Year 77.2

  *As the door opens, Kimmy jumps at Thomas.*

  Kimmy: Thomas! Where were…

  *Kimmy blinks as she looks at Emma.*

  Kimmy: Mom, is that…

  Emma: Hi, my baby.

  *Kimmy jumps into Emma’s warm embrace as they hold onto one another. Finally, the two have managed to find one another. Kimmy cries tears of joy, and Emma holds hers back as she smiles. She looks at Kimmy, her long flowing wheat colored hair, her Glorious green eyes, and a smile that could make a demon blush.*

  Emma: I missed you.

  Kimmy: *Gasp* Where’s Lily?

  Emma: She’s fine, let’s head inside and continue this conversation, though.

  *Inside Emma once again answers as many questions as she can for Kimmy. As the bell tolls to mark the end of the day, Thomas interrupts.*

  Thomas: Time to go.

  Kimmy: What?!

  Thomas: We are going to see the water show.

  *Kimmy’s face lights up with excitement again, and the small family meets up with Alex. After the show, Thomas leaves for a bit, returning with one of the dancers.*

  Thomas: Alex, this is Hawk.

  *Hawk is a beastkin with feathers covering his upper half. His lower half is covered in scales.*

  Hawk: I heard you skated here across the desert?

  Alex: *Nervous* Y-Y-Yes. I was fortunate enough to have a father who cared enough to teach me. He used water skates like you all.

  *Hawk shakes their head, proudly with their arms crossed.*

  Hawk: We rely on water magic that holds our legs.

  Alex: So that wasn’t part of your costumes?

  Hawk: *Chuckle* Yes, but no. How about I explain it over a drink?

  Alex: I would love that

  *Alex follows Hawk with admiration in his eyes, unaware that Thomas and the others walk away, sharing a quick wave with Hawk before returning home. Kimmy sits on the couch brushing Lily, while Emma talks with Thomas.*

  Emma: How’s she handling it?

  Thomas: Good, since she got a job.

  *Emma responds with an irritated tone and rolls her eyes.*

  Emma: Elaborate.

  Thomas: *Smiles* When we thought you had died, she needed something to do. One day, she saw some halflings trying to cast magic. One thing led to another, and now she helps at the local school.

  *A bunch of loud, unsynchronized knocks hit the front door. Emma grabs her blades, and Thomas raises his hand. Kimmy opens the door to three young halflings, a male Beast-Dwarf, whose fluffy bear appearance reminds Emma of Levi. And two female twin Elf-Gnomes. They all run in, jumping around, Kimmy excitedly.*

  Children: Ms. Hope! MS. Hope!

  *Emma turns to Thomas as he looks at her with a proud grin.*

  Thomas: I told her it would be for the Hope that Mom was alive.

  *Emma steps into the entrance to the room and watches her Daughter interact with the children. The boy notices Lily and points at her.*

  Boy: Is that another Lily?

  *Kimmy nervously shoots a glance at her Mother. Emma smiles and steps forward.*

  Emma: Have you been cheating on Lily again?

  *The kids look at Emma and gasp, not fully sure if it is a joke or not. Emma doesn’t even attempt to hide her smile.*

  Kimmy: I can’t. Cheat. On Lily, I don’t know any other spirits… Mother.

  *Kimmy laughs softly as Emma walks over to Lily and places her in her lap. The children look up to Kimmy. She nods, and the children run over excitedly.*

  Emma: Lily is my spirit. She’s… Hibernating. That’s why she’s like this, but.*Hums while petting Lily.* You’ll notice some of her furs stand up.

  Children: AWWW.

  Twin 1: She’s smiled too.

  Twin 2: No, she didn’t.

  *While the two start arguing Emma looks at Lily and smiles.*

  Emma: No. She’s smiling.

  Lily: Please. Mama, scratch my tummy… it itches…

  Emma: She’s even asking for her stomach to be scratched. She says it’s very itchy.

  *The twins start arguing, and the boy walks over and carefully scratches Lily’s stomach; her toes appear to wiggle slightly, but Emma’s not certain.*

  Twin: No fair. I want a turn. Nathan!

  Kimmy: I’m sure you’ll all get a chance.

  Nathan: *Looks at Emma.* Are you really Ms. Hope’s mom?

  Emma: *Smiles* Sadly, no. But I took that role upon meeting her. She may be the closest I've ever had to an actual child.

  Kimmy: You’ve got time.

  Emma:*Scoffs* Yeah, but even if I wanted it at this rate, most elves will disappear from Nexalis. *Deep breath* On brighter news. I visited your “Aunt.”

