Year 82.2

  *As Arthur and Emma enter the home, Kimmy and Thomas are arguing, but they quickly quiet down and welcome them. *

  Kimmy: Mama. *Smiles*

  *Thomas scoffs.*

  Emma: Something wrong?

  Kimmy: No, Thomas brought over someone and didn’t tell me.

  *Emma looks at them both with confusion.*

  Emma: Okay? Well, I have a proposition then.

  *Everyone sits down at the table, and Emma has to stop Arthur from trying to make a snack for them all.*

  Arthur: It can be just fruit.

  Emma: And then you’ll want bread, and some dried meats… You know what, go ahead.

  *Arthur happily runs into the kitchen, and Emma sits down. Lily leaps from Emma’s ear and onto the table in front of them. Before heading off to follow Arthur.*

  Emma: *Sigh* So I have a solution. Thomas, would you be willing to live here without Kimmy? Like, what if I found a place in town for just us and Arthur?

  *Thomas’s entire body relaxes as stress is relieved upon hearing the words.*

  Thomas: *Smiles* Honestly, I’ve been looking at a couple already, I just chicken out before I look into it.

  Emma: Well, Griffin just asked me to move in, with the pretense that Kimmy would be moving in as well.

  Kimmy: Wait, why can’t I stay here? If Thomas can get his own place, then I can live here. You’ll still be in town, so I’ll be happy.

  Emma: *Looks to Thomas.* Can you afford your own place?

  Thomas: Not really. Think of how many places have been built since you got here. And most halflings live to at least 500.

  Emma: Yeah, the area around here has become greener as well, which is nice, but *sigh*

  Thomas: Actually. I brushed it off before because I felt bad at the time, but my boss offered me a position in a new tavern he’s building. The biggest downside then was that I’d have to live there. But Kane thinks that my staying where I am is a waste.

  Emma: So, Kimmy, you want to live alone?

  Kimmy: I mean, I’d probably spend some nights at the church if I didn’t have people at home. And you’ll be by to check the tree.*Gasp* What about your new furniture?

  Emma: I’m going to turn it into a workspace, but I wanted to ask whoever took the house over first.

  Thomas: And since Kimmy is helping the church so she’ll be exempt from taxes.

  Emma: I still have one condition. I want to have family dinners.

  Kimmy: I think for now, how about once a month?

  Thomas: *sarcasm*Can you go that long alone?

  Kimmy: Well, Arthur will need somewhere during the day.

  Emma: And Kimmy is the only person he seems comfortable with. At least enough for me to trust.

  *Arthur walks back in with a tray of snacks. He places it on the table and sits down.*

  Emma: So, Buddy. What do you think about living with Griffin?

  Arthur: *Gasp* I can sleep with Zipzip?!

  Emma: Maybe. But this does mean you won’t be able to cook. He doesn’t have a kitchen, remember?

  Arthur: But Auntie, Kimmy does.

  Emma: And how’re you going to do that over there?

  *Arthur pauses from snacking on berries and turns to Emma.*

  Arthur: Can I come with you to work?

  *The adults laugh.*

  Kimmy: Aren’t you going to ask me if you can use it still?

  Arthur: No.

  Emma: Well, that’s rude.

  Arthur: But, Auntie. She likes my cooking more than you. She’ll want me to cook for her.

  *Emma and Thomas look at Kimmy.*

  Kimmy: I mean, he’s not wrong. He’s yet to make something I can’t stand.

  Emma: And I’m still against eating bugs if there is any other option. *Shivers* It’s normally so spongy, it’s why I don’t enjoy crab much.

  Emma: *Exhale* So, Tomorrow morning, I’m going to head over and talk to Griffin. I know it was his idea, but.

  Thomas: He’s the mayor?

  Emma: Exactly. Sure, the soldiers respect me, but as a pureblooded elf, not born into slavery, some people still glare.

  Kimmy: You think they liked the idea of an elven mayor? It wasn’t until people brought it up. *Looks at Thomas.* What was their name?

  Thomas: Jackel. They commented, “ If we want to blame the elves for the past mistakes, then let's make them responsible for their current ones.”

  Emma: So when he said he didn’t want to be mayor.

  Kimmy: Yeah, he came to the church regularly to confess. From what I know, it was closer to therapy for him.

  *The next morning, Emma enters Griffin's office.*

  Griffin: *Smiles* Morning.

  Emma: Well, it took some figuring out, but Kimmy is taking over the house.

  Griffin: Oh? What about Thomas?

  Emma: He’s been offered a job on the outskirts of town at a new tavern.

  Griffin: *Worried* Are you okay with that?

  Emma: Yeah, he’s a smart kid. Arthur demands that I bring him with me to work so he can cook at the house. *Chuckles*

  Dennis: I told you she misunderstood.

  Griffin: Yeah, so when I said I went downstairs, I have my own cooking area.

