[Gil'dae Cheb] Oh brother... (Erai, Pre-Veil & GF'd)

[Larien Gil'dae]

29th brightening of the month Imperos, in the Season of Autumn
Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum.

Soft footsteps whispered along the carpeted hallway as Larien paced along in front of a rather nondescript door. There was nothing special about that particular door. There was no apparent reason for the young elven woman to be pacing in front of it while looking slightly flustered as she chewed on her bottom lip and twirled her slender fingers in her long auburn locks. But Larien knew that behind that door was her newly discovered half-brother Eraisuithon... which, given the recent turn of events that had gifted the maiden with this knowledge, was more than enough reason to be pacing. The silken skirts of her blue gown shushed around her ankles as she moved back and forth, prowling gracefully upon the rug with her slippered feet. Her hands slipped easily down the front of the dress as she smoothed out unseen wrinkles, her fingers caressing the tight bodice that hugged her form, the full skirts, and the brocade panel embroidered in threads of silver. Her nervousness showed in the slight heave of her chest above the square neckline as she took in air in short, almost forced breaths and in the way her pulse fluttered frantically in the hollow of her throat.

Swallowing hard against her nerves, Larien finally paused in her pacing and moved purposefully -- though slowly -- towards the door. Balancing on the balls of her feet, she remained posed for many moments with her hand balled into a fist hovering above the wood as though she was about to knock. Indeed, that had been her original intention, but as the moments dragged on, the young woman lost her resolve and, rocking back onto her heels, promptly turned around and continued in her pacing. What was she to say to him? There were so many questions she wanted to ask... so many things she wished to say that their brief meeting the darkening before had not allowed for. But she was frightened. Not of Erai himself, no, for he didn't seem to resent her as Eladrian had, but rather of the situation.

Well, to be perfectly honest with herself, Larien had no idea why, exactly, she was frightened. Her thoughts were nothing more than a jumbled mess and her emotions were hardly better off. All she knew was that she had a brother behind that door... and she had to talk with him.

Swallowing her nerves once more, Larien turned about and, without pause, marched right up to the door and knocked. Once. Twice. Three times. With the hardest part finally done, the young woman released her held breath in a soft whoosh before folding her hands in front of her body and waiting with a barely contained impatience about her person. It hadn't occurred to her yet that there might be a chance Eraisuithon had yet to awaken on that brightening -- the maiden had gotten into a habit over the eras of waking up rather early in order to get in her ride before the heat set in during the hotter months -- though hopefully he was up and about. If it was not the case, then the next few minutes would probably be quite embarrassing for the young elven woman. Thankfully, though, she was quite used to embarrassing herself -- what with her random outbursts of honesty -- and would be able to take any such embarrassment in stride.

Hopefully.

[Eraisuithon Gil'dae]

Sleep did not come easily to Eraisuithon. Long, sleepless nights had plagued him for as many eras as his memory stretched. His insomnia had been been with him since his childhood, he could remember the irritation it had caused then and it was just as vivid now. And when he did- by some blessed chance- manage to fall victim to his exhaustion and catch a shallow sliver of reprieve it was usually riddled with strange dreams.. and he would often wake with less energy than he had when he had managed to succumb to unconsciousness. Such was his misfortune, and after one hundred and twenty nine eras of life he had become used to it. However the opposite had been reality the darkening before. He had arrived at Starshadow keep and had been offered a bed- the elf shifted under the silky sheets remembering the evening prior- and not more than a few minutes after he splayed himself on the comfortable mattress he had drifted off into a dreamless rest unlike he had ever experienced before. Sleep was one of the most insignificant little things to most people, but the pleasant rest he had gotten last night was better than any gift he had received before.

He didn't know what he was doing at Gil'dae Cheb. Quinnor was not there, and it was he who he sought in coming. Yet, he had no idea what he would of said or done if Quinnor had been.. Perhaps it was best that his father was nowhere to be found, perhaps it would be best if he just departed now early in the morning and pushed from memory all that had transpired during his stay. He could pretend it had never happened and forget anything to do with family now and forever. It would be easier than before. Now that he knew that Quinnor was gone, he would not think anymore about the possibility of having a father. He wondered whether that would of changed anything anyway. But then the reason why he couldn't leave came to him. He remembered why he decided to stay in the first place the darkening before. Larien. He had a sister. A half-sister, but that made her a sister nonetheless. He had felt a connection with the beautiful girl, he felt as if she understood, as if she was the only one that would be able to. And within the deep inner recesses of his being he hoped that here he might find someone to love and someone to love him, a ridiculous and idealistic notion, but one he could not throw easily aside. His illegitimacy had pained him like never before when he first saw the Cheb in all it's grandeur. It was so very magnificent and beautiful. He would stay for a little while he resolved. If they would have him, he would stay..