  Kimmy: *Smiles* How was she?

  Emma: I don’t remember her from the side effects of the potion, but she seemed to be doing well.

  Kimmy: That’s good. I miss her. Maybe next time you can bring her with you.

  Emma: I doubt it. She’s as busy as always.

  Kimmy: *Raises eyebrow.* Wait. You just said you couldn’t remember her.

  Emma: I’m going off everything that was told to me by Cousin Elwin and Grandmother.

  Kimmy: *offended* And you didn’t come visit?

  Emma: Sorry?

  *Kimmy smiles and turns to the kids.*

  Kimmy: Now, Sue, Sie. I know for a fast Nathan is afraid of the dark, and the orphanage has a strict curfew. Now let’s go. I’ll walk you back.*Turns to Emma.* I’ll be right back.

  Emma: Okay. Be safe.

  *When Kimmy returns, she asks Emma to come outside and talk to a Demon priest.*

  Priest: Sorry for the intrusion, but the children said Ms. Hope’s Mother was here, and I wanted to meet you. I was understanding that you had passed.

  Emma: If she hasn’t told you any details, I won’t either. What I will say is. I’d rather stay hidden for now, but I needed to let her know I was safe once I was safe.

  Kimmy: You don’t need to now, though.

  Emma: *Turns to Kimmy.* Actually.

  *Kimmy struggles to keep her temper as she responds by stomping her foot, before heading inside.*

  Emma: I needed to talk to her about that.

  Priest: It seems like a sore subject.

  Emma: I’ve been traveling most of my life. She wants me to stay here, and I want to, too. But I need to go pick someone up. It might take some time, but I plan on returning here…*Looks down.* I have one more thing I need to do right now. In the end, I still plan on heading out. I need to investigate the fog over Sylvndor.

  Priest: I can understand the mood change then. My parents passed during a quest. But, Mrs. Hope. Would you be able to assist us?

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Emma: Is that why she brought you?

  Priest: Yes. Your daughter told me about how you recently came from Valoria. Have you ever been to the Qualist region?

  Emma: I came from that direction. I’ll let you know now, though. I’m not welcome in Valoria.

  Priest: But you’re going that way, yes?

  Emma: Well, yes, but.

  Priest: There is a group of halflings that has made shelter to the west of the city. You already said you plan on returning here. Could I trouble you to guide them back? I can supply travel to and from across the desert.

  Emma: How are you able to contact people so far away?

  Priest: Sadly, they were left behind. Honestly, we're not sure they’re still there. Their brother you met earlier.

  Emma: Nathan?

  Priest: Yes, we don’t know how they’re related. He doesn’t handle discussing it very well, though. We know he’s older, but “Not like an adult.” As he put it.

  Emma: So that’s why you waited…

  *Emma leans inside.*

  Emma: Thomas, tell her to get her butt out here.

  *Kimmy returns outside after some arguing with Thomas. She glares at Emma with her arms crossed.*

  Priest:*Laugh* That’s a whole new side of you, Ms. Hope. Normally, you’re so composed.

  Emma: I’ll agree to check out the area. But I won’t be able to return for a bit.

  Kimmy: *Scoffs* Bit. So another decade?

  Emma: I’ll spend the next 750 years with you. If you’ll drop this. As an elf, I might as well be a child myself. Yet I’ve raised numerous children… None of which I gave birth to, but I cared for them nonetheless.

  Emma: Fine, come with me.

  *Everyone goes silent, too stunned to respond.*

  Emma: What? You’re a big girl; by your age, I had at least one near-death experience.

  Thomas: But the whole reason she hid here.

  Emma: *Scoffs* Those cowards won’t leave the woods.*Mumbles* Or they don’t know how.

  Kimmy:*Excited* So are you serious? I can come with you?

  Emma: Yes, but what about the church?

  *Kimmy’s smile starts to fade.*

  Emma: Kimmy. You’re one of the few I can still protect. Don’t let me lose you again.

  Priest: So, Kimmy is your name?

  Kimmy: *Panicked* Yes, but we’re keeping it hidden.

  Priest: *Chuckles* You really think my name is Scales?

  Kimmy: I..

  *Kimmy covers her face in embarrassment.*

  Scales: Don’t worry, I won’t say anything. Most people of the Oasis change their names as they enter to avoid being found; some call it a “Dead name.”

  Kimmy: No one told me, and I was under house arrest for what seemed most of my life, except Sunflower and the Church.

  Emma: House arrest? I left money for you both when I last came here. Did Thomas not take you out ever?

