The Stories of Elves (For Constant Concern)

[Sassy_World900]

He knew that if word got back to his home land that he spilled that much info. He would surely pay for the price. But he was was just so thrown out of the loop when they gave him antidote to him. They could of done anything to him, yet they didn't. Though he could tell from Sai's expression he was not happy with the choice the other made.

Speaking of him. He asked him who gave the order to take a tome from them in the first place. Slowly he sits up and pressed his knees to his chest. Wrapping his arms around the knees to curl up into a ball. "Does it really matter?" he asked. "You stopped me."

[Darne]

Seto's eyebrows dropped as he noted the elfling's body language which indicated that the other was uncomfortable and shamefaced. The older elf could not help but feel like he was indeed dealing with a child rather than a type of assassin. He was used to interacting with young children who would run up to him while he would be on patrolling duty. Sai wanted to protect them and he wanted to protect his village. So at a time like this, the red-eyed elf felt a need to do the best thing he could do.

"It does.", he replied softly. "We need to know."

Sai did feel a droplet of guilt from the pathetic state the elfling seemed to be in yet he would not let his guard down. That child was the one who snuck into the library and attacked his brother. More so he was from the North and for all he knew Tyrian could return home and tell everyone about their specific location and defenses and their safety could not be something to risk. And there were high chances that f his attack was made public the villagers would be reluctant to wish he was bitched at the central square even if his life would not be taken nor his blood spilled.

And yet Sai could already tell that Seto was becoming personally invested. "He would make a fuss.", he thought to himself. Sai felt his head beginning to ache. He could not believe that a situation that had such an obvious consequence would become something he'd debate.

Suddenly the oldest elf spoke up roughly. "Do I need to remind you that you are in someone else's home? Take off that cloak!" Seto himself did a quick head turn to his brother thinking that for a split second he sounded like a father scolding his son for improper manners. "Is he...standing down?", Seto wondered.

Sai noticed the surprised look on his brother's face and added coldly. "I do not plan to stand here all night. If you're so keen on having an overnight conversation with this little deviant then I shall take matters into my own hands so the price is paid."

[Sassy_World900]

He knew they needed to know. But he also knew if he were to set free and told what had happened back home. It will not end well for him. Then again nothing does. While they have treated him nicely, they were still consider enemies of his home land. Then again, most other races are thought to be that. The young elf doesn't know what to do.

Just then the more cold elf spoke in a booming voice. Telling him it was rude to wear a cloak indoors. "I was paralyzed before." he tells him. How did he expect him to have taken it off before when he couldn't move. Still he does so anyway. Revealing his face to them and his tattered worn out clothes. It looked like it was made with burlap sacks and cheese cloth. It was also covered in dirt, grass and what looked like dried blood stains. His deep purple eyes look up at the two elves and wander how they will respond to his looks. Will it be with hatred or with disgust?

[Darne]

Sai responded quickly with a low growl. "Talk back to me once more and I won't be so kind to you next time."

An uneasy sigh escaped Seto. He could tell that his brother's nerves were struck. He did not want more chaos for a single night. Though his attention was soon drawn to the elfling's appearance. His garments seemed extremely poor quality and as Seto observed the dirt and stains he identified dried blood.

"Were you wounded?", he asked quickly. Whether he was concerned or not, his good nature made him ask, he was concerned for a fellow elf. As for Sai, he turned his head to the side before heading towards the front door. "Where are you going?", he was asked by his brother but Sai did not offer an answer but rather a brief order instead. "Guard him."

The younger brother was left there to only wonder with uneasiness in his chest as he turned his full attention back to the purple-eyed elfling. He asked him a few more questions, attempting to understand his background as much as he could for he wasn't sure what they were to do with him. Before long, the other elf returned home, the only difference being that he carried a cut tree branch in hand and had the sleeves of his dark robes rolled up.

Upon seeing the birch Seto quickly understood what it was meant for and stood straight and voiced his concerns. "You said that it's not for us to decide!"

"And do you intend to present him to our people at the central yourself?" a cold voice provoked him. Seto took a moment to truly think about it. Would he be able to do that to someone who already looked so drained by being dragged around by fate? In his eyed Tyrian looked no more than a child. Perhaps corrupted by his kind but a young elfling no less. Seto looked away from both of them in silence.

[Sassy_World900]

The dark skin elf glares at Sai. It was in self defense. He learned in life that showing fear only brought pleasure to those who who want to hurt him. By glaring, they think he was not afraid. When the other asked if he was wounded, he looks at him and then down on his body. "Are you talking about recently or in general?" he asked. For he does have some injuries on his body from recent inflected wounds. Though they had closed up by now but still hurt.

