*Emma fiddles with her fingers as she thinks of how to respond. Not expecting to lose, she never thought of one.*

  Griffin: How about I get one question instead? You seem uncomfortable.

  Emma: *Smiles* Yeah, I don’t have any excuses for losing. I also don’t know what I would consider enough of a secret that I could tell you.

  *Arthur runs inside laughing. He runs up and hugs Griffin.*

  Arthur: Thank you for the Fireworks, Griff.

  Emma: *Stunned* When did we start calling him Griff?

  Arthur: Thomas called him that.

  *Griffin pats Arthur’s head as he kneels to his level.*

  Griffin: How about as a thank you, you help me think of a special question for Emma.

  *Arthur looks over to Emma as she smiles, and he looks back to Griffin with a look of concern.*

  Arthur: A special question?

  Emma: Yup. He won, so he gets a prize.

  Arthur: *Excited* Ask if she likes you!

  *Emma blinks rapidly, stunned. Griffin looks over to Emma.*

  Griffin: *Subtle voice crack*There’s your question.

  Emma: I-I. I mean, I don’t dislike him.

  Arthur: So you don’t like him?

  Emma: That’s not what I said.

  Arthur: So… do you like him or not?

  Emma: *Sputters* That’s. That’s not something you just ask, Arthur!

  Arthur: But you said it was a prize! He won fair and square.

  Griffin: Trying not to laugh. He’s got a point. I’ll take honesty as my reward.

  Emma: *Groans, face bright red.* You’re both children.

  Arthur: Offended, I’m five!

  Griffin: *Smiling warmly at Arthur* And already wiser than most adults.

  Emma: Mumbles under her breath You’re enjoying this too much.

  Griffin: Only because you make losing look adorable.

  Arthur: *Gasping* So she does like you!

  Emma: *Covers her face.* Spirits help me…

  *Lily hops into the room.*

  Lily: You called Mama?

  *Arthur hears Lily as she chirps.*

  Arthur: Lily! Emma and Griff Like each other!

  Dennis: Oh?!

  Griffin: That’s not.

  *As Griffin gets flustered, Emma makes a pouting face at him.*

  Emma: What happened to honesty?

  Griffin: *Puts one finger up.* First off. That was a reward. We agreed. Second. I didn’t say I don’t like you.

  Arthur: So you both like each other?

  *Both elves lock eyes, unsure of how to respond, or too afraid?*

  Arthur: Does this mean you can get married?

  Both: NO!

  *Kimmy runs inside, followed by Thomas, after informing them of the situation. Kimmy rubs the center of her forehead with one finger.*

  Kimmy: I Mean. He’s right about marriage, but. *Looks up* That would mean Mom would have to stay in the Oasis.

  Lily: What’s your honest opinion of Griffin?

  Dennis: What’s your honest opinion of Emma?

  Spirits: Well?!

  *Griffin goes to speak, but Emma interrupts.*

  Emma: *Smiling with fear* I’m terrified.

  *Everyone looks at Emma as she shakes her head no. She looks up and takes a deep breath before attempting to speak again. *

  Emma: Everyone outside of my family is either dead, hunting for me, or betrayed me.

  *Before Emma can say anything else, Griffin holds her close, embracing her tightly. Emma shivers before breaking down. *

  *Emma walks out of Arthur’s room, and she walks out into the common area where Griffin has started making his way out. He opens the door, and Emma is already on the other side. She wraps her arms around him and looks up to look him in the eyes.*

  Emma: I’d like you to come with me.

  Griffin: Are you sure? You don’t have to push…

  Emma: *Shakes head* Just come with me, please.

  *Griffin nods as Emma leads him to her room. She gestures to a chair for him to sit before walking over to a block of ice. She opens the ice and pulls out some alcohol.*

  Emma: *Conserved* As a Seer. I have this special… Ability.

  *Emma pours the drinks and sits across from Griffin.*

  Emma: But first. What’s your opinion of humans? Knowing my past as well.

  Griffin: Honestly? *Emotion leaves his eyes.* I hate them. They treat everyone around them like trash, unless they believe you’re a source of fame and power. *Scoffs* I always heard dragons were hoarders, but honestly. I think humans are worse. They’re a plague on this planet. *Blinks* Sorry.

  *Emma’s eyes sparkle as her soulsight fades.*

  Emma: I mean, I’ve met some. Not many! But some good humans. As for what? I. Was saying. Seers can see the purity of another being's soul. The way it flickers and dances while people lie. Even so, I’ve been hurt many times. I’ve killed more than some meet in a lifetime. But not yours… *Smiles* I noticed a while ago, but Lily told me it was nothing. Your soul sparkles when you talk to me.

