Beginning Again (Cont.) }{ {Meeting a Night Elf}

[Reixou]

Reixou's face brightened while he explained about the world he loved, as the stories and memories were all he had left of it.

"Well, you may remember that I said it was easy to detect other Night Elves, when you've been around a lot of them. I lived in the great city; so I was around them all of the time. When I started travelling, I felt the presence of Night Elves a couple times, but never approached either of them. Though," He paused, leaning his head to the side thoughtfully.

"You could be part Wood Elf...It's not unheard of, especially after the destruction of the great cities. Naturally, there were small villages and such that Elves survived in. If your parents were different types of Elves, I would say that they were a Night Elf and a Wood Elf."

Reixou laid down on his back. He had formed a habit of laying down at night, since staying up all night was considered odd.

"Go ahead, ask me anything else. I quite enjoy reliving the old world, and your questions bring up things I have not thought about in quite a while."

The moonlight filtering through the branches was entrancing, and Reixou almost wished that he needed sleep. What a nice feeling...sleeping was. Nothing but your own mind, whirling about in the dark night, forming dreams and fantasies...

[Summerchika]

Her parents could be part Wood Elf? She began to think about that, but was unsure of what to think. If she lived among Night Elves or if she practiced their powers as much as she had seemingly practiced the Wood Elves' powers, would she be just as good?

What of her adoptive parents' heritage? She had no clue or guesses about them seeing as those memories she would rather block than spend time on. And yet, she was so very curious.

"Part Night Elf, part Wood Elf..." she mulled that over. She had many more questions, but one immediate question stood out to her that, by her curiosity's standard, took precedence. When Reixou laid down, it was Ainutsa's turn to tilt her head to the side in thought.

"You say you do not sleep, but does that mean that you cannot sleep? If so, I rather envy you."

Hoping that would not offend him, she bit her lower lip to keep anymore questions like that from spilling out, even if she was very curious for the answer.

A few hours ago, she would not have dared to utter that thought, the Talwyn experience clear in her mind. But with Reixou, she now felt comfortable, almost as comfortable as she felt in her forest. For this, she would be forever grateful. For now, though, it lowered her defenses which was not something she thought wise.

Her other questions were already ready in her mind -- the Wood Elves were a part of her past and the Sun Elves more than intrigued her -- but she did want to know this question's answer before moving on. To her, not ever needing sleep, however fleetingly she experienced it while in the forest, was a gift very much envied.

[Reixou]

"No, sadly, I cannot sleep. I must wonder why you would envy such a thing...I remember when I could sleep, and how peaceful it was. I used to watch Inairayea sleep every night." He smiled, reminiscing.

He looked at Ainutsa, and almost laughed at her peculiar posture. Head tilted slightly, biting her lip in some sort of thinking. Reixou could tell that she had a lot of questions; and was prepared to answer them. He had nothing else to do with his time, so he planned to stay as long as she seemed to be content with his presence.

[Summerchika]

Watching Reixou incredulously as he reminisced sleeping, Ainutsa thought about a peaceful sleep. When had that last happened? She could not recall a time. Her memories before she was eight and was raised by her grandmother were shrouded in darkness; after that time, all she could remember were haunting images not fit for a little girl's eyes. Her dreams had long since turned into night time hells.

When Reixou looked at Ainutsa, the expression on his face made her sit up straight, realizing that she probably did look funny. "Oops." She said, smiling a little.

Shaking her head, she attempted to focus her mind. "I cannot recall ever experiencing a peaceful sleep. All of my experiences of sleep were..." she stopped, not wanting to explain how horrid they actually were. "That is, perhaps, why I ask the forest for strength. I avoid sleeping as much as possible." She explained to Reixou as much as to herself. This was a subject about which she rarely thought. "I do not know for what I envy you more: knowing a peaceful sleep or not being able to sleep."

Pausing only a little after that, she asked another question, half smiling as she asked it. "Is there an Elf or Elves known for not enjoying their sleep?" She hoped for an answer, but was not expecting such an Elf to exist.

Another sudden thought came into her mind and it slipped from her mouth in the form of a question. "Do Wood Elves get energy from the forest as well?" It was not entirely another topic; if she asked the forest for energy to not have to sleep, was it not possible for other Wood Elves to do so as well?

[Reixou]

Reixou was growing fond of this girl's curiosity, amazing him every time she asked another question.

"No, I have never heard of a type of Elf that had troubles with sleep...and I'm not sure if the Wood Elves can draw energy from the forest. I'm sure it would be possible..." He thought upon the matter, crossing his arms on his chest. "I don't really know the specifics of the other races of Elves, other than the general idea of what they do and how they live."

[Summerchika]

Nodding in acceptance of the answer, Ainutsa replied with a grin, "Well you know more than I do." She was glad she had followed her curiosity's push to approach the black figure playing with the minnows. Reixou was a really good friend.

