set with its white cloth and silverwork cutlery. Sherry, the manor's sole, elderly servant, was in attendance. She smiled at the lord of the house as though she had been waiting for him.

"Good morning, Master Elyr," the human servant greeted with a voice like aged oak.

"Good morning, Sherry," he replied with a smile of his own. Sherry had been his in his late wife's service since she had been a babe, and the family had gladly opted to continue her service after her young mistress had departed. Another constant - Sherry knew the house better than any of them, despite having lived here less time than Elyr himself. "Is anyone else awake?"

"I believe you are the first. Shall I awaken the children?"

"Let them sleep as long as they like," he replied, taking his seat at the head of the table. "This will prove to be a long day for them, and they will need their energy."

Sherry nodded. To her, the three offspring of House Mendrev would always be boisterous infants, not the young adults that had all become. "Shall I fetch your usual breakfast?"

"Please." Some bread and cheese would give him the boost he would need to complete the arrangements for today. Sherry departed to the scullery where no doubt she had anticipated his answer and had food ready. Elyr sat back, thumbing through papers and did some anticipating of his own. His mouth twisted.

 

[Alysandra Mendrev]

"...Alys..." A sultry female voice trickled into Alysandra's dreams.
"Why thank you your Majesty..." Alys mumbled in her sleep
"...Alys..." echoed the voice.
"Marry the Prince?... Well if you insist..."
"Alys... Alys..."
"Tomorrow?... Sure that'll be fine... I'll let my father know..."
"ALYSANDRA!" The female voice boomed, interrupting Alys' wonderful dreams.

Alysandra drowsily opened her eyes. She was greeted by a calico cat staring at her disapprovingly. "M-Morning Ceres..." Alysandra yawned and stretched her arms. "I was starting to worry. Its unlike you to sleep this late. Especially on a day like today." the cat sitting on her chest grumbled as she began cleaning herself. "OH! That's today isn't it? C'mon Ceres! We have to get ready!" Springing out of bed excitedly, Alysandra got dressed and exited the little garden cottage that her mother had gotten built for her a few years prior as a birthday present.

As she made her way through the garden with Ceres close at her heels, Alysandra gathered a handful of flowers and made her way to the dining room. "Father!" Alys exclaimed joyously, wrapping one arm around him for a hug, her other snatching a hunk of cheese off his plate. Releasing her father, she stuffed the cheese into her mouth.

Noticing the human servant standing politely nearby, Alysandra hurried over. "Mornin' Sherry!" she said cheerily handing her the bundle of flowers and kissing her on the cheek. "Why good morning Miss Alysandra," Sherry beamed. "Can I get you your usual breakfast?" "Yes please!" Sherry nodded and disappeared into the kitchen.

Alys went back to the table taking a seat directly adjacent to her father. Soon Sherry reappeared with a large pot of tea, a small ornate porcelain cup, and a plate of assorted breads. "Thank you!" she said flashing a bright smile at Sherry.

Ceres curled up under Alysandra's chair, as she began stuffing her face with food. Alys waited impatiently for her siblings to arrive, peeking at her father's papers in between bites. It was going to be a great day and she could barely contain her excitement.

 

[Unity Mendrev]

Clouds, white fluffy clouds providing an endless landscape with the clear blue sky above, and Unity flew on the back of white winged horse. The wind whipped through her hair and clothing as she laughed and cheered with every dip and dodge as the horse seemed to ride atop the weightless clouds.
Dreams of flying were the best dreams. She loved the idea of weightlessness and gliding about free from the ground.

It was disappointing to wake up, but she was happy nonetheless to have had the dream.
She yawned and stretched before getting up. She sat before her mirror in her nighty and brushed her long brown hair, it was like a cross between her fathers black hair and her mothers blonde, and it had gotten so long that she had to put it up in a bun or a braid whenever she went outside to keep it from snagging on every branch when she climbed trees or rooted through bushes... She remembered one time when Father had to climb up in a tree to get her cause her hair was tangled in the branches, it hurt and she couldn't get it out herself.