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  Griffin: What does that mean? Is that bad?

  *Emma kisses Griffin. As she pulls away, he goes in for another, but she walks away and lies down on her bed, after removing the bulkier parts of her armor: The chestplate and the wrist/ankle guards made of metal clang against the wooden floor.*

  —------------------------------------------------------------------

  *Lily hops onto Emma’s lap as she rests in bed. Emma slowly opens her eyes, smiling as she sits up.*

  Emma: Good morning, Lily.

  Lily: It’s almost noon.

  Emma: What?

  Dennis: Yes.*Emma jumps* Griffin asked me to stay until you awoke. Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.

  Emma: It’s fine. *Yawn* I’m just not used to talking so casually with another spirit. It’s been. A while.

  Lily: I don’t miss listening to Celestra go on and on about proper etiquette. But I do miss Lazarus.

  Emma: So, will you be off then? Can you let Griffin know he’s welcome to come over for dinner whenever he would like?

  Dennis: While I think he has prior dinner plans. Every blue moon, he goes out with Haythum and his other friends.

  Emma: Okay, well, let him know.

  *Dennis nods before fading away as he is summoned away.*

  Lily: Soooo.*Playful* How was your night?

  Emma: I mean, I’m still in my leathers. *Smiles* We had a few drinks and talked until we fell asleep. I don’t remember most of the questions at the end, but most were simple things like favorites or dislikes.

  Lily: Well, Dennis and I only entered after Griffin left.

  Emma: Oh? What were you two up to?

  Lily: *Raises eyebrows.* I was trying to sleep while he attempted to talk to me.

  Emma: Why didn’t you just go stealthed?

  Lily: Even when Keya made you furious. You would still listen to her. I just thought it was appropriate since you never did.

  Emma: Well, yeah, she’s my sister… was.

  Lily: We don’t know that.

  Emma: As far as I could tell, all my other nightmares came true… I saw all of them die. One by one.

  *Emma stands up and starts putting her armor on. Lily goes silent and hops on her ear. As Emma walks outside, Kimmy walks over with Arthur.*

  Arthur: Auntie! You slept a long time. Did Griff and you two stay up late? You told me that’s bad.

  Emma: *Chokes for a moment**Smiles* I’m sorry, bud. We just got to talking and lost track of time.

  Arthur: Kimmy wouldn’t let me come wake you, so your breakfast is cold, but lunch is done now!

  *After lunch, Emma heads down under the tree where she slowly follows the root system. Mana pulses through the roots toward the trunk, getting brighter as they get to the end of the current growth. Lily hops down and starts following a small, dim room through a small crack. *

  Lily: Uh oh

  Emma(TL): What?

  *Emma looks through Lily’s eyes and sees a tunnel, just short enough to make Emma crouch as the two follow the path. Lily leads with her dark vision until the tunnel opens up. The roots shoot off in multiple directions.*

  Emma: Let's follow those ones.

  *Emma points to the dimmest of the paths when Lily notices a tooth.*

  Lily: It’s Magic Lamprey’s.

  Emma: At least it’s an easy fix. I’m just surprised at how long this has been going on for.

  Lily: Well, spirit trees grow faster after being injured. The roots we’ve found have all been too small to have grown naturally.

  Emma: Then it’s better if we can find them. I can only sense something down this way. Which is also why I said this way.

  *The ground shakes a little.*

  Emma: I don’t think we have a choice on how to do this, though. If we stay in here, we’re going to suffocate in the sand above us.

  *As they exit the tunnel, a male Rhinokin/Demon grabs Emma’s hand as she squeezes through the expanded gap. His large stature barely allows him to stand, and he has to duck under the supports.*

  Emma: Thank you, Flint.

  Flint: You’re later than usual. I came through here thinking I was just slow like usual. But heard you talking on my way back.

  Emma: Was Kimmy not home?

  Flint: Nope, I saw Dennis when I got here, though, so I just assumed you were both inspecting something.

  Emma: Oh, that was because Griffin asked him tooo… drop off a letter about this crack. Yup.

  *Emma pats the wall firmly, and the tunnel releases a small cloud of smoke.*

  Emma: And now. I’m going to check to make sure I didn’t just break someone’s cellar.

  Flint: Was it that bad? The roots are.

