The evening fell and the woods around my new home grew dark. Putting Levin down for the first time by myself was definitely a challenge. Having Zoey just downstairs though was a comfort. Though, the reason for her visit was not a happy one. I knew that asking for help probably would not be very considerate of me due to the fact that she was healing someone who was in a more dire condition than a crying baby. Cadenza, as much as I told her it was not necessary, made dinner to help. She insisted upon it, since I was hospitable enough to allow her brother to stay here as he recovered and in turn, allowed her to come and go as she pleased. I truly did not see why she was so appreciative of the action. To me, there seemed to be no other way than allowing Laurance to recover here. I knew how...uneasy it could be to stay in Zoey's clinic. Nothing against her and her practice but, it definitely could cause some anxiety waking up in a new place with no familiarity.

Eventually, I was able to put Levin down for the night and slip out of his room to join Cadenza downstairs in the kitchen. Through all the stress and somber in her life at the moment, I'd excuse any harsh or maybe tense behavior. But, I was shocked to see that when we caught each other's glances, she gave me a toothy grin, saying; "Ah! Aphmau! Just in time! I just gave a bowl of soup to Zoey to deliver it to Laurance."

"You already finished? How long was I—"

"Not very long. I'm just an expert at this recipe," She winked towards me, turning to grab three more bowls. She was too quick to serve me, guilt of not being quicker rising within me. She placed the three bowls of soup on my table, taking a seat politely. You could tell just by the way the woman composed and held herself, that she was of high status. She quite literally adjusted her spoon besides her bowl to make it look straighter and placed a rag on her lap as a makeshift napkin. She then turned to me, blinking before motioning towards the bowls. "Please, eat. It does get cold rather quickly."

I put on a nervous smile and sat next to her. "Thank you, Lady Zvahl. This gesture is just too—"

"Kind?" She finished, raising a brow. She then laughed, fixing her sleeves before taking her spoon and dunking it in the bowl. "Aphmau, I truly don't mind doing this. In fact, it was a pleasure. I needed the distraction. Plus, I think Laurance was begging for me to step aside. I've been stuck to his hip since he woke up."

She took a sip of the soup, seeming pleased by it afterwards. When I tried it, I was pleasantly surprised as well. The flavors were different from the stuff I usually found myself eating. Though, since Meteli is known for it's farming, I shouldn't be too surprised that she had more elaborate ingredients.

"Still, it was great of you to do this. Especially after the events of today...and I'm sure your brother isn't tired of your company. He probably is relieved to have you here," I assured her, taking another spoonful. "Imagine what would've happened if you weren't here this morning."

"Very true...though I'd be here as quickly as I could. Probably ride off before anyone could accompany me," She sighed, combing back her flaming red hair.

"You two are very close," I said, just stating the obvious. The way she held Laurance after rushing to his side right when she swung open the door, you could tell she would do anything for him. He would do the same for her, no doubt. "It must be so comforting to know that he's back."

"Heh, it is. Though, it'd be better if everything was the same," She said, now just stirring the soup. "I fear that he's really been through something indescribable. Tell me...what were the beings who attacked Phoenix Drop like? I mean, I guess one of them was Sasha, an old friend so calling them beings seems...animalistic. But still."

"I unfortunately wasn't there...but I was told they were beings of some sort of magic. That's the only explanation of them being able to start and have the fire spread so quickly," I explained to her to the best of my capabilities. "Do you think Laurance is—"

"I'm afraid so...why else would they keep him there alive for so long? I want to remain optimistic but, I think what Laurance wants now is honesty. It's a trait and value that he's always held dear...probably now more than ever," She admitted, taking a deep breath. "Luckily, we are privileged enough to have access to any help he may need. I just fear he's never...going to be himself after this. And worse, I can't get upset at him if he does."