But she didn't have the heart to cut it and adamantly refused any offers to have it trimmed. Hair brushing in front of the mirror was her and her mother's favorite pastime, though now she labored alone with her brush to tame the long straight strands tangled by the trickster tangle fairies. Alysandra had taken up the tradition but she had also taken to sleeping in the garden house. And of course Desi was unavailable to do it.

While she brushed her hair she talked to her reflection as was her tradition, "Let's see... What are we going to do today? There should be fresh apples in the garden near the top of the tree by now, I can go pick them for Sherry and she can make a pie!
We can go into the forest and follow that bunny trail we found yesterday and see if we can find its home... Wait! Wasn't there something else happening today? Didn't daddy get a letter from grandma? What was it about?..."
Suddenly she remembered that this was THE DAY! She brushed her hair as best she could on her own and threw it up into a loose and dangly bun, threw on her clothes and shoes and bolted out of her room.
She skipped loudly down the stairs and made her way to the dining room where father and Alysandra were already seated.

She smiled when she saw them both but ran to Elyr first, "Daddy!" She charged forward and jumped into his arms whether he was ready or not and hugged him. "Good morning!"
Sherry came in at just the right moment, predicting her trajectory and timing from the sound of her rushed footsteps on the stairs.
"Good morning miss Unity, shall I get breakfast for you?"
Unity looked up, "Yes please!"
Sherry disappeared into the kitchen again.

As soon as she released father she ran over and hugged Alysandra. "Good morning Alysandra! Can you fix my hair?"
Without awaiting an answer she pushed her way onto her lap.

 

[Elyr Mendrev]

Elyr squeezed the hand of his eldest daughter as she hugged him, savouring her warmth. For his youngest, he was unprepared. A number of missives fluttered to the floor like heavy confetti in the wake of Unity's stormy entrance, and as she departed for her sister's lap Elyr bent to retrieve them. He frowned as his eyes took in the words 'twenty-seven units of cloth wall hangings, red and purple', and he tucked that one at the back.

He sat back briefly to take in the picturesque spectacle of the two girls, content in each others' company. And he had worried that they would need their rest in order to take on the day ahead - how foolish of him. The two radiated a heat and light that reminded him of a fierce fireplace, almost dazzling with the energy with which they did no more than exist. It was a quality of humans that many of his kin ridiculed, the way they lived their lives to brightly and so intensely that it was no wonder they burnt out so soon. So soon...

He blinked, directing his mind back to the present with a gentle admonishment. None of that, not today.

"Good morning, both," he said with a smile. "You seem to have slept well, which is reassuring. Today shall prove to be taxing, I have no doubt."

He spoke in his native Elvish today. The family spoke fluently in both his tongue and that of their mother, and he had seen them switch imperceptibly between the two mid-sentence when heated. But most of the guests at today's endeavour would be elves, so it fit that they should start as they meant to go on.

"I hope I can leave a few tasks with you. We wouldn't want Sherry to shoulder all of the responsibility. Alys, we will be receiving a delivery of wall hangings for the reception room later this morning. Would you be able to put them up somewhere fitting? I remember that we mentioned interspacing the windows, but I shall leave it to you."

He spared a glance for the calico lazing beneath Alys' chair. He'd known the creature long enough to trust that his daughter's pet wouldn't likely start tearing down anything hanging up, as he had heard cats were wont to do. Still, Ceres did unsettle him in a way that he found difficult to express. She certainly didn't allow him to pet her.

"I see you've also taken some time with the flowers already. It would be wonderful if you could fill a few vases for the dining table. We may also be receiving some family later today, if you could keep an eye out. I may not hear the door if I am upstairs."

Brushing a few crumbs from his lap where his breakfast had been disturbed by Unity, he turned to her.

"Unity, I am sure Sherry would appreciate some assistance in the kitchen. We aren't preparing much, but many hands make little work. I also trust that you remember the rule - the wine is off-limits. I might also request your assistance choosing a coat for tonight, your eye has always been much better than mine in that regard."

She'd berated his favouring of dark colours often enough that he'd let her shoulder the burden this time. He would certainly veto anything too colourful.

"As for Desi..."

