What Are the Odds? (Elmaryia, please)

[Valan Quinn]

Second Cycle of Optima
Season of Summer,
Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum
Second Era of the Regency of Milo L'Evienne.

Valan took a deep breath into his lungs, staring blankly at the blue sky above him. Archadoon. As a child, he hadn’t never dreamed that he would leave Imperia, much less see the complete other end of the Empire. "What am I really doing here? I don’t have time for this!" he thought to himself. It had started quite a few months ago when he had received a questionable letter from, none other than, his father. He had read it several times over, wondering what it was really about. He took it from his pocket and read it over once more.

To Valan, my son:

Judging by the fact that you haven’t returned, or bothered to send a single message home, you’re either dead, or incredibly selfish. Your mother can’t stop worrying and I haven’t heard the end of it.

Talan, Valan’s father, was always straightforward in that sense. If he could, he would try to slip some derogatory words in there, too. Valan figured that Talan must’ve been born to be a merchant.

I’ve sent copies of this letter all over the Empire, calling in favors from those who I’ve done business with before. And the reason is that I’d like you to do me a favor, Valan. If you do, I’ll overlook the fact that you’ve sold that hovel in Silrosia that I loaned you.

Valan couldn’t help but laugh out loud. "Well, I was wondering when he would find out about that!" It wasn’t until a couple passages later that the letter turned to a complete different tone. Valan skipped to the parts of interest.

There’s something I must tell you, Valan. Something you mustn’t tell anyone, not even your mother. Back in my younger years, when I was not that much older than you, I was involved with two women. Before I had finally settled down and married your mother, I had relations with a woman named Saerunn. I had kept tabs on her for sometime after that, and she told me that she had given birth to two twin daughters. She named them Persephonie, and Nahila.

Valan furrowed his brow every time he read that part. He couldn’t believe it. His father, who acted so above him everyday of his life, had illegitimate daughters. He wasn’t mad at his father for doing such a deed, rather he was upset that Valan had to know about it. He continued reading.

The last that I heard from Saerunn was that the daughters were sent away, but I never got any details. It wasn’t until recently that I had received word that Saerunn had passed away in Archdoon, and that she spoke with one of her daughters. I’m afraid that’s all I know. Since I can’t go myself, and you’re already out and about in the Empire, I’d like you to confirm this.

Valan crumpled the letter casually and stuffed it into his pocket. ”This is stupid. I can’t believe I have to go to Archadoon of all places and clean up my father’s mess.” he grumbled. He pulled a skin of wine out of his bag and laid down on a nearby bench. It was mid-brightening, and according to Valan, a perfect time to sit down and drink. Taking the wine to his lips, he pondered his situation. “What am I supposed to do about this? Am I just supposed to ask around the entire town? This is too bothersome. I won’t do it!” After drinking a considerable amount of his Medonian Red, he stood up on top of the bench. ”For lying to me all this time, Father, this is all you get…”, he then began to yell at the crowds on the adjacent street. “Persephonie! Nahila! Where are you? It’s me, your long-lost brother! Valan threw the crumpled letter to the ground and started laughing hysterically. This situation was ridiculous and he attempted an equally ridiculous solution. After his chest started to hurt, Valan slumped back down onto the bench, staring up at the clouds with a smilie. "What are the odds I'd ever find her?"

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

OOC: Nice

INC: This brightening, Elmayria was enjoying a walk with her companion Arria, whom was a black Aleryian hunter pup. It was mid brightening so a lot of the citizens of Archdoon were out and about. The young woman enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the city. These past two months have changed her life considerably. She had lost her sister, met a friend named Straylor whom she cared for deeply and missed terribly. Then she had found out whom her mother was, and that she did not willingly abandon her. Family she had family and blood ties. Though her cousin was often moody, she was still family, and she was not so much as the ice princess that she intended to be. Oh and her sea elf friend, Ilista such a kind girl, even though she was a little.. lost.

Finally she was beginning to feel happyness and alive. No longer was she the caged bird, she was beginning to truly fly.