I understood what she meant. What happened to Laurance, even if I did not know fully, was probably scarring. Physically and mentally. He was probably tortured and kept on the edge of death for weeks. His wounds and condition scream that conclusion. Laurance may never be able to return to who he was before the incident. He'll carry those memories forever, even after his body healed. It was hard for me to think about it without spiraling, recalling the actions that we did that night when he was taken from this world. I tried to shake those away, knowing well that there was nothing I could have done to help him. But there will always be a part of me that thinks that I could have done something. I guess I just had to do my best to help...just like Rowan said.

Zoey entered the kitchen soon after, looking tired but pleased as she put an empty bowl on the table. 

"Your brother does enjoy your cooking, Lady Zvahl," She said, a small chuckle lacing her voice. "I'm sure in about a week's time, after further examination, he should be strong enough to travel back to Meteli. I'm sure there's plenty of doctors and nurses there that could be more of a help for him anyways."

Cadenza gave her a kind nod, saying; "Sounds wonderful, Zoey, thank you. Though I would hate to leave before the wedding."

"R-Really?" I asked, shocked that she actually would want to remain here longer than she wanted to for something that she didn't have any attachment to.

She though looked at me like it was obvious, saying; "Why, yes! I want to see my hard work in helping this village pay off. I think a wedding would make a true full-circle moment for me. Don't you agree? Though, only if you are okay with us staying longer..."

Zoey and I exchanged a grin, before I said; "Of course. I'm glad you are enjoying yourself here."

"Well, it's hard not to enjoy a quiet town like this. Meteli is my home but, I can't say I agree with the noise," Cadenza laughed. "Now, please, enjoy your food! I don't want it going cold!"

—

Later that night, I was cleaning the bowls that Cadenza had used. I told her it was the least I could do and told her to head home for the night. I also told Zoey to head out, wanting her to get some rest. They had left only moments ago, me humming as I used a bucket of water to rinse off the bowls. Levin had been sleeping peacefully, so no worries there. It let me continue my thoughts with no interruptions, which was nice. It definitely calmed my nerves. Though a couple of thoughts did cause some concern though. Of course, Laurance and my own fucking guilt that I needed to get over. But I was. Slowly but surely. And then, Rowan. He looked close to fearful of the fact that this...Zane Ro'Meave was coming to officiate the wedding between Donna and Logan. Granted, Zoey chalked it up to probably stress. Apparently Rowan gets like this from time to time about certain things. But even the silver-haired elf admits that he looked pale and more worrisome for someone who probably just needs to make sure there's a nice place for the priest to stay. Then Donna said that maybe she only noticed it this time because he wasn't wearing the damn helmet.

Though, remembering what he told me about the Ro'Meaves and his thoughts on them, he probably did not want the man to come near Phoenix Drop in the first place; let alone inside our village. I noted to check-in on him when I had the chance. Unfortunately, with everything going on, our meetings might become rarer the next fortnight. Me with Levin and Laurance's recovery, him helping make arrangements for the wedding and the guests' stay...our plates were pretty full. It reminded me of when I traveled with Laurance, without Rowan. Hopefully I won't grow to miss him like that time...

Thump!

I jumped, hearing the muffled noise. I turned my head in it's direction, it coming from Laurance's room. Quickly, I dropped what I was doing and rushed over there, opening the door. Laurance had fallen off the bed, it seemed, his arm lazily still on the mattress as he was trying to push himself up with the other. He froze though when I entered the room and he immediately said; " Shit , did I wake the baby?"

"N-No, no, he's fine. Are you alright?" I say, urgently as I made my way over to him.

He blinked and for the first time, I was truly able to see his eyes in the candle light. There was a thin overcast, covering his once green eyes. They made them dull, losing their original deep emerald hue. It struck a chord in my heart, devastated at their state.

"A-Aph?" He asked, a bit of disbelief in his tone.

