Year 80

  *The group arrives at the Oasis without any other struggles. Kimmy spots Emma and runs for her.*

  Kimmy: You made it!

  Emma: *Laugh* As opposed to what? If I die, who takes care of you kids?

  Kimmy: I’m old enough to take care of myself.

  *Arthur tugs on Kimmy’s dress. She looks down, blinking in disbelief.*

  Kimmy: I thought you said he was a halfling?

  Emma: Yeah, about that. We can talk more later.

  *Gills walks over after talking with another halfling.*

  Gills: Thanks again, Emma. I’m sorry I doubted you two. I wouldn’t have been able to make it without yer help.

  *Gills bows before leaving, Lily hops down from Emma’s ear and waves with her paw.*

  Lily: Bye! Bye!

  *Kimmy scoops up Lily and leads everyone to the house, where she brings them around back to a small tree.*

  Kimmy: I planted it like you said, but it stopped growing.

  Emma: That’s because it needs more spirit energy.

  *Emma smiles as her hair glows slightly. Lily begins to glow as well. She places her hand on the tree.*

  Emma: It’s not your fault. I told you to plant it because I knew you could keep it alive.

  Kimmy: But you said it would be like a small house.

  Emma: Yes, but I also said you just needed to make sure it could grow. It requires a Spiritual touch. With Lily awake, I can speed its growth.

  *Emma and Lily stop glowing as the light transfers to the tree, flowing into the roots. She walks back, looking exhausted.*

  Emma: *Smiles* It should be ready in a day or two.

  *Kimmy helps Emma while Arthur helps Lily into the house, as their bodies are weak now. Over the next two days, the tree grows around the back of the house, its branches twist and turn, compacting themselves to make a floor. The canopy spreads over the house, covering the roof in a nice shade during the high points of the day. But the roots also broke through some of the walls, Emma; still weak, had the area covered with sheets and things, while she recovered. *

  *On the final day, the family all stand out front, and some of the orphans stop by to see Kimmy.*

  Nathan: Ms. Hope. Your tree grew up.

  Orphan: Can we go look?

  *The twins run off ahead, and Emma laughs. Kimmy looks at her nervously.*

  Kimmy: Why are you laughing?

  Emma: I like their energy.

  *Nathan walks over to Arthur.*

  Nathan: Hi. My name is Nathan.

  *Arthur hides behind Emma bashfully.*

  Emma: Since when are you shy?

  Lily: Has he ever spent time with other kids?

  Emma(TL): He’s probably never talked to someone his size.

  *Emma squats down to Arthur’s level, and Kimmy convinces the children to follow her to look at the new addition to the house.*

  Emma: What’s wrong, Bud?

  *Arthur stays silent, looking forward with panic on his face. Emma looks at his Soul and sees a darkness forming.*

  Nathan: Here.

  *Emma turns to see Nathan holding a rock.*

  Kimmy: Nathan!

  Nathan: Father always says that meeting new people is scary, so I should bring something to talk about. So I brought you another dragon.

  *Kimmy reaches them.*

  Kimmy: Sorry, Mom.

  Arthur: It’s an Earth dragon.

  *Kimmy pauses. And Arthur looks up to Emma.*

  Arthur: Can I go play, Auntie?

  *His soul goes back to its previous white glow. Emma nods, and the two run off ahead of the two adults.*

  Kimmy: That’s Nathan for you. Our little diplomat. *Smiles* He was a lot like Arthur when he first got here.

  *At lunch, Scales and Gills arrive to collect the children, and Thomas brings home a Dwarf/Gnome halfing. They discuss a bulk custom furniture order. With the Moon in the sky, Emma lies on the branches, watching the stars in the sky. She falls asleep smiling.*

  *Darkness* Emma breathes heavily as she runs. Crashing into a shoreline, she opens her eyes to see her reflection covered in blood. When a familiar voice comes from behind, causing Emma to turn quickly, only to wake up midfall, she crashes on her rear, and Kimmy runs outside.*

  Kimmy: I thought you said you didn’t fall out of trees?