Just then the older of the two had walked out of the house. Maybe he couldn't stand the sight of him, it wouldn't surprise him. All he said was to guard him and with that he was gone. He figured he was going to get more guards and have him taken away. As Seto asked more questions, Tyrian curled himself into a tighter ball, now hiding his face. He did not feel like answering anymore of his questions. He felt there was no point. His words have no worth.

Before long the other had returned to wherever he had went off to. With his face hidden, he did not see what he had brought. He only looked up due to the voice of the guard sounding concern. As he lifts his head, he sees the birch in his hand and his sleeves rolled up. So instead of taking him to whoever was in charge of the guards, he was going to take care of him, himself.

The young elf uncurled from his little ball and sat up straight on the couch. While he was not glaring at him, he didn't seem to have that much of an expression. He's been though this many times, his mind short of prepared him for something like this. It was like his body was fifty present off. For struggling only made things worse for him.

[Darne]

Just as Sai took a few steps forward Seto suddenly felt himself become more alert. He had found being punished by his older sibling several times when he was younger and they were of the same blood. He couldn't imagine how Sai would handle such a situation with someone he frowned upon. It made him concerned so he faced his brother. "We must talk."

Sai stopped and sighed in mild frustration though he had expected as much. "There is nothing to say. Your blood was spilled and boundaries were crossed. Do not expect me to take it lightly and let him go without facing any consequences.", the words were matter-of-fact and dispassionate. Yet the younger of the two elves refused to listen for he believed the other did not fully understand. Seto pulled his brother to the side and argued with him silently enough so Tyrian could not hear them.

"Did you not see? His clothes were mere rags. We have those who are responsible for trade and those who are sent to explore the range and neither are sent out by their own people unarmed or with rags covering them. If it were a trap for us then our village would have been ambushed by now. You fail to see that he's a misguided child! How can you expect him to experience remorse when you choose to act upon actions that would be no better than from his own kind?", Sai was taken back a bit by what his brother said. As much as the younger one made valid points of observation he did not want to admit it. Seto placed a hand on Sai's shoulder and gave him a tired smile before saying. "An eye for an eye and the world goes blind."

After that, a long pause followed nevertheless the older elf eventually took a step back and placed the birch by the door quietly. "Then...he is your responsibility. But he will not be allowed outside without my permission.", he stated in a low voice. He could not believe he was allowing this. An elf from the North staying in his house, not being punished for his deeds. Despite all that, it would be unwise to let the other elves see him before they had a solid plan thus he established the rule.

Seto did not see it as a problem, in fact, his eyes seemed to lighten up for a moment when he realized that there might be hope for a better future. He didn't say much after that, only returned to the boy and told him to follow him before he took him to a small guest bedroom they had upstairs. It was a small room. A bed, a wooden dresser and a chair and desk by a wood-framed window. Seto had considered the possibility of placing a charm on the window and door so that the enfling would not escape. He believed that his intuition was correct and that Tyrian didn't have an option to return without a horrid outcome so he decided against it. He did not make it verbal but he wanted to establish at least a small foundation of trust between the two so he would take the chances of trusting the boy.

"Listen...Tyrian. I cannot explain much right now but...don't be afraid. We shall speak further tomorrow so rest. You are to remain in this room until tomorrow.", as Seto spoke he struggled to choose the right thing to say and ended up making brief pauses but he said what he thought was most necessary and closed the door on his way out.

[Sassy_World900]

As the older one approached him. He shut his eyes tight out of habit. Expecting him to roughly grab him and to start the trashing. But that didn't came as the younger one stood before him to defend him. Which throw him off once again. He can not understand his mind and how it works. Why go through the trouble of standing up for someone who was not his kin? Which eh grabs and pulls off to the side to talk to. Wondering what they were going to say and do.

He sat quietly on the couch, looking down at his worn out booted feet. Which were to big on him but made them work. It felt like time has stopped and and the other two were talking forever. Why haven;t they beaten him yet? Well one was close to doing so before the other stepped in. Soon the one who was showing mercy to him came back and tells him to follow him. Which he gets up and walks towards him. Following him up the stairs.

He was taken to a small, but cozy room. He sees that bare, like it was used only for company. Still it was far more nicer then anything he is used to. He took a step inside and looks around the room rather confused. Why did he brought him here? Would it be better if he were place in a cellar or maybe a small closet? Hearing his name being called out. He turns to him with a surprise expression on his face. He was calling him by his name? No one, even when told. Use his name to address him. It was only once in a blue moon does someone do that.