  Emma: It’s a leech-like creature that feeds on Magic energy. Spirit roots are a great source.

  *Emma steps over some rocks before walking toward the exit.*

  Flint: I’ve heard of them. How do we get rid of them?

  Emma: It depends. First, we should check up top, though.

  *Reaching the suspected area above the tunnel, they’re in one of the many open market areas.*

  Lily: Well. At least it seems like everything is fine at the moment.

  Flint: Should we clear the area?

  Emma: No.

  *Emma walks to the center, where a water pump is. She places her hand on its handle and releases some of her mana along it. After a moment, she turns to Flint.*

  Emma: Okay, maybe we should.

  *Flint blows a horn and informs people to stay clear. The ground starts to shake and the crowd starts to scream as they run to safety, until a large engorged lamprey bursts out, blue glowing magical ooze leaks from its mouth as Emma pulls out her blades. A couple of other wardens help cover the area as the Lamprey launches its body at Emma. Flipping into the air, Emma throws knives into its body, but the slime it produces prevents them from causing any damage.*

  Emma: I’m not losing two fights in a row.

  *Emma heats the ground underneath the Lamprey, the smell of its boiling slime causes the people in the area to feel nauseous. Emma stops as she covers her mouth. The Lamprey squirms wildly from the burning pain until it subsides. Flint charges forward and grabs the dried, burnt section, using his smaller horns as extra support. He lifts the Lamprey's body and slams his head back, falling to the ground. The impact opens a huge wound in the lamprey's body. Emma quickly creates a small stone guard in front of Flint, and after the body shrivels up, Emma walks toward Flint.*

  Emma: Their blood is caustic if left alone for too long, so be sure to clean that off soon.

  Flint: You’ve got this, then?

  Emma: I mean, I see Crash and Gump over there.

  *Emma waves for two male gnome/hyeanakin to come over. (Crash)One has pale blue eyes, while the other is missing half of their right ear(Gump). Flint heads off, whiping his horn with some cloth while he walks.*

  Gump: Need us to clean this up?

  Emma: Yeah, have you two dealt with one of these before?

  Gump: Oh yeah. Loads of times. The blood, if fermented, strained, and then boiled, makes an amazing drink that makes you see the colors of the air around you.

  Emma: *Blinks* Is that safe?

  Gump: In moderation, yeah. If you take too much, you might forget what you are.

  Crash: Like the time I thought I was a fish and needed to breathe water?!

  Gump: Yes. Had to flip him upside down until the water drained out of him.

  *As Emma looks at the two, worried and horrified, she turns to hear Haythum laughing*

  Haythum: Griff says it’s fine as long as whoever uses it is aware of the risks.

  Emma: Really?!

  Haythum: The cost to make it costs what most people make in their lives; they might get lucky and find one half that size once a year.

  Emma: What if people started mass-producing it, though? Wouldn’t it be better to stop it now? What if a noble finds out?

  Haythum: It costs that much because the danger.

  *Emma shakes her head in disbelief as the two fill a jug of the pearlescent blood.*

  Haythum: So, Griff was late to roll call this morning.

  Emma: Okay, And? I’m not required to go; why would he?

  Lily: Doesn’t he.

  Haythum: Because. Griffin is in charge of the role call. And I heard from Flint, Dennis was at your place this morning.

  Emma: Whatever it is you're trying to say, just say it. I don’t enjoy being questioned.

  Haythum: I just figured you’d know why the *Whispers* Mayor’s. Spirit was left at your house.

  Emma: Haythum. *Looks in eyes* I. Did! *Pause*

  Haythum: Yeah?

  Emma: Not sleep with him. At least I never took my armor off.

  Haythum: Oh?

  *Emma smacks his arm and he laughs.*

  Emma: Listen, he’s your best friend. Whatever it is he told you is all you need to know.

  Haythum: Why did he have to pick a smart one this time?

  Emma: So if two children share a bed, is it considered sleeping with each other?

  Haythum: No, but you two. Wait, is this like how elves are known to treat everyone else like children? And if you do. How do you differentiate in the looks department?

  Emma: *Dumbfounded* Griffin told you to ask me, didn’t he?*Smirk*

  Haythum: He told me I wasn’t allowed to ask about specific terms that I’ll be avoiding.

  Emma: I see.*Playful* So you want me to tell you all the nasty things I did to him?

  Haythum: *Embarrassed* Maybe not.

  Emma: *stern* Good! Because nothing happened!

  *Emma storms off toward home, where she spends the rest of the day doing practice swings.*