He faltered. He had seen the pale middle child a few times in the past two weeks, but had he actually mentioned The Event to them? Desi's feelings for social gatherings mirrored his own, they wouldn't have received the news happily. He frowned, but let the matter lie. Surely one of the girls had told them.

"The stage will need to be set up for the musicians. If you see them, do get them to test the acoustics in the north corner like we planned, and help them set up the frame if they need it. It's not heavy, but it will need fetching from the cellar."

He blew out his cheeks with a sigh. So much to do.

"Does that all sound alright?"

 

[Desiminla Mendrev]

Desiminla glided into the breakfast room last. It wasn’t that they had slept particularly late, In fact quite the opposite.

Sleep had not found them at all it seemed. This would be most outsiders opinion but to their sisters and father they would well know Desi’s generally sleepy nature.

Desi’s eyes were in their usual half-lidded position as they sat at the table.

They offered no greeting as they glided past their father save a nod. Ignoring sisters entirely. Their simple white dress and stockings bore the marks of clothes that had been through hell. That was the indicator to the family they had not slept, and had been hard at work at..

Whatever it was they did.

Blast marks, acidic looking burn holes and..Red paint..littered the white landscape of her dress and skin.

Their long white hair hung like something had been making a nest in it.


“Good morning um..Desiminla. Breakfast perhaps?” Sherry asked as the pale child gave her a sleepy smile and nodded. As the breakfast came they began to eat. Part way through they paused.

“I know..I know..I found one in the cellar. Don’t pull my hair..” They said with a yawn as they reached in their small dress pocket and pulled out a dead rat.

Tossing it up it almost landed on Desi’s head as two thin legs caught it and half of a large spider poked out.

Sinking its fangs into its prey as it sank back beneath the depths of white.

Sounds of chewing came from both their hair and their mouth as they finished eating.

“Thank you Sherry.” They said with a warm smile as they handed thier empty dish and a red splotch began to spread in their hair as the sound of chewing increased in speed and a rat skeleton sudden shot out landing in the table with a small clink.

“Ah! Thank goodness. You usually eat these as well...” They said snatching up the Skelton and stashing it back in their dress pocket.

“You all seem happy... What’s the occasion?” They asked with another yawn as a small burp escaped from the folds of their locks.
Looking at the room at large with a slow blink of their grey eyes.

As they waited they withdrew a book. A strange language written across the front. It seemed the question had been merely polite and Desi wasn’t particularly interested.

Not in an intentionally rude way, but in a distracted sense of someone focused on more important things. The way their eyes slid back and forth over the pages it was a wonder smoke wasn’t billowing from their ears.

 

[Alysandra Mendrev]

Alysandra struggled to stay in her chair as Unity crawled onto her lap. "Good morning to you too Unity! Did you sleep well?" Ceres rose lazily and purred, rubbing herself against Unity's legs before hopping up to sit in her lap. Alys frowned slightly as she worked the tangled mess that was Unity's hair, and listened as her father laid out the plans for the event.

Alys, we will be receiving a delivery of wall hangings for the reception room later this morning. Would you be able to put them up somewhere fitting? I remember that we mentioned interspacing the windows, but I shall leave it to you.
I see you've also taken some time with the flowers already. It would be wonderful if you could fill a few vases for the dining table. We may also be receiving some family later today, if you could keep an eye out. I may not hear the door if I am upstairs."

"Of course," Alysandra smiled. "Leave it to me!" She knew her father detested such social gatherings, so she would have to do her best to make it as easy on him as possible. "Ooh! Is Great Gran Gran visiting?!" she asked excitedly. It had been way too long since the family had gotten to see her.

A cold chill came over Alys as Desi silently glided past her, and sat at the table. Ceres flattened her ears and quietly growled at the appearance of Desi. The calico hissed and flattened herself against Unity's lap as a spider poked out of Desi's hair. She seemed to know what they were up to during their nights, but no matter how much Alys would ask, she would never tell her. "Ceres," Alysandra said in a warning tone. "I know you don't like Desi, but you have to try and be friendly, okay? They're as much a part of this family as the rest of us." Ceres grumbled at Alys, but relented. Raising herself back to a sitting position, she fixed Desi with a cold stare.