Changing position again, she joined Reixou on the ground at an angle so she could still see his face. She put her hands up, sizing them against the sky. She made a triangle with her fingers, trapping the moon in the middle. By the position of the moon in the sky, Ainutsa estimated that it had to already be past midnight. However, her estimations were not always correct; time had not had a place with her much in the past three or so years.

Continuing her thoughts from before, she spoke. "I ask because my grandmother was the one who helped me further my connection with the forest. She was not an Elf." She turned over on her stomach and rested her weight on her elbows, looking at Reixou's. She wondered if he would have any insight to this, but her questions about Elves seemed more important to her, so she decided to move on.

Before she could voice another question, however, movement near the trunks of the trees in front of her caught her attention. She glanced at Reixou, wondering if he had seen it as well. She had not heard anything, but in this forest at this time of night, that was not so unusual.

Looking back into the trees, Ainutsa made a soft, low, animalistic whining sound to lure whatever was making the movement out of the trees and into the clearing. Her resting places may be mostly traveler proof, but she had not made them animal proof. There was more rustling and a pair of very familiar green eyes flashed before a body was seen.

Suddenly grinning, Ainutsa spoke the animal's name in a purr. "Faolán." She did not move, but beckoned for the fierce and beautiful wolf with green eyes similar to her own to join her. As the wolf slinked into the clearing, she seemed to glare at Reixou before settling near Ainutsa.

Noticing this, Ainutsa nudged Faolán toward Reixou. "Go say hello." she urged, smiling. In response, Faolán nipped her on the nose then grudgingly began to walk toward Reixou. Ainutsa looked at Reixou to see his reaction, knowing that he had a connection with animals as well.

[Reixou]

Reixou sensed the presence of the wolf, but didn't bother getting up, in order to avoid making the animal put up its' defenses.

When Ainutsa called it by name, he smiled; then closed his eyes. For a couple minutes after the wolf had approached him, it paced back and forth, deciding what to do. Reixou peeked a couple times, but did not move.

Faolán's wet nose touched his cheek, and then, cautiously, licked it. Reixou opened his eyes suddenly, and the wolf jumped back slightly, wagging its' tail. Reixou laughed.

"Well hello," He said, sitting up. "I'm not as bad as you originally wanted to think, hm?" He offered his hand for the wolf to smell.

[Summerchika]

Faolán, being a rather cynical wolf, took a while to decide whether or not she liked Reixou or not. This not being the first time Ainutsa had dealt with Faolán's stubbornness, she simply waited and watched. When Faolán licked Reixou, and the jumped backwards a bit, startled by Reixou's sudden movement, Ainutsa knew that she approved. Laughing along with Reixou and Faolán's wolfie chuckle, Ainutsa rested her chin on her knuckles.

Sniffing Reixou's hand, Faolán nipped him casually. She then settled down next to Reixou, keeping a sharp green eye on him. Giving Faolán an expectant look, Ainutsa waited for her to speak. "Perhaps adventuring outside of this forest was not so bad an idea after all." Faolán allowed grudgingly. Her grumpy wolf friend sniffed and yawned. She hated to be wrong.

"Glad to know you approve of my decision." she replied, smiling. She looked up at Reixou. "This is Faolán, first daughter of the wolf clan. She did not approve of my decision to venture outside this forest. But now, she thinks otherwise. She will enjoy your lessons as much as I, though she probably will not show it." She gave Faolán another look as the wolf snorted in amusement.

"That, my dear, will depend on how interesting he is. You may not like to sleep under the moon, but I do. Faolán said this, but Ainutsa knew otherwise. Her and her other close animal friends' sleeping schedules had changed since meeting Ainutsa. Their eyes had changed color as well. This worried Ainutsa, but her friends had long since silenced her worries out of annoyance.

"I have another question. One among many." she amended, grinning and sitting up more on her elbows. "Faolán and I, and many other of my forest friends, communicate without words; we use our minds. You said Night Elves connected with animals. Is that what you meant? Do other Elves have the power to communicate with their minds as well? Do you?"

[Reixou]

Reixou could not help but see the connection between the wolf and the girl; deeper than just a pet-owner connection. They were friends, partners, they trusted each other.

"Well, I don't talk to them like I talk to other people, in words, necessarily; but I understand their actions and can will them to understand mine. I suppose each person has their own way of communicating with them, it just depends on how you decide to communicate." He smiled. "I have a feeling you're a little bit different than most Night Elves I've met, as you were never raised around them, and don't know their norms; and so you were not limited to what you believe Night Elves are capable of."

"But don't change, I don't want you to think that just because you're different that it's a bad thing." Leaning forward, and looked in her eyes. "Don't limit yourself to what others have done. Where would we be if no one dared to be better?"

