We Shall Overcome...

[seyennaathenial]

Timeframe: Night
Date: Middle of March
Place: New Jersey
Status: For Nuala

She closed her eyes concentrating. For too long she had been in the middle. She knew she needed to make a decision, and that it would be difficult. She loved her Elven kin more than life itself. They were all the family she had…and yet there was the memory of her mother, something very human, inside of her DNA. How could she choose to aide either side in their quest, without destroying a half of herself? She wasn’t sure.

Her eyes, when they opened, were almost more gold than amber in the lightening. It was dark out, and she had come to an open park. She often did this, not only because she loved nature, but because she found she could think and commune with the Earth better, and in doing so she got a better sense of herself. Planting her feet wide, she held a yoga pose and shut her eyes tighter. She felt a ripple of energy across her.

“Yes,” she muttered to herself, “That’s it. Come on.” She knew she was able to lift objects off the ground without touching them, but lately because of the stress she was under, it seemed it was taking more effort than usual. She kept her eyes closed, but she could almost see the object in her head. It was a medium sized flower pot. It would have strained a human back to lift it, and they would need support, but Seyénna lifted it a few feet off the ground without doing so. She frowned however, because only moments after she picked it up, she felt it getting heavy again.

“Why is it only when I am ticked off this works?” She muttered to herself, releasing her yoga pose. Instantly the pot landed on the pavement, a loud clank residing off the pavement. She opened her eyes and walked over to inspect the damage she had done to the pot. “A little crack but nothing much.” She muttered to herself, satisfied. Standing up, she inhaled to calm her frustrations. I must practice again. I must get good at this. Everything depends on it…She thought to herself. If she could cultivate this skill, after all, it might very well save her life and someone else’s on the battlefield. For battle there would be, she sensed somehow, though when and where were still ultimately lost to her.

[olive]

Nuala’s tongue grazed the surface of her ice cream . Vanilla Fudge Ripple, was the flavor, and it was the 7th she tried this week. There was 31 options, and she could see it would take her awhile to complete the task. Sneaking out of the BPRD headquarters was simple enough now, though the first time it was a close call.

She needed a disguise, of course: sunglasses to hide her eyes and paint-like substance called concealer to hide the pallor of her skin. She donned an article of clothing called a hoodie and wore it over a long cotton dress. All black. In all reality, she stood out like a sore thumb, though the employees of the ice cream shop chose to ignore her strange appearance and manner of walking; They would wait for her nearly inaudible selection and hand her a child-sized scoup, nestled in a tiny paper cup. She would curtsy, after paying, and slink out of the shop—the dessert held out in front of her as if it deserved elaborate ceremony.

As she scurried along in the darkness, she wiped at the lower half of her face and lips with a towelette. It took about three to completely clear the make-up. Discarding them into a trash bin on the park path, she smiled at her prize and took hold of the clear plastic spoon.

Now enjoying her treat, she began to take in the night. The cool New jersey night was inviting, and it was nice not to have to hide now. She removed her sunglasses and hood, stashing the frames in the front pocket of her sweatshirt. Rounding the corner, she saw a floating pot and halted. With no weapons, whatever ghost was controlling the pot would have a clear shot at her.
Then it fell and it made her jump—she dropped her ice cream.

“Oh no,” she cursed under her breath, quickly shifting her weight to see what was controlling the pot.

[seyennaathenial]

She heard someone in the distance say, “Oh no,” and curse under their breath. Perhaps a human wouldn’t have, but Ennya heard her none the less, her Elven hearing having taken over for the moment. She looked up swiftly, heart racing, and tried to see who it was. It was dark, but she could see a figure in that darkness.

The woman, (she was assuming it was a woman, since they were smaller than the typical male standard size,) had obviously tried to blend in with humans, which led Seyenna to believe she was not. The woman had pale skin, paler than Seyenna’s even. She wore a dress, all of it black, which was equally odd. Ennya did not know what to think of the creature, for she herself was frightened, because she had met many dangerous people, and always approached things with a sense of caution.

Once she came closer however, she saw the eyes, and somewhere in her mind, she recalled eyes like those. Was it a King? A prince? It had been too long since she had seen the twins – she had been a mere child the last time she saw them, and it had only been for a moment in the crowds. Her mind did not recognize the woman before her. She trembled however, because she sensed the woman to be an elf like her.

“I am so sorry!” She said. “It was not my intention to frighten you!” She saw how the other woman was startled, and tried to make up for it. “My name is Etera Athenial . You seem to be…of a realm like mine.” She did not say elf, to protect them both. Neither did she say her real name, because it was her protection, this false name her grandparents had given her. "May I offer you assistance?" She murmured to her, trying to be friendlier now after giving her such a scare.

[olive]

Nuala blinked, her eyes surveying the young woman before her.

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance Miss Athenial, please forgive my intrusion." Nuala paused, lowering her hood and straightening her posture. Her eyes looked down to her fallen ice cream once more before darting back to the young lady. "I thank you, but assistance is not necessary." she smiled lightly, though remained on her guard. She knew not where this woman's loyalties would lie.

"You are...half?" she asked, tilting her head to the side, surveying the features and taking in what information she could. Nuala had no qualms against the mixing of human and elven blood, but she knew many who did, and so the existence of half-elf offspring where rare and unlikely. She knew stories from both humans and elves of one or the other seducing a female. She recalled the warnings her nurse-maids would give her before she went walking in the forests. This was all long ago however, and humans quickly forgot the existence of their kind.

She also began to wonder how such a union could ever remain in harmony. One parent would be immortal, and the other had a significantly shorter life-span.

"What brings you here, sister?" from the princess' tone, it was evident that she was suspicious.