  Thomas: At least once a week. Most of the time, unless we were going to see the water show, she wanted to stay home.

  *Kimmy avoids eye contact.*

  Emma: So, Ms. Hope? *Smiles* Are you coming with me or not?

  *Kimmy looks at Emma.*

  Kimmy: You promise you’ll come back?

  Emma: Don’t I always?

  Kimmy: *Smiles* Then no. I’ll stay here.

  Emma: Great. *Claps* Now that the hard conversation is over, how about a hard drink? Father?

  *Scales waves his hand while shaking his head*

  Scales: No. I’m afraid I only had enough time to come discuss things with you. Ms. Hope assured me you could handle it, but informed me you don’t have a lot of free time these days. I hope you all have a great rest of your evening.

  *The family waves to Scales as he leaves. Entering the house, Emma takes a bottle of wine and pours three glasses. Kimmy looks at her mother, concerned with a hint of judgment.*

  Kimmy: I thought you didn’t like to drink?

  Emma: You say that, but this bottle was half empty, and Thomas hides his drinking at the tavern.

  *Thomas lifts his glass to his lips with a smile until he hears Emma.*

  Thomas: *Nervous* Wha-What? That's not.

  *Both women look at him.*

  Lily: I’ve smelled breweries that didn’t burn my nose that bad.

  *Emma bursts into laughter, then repeats the joke. Kimmy laughs as well, and Thomas puts his mostly full glass down, refusing to drink.*

  Emma: Oh, come on. Your elven blood allows you to drink wine without any health issues. I just think you should let the dwarves get a chance at their own watering hole.

  *Kimmy spits out her drink and coughs, soon followed by laughter.*

  Thomas: Okay. Okay.

  Emma: You know I only say it because I care.

  Thomas:*Irritated* Yeah, and some of us grew up without a knife to our throat.

  Emma: You’re right. I’m sorry. I just ask that you moderate your drinking.

  Thomas: *Sigh* Fine. As soon as you stop murdering people. *Grin.*

  Kimmy: Thomas! That’s not fair!

  *Emma bursts into laughter. Kimmy looks at Emma with concern in her eyes.*

  Emma: Thomas. Is killing someone who is trying to kill or severely harm others. Murder?

  Thomas: Murder is murder. You want me to stop drinking ale, then you stop killing.

  Emma: If that’s how it feels to you, then I won’t stop you. I do what I do to protect others. I’m sure you have your reasons as well, just know I will try to avoid “Murdering” people.

  Thomas: And I suppose I can cut back a little.

  *The next morning, Emma prepares to leave, and Kimmy pets Lily while sitting on the couch watching.*\

  Kimmy: If Lily can’t move, why not leave her here if you’re going to come back anyway?

  Emma: Because, as I told you when you were younger. Spirits need to be able to connect with their elves.

  Kimmy: Oh yeah…

  Emma: *Smiles* When I come back, we can have a party for the whole week. But in return.*Looks at Kimmy.* I need you to trust me.

  Kimmy: *Looks down.* Okay, Mama.

  Emma: Come here and hug me.

  *Kimmy places Lily next to her and stands up to hug Emma.*

  Kimmy: I do trust you, but. I’ve been having dreams. Nightmares? I don’t know what to call them. Every night, I have a dream about an owl. They tell me stories about the past. It progresses each night, but the night before you came here… He said he would come back after my Mother leaves.

  *Emma steps back at Kimmy, the fear on Kimmy’s face makes Emma’s eyes crackle.*

  Kimmy: I never wake up feeling ill. I always wake up feeling refreshed, and throughout the day, I slowly remember the dream. It’s like they waited for you to leave.

  Emma: You said an Owl?

  Kimmy: Yeah, or at least kind of like one. He said he will tell me his name when we meet.

  Emma: Did he say when you’d meet?

  Kimmy: He said he won’t reveal himself until he can make sure I’ll be safe.

  *Emma puts her bag on and starts picking up Lily.*

  Emma: Well, tell him you can’t meet without me being there.

  Kimmy: *Laughs* Maybe that’s what he’s waiting for.

  *Emma and Kimmy hug again before she leaves. She reaches the edge of the Oasis where Scales waits. He’s talking to a very short Dwarf, who is sitting on a tall chair on a strange-looking sled. Crossing the desert takes no time at all. Emma soon finds herself back in Valoria, along the east coast. The desert rapidly rises to Lush green fields. *

  Dwarf: I’ll be here once a month.

  Emma: Okay. I’ll try to hurry.

  Dwarf: *Laughs* I make these trips to help save halflings who need a way out. The only reason no one is here now is that Father asked me to bring you. Take your time.