The elf slowly alighted from his bed and began to dress knowing he would not be able to fall back to sleep. A silent prayer of thanks was on his lips as his deft hands slipped a silken chemise over his fragile frame and as he pulled on a pair of his finest black silk breeches accented by their snug white leggings. From his luggage he took a white satin waistcoat with golden trim which he buttoned. Erai abstained from attiring himself further in the formal tailored coat and cravat which he might of worn, he was trying to look worthy of the place although he did not want to appear as if he was overly trying. He yearned for acceptance.

The unexpected knocking startled the elf. It was early in the brightening and far to early to warrant most getting up. Thoughts rushed to his head as he unconsciously tried to pat down his unkempt raven locks while he strode towards the door. They were probably going to serve him breakfast and then ask him to leave, or perhaps a servant had been sent to tell him his horse was ready, or maybe- "Larien" he spoke quietly.

[Larien Gil'dae]

Larien felt her breath catch as Eraisuithon answered the door, looking rather fine in his outfit of silk and satin with golden accents. So strange were her feelings for him, so unlike the resentment she had felt for Eladrian, her other half-brother -- and the feeling had been mutual. There was an almost obvious fondness in her pale green gaze as she looked upon the other... a fondness that was made rather apparent as the young elven woman lifted herself up to plant a quick kiss on her brother's cool cheek. They had not even known each other for a full brightening, and yet, she felt as though she had known him for much longer. It was truly odd, that she would not deny... but no words would be able to describe the emotions thrumming through her heart as she stepped back to allow the other to step from his doorway if he so wished. She had admitted to herself through the candlemarks of the sleepless darkening that she needed him and she sensed that perhaps he needed her as well. As much as she loved her cousins, there were some things they could not understand, some things they did not know... how it felt to be a bastard being the top of the list. It was one thing to be born to privilege, and something completely different to be merely accepted to it.

"I apologize for the earliness of the candlemark... I usually take rides through the Tawnleaf at this time, so I'm used to rising early." Despite her apology, the fact that Erai had already been dressed when he had answered the door hinted at the fact that she had not been the thing that had awoken him from slumber. "I trust you slept well? I'm afraid I didn't get much sleep myself... I had much to think about." The candidness of the young woman's words held an almost rambling quality to them, though indeed, it was merely Larien being Larien. Her inability to be untruthful or deceitful also meant she usually revealed more information than she should. But it could not be helped... not until Larien finally realized that she wasn't in fact cursed, but that it was all in her head. Alas, that brightening would probably not be for many many more eras to come, if such a brightening ever came at all.

"I remember when I first came to the Cheb... I was so scared... and a little resentful, yes. My mother had not known the identity of my father, you see. Except she remembered his eyes." Larien gazed into Erai's sapphire eyes with her own pale emerald -- those eerily light green eyes she had received from their father. "One of our cousins, Motito," the young woman stumbled quietly over his name, "who is sadly no longer with us on this plane was actually the one to find me and tell me of my father. Quinnor apparently had been aware of my birth and had written to his brother, Motito's father, about it." The smile she gave Eraisuithon was wry but also slightly apologetic. She had always assumed one of the reasons Eladrian had resented her had been that Quinnor had been aware of her, whereas he had not known about his bastard son. Well, now sons. Not for the first time, the elven maiden wondered how many other Quinnor bastards there were out there in the empire. Was it just them? The bastard trio? Or were there others?

Laying her hand gently on his arm, Larien released a soft sigh from her lips. "I'm sorry... this is not the best of conversations to have right after waking. It just kept me awake for most of the darkening and so it's on my mind... but, where are my manners? Are you hungry? Come, have some breakfast with me." The smile she gave the other was warm, if not a little shaky. It was always difficult to talk of her illegitimacy aloud, even to another who could sympathize and understand. Actually, Erai was the first she had openly spoken to about it in a few eras... and, he was the first who could sympathize and understand. It was a strange feeling... but then again, so were many that Larien had been experiencing as of late.