"There!" Alysandra said as she finished putting Unity's hair in a neat bun. She wrapped her arms around Unity as her sister ate.

“You all seem happy... What’s the occasion?”

Alys jolted at the sound of Desi's voice. It was very unusual for them to say anything to the family at breakfast. "Has Father not told them?" she wondered. Alys knew Desi felt the same way about social gathering as their father did. She decided it would be best to not tell them and stress them out.

As soon as Elyr was distracted looking through his papers, Alys pulled a large piece of candy from her pocket. She handed it over to Unity with a wink, putting a finger to her mouth in a shushing gesture.

 

[Noah Shordan]

Despite it being so early in the morning, Noah had been up for several hours already. After all, crime didn't rest. Why couldn't criminals ever commit crimes at sensible times?

Noah stood in front of a police carriage. The carriage sat in front of a shop that had been getting robbed by a gang that had recently been causing a lot of trouble. Noah wore his police uniform, with his sheriff patch embroidered on his uniform and his badge pinned to his uniform, showing his rank. All around him, police officers, constables, and detectives were moving about, gathering evidence, questioning witnesses, keeping the crowds back, and examining the crime scene. Medics were on scene, helping the injured. Multiple constables were escorting 6 bloodied and beat up people in chains to the police carriage.

"Y'all have been causing us trouble for some time now. But now you finally made a mistake." Noah said to the suspects, his voice imposing. "Now you can't even plead for your innocence. All the evidence is against you. Y'all got greedy, and now we have plenty of eye-witnesses. Y'all will be going away for a long time."

One of the suspects spat at the ground, obviously angry at their own failure. "Take them to the jail." Noah ordered his officers. The constables pushed all of the gang members inside of the barred carriage, and locked it when they were all inside. The driver of the carriage made the horses go, heading off towards the jailhouse.

Noah turned to the store. "Lieutenant, finish getting all of the evidence and the witness statements and take them down to the courthouse, the Judges are gonna have a field day with this one." He told one of his officers.

The Lieutenant nodded. "Yes, Sir. We'll handle it up here. Might I ask where you're going?"

Noah chuckled. "My family is hosting a party up at the manor."

"Ah, I always forget you're related to the Lord."

Noah nodded. "Yep. The Lord, my brother-in-law, has invited me to the event. And I can't turn down family, now can I?"

"Whatever you say, sir. Bring me back something nice." The lieutenant told him.

"I'll be sure to bring you back something, lieutenant. See you later. Have a good one." Noah told her, turning and walking off.

"You too, sir." She replied, before turning back to the store.

Noah walked down the streets of the townstead. The day was just beginning for many people, most of them just waking up and startling to get ready for the day. Vendors and merchants set up their stalls filled with items, shops started to open, and in general the hustle and bustle of the town was just increasing. Noah passed by many people, nodding at them in greeting as he walked past them. Yes, he was technically still in uniform, but he wasn't on-duty right now. Noah straightened out his uniform, brushing off a light amount of dirt from his uniform. The gang members had put up a fight, resulting in a scuffle, but it was nothing that Noah couldn't handle.

As he walked towards the manor, he thought about this entire event. He knew why Elyr had called for this event. The passing of his wife, Noah's older sister, had shaken the entire family. Elyr had taken it pretty hard. Noah could read his brother-in-law like a book. By this point Noah was so close to him that he considered the elf as his actual brother. Elyr had been devastated by the passing of his wife, so much that he had secluded himself completely. Most of the people in the townstead hadn't seen their Lord in many months. Noah had basically become the person with the most public appearances in that time. Yes, Noah had been heartbroken and devastated by it too. He missed his sister with all of his heart, and he would give anything to have her back. However, he also realized that his position was too important to seclude himself and shut himself away from society. People were depending on Noah to keep them safe, and Noah knew that his sister would have him wanted to not get distracted by her death and instead have concentrated on protecting the innocents. So, that he did, continuing to uphold the law. Yes, he grieved, and he still grieved, but he had realized that his duty to the people was more important than his feelings, and that his sister would have wanted this.