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  *Griffin brings Emma to a dark and dim room full of boxes and barrels.*

  Emma: Why am I not surprised?

  Griffin: What do you mean? There’s no dust. And those boxes are just full of supplies for the tavern.

  *Griffin points to a small, half-covered cooking area in the corner.*

  Griffin: They used it as storage, and I couldn’t bring myself to have them leave them out in the warehouse.

  *Emma looks at Griffin in confusion.*

  Emma: Why not? What’s in the warehouse?

  Griffin: It’s their break room.

  Emma thinking: This is what Thomas meant.

  Emma: What’s below us?

  Griffin: Directly? That would.

  *A couple of the receptionists stand in the doorway, and Griffin pauses as he notices them.*

  Griffin: Yes, Faith?

  *The taller of the two, a Demon Elf with dark, ashy skin tone.*

  Faith: Nothing. Just being nosey.

  *The other receptionist, a Cheetahkin/Elf with furry, spotted fur and feline-like eyes, speaks up.*

  Hope: We heard you discussing the cellar.

  Griffin: No, Emma here was asking.

  Emma: Where does the Cellar begin and end?

  *Emma reaches into a crate labeled Sylvyndor and begins snacking on some berries as Hope and Faith lead them to the Cellar.*

  Emma: You didn’t need to show us the way. *Smiles* But thank you.

  *Emma looks down the stairs, and she takes a few steps, just enough to see the contents from afar.*

  Hope: If you’d like to find something specific. *Smiles* Then I’d be happy to help.

  *Emma watches their grey soul, keep its shade.*

  Emma: No, that won’t be necessary. Here, hold this.

  *Emma hands the nearly empty sack to Griffin, and they follow her to the open area between the warehouse and the back of the Den at the Employee entrance. *

  Emma: Lily, I might need some more. How’re you feeling?

  *Lily hops from Emma’s ear, and Faith looks shocked for a moment. Lily leaps over to Griffin and into the sack of berries. Griffin grabs one and puts it in his mouth, curiously, then widens his eyes.*

  Griffin: Are these?!

  Emma: Magic berries? Yeah, another benefit to being a Seer is overwhelming Mana reserves.

  *The two receptionists look at Griffin, who looks just as confused.*

  Griffin: I just thought they were morning berries. Are you okay?!

  *Lily burps and pokes her head out of the bag happily.*

  Lily: Mama, where thosh fermented?

  *The ground begins to rumble as Emma begins to make a staircase leading down. She stands up and dusts her hands off. Griffin catches her as she stumbles.*

  Emma: *tipsy* Thhank you.

  Griffin: Are you drunk?

  Emma: No. Tired. *Looks up and pokes Griffin's nose* And you’re handsome, have I mentioned how much I love your eyes?

  *The two Halflings head downstairs.*

  Hope: Is this a working door?!

  Griffin:*Slowly helps Emma sit.* You okay?

  *Dennis carries Lily as she chrips, playing with his tail.*

  Emma:*Out of breath* I made a new shpace for cooking, and it also leads the the roots, or at least the start to it. Go look. *Lies on back looking up.* I’m. *Deep breath* I’m gonna wait here.

  *Dennis nods at Griffin, and he heads downstairs, three doors made of stone and crude metal bolts allowing them to swing freely. One door seems as though it is part of the wall with no clear handle. Faith looks in the left door to find the Cellar, and Hope inspects the door outline. Griffin opens the third to find an oven, a stove top, shelves, and a table all made of stone, with a dazzling, shiny surface. Griffin walks back outside to Emma and Lily, pulling at Dennis’s wings. He saves Dennis and helps Emma up stairs and puts her on the couch. As he starts to walk away, Emma calls out to him*

  Emma: *Whining* Griff-in.

  *Griffin turns around to look at Emma, one step away from crying. He looks at her worried as Dennis plops Lily onto Zipzip, who’s dug into the pillow, turning it into his hibernation burrow.*

  Emma: You don’t let them boss you around because you're nice, right?*Hickup*

  Griffin: Hope and Faith? They don’t boss me around. *Chuckles*

  Emma: Yeah, huh. You just don’t see it. Because.

  Griffin: *Smiles* Because I’m “Too nice?” *Smiles*

  Emma: Yup. But that’s why I L….

  *Griffin watches as Emma’s eyes flutter one last time before she falls asleep, when a knock comes from the door.*

  Haythum: Hey Griff! What’s up with the extension out back?

  *As Heythum opens the door, Griffin walks out, intercepting him. They stand out in the Mud room to talk, where they can barely be heard.*

  Haythum: What’s with the thing out back?

  Griffin: That. Emma and he adopted child are going to be staying with me. She decided we needed a kitchen because her boy loves to cook.

  Haythum: If you needed space, you should’ve said something.

  Griffin: No, I never got the chance. She just. Did it.

  Haythum: *Whistles* So that's the strength of an Elf?