[Eraisuithon Gil'dae]

Eerie emerald orbs consumed Eraisuithon's field of vision as he returned his sister's gaze with shimmering sapphire. He felt strangely at ease alone with this elf and for a few moments was silent and still, before she kissed him. A rosy tinge spread across the Syl'rosyans normally ashen cheeks, his eyebrows arching in surprise before he shifted his head to look away. The slight show of affection had come as a surprise and he was still reeling from the foreign feeling of lips against his skin as she made her apology for rousing him so early. Who was this elf? He had never laid his solemn eyes upon her visage before the brightening before but it was as if he knew her intimately for the simple fact they were kin and both born of misbegotten passion. He could not understand it. He had come to terms with the trait that they both shared long ago- although some pain seemed to be swelling up again. It could of been the searing pain of loss for his mother, but it was probably the woeful realization of what could of been. What fate had deprived him of.

"It is alright, I was already awake.." He said quietly, glancing to meet Larien's eyes now and again but hesitant to fixate his gaze fully upon them. "My sleep was incredible" he conceded unable to show his thoughts by use of any other word. "I.. have not slept well for a very long time." That she had not slept well, likely because of his sudden apparition, made him feel guilty. But she cared about him. He could feel the emotion in her voice and see it in her actions and it left him perplexed and wracked to the core with confusion. He couldn't understand and didn't know *why* she cared, And he didn't know how or if he was supposed to return it either. After all, he had no idea how the rest of House Gil'dae would receive a second bastard child. If they would receive him at all.

He listened without posing any interruptions to her as she recalled her own story. He could sense how hard it was for her to speak the words aloud, to vocalize feelings and words that she had carried quietly within herself for a very, very long time. He understood. He knew how it felt. "It's alright, Larien." He nervously took her hand and offered her fingers a delicate little squeeze between his own. He wanted to comfort her somehow and it was the only way he perceive. "Yes, lets go eat some breakfast.."

[Larien Gil'dae]

A shy smile touched Larien's lips as she watched the blush paint itself across Eraisuithon's angular face. It had been long since last she had had someone to give her affection to... she hadn't realized how much she had missed it. Simple, innocent, delicate touches... how she loved such things. A tender caress, a soft kiss, a warm embrace -- she had once thrived on such interaction, had once practiced it as an active part of her life. Not a brightening had gone by, a few eras ago, that Larien had not been met with such physical contact and had returned it in full. But everything was different. Everything had changed. Telath had changed. Those she loved had changed. She herself had changed. Like winter's chill clinging to the land, a numb coldness had taken reign over her heart, driving all warmth from her being until she was nothing but a shadow of her former self. Hardship, heartbreak... it had all been too much for the young woman to bear.

But... slowly, very slowly, she had started to warm once more. She had smiled again. She had relearned to laugh. The Tawnleaf had known her song. It was an achingly slow process, and a painful one at that, but maybe one brightening the elven maiden's life would take on some sense of normalcy. Maybe, one brightening, she could truly be happy again. Eraisuithon was a start... this strange elven man who had come into her world so suddenly... her brother. "Thank you..." The feel of his cool fingers slipping into hers was a comfort -- one that she didn't take for granted. Returning his gentle squeeze, Larien then led the way down the corridor, her footsteps silent upon the rugs. As they descended the stairs, the young woman chewed on her bottom lip lightly, her mind dancing with the questions she held in her thoughts. There was much she wanted to speak with him about... but where to begin?

A smile touched her lips as she was suddenly struck with an idea. Glancing towards the other from the corner of her eye, she lilted softly to him, "I have something to show you," before saying nothing more on the subject. He would see soon enough. To the kitchen they went, Larien leading the way into the bustling frenzy that always seemed to be present within the room. Keeping to the doorway so as to remain out of the way, the young woman flagged down one of the kitchen staff in passing. "Could we take our breakfast in the Quicksilver Hall?" The girl smiled and nodded, saying that it would be delivered shortly. Smiling in return, Larien turned back around and promptly led the way out of the kitchen and back to the entrance hall. "Quicksilver Hall is my most favorite place in the whole Cheb," she explained over her shoulder as she started towards an opening to the side of the stairs... except instead of leading up, this corridor led down.

