At Your Service!

As Rafiel leaned to whisper to her, though surely Edric must have heard, she placed a paw over her mouth to stifle a giggle. It surely was interesting to interact with a Zyphear who seemed to almost be the odd one out of the bunch. Merrin observed the brothers as they conversed over how exactly they'd fared after the unfortunate destruction of their home and what he'd been doing since. As she listened, she found herself gravitating closer to Lilith until they stood side by side, their flanks brushing.

She looked over to the sun-kissed fae, offering a sheepish smile if she was able to catch her eye. "It's wonderful to see you again, I was really starting to miss you..." Merrin whispered as subtly as she could before returning her attention to Edric's tales, hoping she had not interrupted them. Seamlessly, she was able to reabsorb herself in his musings and gasped with delight at the mention of his love for archaeology.

"You've found ruins and tomes? Here?" Her tail began to swish back and forth excitedly, her fascination with the subject never having been explored before. "Perhaps I could help you carry some things if you needed! I'd love to see what you've found!"



@Rafiel @Edric @Lilith

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da], click for attributions

H

onestly, I'm almost surprised to see you here, Miss Lilith. I half expected you would stick around and help everyone else."

Lilith chuckled at her brother’s comment despite it not being joke. With a wink towards Edric, she replied, ”If only you knew the truth your words possess, brother.” The irony of the matter was that she had in fact done just that when the fire broke out. Her duty to her family and to staying alive had left the girl’s mind, causing her to throw herself towards the flames in an attempt to rescue anyone that needed aid. Of course, she wasn’t able to save everyone, and even now she didn’t know where many of them ended up, but the fact that she acted was enough to keep her content.

Suddenly there was a presence at her side and the sun-kissed girl found herself glancing to her side to make eye contact with Merrin. She smiled at her friend, returning the greeting with a quick press of her hip back against Merrin. ”I was really starting to miss you…” Miss her, really? Lilith gulped down the butterflies in her stomach, willing her reaction to remain calm and collected. ”Don’t be such a stranger then, ay? You know where to find me.” With a soft smile, she dipped her head so that she could whisper back before flickering a glance towards her golden brother. She was no fool, she knew what was taking up her friend’s time.

As the conversation between her family continued on seamlessly beside her, Lilith forced her attention away from Merrin and back onto them. A smile was plastered to her features like usual and she swayed her tail contently behind her. Edric mentioned his treasure findings and ruins she could only watch proudly. He had blossomed since the last time her eyes had laid upon him and she was happy to see him thriving. ”Would you like a satchel, perhaps? I can make you one,” She motioned to her own as he complained about not being able to carry everything. ”I can even add a really pretty flower, just for you,” She teased.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

@Merrin @Edric @Rafiel

Awkwardness washed over him and he turned away for a moment, pretending to be incredibly fascinated by the wispy white clouds that floated above, squinting in the bright sun, his paws shuffling awkwardly in the layer of snow that dusted the ground. He'd always hated such intimate encounters, even as a young boy. Edric could never understand why others put themselves in such positions. A moment of annoyance flashed through him, wondering why they couldn't keep such intrusive displays to the privacy of their own dens.

Merrin's voice broke through his reverie and he lowered his face to look at her, his lip pulling up slightly to one side in an attempt at a nonchalant smirk. The idea of having such an energetic, positive companion on his quiet trips into the ruins made him shiver in disgust. However, always the gentleman, Edric swallowed his distaste and nodded at the woman. "Of course, Miss Merrin. You would be very welcome to join me." He moved his tail in an imitation of her own wag, and kept it up while he answered his sister's question.

"A satchel would surely be helpful, but by the stars, please no flowers." He pleaded, his eyebrows furrowing. "Are there larger ruins, brother?" He asked Rafiel pointedly, trying his best to side-step Lilith's teasing.

@Lilith @Merrin @Rafiel

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da]

His attention was on Merrin, who might have thought Edric such a contrast to the Zyphears she had met. Still, there was kindness in all of them, even Edric and Talfor; they were all polite, bound by the oaths they gladly took. Rafiel was pleased by how much she wished to become a knight, a servant of the peoples, helping his family continue on the legacy that they so valued. He would continue to train her, spar with her, and teach her all that he knew about his age-old craft.

He watched Merrin and Lilith interact, a strong bond between the two women. “Ah,” he started, “I am very glad the both of you are such good friends. Perhaps the both of you may assist the locals together more often. In fact, Lilith, I’m sure Lady Merrin would not mind a sparring partner.” There was always an opportunity to learn among the Zyphears, even while participating in daily tasks, and Rafiel was well-aware of how resourceful his beloved sister was.

When he heard the conversation between Merrin and Edric, Rafiel’s lips curled into a smile. He knew his brother would not appreciate company along his journeys, as he was more of an introvert, a fellow who much preferred solace and peace—it allowed him to think and brood and memorized the countless statistics and stories that lay before him.