Even though he tells him to not be afraid, he was. They were strangers from a different land, he broken into their village and hurt him. He goes on to say they will talk more about this in the morning. In the mean time he could rest. Though he is not allowed to leave the room until tomorrow. So this was going to be his cell. Well it's the nicest one he ever stayed in.

With that he nods his head. Meaning he understood and will stay in the room. Before Seto could leave he spoke up. "Uh? About this room and staying and stuff." he spoke softly and sealed his lips. He looks at the other elf, then at the bed, then back at him, then down at his feet. "Does that mean...I-I can sleep in the bed?" he asked. You would think he was joking, but with that worried expression and how shy he was talking. He was actually serious when asked that.

[Darne]

Just as Seto was about to shut the door he heard the meek voice speak up. It made him halt and attentively creak the door open a gap so he could listen to the inquiry. His facial expression could not hide his surprise. Seto gulped dryly and calmly responded. "Surely.", he was very taken back by such a question. It made him bite his bottom lip and imagine what the other had possible gone through not be in a place where he doubts such simple and fundamental things like being allowed to sleep in a bed. At least it was something to confirm Seto's observations from before.

The elf had not expected the night to turn out this way. Once he returned downstairs he exchanged a few more words with his brother which turned into a long conversation or rather into a debate and the two stayed up for several hours arguing about the situation. Whatever Seto suggested- Sai didn't agree with. Despite finding some common ground the two eventually understood that they won't see eye to eye.

Sai had left the home in the early hours of dawn to get what he needed to fully heal his brother's wound. The sun was shining over the horizon when Sai returned home, getting out some books and beginning to work on the healing potion. Seto woke up around the same time when Sai came back and he briefly left to stop by his quarters and inform the others that he foolishly fell out a tree last night and that he will need some time to recover so someone else would take his spot in the meantime. Seto knew that his brother would need to be in the library soon so he hurried home where the medicine was ready for him. Sai administered the treatment in silence and left the home to attend his duties as the library keeper.

By midday, the younger elf was standing in front of a mirror and looking at his shoulder. There was a mark left, similar to a scar but it did not sting anymore. He moved his arm around and noticed the clock. There was no delaying it further, he had to once again confront the child. After he slept off so many thoughts and feelings of conflict he felt as though he wasn't sure how to properly approach the situation though he had to. As his brother stated: this was his responsibility now.

Considering the state the boy was in the elf brought him some food as he opened the door with caution for he did not know what to expect. He had a feeling that the elfling would still be asleep f he hadn't had a bed to sleep in for a while. He silently stepped inside the room and placed a small bowl of various fruits and a few buns on the table.

[Sassy_World900]

Hearing that he could in fact sleep int he bed made him surprised. He was expecting a no. So he looks back at the bed and wondered if it was really okay. Even he didn't sound all that sure if he could or not. Figuring the other elf might of not like it. Still he walks over and places his hands on top of the bed. Gently pressing down on the mattress and to him it was very plush. Once he heard the door clock and he was all by himself. He took a seat on the edge of the bed and smiles. He can't remember the last time he ever slept on a bed. So kicking off the old boots. He crawls under the covers, place his head on the pillow and gasped softly. It was so soft and warm. This felt amazing to him. He pulled the covers up to his nose and sighs happily. It didn't take long for his eyes to close and was asleep.

The young elf remained asleep through the entire night and still asleep by sunlight. As Seto comes into the room. He would see that he was was still in fact, asleep. He was on his side, breathing gently through his mouth. The sheets were all tangled around his legs and his pillow was wrapped around his arms with his head on top of it. He looked very peaceful as he slumber.

[Darne]

Seto quietly watched the young one sleep so peacefully. Considering that perhaps it was worth humiliating himself with such a poor excuse for his injuries to his scout-mates. It had been momentarily embarrassing but he had pride to spare. It wasn't something very important to him, to begin with. And now he had much more significant matters to attend to.

After waking up the elfling by lightly shaking his shoulder, Seto calmly told him to eat and then present himself downstairs. When the time came, the older elf attended his pre-planned tasks that had to be done first. Which were making sure Tyrian was in a presentable and favorable state. The efling might not have liked it but the older elf took him to a washroom in their bathhouse where he inspected the other's body for bruises and wounds, tending to what needed medical care after the boy was ordered to wash up and left alone in the bathhouse to change into garments that Seto had gotten for him. The clothes of the child's size were difficult to find but the crimson-eyed elf had managed. He rummaged through a chest of their old clothes that were in the attic and found some decent attire.