[Summerchika]

Once again, she was impressed with Reixou's explanation. Nodding, she frowned in thought. Faolán blew out loudly, knowing where Ainutsa's thoughts were going. Meeting Faolán's familiar eyes, she shared a knowing look. She was different from other Night Elves. She knew that, though she had still hoped to not be so different, strange as that sounded. She felt as if she had no place to belong besides her beloved, solitary forest. It was an unreasonable hope, so she decided to discard it.

Still, at Reixou's urging, Ainutsa looked up in surprise; his words had revealed her not-so-fresh worries. She met his light blue eyes as he leaned forward. Unable to withhold a small, relieved smile, she looked at him gratefully. "Where would we be indeed?" she responded.

Another thought along this topic struck her, so she asked it. "Do you have other powers? That Night Elves do not have?"

Faolán shifted position, interested in the answer. She had known that the little girl she had met years ago had been different from most of the travelers she occasioned upon. She had not been afraid, among other things. Likewise, she realized, this red-skinned man was different. Intrigued, she sniffed and brought her head up, attentive.

[Reixou]

Reixou's eyes twinkled at the question. He smiled mischievously.

"Yes...I do. There's one thing in particular that I am fond of having; simply because it is something most others dream about." He placed his fist under his chin, thinking. "But I've told you everything you've asked me...so this time I'll answer by showing you....sometime." Sitting back, he looked again at the wolf. She seemed annoyed; and Reixou could not hold back his small bout of laughter.

"I've honestly never been glared at in such a way, Faolán." His white teeth flashed in the dim light. Reixou poured a bit of moonlight on Faolán, and it sifted through her fur like fog stirred by running horses. She snorted, and shook a bit; settling back down, and rolling her eyes. "Her eyes match yours..." He observed, talking to Ainutsa again.

[Summerchika]

The look in Reixou's eyes excited Ainutsa. Something others only dreamed about? Smiling in anticipation, she awaited his answer. However, his answer was far from satisfying, making Ainutsa's jaw drop. Faolán's reaction topped hers, however.

"Sometime?" Faolán repeated disdainfully, lifting her lips, revealing her sharp teeth. "What a person you've met, Ainutsa." She growled in extreme annoyance. Reixou laughed at the look Faolán gave him, and Ainutsa choked back her own laugh.

Reixou's next actions made her eyes widen. Or rather, it was the words Faolán spoke as he poured moonlight in her fur that made Ainutsa's eyes widen. "Now now, Faolán... she admonished her agitated wolf friend. Finding it difficult to hide her amusement, Ainutsa ducked her head, clearing her throat to keep from laughing.

"You had better show me while Faolán is around, or she may hunt you down to kill you." she said, looking back up with the smile she could not hide. She was in time to see Faolán roll her eyes at Reixou as she settled back down.

In response to Reixou's observation, Ainutsa grew more serious. "Ah, yes..." Recognizing Ainutsa's worried tone, Faolán grunted in annoyance.

Ignoring her, Ainutsa spoke, trying to keep her tone light. "Faolán's and Ciar's eye color have changed since becoming close with me. A few other animals may be in the process of the change, but those two are the only ones to completely have my eye color. Their mannerisms have changed as well..." she trailed off as Faolán growled at her.

[Reixou]

Reixou's brow furrowed as she explained.

"I've never become extremely close with an animal with the exception of one time..." He looked at Faolán as she growled. Apparently this topic had been addressed between them before; and it looked like the conflict had not been completely resolved.

"What kind of change?" He inquired, hoping that his curiosity wasn't intruding upon anything sensitive.

[Summerchika]

"Well," she started, but was interrupted by Faolán's growl once more. Ainutsa scowled at her interruption.

"What does it matter, Ainutsa? Leave it alone." This topic both she and Ciar believed to be too much trouble than it was worth. It distracted her too much, in their opinion. Their argument that they did not mind was sound, but it still worried her. They would become ostracized by their own if she was not careful. She did not want to be the cause of that.

Ignoring her once again, Ainutsa continued, looking at Reixou. "They do not sleep. They sleep more than I do, but their schedules have progressively changed since we met years ago. They are more intelligent, as well. I mean, the animals of this forest are intelligent to begin with, but these two are... exceptional. It has been a progressive process and... I believe that it is still progressing." she confided. "I am afraid..." Shaking her head, she could not put to words for what she feared.

Searching Reixou's eyes for understanding, she felt bad to reveal her worries to him. He did not need anymore worries. However, Ainutsa trusted Reixou and his opinion. "The animal you were close with... Was it similar to this?" she asked, thankful to have someone in whom she could confide.

[Reixou]

"They don't sleep....they are more intelligent..." He repeated, as she spoke. Noting Faolán's generalized annoyance with the topic, he replied.

"Well, not as much as it seems Faolán has; but yes, to an extent. But I was forced to part with them before I really started to think about it. It was a long time ago..." He looked at his hand, at his red skin.

"But what are you worried about?..." He looked at Faolán with a touch of sadness in his gaze, while communicating to her that he was only concerned about it because he wished to help.