  *Emma looks around in a panic, breathing quickly. Arthur walks over, rubbing his eyes.*

  Arthur: Auntie. I had a bad dream.

  *Emma starts to calm down.*

  Kimmy: Hey, Arthur. Thomas almost has your pancakes ready.

  *Emma pulls in Arthur and holds him tight. After shedding a couple of tears, she blinks back to reality. She leans back and embrassingly looks at the two.*

  Emma: How did I get here?

  Lily: You fell.

  *Emma looks up to see Lily waving her paw at her from where they were sleeping.*

  Kimmy: I knew you still needed to recover from whatever you did. I told you, Mom, every Elf we’ve met since the war has claimed their spiritual powers were weakened.

  Emma: And I told you, I’ve never felt more connected to Lily than I have ever been.

  Kimmy: I talked to Father about it, and he said it’s likely because she was asleep for so long. Think about it, you think you remember most things, but what about Sunflower?

  *Emma can’t picture more than Sunflower’s silhouette. Kimmy looks up to Lily.*

  Kimmy: And why can’t you grow?

  Emma: Kimmy. I just woke up. Can I have a moment?

  Kimmy: No. You’ve already got that look. “I’ve gotta go!” You get from whenever you are feeling unsteady about staying somewhere.

  Stolen story; please report.

  Arthur: Hey, Auntie.

  Emma: Just a second, Arthur.

  *Arthur goes over and looks out at the Lake at a dust cloud from an explosion. *

  Emma: I told you. I’m not going. I just…

  Arthur: Whoa! Lily Look.

  *Lily’s ears tuck back.*

  Lily: *Nervous* Uhhhh, Mama!

  Emma: What?!

  *Emma turns just as the shock wave hits them all, and a couple of leaves fall loose, landing on Kimmy’s head.*

  Kimmy: Momma? *Cough* *Cough*

  *The dust clears, and Arthur looks out toward the explosion, tail wagging excitedly.*

  Kimmy: Arthur! Where is Emma?!

  *Arthur points to Emma, skating across the water, as a deafening screech rings out. Thomas comes around the corner in a panic, bleeding slightly.*

  Thomas: Get inside!

  *As they run past, Kimmy asks her brother what is happening.*

  Thomas: It’s Sand Scorpions.

  Kimmy: *Worried* They never come this close.

  *Emma reaches the center of the sand storm, to the destruction of multiple houses. She looks around using Sightshare.*

  Lily: Maybe she’s right. You never struggled to sense anything that sounded this big before.

  *Emma leaps back, barely missing an attack, her eyes start to crackle.*

  Emma: Lily. Now is not the time.

  Lily: I know, but I’m just surprised we never thought of it.

  *Emma’s frustration manifests as her eyes begin to flow with purple.*

  Emma: No.

  *The sky screams as Lightning crashes down. Rain pours. Lily is forced off her, landing on the ground.*

  Lily: Okay, I’ll stop…

  *Lily looks at Emma, and her body freezes in fear. The rain clears the sand, and the ground rumbles around them before three cart-sized scorpions burst out of the ground. Lily shakes her head before going back, using her teeth to stay attached to Emma. *

  Lily: I’m not letting you get her killed!

  *Emma speaks, but Lily can’t make out the words. A stinger crashes past them, Emma’s left eye flashes teal before the scorpion falls, cut into eight pieces. The building’s behind also appear cut, as wind follows where Emma’s wind cutter spell had flown through. A fourth scorpion bursts from below and manages to grab Emma; the shock brings her back. As she screams in pain, the scorpion’s claw drops to the ground, Emma jumps back, and a group of halflings arrives to help fight. A Human/dwarf halfling begins healing her wounds.*

  Halfling: What kind of idiot goes up against sand scorpions without backup?