Noah had tried to console Elyr, trying to convince him that yes, it was tragic, and they should grieve, but their duty to the people should be first. That that was what Elyr's wife would have wanted. She wouldn't have wanted them to shut themselves away and ignore the plights of the people. Yet... Elyr had been inconsolable, still choosing to shut himself away, not making a public appearance in quite a while. The children, at least, seemed to have stayed relatively normal. Well, with the exception of Desiminla. They were way too similar to their father. Noah knew that their mother's death had affected them deeply. They had been once happy and bright, but now, after their mother's death, they had grown dark, cold, and distant. Noah hadn't seen a lot of Des, and he was starting to get worried about them. Like their father, they had decided to seclude themself, either hiding away somewhere or seeming completely uncaring. To Noah, someone that had gotten great at reading people thanks to his job, he had seen this countless times before when consoling people who had lost loved ones. His job required a lot of that. He had to be the safety and comfort for people that had lost someone who had been dear to them. It was tough, and heartbreaking, but someone had to do it, and Noah had grown good at not losing his demeanor when consoling someone, lest he also break down, and ruin that sense of comfort he gave people.

Noah approached the manor, and walked up the steps to the front door. He stopped at the front door. Noah took a deep breath, and used the handle to knock on the large doors.

Hopefully, they were awake, and he wouldn't just be standing here, waiting for them. If anyone was awake, Sherry would definitely be up. So, at least he wouldn't be left out here for too long.


Unity Mendrev Alysandra Mendrev Desiminla Mendrev Elyr Mendrev Asuego 'Susanna'

 

[Garthanar Mendrev]

Garthanar been awake since dawn but he couldn't find the energy to got up until the sun shined through his windows. Slowly and yawning, he got up and look for his clothes. Garthanar been training with his swords the day before that made his body ache now.

"I really need a day off." he mumbled while wearing his shirt. He planned to just spent his day sleeping in his room today since his trainer said he wouldn't come today.

He slowly entered the dining hall and took a seat, "Good morning father, everyone." he greeted his family and yawning, "Morning Garthanar, can I fetch your usual?"

"Yes please, Sherry. Thank you." He answered while smiling to Sherry and without waiting for his food he turned his gaze to his family, "Sorry I'm late, what did I miss?"

 

[Unity Mendrev]

"Good morning to you too Unity! Did you sleep well?"

She nodded, "Yes. I had a flying dream!"
Several things happened after she sat down. Breakfast came out and Daddy talked business and about the party while Alysandra worked on her hair.

"Unity, I am sure Sherry would appreciate some assistance in the kitchen. We aren't preparing much, but many hands make little work. I also trust that you remember the rule - the wine is off-limits. I might also request your assistance choosing a coat for tonight, your eye has always been much better than mine in that regard."

"Okay Daddy!"
She chirped cheerfully.

Then Desi came down and Unity watched them carefully... Desi looked like they'd been through a battle, Unity added it to her mental file on "Desi, secret superhero!"
"Good morning Desi!"
She ate another piece of bread but nearly lost her breakfast when the spider ate the rat.
Alysandra finished her hair and hugged her, Unity giggled at the teasing and pet the cat when it rubbed against her.

"Sorry I'm late, what did I miss?"

If it was physically possible Unity pricked up even more when Garanthar came in.
"Good morning Garthanar! Desi's hair just ate a rat!"

There was a knock on the front door. Without hesitation Unity climbed out of Alysandra's lap and ran for the door, "I'll get it Sherry!"
She opened the door and squealed in delight when she saw who it was, "Uncle Noah!"
Even though he was standing up she jumped into his arms as well.

 

[Desiminla Mendrev]

"I know you don't like Desi, but you have to try and be friendly, okay? They're as much a part of this family as the rest of us." Desi imitated in a way most annoyingly accurate.

“I’m glad I’m still considered at least at the level of that ethereal furball in your mind. When your reminding it I’m apart and speak like I’m not here.” They continued lazily.

Eyes still scanning the pages of the tome they held. “But it’s fine. I don’t like that thing either.” Desi’s eyes moved from the page to the cat.

“But on that note you should quit spying on me or get better at it. When you knocked over those bottles I got distracted and it got out again. Your lucky I caught it before it got to Unity when she was getting a glass of water last night.”