Perhaps one of the most frivolous places in the Starshadow Keep, the Quicksilver Hall is the location used for ultimate relaxation and the feeling of getting away from everything. At the far end of the entrance hall of Starshadow Keep, the underbelly of the building opens up to a lavish foray where the family and any they invite can gather informally. To the left is a moss-covered tunnel with soft walls of smooth stone. The edifice is polished from constant moisture and water trickling, while pocks in the walls have created small homes with a lifespring of moss and lichen. The tunnel is of the purest green, stretching nearly a hundred feet. There was a slight degrade in the ground, alluding to the sensation that one is traveling deeper into the earth. On the other side of the tunnel a vast hall opens up to reveal even more elven architecture. Cool air blasted through. Pillars fifty feet high reached up to grope the dirt and stone ceiling. Roots had coiled down the stone carvings, and some have great hanging gardens blanketing over a clear pool of crystalline water. Laughingwater flowed into this pool, and in this pool was a small canoe, able to fit no more then four. One could easily paddle up the Laughingwater to another location along it if desired, though deeper in was a small grate that would have to be lifted to allow one to pass through to the main flow of Laughingwater. This whole was yet another extension of it created by none other then Siluvanade himself. This signature location was one common among his designs. Almost identical in design to a similar location in Moonwillow, this one however also contained tables with books, as well as a few instruments if any of the escapees wished to try their hand at one of them. Along the edge there are tables with incense, perfumes, and salves. Pillow piles litter the stone edges along the pool, and many several more plants shaped to be seating arrangements adorn the location.

Downwards she went, glancing over her shoulder to make sure Erai was following before descending deeper beneath Starshadow and into the Quicksilver Hall. Despite how many times she had been within the place, her eyes still lit up as she followed the line of the pillars upwards, taking in the grandeur of the place. To her, it was one of the crowning achievements of the keep... beauty and comfort molded into one to create a perfect place to lounge or entertain. Or take breakfast. Kicking off her slippers and pushing them out of the way with her pale feet, Larien then settled herself down into one of the seats shaped from the plants located there, her legs tucked beneath her. Smoothing out her blue skirts, the young elven woman glanced upwards towards her brother, an amused smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Welcome to the Quicksilver Hall." No sooner had she sat down than the servant girl from the kitchens entered, carrying a tray laden with food for the two. Larien's mouth watered appreciatively as she took in the sight of the pastries, bread, butter, and jam. The pot of elfin tea was especially noted by the young woman as well. "Thank you," she murmured, smiling to the girl before the young thing excused herself from their presence.

The tray had been set on a low table between Larien's seat and one across from hers where Erai could sit if he so chose. Leaning forward, the elven woman carefully poured herself a cup of the hot tea before moving to pour one for Eraisuithon as well. It was her favorite drink. Handing Erai his cup, she then leaned back in her seat, cupping her mug in her pale hands before taking a delicate sip. Her pale green eyes sparked happily as she gazed at the other over the rim of her cup. "I hope you're hungry," she lilted with a soft laugh, setting her tea down on the tray before she snatched a pastry for herself. It was flaky and warm and smelled delicious... how had she survived before living in the Cheb? Taking herself a big bite, Larien savored the taste as she chewed slowly, her expression thoughtful as she regarded Eraisuithon. Swallowing, she continued to watch him with her curious yet intent stare for a few more moments before gracing him with a warm smile once more. "There is still so much I do not know about you... and yet I feel as though I've known you forever." It was a rather bold and forward thing to say, but such was Larien's style.

OOC: Gahhh sorry about the length x.x'

[Eraisuithon Gil'dae]

It had been too long since Eraisuithon had felt the warmth of a loving touch, or the simple pleasure of an embrace or other demonstration of affection. In terms of love there was a gaping hole in Eraisuithon's life. His mother had been one of the few to ever express it towards him. If he shut his eyes and strained to remember, he could feel her caresses, fingers stroking through his locks and her melodious tone. The only other family that he knew of had disowned them long before, and they had been the only ones to care for each other. It had been like that for eras, throughout his childhood and adolescence as they dwelt quietly deep within the forested realm of the Tawnleaf.

Since the fated moment of her parting, melancholic indifference and a dull disinterest had welled up within his soul. Features turned somber and thoughts irrational and dark. He could not readily remember what initial thoughts had sped through his mind but words would not of been able to conjure the emotions he had felt when she had died beside him. He had known though, immediately, that everything would be different from then on. His link to elven society could of been- would of been if he had not been imparted knowledge of his paternal ancestry, severed at that moment and all ties of kinship and love broken. And they could of been even after that, if his words at Gil'dae Cheb had fallen upon barren ears, but instead he had found something so much better than the certain reclusion from his people that was imminent. He had found Larien, and he knew deep within himself that if he had not stumbled upon her the brightening before he would of been gone already. What would of become him if he had never though, a lonesome elf, living a desolate existence among the deceit and evil of Imperia?