  Emma: Thank you…

  Skip: Most people call me Skip. Because I help people “Skip” town. *Laughs* Take care, Mrs. Hope. I’m sure I’ll see you again.*Smiles*

  Emma: *Laughs.* Sorry, I’ve got a lot on my mind.

  Skip: I figured someone told you, you can’t hear almost anything on Susette.

  *Emma looks at Skip, confused.*

  Skip: That’s her name. *Pats the seat.*

  Emma: Okay, well. Suesette, Skip. I hope you two stay safe.

  *Emma waves, and after Skip is out of view, she pulls out a map and begins walking toward the cliffs.*

  Lily: Who names a sand sled?

  Emma: *Smiles* I mean, it’s sort of like naming a blade. It’s easier to connect and be willing to care for things with names. I do the bare minimum on my knives.

  Lily: But that’s because you lose so many.

  *A cold breeze blasts them as they walk along the cliffs. Emma crosses her arms, shivering.*

  Emma: This is why I don’t like the coast. It’s cold even during the hottest parts of the Summer.

  Lily: Yeah, I didn’t want to say anything until I could make sure it wasn’t all in my head. *Disappointed.* But I have more of my sense of touch back.

  Emma: Why do you sound sad?

  Lily: Because I started warming up as we reached the edge of the Desert, and just before, you said you were cold, the same time I was thinking it was a little chilly.

  *Emma looks over her shoulder at Lily.*

  Emma: Your ears?

  Lily: Yeah, I can’t tuck them, so they’re freezing.

  *Emma stops and adjusts Lily, wrapping her head in some cloth.*

  Emma: There. Can you still breathe? Is it too tight?

  Lily: Mmmmm. Nope, just right. Thank you, Mama.

  *A loud bang comes from the ocean, and Emma looks out to see two ships in a naval battle. She watches as a lifeboat escapes by heading toward the rocks at the base of the cliffs.*

  Emma: *Scoffs* Where are they going? They’re sailing right for the rocks.

  Lily: Aren’t you going to help?

  Emma: They’re flying human flags. Even if it were the Ficus’s, I can’t help, or their lives could be put at risk.

  Lily: Emma!

  *Emma blinks in shock from hearing Lily use her name.*

  Lily: Protect the smiles.

  Emma: *Irritated* But I need to protect my own as well. She told me that.

  Lily: *Sad* So you can smile watching them die?

  *Emma notices she has been smiling. She shakes her head.*

  Emma: I told Kimmy I would be careful.

  Lily: Use water manipulation. You can. Easily. Lift a lifeboat.

  Emma: I’m still not great.

  Lily: Then meditate! You told me that when you concentrate, you can feel your memories coming back as you rebuild.

  *Emma nods and quickly sits down, placing her pack next to her. Soon, she finds herself in front of the vessel, and the still waters have become violent in nature.*

  Sarah: Emma. Promise me. No matter what happens to you. If you can help someone. Please do. This world needs more smiles. Just make sure you do it without hurting yourself.

  *Remembering her mother's words, Emma locks onto the vessel. She looks around the remaining pieces glow brightly. Emma’s eyes turn purple as she lifts each one with her magic. After placing them, she uses Earth and Water magic to act as a glue, and Fire magic to harden. The water calms, and Emma opens her eyes; the familiar purple hue glows behind her green eyes. She walks toward the cliff and lifts her hand, tossing a small rock down. She turns to Lily and picks up her things.*

  Lily: So you remember?!

  Emma: No.

  *The ship crashes farther down the way, falling from the sky. Emma’s eyes fade to their green. She starts walking again, Stealthed to avoid being seen by the people as she passes them. *

  Emma(TL): There. It looks like most of them made it.

  Lily: What did you do? I’m so confused.

  *Emma stops in front of a man, and he looks around, calling out for whoever helped them. *

  Emma(TL): I relearned how to cast basic fire magic. That rock I threw. I put a firebolt in it. As the dirt dissolved, the firebolt heated the water. It acted like a geyser.

  *Emma turns and continues walking. The Man looks around, noticing that something smells nice as she walks away.*

  Emma(TL): The fact that it worked surprised me as well. I figured if anything, it would give them a quick death.

  Lily: Well, either way. You saved them.

  *Emma and Lily talk about more of Emma’s memories as she walks. Hoping to help Emma with her magic studies.*

  Emma: I’ve never been so grateful for teaching someone something.

  Lily: I mean, you only taught me the basics. And most of what I learned was from sharing senses.

  Emma: Which we can’t do. *Fake smile*