  Lily: The green-eyed, blue-haired kind.

  Emma: *Whince* Okay. I messed up. *Stands*

  Halfling: I just don’t need another body on my hands. *Looks over to the dead scorpion.* Was that you?*Emma nods.* If you can avoid getting hit again, you’re free to help.

  *Someone calls for Haythum, and he swiftly heads toward them, and Emma reaches for Lily.*

  Emma: Hey. Lily. That does hurt. Can you please let go?

  *Lily leaps onto the ground, looking away from Emma.*

  Lily: You pushed me out.

  Emma: *Panic* What?!

  *Another scorpion bursts from a nearby alleyway.*

  Lily: We can talk more later.

  *Lily hops onto Emma’s other ear, and Emma whistles to grab the attention of the other fighters. She attempts to go into stealth, but another scorpion breaks out of the ground, followed by a group of smaller Scorpions, each the size of a person. Just as they are about to reach Emma, they’re all thrown back by a gust of wind. Emma turns around, confused.*

  Lily: Nice one!

  Emma(TL): I didn’t do that.

  *A massive Thunderbird flaps its wings, causing a tornado that manages to pick up the swarm. Emma looks up in amazement.*

  Male: That was a close one!

  *Emma turns to see an Elf with short black hair and Blue eyes. He approaches Emma with a giant grin on his face.*

  Griffin: The names Griffin or Griff for short.

  *He looks at Emma with a confused expression. Emma looks at him with a blank expression.*

  Lily: Mama? Hello? Nexalis to Emma!

  *Emma shakes her head before responding nervously.*

  Emma: Ma Silvasha. Em. Emma Silvashade.

  *Her cheeks turn red as Griffin reaches his hand out to shake. Griffin looks at Emma, confused.*

  Griffin: Are you sure you’re okay?

  Emma: Of course I am. *Waves hand at Griffin.* Psh. I’m better than great. Yup. Yup.

  *The thunderbird shrinks to a small hippogriff with the head of a vulture and the body of a canine.*

  Spirit: Why do you always find the weirdos?

  *Emma’s ears slink down in embarrassment. Griffin speaks to his Spirit, Emma looks down, biting her cheek awkwardly, and is unable to hear Griffin.*

  Griffin(To Dennis): Dennis! Even if someone can’t hear you, you shouldn’t say those things.

  *Griffin looks at Emma suspiciously.*

  Griffin: Did I say something?

  Lily: No, but your loud mouth fuzzball did.

  Dennis: You didn’t have to tell her!

  Griffin: Who are you talking to?

  *Lily hops into Emma’s arms, sitting proudly.*

  Emma: Lily, don’t start fights.

  Griffin: See, I thought so. But I didn’t see a spirit, so I thought maybe you were a half-elf. The last Elf I saw was probably five years ago.

  *Haythum walks up from behind Griffin.*

  Haythum: She looks upset. What did you do this time, Griff?

  Griffin: What do you mean? “This time?”

  *Haythum steps up to Lily and scratches her chin. She smiles happily, lifting her head away for a better angle.*

  Haythum: I’m sorry, you had to meet the mayor. He’s great at getting results, but struggles to phrase it in a non-offensive manner sometimes.

  Emma and Lily thinking: The Mayor?!

  Griffin: Says the silver-tongued, religious bumpkin.

  Emma: Sorry. Did he just say Mayor?

  *Haythum steps back, standing beside Griffin.*

  Haythum: Did he not tell you?

  Dennis: You interrupted with your loud mouth.

  *Emma laughs, and Griffin looks at her, confused. Emma looks down at Lily.*

  Emma: That’s not a funny joke, Lily.

  *Dennis looks toward Griffin if they’re talking; it’s quiet enough that Emma and Lily cannot hear.*

  Emma: Anyway. If you have everything taken care of here. I should really get going.