The Syl'rosyan nodded in agreement with Larien and trod behind her lead with noiseless footsteps. He wondered where she was determined to take him, but it would not be so important in actuality. Anywhere would be a surprise- he had never explored the meandering halls of Gil'dae Cheb! Curios eyes scanned the expansive rooms they traveled through with wonderment, and Eraisuithon could not help but notice how stunning it all was. As they passed through the kitchens he realized the scale of the Starshadow was much larger than he had initially perceived.

His jaw only dropped further as they descended upon the fabled Quicksilver Hall. The stunning environment parted the elf's tender lips in amazement as his eyes swept the beautiful place that was more like a magical forest glade than a room within an elven home. He swiveled around in spot to admire it all, several time in a circle; the great expansive height and size of the place, and the -stream- that seemed to flow through it. It was wondrous design, a place off of the pages of an ancient fairytale. "Remarkable!" He declared in reply to her greeting, a smile rapidly growing at the edges of his face. It was growing apparent to him how someone could live in pure happiness here, for all their lives, and not grow weary of it.. What a happy existence it could be.

The finely attired elf sat tentatively, relaxing quickly into the fixture of the nature with a smile still prevalent upon his features. "This is really quite the place Larien- oh, yes, of course.." He said, accepting the cup of tea and securing himself a piece of pastry. He took a sip and for a moment felt that he could be purely contented with sitting in the place, silent. His nimble fingers broke apart his piece of pastry and he snatched up a knife to spread a thin layer of colorful jam over top of it's surface. He only ever ate little, but an exception would surely be made this brightening. He felt famished. Sleeping required nourishment, didn't it? The cheer faded a little from Eraisuithon's visage at her words, and for a moment he was struck mute. What she said honored him in a way, and he could only nod. He took another sip of the steaming beverage and swallowed. "I have never felt so at home anywhere like in this place" He conceded. "You and your family have shown great hospitality towards me.. and I thank you..." He bit his lip nervously. "I suppose- I mean" he stumbled, and his forthcoming words were not much more than a passionate whisper. "We share things.. We know, we understand.. Thing that others cannot.." He could of said more, he could of completely bared his heart, but he didn't. There was an entire morning for that.

[Larien Gil'dae]

"They are your family as well," the young woman lilted softly, her pale green eyes riveted upon the face of her half-brother. She remembered what it had been like when she had first discovered her Gil'dae heritage. She had felt like an outsider, despite the kindness of her cousins and the quick relationship she had formed with her first cousin Motito and her second cousin Katerynn. It had taken at least an era -- if not more -- for her to finally feel completely at ease within the elegant comfort of the Cheb, for her to finally feel home, for her to finally feel more like a true Gil'dae and less like a simple bastard of little importance. She didn't expect the process to be any quicker for Eraisuithon, but that didn't stop her from wanting to stress the fact that they were family. To the elfess, a blood bond was the strongest bond imaginable. To Larien, family was the only thing of true importance within the world. "I am your family, toror'." Brother.

The smile she gave the other was full of warmth -- a warmth that wavered slightly at his impassioned whispering, but was soon replaced with a quiet intensity of her own as she sat forward slightly in her seat. "Yes," she replied simply, her own melodious voice little more than whisper. "I know..." the elven maiden continued, her eerily light green eyes burning with emotion from behind her dark eyelashes. "I know what it's like to feel lost... to feel like you have no one to turn to... nowhere to truly call home... no one to love... and no one to love you." Many eras ago, when Larien had first learned of her illegitimacy, she had abandoned her home of Natura and turned her back on her mother, the lying Encalyme who had kept the secret of her daughter's conception even from her own husband, Quendil. Larien's travels had taken her halfway across the Empire and back again before she finally learned who her father actually was, for Encalyme had not known herself. It hadn't been until the young woman had been accepted into the Gil'dae fold that she had begun to feel as though she had a place in Telath again.