Still, Rafiel mentioned nothing of the sort. It was not like him to spill the secrets and preferences of others or present any information that may be a cause for embarrassment, though, admittedly, he cared more for Merrin’s comfort that Edric’s in this particular circumstance. “Dilapidated edifices can be found in the capital, mostly, some of them gargantuan,” he said, “though I’m sure there are ruins abound this land, if you know where to search.”

But, ah, time was short, and Rafiel had other obligations to fulfill. As much as he enjoyed his family and friends, he was a knight first and foremost, and there were folk who required his assistance. “I’m off to assist the midwife in the south! She was in need of herbs for the pups that are soon to be born. Who would like to join me?” He swept a playful bow toward his company. “Farewell for now, dear ones! Edric, I look forward to hearing of your adventures soon!”

[Rafiel exits.}

@Edric @Lilith @Merrin

Art by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Merrin hummed nervously before averting her gaze down towards her feet with a sense of guilt after Lilith’s response. Perhaps she had been neglecting her friendship. “Mmm…yes, I’ll try not to be…” She murmured softly, glancing back up at bright cerulean orbs only to find that she could not hold the gaze.

To her mild embarrassment, Rafiel had noticed them conversing and she glanced at the newly acquainted Zyphear apologetically. Merrin was relieved that she was hardly scolded by the golden knight, rather he expressed his fondness for the relationship built between the two women. Lilith was the very first friend she had ever had, after all. When the sparking was mentioned, her mouth formed and ‘o’ shape and she looked over to the other fae for approval. There was still so much that she could learn from her.

When they were drawn back into the original discussion of runes and relics, Merrin was honestly surprised to find that Edric was willing to allow her to accompany him on one of his ventures. “Oh! Wonderful, Edric, thank you!” On the inside she was reeling with excited energy and she attempted to keep it at bay even when it escaped through the wild swishing of her wagging tail. From what she understood, this particular Zyphear brother was a bit of an introvert…it would be a shame if he found her bothersome. She smiled between all of them, her heart feeling lighter than ever as she was never truly happier than she was in the presence of the beloved Zyphear family.

When Rafiel announced his leave, all of her senses snapped to attention at the mention of the arrival of pups. Merrin’s lilac orbs sparkled and shined as she elicited a gasp of pure awe. “Pups? Oh, heavens! I’ll certainly join you!” She exclaimed and began to move in step behind him, but not before pausing, turning around and approaching Lilith. She leaned in to bump heads with the other female affectionately before withdrawing. “Might I find you afterwards to spar or…or even just spend time? O-only if you’d like…”

Merrin would await Lilith’s response before moving to Edric and dipping her head politely. “It has been an absolute honor to meet you, Sir Edric. I look forward to the next time our paths cross.” And with one more glance back to Lilith, offering her a warm smile, she bounded after her mentor and what lay in store for them as they answered their call to the South.

[Exit Merrin]


@Rafiel @Edric @Lilith

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da], click for attributions

D

espite her own festering thoughts, Lilith was happy to be back in the presence of her siblings and dear friend. It hadn’t been too long since she’d been graced with their presences, except Edric, but yet she had been missing them more and more with each passing day. Perhaps, she’d let this absence in her heart turn into something entirely out of place, and for that, she scolded herself. With the intention of keeping the mood light and happy, she turned her attention back to Rafiel and his mention of sparing. ”Though I’m certainly not the best fighter amongst us Zyphear, I’d be more than willing to assist Lady Merrin.” A smile graced her lips as she responded, earnest meaning every word that spilled from her mouth. Sparring or just hanging out, Lilith would be happy to be around her friend.

Soon the conversation was shifting and Rafiel was announcing his leave. She watched her brother make his exit, with graceful words and playful bows like usual. Lilith watched him with a grin before flickering her gaze back to Merrin as she agreed to join him. As the girl moved back beside her, Lilith closed her eyes slowly to return the gentle head bump. ”Please do,” She whispered in return before recoiling with a soft smile.

Once the two had parted and gone along on their ways, Lilith took a deep breath and turned to face Edric. She knew large gatherings weren’t his thing and certainly this meeting had been a bothersome toll on his conscious. With that in mind, the fiery-hued female figured she before move along as well. ”Well, dear brother,” She began. ”I ought to get going myself, so much to do, you know. But if you’d like, please feel free to join, I always appreciate the company.” The young knight would wait a moment for his response before spinning on her heels and taking off back into the forest from where she had originally come.

[Exit Lilith]

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

@Merrin @Rafiel @Edric

Edric barely could hold back the eye-roll at his brother's dramatic bow, but nodded all the same. While he disliked too much company, it was always good to be in the company of family, even those as painful as Rafiel. His head dipped politely to Merrin as she followed after his brother before turning to Lilith, the smallest smile gracing his features for the flaxen girl, his eyes softening as they took her in. "I just may take you up on that." Edric reached forward with his snout, touching it gently to his sister's cheek before watching her disappear into the forest, the calm of solitude falling over him once more.

[Exit Edric]

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da]