A loud voice had interuopted her pleasent thoughts. Sometimes their was a drunken in the beginning of the day, which she often did not pay much attention too. Though it was the names of Persepohnie and Nahila that pulled the thread of her curiosity. How could he know those names? Only my mother knows those names. Who is this drunken idiot?

Soon, the young woman would have her answer much to her dismay. Brother.. Did the drunken lout just profess to be my brother. It was incredilous how would he know. She did not even know whom her father was. Then a cold chill ravaged her soul. What if Saerunn lied to her? Perhaps the woman whom birthed her had known all along who had sired her.

Walking over to the young man with the black hair like hers. Studdying she did see a liking in appearance. " Would you shut up. Unless you wish to spend a day in the jail, for public intoxication. For the love of Diana it is just the beginning of the brightening, and already you are three sheets to the wind. How do you know those names?" She asked as she gently tapped his legs.

" Oh and sit up! If you can manage." Once he did sit up she sat beside him. " Muttering about like an idiot you are. I truely hope that we do not share the same blood. Laughing like a mad man, the guards may send you straight to the asylum." The young woman gently scoulded.

" I was once Nahila, and Persephonie is dead. My name is Elmaryia now." It seemed strange keeping the name that her dark elf master had given her, but Nahila was a more abstract memory, it was something that she could not hold on too. The young woman had known herself as Elmayria for too long. It could not be changed.

[Valan Quinn]

Basking in the embrace of his lover, alcohol, Valan’s eyes began to grow heavy. Seeing a passing cloud that looked somewhat like a dwarf, the young human folded his arms and prepared himself to slip into the plane of dreams. That is, until she showed up. ”Would you shut up. Unless you wish to spend a day in the jail, for public intoxication. For the love of Diana, it is just the beginning of the brightening, and you are already three sheets to the wind. How do you know those names?” This voice halfway startled Valan, whose sluggish eyes burst open and began to look around. He felt a tapping on his leg and at her request, sat up to take a good look at her.

It was a woman, and a pretty one at that. She sat only a couple inches lower than himself. She stared inquisitively back at Valan, but what could she possibly want? “Muttering about like an idiot you are. I truly hope we do no share the same blood. Laughing like a mad man, the guards may send you straight to the asylum.” Valan had enough.

“Oi, don’t preach to me, little missy!” he snapped back. “Sure, it may be just the brightening, but it is summer after all, why not just enjoy yourself?” he said with a smile, but with a mocking tone to his voice.“Those names? He asked. ”Could she have have heard me? There’s no way she could know those people… could she?” “The same blood? Do you mean, you know this Persephonie and this Nahila?”, he inquired. Upon receiving the answer, Valan jumped to his feet in disbelief.

“What?” he said, while crossing his arms. “You’re Nahila?” he said, nearly yelling. ”It couldn’t have been that easy!” He briefly scrambled around the bench area until he found the crumpled letter. Luckily, the wind hadn’t taken it too far. He gestured it clumsily toward the young woman, and said, “I’m here on behalf of Talan Quinn. I’m his son, Valan. I was sent to find the daughters of a woman named Saerunn." he paused. "If you’re her, then does that make me your…?

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

At his outburst, Elmayria rolled her yes in feign annoyance. This man truely was an idiot, which ment he probably was her brother, since that was how her luck swayed. " Oh easy you drunken lout. I am just trying to save you from the loony bin. Though rant some more I am sure you will look quite fitting in a straight jacket." She said in a feint teasing tone.

" Well I doubt very much you will enjoy the headache later from this joyful escapade." She said with faint sarcasim.

When he asked in surprise that she was Nahila, Elmayria raised her eyebrow. " I just said that. My you are drunk, that or incredibly dim witted. Well when yell in the middle of the city, you are bound to get results. Even if it is quite foolish." Talan Quinn so that was the name of her father. So Saerunn did know who he was, but why would she lie to me. These thoughts perplexed her.

She was silent for a moment as she let answers much to her dismay set in. " Yes, my mother was Saerunn which means that you are my brother." With a sigh she stood up. " Well come on. It would be wise to get you sobered up. I have a one room apartment in the city. Let us go their so you can sleep your drunk off. Then we may engage in a less hazy conversation."