  Griffin: I could never do it. She said something about Man reserves? I’m not sure I want to know if I’m honest. But she’s passed out from Exhaustion… And maybe drunk? I don’t know, she ate a mostly full bag of was turned out to be fermenting Magic berries beforehand.

  Haythum: HOW IS SHE ALIVE!

  Griffin: Shhhhh.

  *Griffin looks inside to see Emma still resting; she’s now pulled a nearby blanket onto herself.*

  Griffin: This all just happened. As soon as I know something, I’ll let you know at our next card game.

  Haythum: About that. That game has been moved to tomorrow.

  Griffin: Okay. *Sigh* I’ll be there.

  *Haythum laughs as he walks away, waving his hand. Griffin walks back inside, and Emma’s sitting up, eyes half open.*

  Griffin: You okay?

  *Griffin sits next to Emma and reaches for her hand, but she pulls back, and he notices her eyes are purple.*

  Griffin: Emma?

  *Emma blinks, and her eyes go back to green. She smiles drunkenly at Griffin.*

  Emma: Hi, love.

  Griffin: Love?

  Emma: Oh, wait. *Points at Griffin* You’re Griffin still.

  *Griffin laughs and sighs before sitting next to Emma, where she rests her head in his lap.*

  Griffin: Hey, Emma.

  *Emma pretends to sleep, and Griffin tickles her. She squeaks and raises her arms over her head, pretending to be dead with her tongue sticking out.*

  *Emma walks into the house where Kimmy and Arthur are sitting around the table discussing Dinner. Emma holds her head in pain, groaning as she sits down.*

  Kimmy: Hey, I don’t mind watching Arthur. We had fun. But can you tell me when you’re leaving him for the night?

  Emma: Wha? Huh?

  Kimmy: It took forever to get him to sleep because he thought you got in trouble, but Haythum said you were just sleeping off exhaustion from digging a hallway? He explained the best he could, and in the end, I just said. Yup, that’s my Mom. *Smiles*

  Emma: Kimmy. *Kimmy looks Emma in the eyes.* You’re telling me it’s afternoon. Following. Day?

  *As Kimmy goes to answer a knock at the door makes Emma squints her eyes in pain.*

  Flint: Emma? I didn’t see you today, so I left the report at the door like you asked.

  *Kimmy opens the door and steps out for a moment, and talks to Flint before returning.*

  Kimmy: Where were we? *Pause* Oh yeah. *looks at Emma.* Yeah, you never came home last night. Thomas came over to see how I was doing. *Emma smiles* And I told him what happened.

  Emma: *Strain* Yeah, I remember those two receptionists. They seem fine with me. But they take advantage of Griffin. I know we planned on not having a kitchen, but I might’ve gone overboard. I came by to start packing, but thought we’d take our time, depending on how long you want me to stay.

  Kimmy: Mom. No offense, but please hurry and leave. I’ve been dying for a day to myself. *Smiles*

  Emma: Well, if you don’t mind watching Arthur for another night, I can move all our things to the new place. And the stuff that’s staying, I can just put in my old bedroom for now.

  Kimmy: That’s fine with me. *Looks at Arthur mumbling to his dragon plushie.* What about you? Hmm? Arthur, Spikey?

  Arthur: *Frown* It’s not Spikey, it’s Spike.

  Emma: She didn’t mean anything by it, and you know it, buddy.

  Arthur: Yeah, I know. I just wanted to see Zipzip today. *Looks down.*

  Emma: I know, but I need to clean and set up your room. Because the cleaners are “Too busy” To clean the rooms for us.

  *Emma brings the furniture over, floating it above the city proudly. Lily rests in her bed, and younger halflings would point up and wave to her as she looked down on occasion. After she places the last of the furniture in the main room, she collapses onto the couch. Griffin comes in a few hours later to wake her.*

  Griffin: Come on. I can at least help with the washing.

  *In the rooms, windows have been added, and Emma uses her wind magic with Griffin’s water magic to quickly “Wash three of the rooms, one for Arthur, one for Emma and Griffin, and the other for storage.*

  Emma: *Exhausted* We even finished before the peak of Summer.

  Griffin: Hey, I was meaning to ask. What’s a Mana Reserve? You were gloating about it the other day.

  Emma: It’s how much Magic you have. I met someone who said it was the name for magic if magic were a title.

  Griffin: So Mana is Magic?

  Emma: Yes, but a more Physical form. It’s hard to explain, and I don’t know why that was the word I chose. I got caught up in the moment and wanted to show off.

  Emma Thinking: And I wanted to show those bitches, they can’t push me around.

  Emma: You know how elves can feed spirit energy to spirit flora and fauna? *Griffin bobs his head in some.*

  Griffin: I know that's what you do for the spirit tree.

  Emma: That's mana. Elves are just more attuned to it I guess.

  Griffin: Sounds complicated.