"But, Eraisuithon..." his name rolled off her tongue like the bubbling waves of the Laughingwater flowing through the Quicksilver Hall. "You are not alone." The intensity in her gaze softened somewhat as she continued to gaze upon the other, the softest of smiles turning her lips upwards. "You will always have a place here, with us... you will always have a place with... me, if you so wish." Her tea forgotten for the moment, the young woman merely held the delicate cup in between her slender fingers, the heat of the liquid warming the palms of her hands as she kept her attention riveted upon her brother. She did not know the nature of his heart. She did not know if his thoughts turned towards darkness or towards light. She did not know what dealings he might be involved in within the intoxicating danger of Imperia. She did not know his past. She barely knew his present. In all truthfulness, she knew virtually nothing about the other. Yet, it made little difference. He could have been the most infamous of criminals. He could have been the darkest of personages. He could have been the most loathed creature in all the Empire. And still...

"Lle caela amin mela." You have my love.

[Eraisuithon Gil'dae]

Larien's declaration stunned the confused elf only into more silence. Was it that easy? All he had to do was show up claiming to be a Gil'dae and he would be accepted with open arms? It couldn't be like that- he shook his head unconsciously. He didn't believe it, because it was too easy. Life wasn't ever that easy. People weren't that easy. And elves certainly weren't either. His mother had taught him many things herself and one of the most important points she had been determined to relay was to be careful and not to trust blindly. It sounded paranoid, like the tutelage of some sinister matron deep within the earth over the teachings of a lightborn, but it had been a very well stressed point. She had seen how people could turn, people that had claimed to love you too. It had happened to her. Was she not abandoned by her family and set off to live in reclusion in shame, for defiling a house by mistakingly succumbing to the lulls of a tempting passion? One slip and she was stripped of everything. By her parents. Who could of loved her more?

He shifted uncomfortably as she called him brother. He had so many emotions in conflict with each other, battling within the confines of his mind. So many emotions and so many thoughts and he did not understand how they could all fit inside his head. He wanted that love, he wanted that gaping hole filled, he wanted to feel accepted. And faintly he felt that the opportunity for all of that was before him.. But.. He was weary. He felt tired, and conflicted by everything, raging torrents of opposing feelings. He wanted to believe. But he couldn't just relinquish everything yet. Not now. He smiled weakly towards the elfin maiden as she recounted her own coming to Gil'dae Cheb.. Her reality eras ago seemed to be parallel with his own current existence. He was still struck by her, no less than he had been yesterdarkening. He tried to swallow and found he couldn't. A shaky hand curled around the tea cup and drew it to a pair of trembling lips. The steaming liquid eased his throat, but he only could manage a nod.

He made an effort to look her in the eyes. Her gaze felt uncomfortable on his skin, but when it softened he felt as if a gale had subsided into a pleasant summer breeze.. Any resolve he held was weakening with each word she spoke and he couldn't help but feel his facade of strength and nobleness weakening. It was false strength. A false nobleness, if any. Her complete and utter acceptance, the tone and sincerity of her voice.. Only succeeded in ripping him apart further. He felt unwelcome tears welling up, betraying his pretended facade. For a few moments he tried to repress them but he couldn't stop himself once her last sentence penetrated his stubborn ears. He dropped his eyes. A stinging tear rolled down cheek, leaving a trail across his pail skin before dropping to the floor and nothingness.

"Seler'amin.." He chocked. "Vanimaseler.. Amin mella lle.." My sister, beautiful sister, I love you.. It all came as a weak mumble, and a faint hint of red began to color the elf's cheeks.

[Larien Gil'dae]

Larien hadn't been prepared for Eraisuithon's response. Even from where she was seated, she could see the lone tear trailing across his reddening cheek. But he had said the words she had most needed to hear: Amin mella lle. Placing her tea cup on the table in between them, the young woman remained leaning forward, her pale green gaze averted. She couldn't bring herself to watch him cry... especially when she felt that she was the reason for his tears. Entwining her fingers, Larien pressed her thumbs against her pouting mouth as she dared a quick peek up at her brother. He looked even weaker in those moments than he had when the elfess had first laid eyes on him the previous darkening -- more like a sickly child than a grown man. It tore at her heart strings.

She couldn't bear it.

Rising from her seat, Larien walked slowly towards Eraisuithon, her eyes trained upon his face to see how he would react to her sudden approach. It did occur to the young woman that she might be pushing him too hard... that she might even be forcing herself on him... but she couldn't help herself. She couldn't stand to see his tears.