[Valan Quinn]

A sister. Up until now, Valan was an only child, but he had always wondered what it would be like to have a brother or a sister: someone to have secrets with, or play with, or fight with. However, it seemed that they would be doing more fighting than anything. “You know what, Elmaryia- or whatever your name is? I don’t think I like your attitude.” He spoke, while drunkenly waving his finger at her. “I’ve only known you for a few seconds and you’ve already called me an idiot, a drunkard, a lout, dim witted, and probably somethin’ else that I can’t remember.” He took the letter that he had in his hand, crumpled it up even further, if that was possible, and threw it into his bag.

“I’ve come all the way from Paxia to chase down this rumor of your existence. And by Ioannes, I must’ve angered the gods ‘cause they dropped you right in my lap!” He stopped for a moment. Though drunk, he realized that was getting a bit out a hand, and took a deep breath. He started to smile again.

“But anyways, dear sister,” he began, while draping his arm around her shoulders, leaning with a considerable amount of weight. “I’ve had such a long journey, and I’m oh so tired. I think I’ll take you up on that offer to stay at your place. I don’t have anywhere else to go, you see.” He gave a long, exaggerated yawn. “Well, lead the way, sis. I’m afraid if we linger here, the guards may be upset that I’ve been drinking.” He chuckled.

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

“You know what, Elmaryia- or whatever your name is? I don’t think I like your attitude.” Said Valan. At his comment, Elmayria could not help but chuckle. " I call what I see, dear brother. Though perhaps I am being a bit too harsh. I do prey though that without the drink you are not so. How should I put it dim witted. Oh and I will take your distane for a compliment. I think I am the only voice of reason."

Indeed he was heavy, as he leaned into her, and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. If he was not drunk she may have shruged off his physical contact. " I think that is a wise decision considering your current disposition. Come on up you go." With that said she stood up, making sure he was steady on his feet. " Mind my dog. If you so much as step on her. I will throttle you to blissful unconciouessness." She said with seriously lined with some humour.

It was quite difficult leading him and walking Arria at the same time. Instead of the five minute normal walk to her apartment it was a fifteen. The young woman was almost tempted to push him down the stairs and let him climb them himself.. Almost. Finaly they reached the door, akwardly she removed her key and opened it. " Well here we are welcome to my abode. So brother what is your name?"

[Valan Quinn]

“The voice of reason? More like the voice of shrew…” mumbled Valan, careful not to say it loud enough to be heard.

Although Valan figured that it was burdensome for Elmaryia to bear the weight of his staggering walk, he didn’t care much. The suns were out, the birds were chirping, and he was feeling good. Tired, but good. He couldn’t help but whistle as they walked through the streets of Archadoon at their snails pace, taking breaks to occasionally stare or yell at attractive passerbys.

“Your dog?” Valan responded, puzzled. He looked down and grinned at the small canine. “Oi, what’s your name, fella?”

It wasn’t long, but longer than it should have been, until the pair arrived at Elmaryia’s home. Valan was tired to begin with, but was exponentially more so after climbing what seemed to be an impossibly large staircase. It was perhaps only one or two moments within the room that Valan sprinted straight for the bed. Jumping on top of it like a schoolboy whose pretending to be asleep, he laid straight back, placing his hands behind his head. “Mine? Valan. Valan Quinn.” He yawned. “You. Do you have a last name, Elmaryia?”

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

" Her name is Arria." Elmayria said as her dog jumped on Valan's legs. " Unlike me she does not find your current state annoying." Indeed the young woman was irritable which was justifiable given the circumstances. "Well I am making sure that you are not sent to jail or the loony bin dear brother so call me what you like." She said with annoyance.

A normal family one where I am loved and missed. That is all I ever wanted. Seeing him flop on the bed she sighed. " You may rest their for now brother, but after our discussion. You can rest on the floor."

Valan Quinn. That is a pleasent name, to bad his disposition does not reflect his name.

" Yes I have a last name, though it is not truley mine. It is Grey these are the names my former dark elf master gave me. Your other sister's name was Elloria when she was alive. Rest now so that we can speak when you are clear headed."

" And when you wake you will read me that letter."

