Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Elves of All Kinds (1x1)

Belle blinked a few times, a if coming out of a gaze, before looking over towards who had woken her. Her somewhat solemn expression lit up a bit when she saw Arthur. "Oh! Welcome back! How was your journey, sir?" She sat up properly, fiddling with her hair as she watched him. She now wore natural elf clothing, which fit her personality much more than human clothing. Not to mention her hair was done beautifully by her mother. With many small braids leading into a bun on the back of her neck, adorned by little flowers peeking out of the dark locks.

Arthur's smile dropped as she called him sir and he shook his head. "Just Arthur, Belle." He then smiled again. "It was fine. I wasn't beat up this time." He chuckled slightly, then tilted his head a little. "What are you doing out here? How come you aren't with your family?" That was his main concern. What was wrong? Was her family treating her poorly? Were they being cruel to her?

Belle smiled a bit at him. "Good, I'm very glad." She paused, and glanced down when he asked about her family. "Everything's fine, really. I'm very glad to be back home with them, I truly am, but..." She sighed slightly, smile faltering. "I don't know. It just isn't the same. Father seems bitter towards everything and Mother, though she's really trying to help and love me, treats me as if I don't understand or remember anything about life in a village. Valenthion... He's the same, I suppose. Sometimes he'll sit out here with me. He treats me no differently than when I left. I do enjoy his company, and my parents', truly, but I get so easily overwhelmed in the village, for some reason."

Arthur listened to her, nodding slightly. "...maybe they just need some time to get used to you being around again. I'm sure your father will get less bitter with you being around, Belle. In fact, I'm certain of it. Your mother, well, I think she'll come to realize how much you understand soon. It just takes some time. They're all just looking out for you, Belle." He smiled gently. "It's a tough transition, though. It will take time.."

Belle sighed a bit. "Yes, I suppose you're right." She fiddled with the hem of her sleeve. "how long are you staying this time?" she asked, not looking up. "Or are you going home immediately?"

Arthur sighed slightly. "Well, I'm not staying long, if that's what you're asking. But I wanted to come make sure you were alright." He smiled softly. "Oh, and Mary sent along some of her home-made pastries for you. She wanted me to tell you how happy she is that you've finally found your family."

Belle blinked a bit, before nodding and smiling softly. "Tell her I said thank you... I'll make sure my father doesn't know I'm eating human pastries." She laughed softly, and rubbed her neck.

Arthur nodded and chuckled as she mentioned her father. "Well, you could always give him one and claim you made it. Then you can pop the surprise on him that it's human-made when he says it's good." His smile faded a bit and he sighed. "I wonder why he's still so cold towards humans?.."

Belle hesitated. "Well... He's always had a hatred for them, really. I told you how my grandmother took in human travelers? Well one was deathly sick, and she nursed him back to health, but she got the illness herself and died from it. Then during the war with humans before I was born, my grandfather was killed in cold blood. And my mother was injured by humans when pregnant, thus causing my lung problems. Not to mention how Valenthion's human father merely abandoned him when he went blind. Then the betrayal when my father attempted to make peace with them... He hasn't had good experiences with humans his entire life."

Arthur listened to her, nodding slightly in understanding. "...yes. I suppose that makes sense." He sighed slightly and leaned back, laying on the grass and staring up at the sky. "I haven't had good experiences with elves, but that doesn't mean I hate them all, though." He glanced at her. "Your father needs to learn that not all species are the same. All humans aren't the same as all the other humans. There's good humans and there's bad humans..." He sighed.

Belle leaned back against the tree trunk. "I wish he would understand that. But seeing as he's never met a good human before, he's fairly rooted in his beliefs. He's a few hundred years old, after all." She sighed a bit. "I mean, there's you, who he's reluctantly thankful to, for getting me back home, but he still hates you, which makes no sense to me."

Arthur closed his eyes. "...some people are just set in their ways. My father attacked elves until he died. He never changed. Never changed..." He sat up and opened his eyes. "...but your father's a good man, Belle, even if he doesn't like humans. I can understand it. He's good to you and he's good to his people."

"Mm... He was always a good leader. I remember that from my childhood... Though he does have a bit of a temper, which thankfully I have never seen first-hand." Belle cleared her throat a bit. "He nearly killed the man who broke my mother's heart. The man had the guts to return to our village after they were married, and insulted both my parents. So my father fought him in the streets, in front of everyone."

Arthur listened to her talk about her father and he stared. "...really? Wow. He certainly does have a temper." That definitely wasn't expected. "I'm glad you haven't seen it first hand. If you did, I'd need to talk to him..."

Belle nodded. "Funny thing, though, he always tried to keep peace in the village. He could distance himself from a situation in order to be like a third party, then with Mother's help he would solve the problem. I really wish he would apply that to humans as a whole. I wish he would see past their exterior; some are more like us than he realizes."

Arthur gave a slight nod. "I wish he could do that, too." He was quiet for a few moments, just staring down at the grass. He wasn't sure what else to discuss. And he didn't want to let his mind wander, or else he could be in big trouble again. It'd taken him all week to work up the strength to just come back for a visit.

Belle quieted for a moment. "...so have you gotten a new servant yet?" she asked. "I'm sure Mary can't keep up with all the housework and have time to make pastries for me." She smiled gently. He seemed a bit solemn, so she was trying to lighten the mood.

Arthur chuckled softly, then gave a slight nod. "There's a family in town I know, their young boy was looking for a job, so I hired him to help out around the house. He doesn't live with us, but he comes over every day to help Mary with the things that need done. He's a cheerful kid, and Mary adores having him around. She spoils him."

{it's julia in disguise}

Belle smiled. "Good. I'm glad she isn't suffering too badly without me. She seems like the sort who needs someone to spoil." She laughed softly.

(LOL)

Arthur chuckled a bit. "You've got that right. Mary just wouldn't be the same if she didn't have someone to dote on and spoil." He smiled slightly, then sighed a little and stood up, giving a stretch. "Come on, let's get you back home, Belle. You should be spending time with your family."