Carefully, delicately, the young woman lowered herself onto the seat beside the elven man, perching on the very edge as though she didn't dare lean too close into him. The blue silk of her gown shushed softly as she adjusted her legs, her knee pressing up against Eraisuithon's for a few moments before she shifted slightly away from him. She didn't want to be overbearing. She didn't want to be forceful with her affections. She would take things slow. Pale green eyes flashing upon the features of her brother, Larien cautiously reached her hand out towards him to place her pale fingers upon his back, moving them in a rubbing motion along there. No words passed from her lips, for she had nothing to say... only silence. Silence and gentle contact.

[Eraisuithon Gil'dae]

Eraisuithon did not see Larien stand up and come towards him. His eyes had fallen to the floor by then and remained locked on the ground as if he did not deserve to look upon his sister while he was in such a state. His cheeks had turned a distinct shade of rose, while a few tears seeped through his averted eyes. He could not master himself despite several attempts at pulling himself from the ignoble outburst. Instead a small trickle of tears ran down a face usually ashen. He felt thorough disgust with his unbecoming behavior, but the happening was unavoidable. So many emotions had been roused in the last brightening that had been pent up for far too long, and too many troubles and hurts had been stirred. What was happening was inevitable but it did not stop the elf from launching a mental tirade upon himself that could of turned a small trickle into a burst levy if something unexpected did not happen such as it did.

Larien's hesitant touch was almost too much. The small demonstration of.. love.. was as powerful as the most eloquent and reaffirming words. And slowly the fact made itself known.. Eraisuithon needed Larien. The brother required his sister more than any other sibling could ever possibly. What was life without family? Without love? What was existence without these small trifles that could not ever actually be assigned a value? An embrace or a loving touch.. Nothing could compensate for them. The Syl'rosyan buried his face in his hands and exhaled deeply, enjoying the touch of his sister along his back and slowly regaining any measure of composure that he could.

He still couldn't bare to look upon Larien's gentle visage, but he sat upwards and removed a lightly colored handkerchief from his pocket. Eraisuithon wiped away as much evidence of the salty tears from his face as he could with the cloth before returning it to it's place and staring off into the depths of the Quicksilver. The environment was beautiful and calming in all of it's aspects. The laughingwater was as serene as anything the elf could say he had seen, and although it seemed the hall was under the dominion of nature, it felt like the type of place that someone could easily call home. One could yearn for it while away on a journey or when in some dark place, and know that it was waiting from them whenever they returned.. Pristine and perfect.

"I'm afraid I've made a fool of myself.." Eraisuithon whispered darkly, now taking in his companion's full beauty. "I am sorry Larien.. It is unbecoming of me."

[Larien Gil'dae]

OOC: Gah, I'm so sorry about making you wait this long -_- I ish a naughty elf

IC: With each breath of cool air the young woman took into her lungs, she imagined she was breathing in the sorrow and the darkness she felt radiating from the form of the sickly elven man at her side. With each exhalation, she imagined she was releasing her own inner strength to gift to her brother. Shared pain. Shared strength. Every nerve in her lithe form tingled, acutely aware of every movement, every sigh, every and any change in Eraisuithon, no matter how small or large. He was her entire focus for the time being. The stroke of her fingers along his spine became slow and rhythmic, her fingertips dragging southwards before changing course and brushing north once more. With each gentle touch, she mentally willed him peace -- peace of heart and mind. Larien was not magically inclined by any stretch of the imagination. Her mind was still bound and the only contact she had ever had with magic was when others around her cast it, but that didn't mean that she couldn't mentally will her brother to be at peace. It just meant it wouldn't necessarily work.

"I'm afraid I've made a fool of myself.."

Turning her head slightly so her eerily light green eyes could meet with Eraisuithon's blue as he finally gazed upon her once more, the young woman offered the other a small smile even as she shook her head in response to his words. "No," she lilted softly, her melodious voice little more than a whisper that could have easily been drowned out by the gurgling of the Laughingwater. "I am sorry Larien.. It is unbecoming of me." "No, toror'amin," she repeated, her voice slightly louder and stronger. "There is no shame in tears."

Her fingers kept up their slowly stroking motions even as her eyes gazed deeply into his, almost as though she was trying to penetrate into the depths of his soul. "You should never feel shame when you are with me..." Furrowing her brow, the young woman's pale emerald gaze took on a new intensity as she tried to make him understand. She didn't quite understand her feelings herself, for they were so new and strange, but she could try and explain it to the best of her abilities. "I will never love you any less... no matter what. We're family."