Their eyes moved back to the page. A small smile crept into their bored expression as unity spoke up to their brother. “Yes and my hair will eat you too if you keep making all that noise you little gremlin.”

They said teasingly. Other than a slight nod of acknowledgment they ignored Garth as he brushed past them.

Thus seeming to signal that they were done with speaking to the family for a moment.

They remained silently reading before the knock was heard.

This was decently normal but Desi’s normally half closed eyes flew open wide as they heard their sister announce who had arrived excitedly. “Uncle Noah!”

If the family glanced away to greet Noah they would turn back to find Desi’s seat totally empty as if they had never been there.

 

[Elyr Mendrev]

Elyr quickly found his attention wavering as his children began to bicker. He turned his eyes down, fixed on the work he had been trying so hard to avoid. In truth, now that he had run his mind over each of the tasks arrayed before him The Event felt reasonable, possible. Provided the kids all chipped in a little effort. The kids...

He looked up towards Desi, intent on sharing the work to them as he'd told their sisters, but the pale child was gone. He found himself breathing a sigh of relief, and looked up at Alys with a frown.

"I do hope they don't cause any trouble tonight," he confided. "No more... escapes would be a blessing. I noticed Lady Bellevue politely declined her invitation for tonight. I hear the swelling is barely noticable..."

Elyr realised he hadn't yet touched his breakfast, and put his papers down on the table to take a handful of bread.

"Garth, I'm glad you're awake." He spared his sole son a glance, glad of the boy's presence. He had always felt as though, as the two men of the family, he and Garth had shared a powerful, unspoken connection. This was despite his son's choice of hobby, his facination for the blade, which Elyr had no interest in whatsoever. Leave the combat to his brother-in-law, and leave him his peace and quiet.

"I see the garden hasn't fared so well after the winds last week. I'd appreciate your sweeping the paths in case our guests want to take in the fresh air."

He leaned to one side and glanced at the nearest window. Clear skies, for a wonder.

"I'd also... Did I hear the front door just now?"

The memory of moments earlier had come to him sluggishly like light through congealed water. Such was the effect of all this accursed planning! Still, he could rely on Unity to greet any guests with due aplomb, he was sure. His breakfast finished, he stood to his feet and sighed. It was to be a busy day.

 

[Garthanar Mendrev]

If it was physically possible Unity pricked up even more when Garanthar came in.
"Good morning Garthanar! Desi's hair just ate a rat!"

Their eyes moved back to the page. A small smile crept into their bored expression as unity spoke up to their brother. “Yes and my hair will eat you too if you keep making all that noise you little gremlin.”

They said teasingly. Other than a slight nod of acknowledgment they ignored Garth as he brushed past them.

Garthanar laughed at Desi's responses, "Be careful Unity, it seems Desi's hair not full yet."

"Garth, I'm glad you're awake." He spared his sole son a glance, glad of the boy's presence. He had always felt as though, as the two men of the family, he and Garth had shared a powerful, unspoken connection. This was despite his son's choice of hobby, his facination for the blade, which Elyr had no interest in whatsoever. Leave the combat to his brother-in-law, and leave him his peace and quiet.

"I see the garden hasn't fared so well after the winds last week. I'd appreciate your sweeping the paths in case our guests want to take in the fresh air."

"Yes, I'll sweep it later dad. Is there a guests coming?" Garth threw a confused look to his father, he just heard about a guests coming. As he recalled it's been a long time since Mendrev manor took guests. Other than uncle Noah, of course.

Before he could asked further, Sherry put his breakfast plate in front of him. Suddenly felt his stomach growling, he shifted his focus to the food and started take a bite when he heard a knock on the front door.

 

[Alysandra Mendrev]

Alysandra rolled her eyes when Desi started mocking her. She didn't understand why they felt the need to do that, but they had been doing it so long that it didn't even bother her anymore.

"I do hope they don't cause any trouble tonight," he confided. "No more... escapes would be a blessing. I noticed Lady Bellevue politely declined her invitation for tonight. I hear the swelling is barely noticable..."