  *Emma snaps her fingers, and Lily goes back and transforms into the jewelry and attempts to leave, but Griffin reaches out. Right before his hand touches her, her instincts kick in and in a flash, she’s lying him flat on his back in a leg clamp. Griffin looks as Emma’s eyes show a hint of purple as she glares at him. Haythum laughs and Emma blinks, realizing what she’s done. She lets go of Griffin and swiftly helps him to his feet.*

  Emma: I’m so sorry. Would you believe me if I said it was instincts?

  *Griffin looks at Emma in disbelief.*

  Haythum: *Laughing* Someone finally stumped you! *Points and laughs* I am. NOT. Letting this one go.

  *Haythum wipes a tear from laughing.*

  Griffin: *Serious* You’re a Seer.

  *Emma pauses before looking away in guilt.*

  Emma: I’m sorry again for pinning you down.

  Griffin: No, I don’t mind that you pinned me down.

  *Dennis and Lily stifled their laughter terribly.*

  Griffin: *Smiles* I knew it! Ha! Well. I’ve heard your bunch is really strong. But every other elf I’ve met has said you guys are Evil masterminds. *Looks Emma up and down.* But I don’t feel like you intended to kill me just then.

  Emma: How long have you lived out of Sylvyndor? The whole war was because of the Seers.

  Griffin: I think it’s been about fifty years.

  Dennis: Twenty-four, we visited Petrol in a bordering town.

  Emma: I’m surprised you didn’t hear more about it.

  Lily: Not like you can remember the fine details.

  Emma(TL): Okay know-it-all. Wouldn’t it have been common knowledge?

  Lily: All outsiders would’ve known is that we were in a civil war of sorts.

  Emma: *Slightly annoyed* Well, yeah, but Griffin is an elf. He even has a Dennis.

  *Dennis and Griffin look at each other, confused.*

  Lily: Why does it matter?

  Dennis: Yeah, Griffin is an elf, but.

  *Griffin cuts off Dennis, and he looks down with a sort of guilty look on his face.*

  Griffin: We don’t need to bore Emma and Lily with our history.

  *Griffin starts to walk away. Dennis attempts to annoy him by pecking at his head repeatedly.*

  Griffin: If you ever find yourself needing anything, feel free to stop by the office.

  *Emma watches him walk away, feeling as if she did something wrong. She walks the way back home in silence. She opens the door and sits down in the common area. Thomas walks by and jumps, shocked to see Emma.*

  Thomas: I didn’t know you two were back.

  *Thomas takes a deep breath and looks at Emma. Her expression is one of conflict. Lily hops over to Thomas.*

  Lily: Hey! I know you can’t understand me, but can you get her to talk?

  *Lily stares at Thomas, then Emma. *

  Thomas: What’s that look?...

  *After a minute, he scratches his head before clapping his hands loudly. Emma flinches as she realizes people have been talking to her.*

  Emma: Sorry. I was in deep thought.

  Lily: *Annoyed* I’ll say. You wouldn’t say anything the whole walk home.

  Thomas: Yeah, how did that go? Anyone hurt?

  Emma: Everyone that I could see was evacuated.

  *Kimmy runs inside, out of breath with a smile on her face. Everyone watches her as she sits down next to Emma.*

  Kimmy: How was he?

  Emma and Thomas: Who?

  Emma: Wait, do you mean? *Emma’s ears turn red.* HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT!? *Shock*

  Kimmy: Relax. I was with the kids, and Haythum said Griffin met another elf.

  *Kimmy gets up and heads to the kitchen. Lily hops into her bed beside Emma’s seat.*

  Emma: I-I-I mean, we talked.

  *Kimmy walks back in with a platter of grapes. She places it on the table in the center of everyone before sitting back down.*

  Thomas: Kimmy thought you could talk since you both… well, you know.

  *Emma scoffs before taking some grapes for herself.*

  Emma: He is not a seer.

  Kimmy: What? No. The fact that you were both slaves.