[Valan Quinn]

”Arria, huh?” Valan laughed in delight as the dog jumped up and down in affection. “Oh, you’re a playful girl, aren’t ya?” he attempted to bend down and pet the dog, but ended up only stumbling forward, forcing Elmaryia to pick up the slack. “I have a feeling your only state is annoying”

Making himself comfortable about the bed, Valan pretended not to hear what Elma said. ”The floor? We’ll see about that…”

”Grey?” he spoke, while yawning at the same time. “Well, it’s not… a … bad name… I sup..pose…” It was only moments later that Valan was asleep, his jaw wide open, and his arms and legs sprawled out over the bed. He began to snore a bit, too. It wasn’t a subtle snore, either. It was the deep, gurgling snore you can only get after your drunk. Valan felt himself slip way, deep into the realm of dreams, cutting all ties with the material plane of long journeys, and complaining sisters…

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

While he snored loudly in his drunken slumber, Elmaryia with a sigh sat down on a near by blue overstuffed chair. The apartment was small but comfertable and it was hers. Silently she studied the sleeping form of her brother. Brother The term was so new and odd. It seemed that all of the skeleton's from her past were emerging from the closet.

He did resemble her, similuar noise and chin, and black hair. She could not believe that her mother had lied to her about knowing whom her father was. Her sister and her most of been the outcome of a scandal. It was obvious that her father did not want her, that the birth of Elloria and her were unplanned. From the very beginning even before her birth she was unwanted.

I will get my answers soon. Four hours later, her brother had still not roused from his drink induced slumber. This was causing the thread of Elmayria's patience to strain thin. Sighing she got up from her chair and walked over to the bed. She then proceeded to shake him gently. " Come on you have been asleep for four hours. I am sure that the affects of the wine have worn off. I have been more then patient. So get up."

[Valan Quinn]

It had seemed like only moments that Valan had rested his head on the pillow, that he was being pestered once again. “Come on, you have been asleep for four candlemarks.”, said a soft, but persistent voice. He could feel someone shaking him.

“Eh… go away…” he mumbled, attempting to burrow his own head into the pillow like a rodent.

“So, get up.” the voice commanded. Valan grunted, and then sloppily complied as his torso rose slowly to an upward position in a way that was reminiscent of Frankenstein’s monster. His pitch black hair was sticking out on end. The young man turned to look at Elmaryia, if you could call it looking. It seemed as though his eyes were barely open.

Valan lifted his left wrist to his mouth, wiping away the drying saliva from the corner with his shirt sleeve. Even in half-consciousness, he had the energy to move pucker his lips in annoyance and say, “Yes, Elmaryia. What do you need right now, that can’t wait?” He rested his right hand gently upon her head in a very sibling-like manner. He didn’t seem to care what she though about it.

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

Seeing his unruly hair, Elmayria could not help but chuckle. Raising a hand she smoothed out the side of his hair that was sticking out. " Now you even look like a mental patient, minuse the ranting of course." Elmayria said in a joking manner.

" No I am afraid that I will not go away. You have been sleeping for four candlemarks, that is long enough. After all once can not expect to make a scene in market square and then tell someone that I am your long lost brother. Oh such drunken induced dramatics today. I think that you may even have a knack for the theater."

With a sigh she took his hand off her head. " I trust that you are perhaps one or two erras older then me. I am eighteen." Valan was acting like how she imagined an older brother would with humour and faint annoyance. She had just met him and he was determined to bother her so. Though she was starting to like him and find him not so bothersome... Not that she would admit it for the moment.

" Well now that you are more alert, dear brother we may have a conversation.. Without the sluring and in and out of conciouessness of course. So tell me how did you find out about me? I trust that my sister and I were the outcome of some lustful scandle. I assume that your father sent you, and if I was a beating woman I bet that he was married at the time, when he sired my sister and I?"

[Valan Quinn]

Valan abruptly crossed his arms in a proud manner while Elmaryia smoothed out his unruly mop. "Gosh, what a 'sisterly' thing to do.", he thought. It was somewhat a relief. Up until now, she reminded him more like a concerned, and slightly annoying mother. It was good to know she had a pleasent side, too. He desperately tried to repress the smile that appeared on his lips.