Alys winced. Lady Bellevue had been greeted by one of Desi's less than friendly "pets" and it had taken nearly the entire family to contain the thing. "Come now Father! You have enough things to worry about tonight! We'll make sure to keep an eye on them and keep them out of any mischief!"

"Morning Garth!" Alys chirped, giving him a light slap on the back. Out of all her siblings, she secretly worried about him the most. In her mind playing with swords was a dangerous hobby and Alys feared there might come a day when he would injure himself, or go off to battle.

At the sound of the front door opening, Unity jumped off her lap and Alysandra rose to greet the guest. A white figure zoomed past her as she made for the entryway. "Hi Uncle Noah!" she exclaimed joyously, as she ran as fast as she could to greet him. Alys threw her arms around him and hugged him as hard as she could.

 

[Elyr Mendrev]

Elyr found himself in the main hall. The sunlight shone through the surrounding windows, casting flickering motes of dust into ethereal relief. They danced, as indeed their guests would be dancing in a few short hours. As his awareness of the here and now faded, Elyr found himself watching ghostly couples spinning slowly in time with the wind-like echoes of the musicians. Sunlight became moonlight as his imagination played out around him, and he could almost detect the scent of wine and fine food from the dining table in the adjacent room. Words and numbers from the bound bundle of papers in his hands, reinforced by a plate of wood at their back, drifted from the page and became reality around him. A troupe of six, eight tables with six chairs apiece, window dressings in lavender. He saw it all.

All was progressing without issue, his mind informed him. The detailed plans he had made had come to fruition and, with a little luck and the cooperation of his family, the evening passed him by painlessly.

But what was that song? From somewhere in his memory, a half-remembered tune flittered through the air around the party. It tickled at his memory, brought forth a scent of... sandalwood. A quick beat upon a... a tavern floor? A fiddle and a set of rhythmic lyrics, bawdy and raucous. Not a song he had requested of tonight's performers, so what was it doing here?

He realised too late as a ghostly memory of a hand, warm and sensuous and oh-so vital, came to rest upon his arm.

"Is that a smile, Elyr? You cannot tell me you aren't enjoying yourself now!"

The vision shattered like glass and the lord of the manor visibly recoiled back into the present. His hand was shaking, and somewhere along the way he had dropped the papers he needed to prepare for the evening. He breathed in slowly, exhaled gently, and willed his heart to slow. Even now... Even now, her memory assailed him. The woman whose name his mind refused to speak.

For a long, long moment, Elyr was silent and still.

 

[Desiminla Mendrev]

“I do that as well at times.” Desiminla was next to him. Their hand mistaken for their mother’s was what had held his.

Letting go as the vision shattered.

They often could see what others were thinking by simply touching them. Desi’s eyes were hard. Hard in a way that refused to allow tears to brim.
“Mine happens sometimes when I wake up. How she used to wake us in the morning. I can feel her hand..See her face..” a painful silence followed.


“I miss her so much..” They said with a slight tremor in their sleepy tone.

“I..” they seemed like the vision had opened their heart a bit.

A rare moment.

They were going to actually speak to their father.

They had followed him there for that purpose. Escaping the often far too prying uncle Noah was an added bonus. He was alright. If Desi had been like their sisters they wouldn’t mind seeing him, but Desi had secrets.

Maybe it was the fact he upheld the law, but Desi found he was naturally prying in most cases. Must be in his blood.

However, as Desi began the sounds of further greeting caught their ear and the vulnerability was noticed. The veritable gates of their heart slammed shut once more as if a gatekeeper had left them open on accident and had just realized his mistake. This left them to glide off like the very ghosts they had been envisioning.

Silent as a grave.

They had things to do today after all. So many things...Things to break...

For things they needed to fix.