"Yeah, it's me...Zoey and Cadenza went home for the night," I explained, getting close enough to get a better read on what to do. Every exposed part of his body was covered in some sort of wound that I was fearful of actually lifting him myself up onto the bed. It also just occurred to me that these monsters also had the audacity of cutting his orange hair jaggedly up to his shoulders. "Sorry that it's just—"

"You? Aph, I can assure you, I'm not disappointed," He said, a small smile pulling at his lips. His eyes only looked forward, not at me.

"You sure?"

"I'm sure. Trust me," He said, this time a bit softer. It was then I realized I had made the conversation about me.

Wonderful job, Aphmau. I decided to change the subject, saying gently; "Here...let me help you back into bed."

I made the executive decision that his hands seemed to be the best option to help him up. I leaned down and took a hold of them, slowly guiding him up to his feet. Once he gained his bearings again, he still had a grin on his face but his eyes still didn't meet mine. Instead, they went right over my head. But I was touched that he wasn't appalled by my presence.

"So...how are you?" He asked me suddenly.

I shook my head in surprise, replying with; "M-Me?"

"I mean...I heard a bit of what you may have been going through the past few months. It seems you've been busy," Laurance shrugged. "So tell me. Have you been doing well at least?"

"Y-Yeah. Yeah I have. Thanks to you," I told him. I then helped him onto the bed, taking a seat next to him. "If you hadn't done what you did at Brightport, I would be in your position. And for that, I'm extremely grateful."

He softened, sinking into the mattress to say; "It was my pleasure. It's what I vowed to do."

"Do they give guards lines to say or something?"

"W-What? Why?"

"You and Rowan say the same exact things when I'm just trying to say thank you," I say, laughing a bit. I swore, the two of them could write a book of repeatable phrases.

Though, it made him laugh as well. Not loudly as he did before but enough to at least make his smile wider.

"I'll have to confer with Rowan," He sighed, calming down. Then the room went silent, me fidgeting with my hands nervously as well as picking at the fabric of my skirt. I sat there, catching glances of him. The image of him in front of the fire at one of our campsites weeks prior flashing in front of my eyes as if to mock me.

I was starting to feel my emotions start to overcome me. All my thoughts about him and the incident all came to the front of my mind. I just let it spill.

"L-Laurance I am so sorry. You should have never been in that situation. Especially now knowing that the man in the green cloak wasn't e-even the person we should have looked into!" I began, already getting a bit more passionate with my words. My hands were clutching my skirt tightly, my nails probably poking open the fabric. "We could have just ran, like you suggested and then none of this would have happened to you. I am so sorry that I let my confidence get the better of me—"

"Aph, stop," He stated, loud enough to make me pause my rambling. His hand started patting around, desperate to find something. I understood and took it with mine, him letting out an exhale of defeat before composing himself to say; "Listen...these next few months, I'm going to be frustrated...lost and ultimately just confused about life. Before that all happens, I want you to know that now of it is going to be directed towards you. I don't, for one second, wish I didn't do what I did. Because I ultimately did something that I've always wanted to do. That's helping, protecting people."

"B-But Laurance–"

"Sure, life gave me a lot of...shit at this moment. But you didn't. It's not like you wished for me to go there...right?" He gave a twisted smile, showing me he was joking once more.

I giggled before answering; "No...I promise."

"Then, I promise nothing I may say in future that gives off any grievance of any kind is directed towards you," He grinned, sweetly. I, for the first time in two months, saw Laurance Zvahl again. And my chest felt a little lighter. "Besides...I much rather be blind here with you, than be going through anything down there."

He winked for added effect, I assumed. I playfully rolled my eyes, even though he didn't see them himself. He asked though, with a bit of uncertainty in his voice; "I...I did wink right? In the day I can see a bit of light but admittedly I'm a bit lost right now."

I gave him a comforting smile and said; "I'm starting to see maybe why they called you a Casanova."

"It was right in front of me. I had to use it."

That was when I decided to go in for a hug. I was too excited to wait any longer. He accepted it pretty quickly, him embracing me tightly, the two of us just enjoying the moment of solitude together.