"Yes, yes, nineteen, for me. Although these eras pass to quickly, I'd say."

"For the theater? Does she really have to make a remark like that every time she speaks to me?"

He chest rose as he took a deep breath before responding. "Remember that parchment I had when you met me? That was the letter from my... our father that instructed me to come here. Truthfully, sister, I don't know much. I only know as much as that letter entails." Valan jumped up from the bed as his eyes quickly scanned the room. Finding his bag on the floor, still in the same spot as he had tossed it when he entered, the thrust his hand into it's contents. Rummaging around for a moment, he pulled out his tightened fist. In it was the crumpled letter from his father. Valan walked casually over to Elmaryia, still on the bed. He handed the battered note to her, averting his eyes over to the wall. "Here...", he said. "Read it to your heart's content. I'm done with it"

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

Ah.. So he is older and quite determined to play the role of older brother. It seemed that her brother did not understand her sarcastic humour as of yet. Well he would soon. The words that she often spoker were not ment to be hurtful or cause offence. One would say that she did not have a filter or the ability to soften her words, especially when she spoke her mind or the truth. No she prefered the cold truth of a meaning rather then fluffying her words to make them more socially acceptable or kinder.

" How could I forget it? I was going to rifle through your things, though despite what you think I do have a slight sense of being proper." Also I have not completed my reading lessons with Straylor. While she knew some words she did not have the ability to read a full sentence. This was the only reason why she showed some sense of propriety.

" Struggling to say our father hmm? Well it must be a challenging thought for you. After all you probably had a high moral picture of your father, then find that he had strayed. Ah lies are a tangled web we weave, and like the fly we often get caught in them." Elmaryia said as she shook her head and took the piece of parchment. Smoothing it out she handed it back to Valan. " Well if I could read Valan I would. Unfortuantly I was not given that opportunity. My former master prefered to keep his slaves dumb and complient. Though fortunatily Nan who was a servant to my master, used to be a tutor. I learned everything but reading. So you are going to have to indulge my lack of education by reading it to me."

[Valan Quinn]

"My things? Well, to be honest I wasn't really worried. You don't seem much like the person to do that. And plus, I don't have much to my name." he stated, as he began to raise right hand. "There's some old wine- you wouldn't want that, some woodrose- that either, my cloak and my clothes- even I wouldn't touch those!" he laughed. But then as he listened to Elmaryia continue, he sighed.

"Yes, our father. Well, I wouldn't quite say high... or moral, but I did at least recognize him. He's a merchant, you see." Valan cleared his throat. "He's involved in community affairs, mantains a nice boat- but he's a jackass. He has a terrible habit of looking down on other people, including myself." He began to speak in a slightly softer tone. "That's why I had something to prove to him, although, I'm not sure if it's worth it anymore."

"Oh, you can't read?" The statement shocked Valan. He was just starting to remember now that Elmaryia had said that she used to be a slave. Although slavery existed in some parts, he had never met one, or anyone who owned one for that matter. He reluctantly took the letter from the young girl, and whined slightly from within his throat. "Fine." He began to read the letter, although he skipped most of the beginning, since he found it a bit embarassing. Valan accenuated the parts of interest.

There’s something I must tell you, Valan. Something you mustn’t tell anyone, not even your mother. Back in my younger years, when I was not that much older than you, I was involved with two women. Before I had finally settled down and married your mother, I had relations with a woman named Saerunn. I had kept tabs on her for sometime after that, and she told me that she had given birth to two twin daughters. She named them Persephonie, and Nahila.

He stopped reading a moment to let it sink in.

The last that I heard from Saerunn was that the daughters were sent away, but I never got any details. It wasn’t until recently that I had received word that Saerunn had passed away in Archdoon, and that she spoke with one of her daughters. I’m afraid that’s all I know. Since I can’t go myself, and you’re already out and about in the Empire, I’d like you to confirm this.

"There, Elma. Is that what you've been waiting to hear?" he said with a remorseful tone in his voice. He folded the letter again and stuffed it into his pocket.