 

[Naexi Mendrev]

Naexi Mendrev was a lot of things. Rowdy, rambunctious, other verbs that didn't start with r, but most of all, she was a heavy sleeper. The blonde could sleep through alot of things. Storms. Screams. People jumping on them. But without fail, one thing always woke her up.
Unity.
"Uncle Noah!" Naexi shot up. hmm? A bit disoriented, the elf blinked. Then blinked again. Today wasn't a special day was it? No, that can't be.. that's tomorrow. Naexi was half way down the stairs when she woke up. Multiple cruses slipped past her lips as the teen sprinted up the stairs. And even more when she managed to slam her pinkie toe on three steps in a row.
Today was the day, huh. The celebration, the first one in a while if she remembered right. Since... "mother," she breathed. The word felt wrong. It tasted wrong in her mouth. It made her skin prickle and the room much to bright. Swallowing the feeling, Naexi instead turned her thoughts to the chores their father would no doubt hand out. She decided that she would not mind a bit of work today. She had far to much energy to sit still, anyhow.
When she returned, she was dressed in a simple white blouse and black pants. She entered the entryway with grace, which was destroyed a moment later as she tripped while throwing her arms around her uncle and sister and instead lightly crashed into them.
"Uncle Noah! Welcome! How many bad guys did you beat up? 20? 30?"

 

[Unity Mendrev]

After hugging uncle Noah and then quickly becoming crowded by her other siblings she disengaged for a tactical retreat. She happily skipped away and went back into the dining room.
"Daddy, uncle Noah's here! Should Sherry set breakfast for him as well?"

 

[Elyr Mendrev]

Elyr watched his ghostly child receed back into their own thoughts as they departed the main hall. His heart began to slow, and with calm came questions. Desi had... made a connection. They had shared grief which, though an unpleasant emotion, was emotion none the less. Emotion he found himself wondering even existed in that pale head of theirs. A cruel thought, but...

And then they were gone, and he was left speechless and paralysed by their passing. A chance departed, and he felt the shade of it as acutely as hers. Would he ever learn?

Suddenly, he was brought forth from his own thoughts with a violent tug. His daughter, little Unity, and so full of the characteristic flame of life. Such a counterpoint to how he felt, he could not help but jolt with surprise. It took him too long to respond, as so he stammered.

"U-Uncle Noah...?"

Recollection came to him slowly. Family was here - was it time to start the night already? But no, Unity had mentioned breakfast. So why...?

Because it was a nice thing for him to do, he realised at last. Noah was here because he was family, and because he clearly knew the burden The Event would place upon them. A slow smile crept across his features, and he nodded.

"Yes, of course. He will have needed to travel from the city to be here, and will doubtless be hungry."

Noah presented a peculiar mixture of feelings for Elyr. The young man (young indeed by his own venerable standards) presented so many of the features and qualities that reminded him agonisingly of what had been lost. But he was also distinctly himself, louder and at times brash and abrasive. A product of his occupation, no doubt. But it was his forthrightness, a quality he shared with his sister, that made him so valuable a friend. Elyr found he could talk about nigh anything with Noah, which was rare indeed these days. Having him around would make The Event so much more bearable.

He saw his daughter tense in her arms and legs, a preparatory charging up before she would no doubt bolt out of the room to accomplish her task, and raised a hand to hold her attention.

"Unity, one moment," he said, taking a step forward. Here was another possessed by the ghost of a human woman with whom he had shared his life. Try as he might, the sentimentality of that fact refused to leave him alone today.

"Unity, how much do you remember your mother?" he asked. "What do you recall about her, about what sort of person she was?"

 

[Unity Mendrev]

Daddy seemed distracted today, a bit moreso than usual. She could only guess what's bothering him, and it's probably the same thing that's bothered him since... Since mother.

"Yes, of course. He will have needed to travel from the city to be here, and will doubtless be hungry."

She nodded her head cheerfully and was about to turn on her heels to tell Sherry to set out a place for Uncle Noah when her father spoke again.

"Unity, one moment,"

She straightened and looked at him quizzically, "Yes daddy?"

"Unity, how much do you remember your mother?" he asked. "What do you recall about her, about what sort of person she was?"

Unity thought about it for a moment.
"I remember she was really pretty. She was really funny and she'd always tickle me when I got sad, she always told me, 'laughter is the best medicine' even if I fell out of a tree. She'd always brush and fix my hair in the mornings, and she would tell bedtime stories to all of us."
She ran over and gave him another hug. She looked up at him with a smile on her face and tears standing in her eyes.
"I know you miss her, Daddy... But mommy always said to laugh when you hurt. That's why this party is going to help, it's going to help you laugh again!"