It had been three days since she arrived in Olencia.

Frankly, Elmira never thought she would actually want Time to slow down with every moment she spent with her brother. There was simply too many stories to be told, too many memories to be recounted, and too many letters to write to their brother in Ghayth.

But of course, as all good things must come to an end, so did her stay in Olencia. She was going to return to Port Nirav on the morrow, and she wanted to make the best of her last day with Hadrian. It was as if she was not coming back. Elmira gave a small smile at that as she ladled some aspharagus chicken into a bowl. She'd risen early just to be able to serve Hadrian some breakfast.

She placed the plate on the table and went about setting the knives and forks. She would leave Hadrian the means to contact her of course, if ever he had the time for an actual visit (she found that highly unlikely) or he wanted to send some letters. Already she too had the means to write to their brother in Ghayth. She wondered vaguely how he'd reacted when he recieved Hadrian's first letter. It would have been better altogether if that brother of theirs managed to come here in Olencia, but as Hadrian had said, the man was a workaholic and would very much be buried alive with his books rather than drop by and visit. How sad.

She looked up as she heard movement from upstairs and smiled.

About time you woke up, sleepyhead.

Wiping her hands on the apron she wore, she immediately proceeded to write.

I want to go to the gardens after breakfast if you do not mind, Hadrian.

((Ooc: Sorry for the late reply XD I just came back from the hospital, so yeah.... late reply. XD))

While Hadrian did have an office and a bunk in the Fort, he had another house too. It was near the Fort, which was rather typical of him, and was simply a two story house. He didn’t spend much time here, since well his office in the Fort was his second home. He had to clean the cobwebs and brush the dust from the tables, that was how abandoned this place was. It was simple, really. Nothing special to hint the High Commander lived here.

For three days, he used this house. After the third day, it would go back to being all cobwebby and filled with dust. Since Elmira didn’t have a place to stay, he offered the house. Of course, imagine his shame when he just remembered that the said house was abandoned.

Ah well. His room here was simple as well. Only a stand that housed his armor hinted this room was his. Other than that, nothing much. And since he couldn’t stay in the Fort and leave his sister in this house all alone, he came along as well.

While Hadrian had the normal soldier skill to wake up at a precise time, he threw that out of the window. And since he wasn’t stressed or anything, he could sleep like a rock. Of course, he didn’t mind it much when Elmira woke up first.

So once he woke up on the third day, he put on his armor, made sure his sword was strapped to his side and went down the stairs. There was a smell in the air too. Something with chicken. Other than that, he was pretty much ignorant of whatever it was. Their brother, Kalessin, should be here, but then the man was a workaholic and loved his books better than he loved his family.

Ah well, he could flood the other with letters when Elmira left. Hadrian stretched a little as he came into the kitchen. Hadrian squinted at the writing Elmira did.

About time you woke up, sleepyhead.

Ah. Hadrian only yawned in reply as he sat down on the chair. He had to squint again as Elmira wrote something down.

I want to go to the gardens after breakfast if you do not mind, Hadrian.

“The gardens?” Hadrian asked, stifling a yawn. “Sure.” He said simply. “I’ll have….” He yawned again. “… have my Deputy manage the Fort today then. This is your last day right? Your brief stay here is nice, really, but Kalessin ought to get off his rump and visit you in Nirav. I’ll…” He stretched a little. “… make sure of it.”

Only now did he see the bowl of soup. Aha, there was the chicken. But it had some little green stuff in it. While Hadrian could stomach the green stuff, he wasn’t too keen on eating it, but then he had to, since well his sister made it. Hadrian took up the spoon and began to eat.

(( I hope you are okay now. :/ ))


She had momentarily returned to some dishes, washing them with water, some soap and a blue sponge when Hadrian turned up. There was the sound of a seat being pulled up, and then the chink of utensils against china.

“The gardens? Sure. I’ll have….… have my Deputy manage the Fort today then. This is your last day right? Your brief stay here is nice, really, but Kalessin ought to get off his rump and visit you in Nirav. I’ll…… make sure of it.”

Elmira paused from washing, but then carried on anyway. The gods know that she was not a politician, but the trouble with the Houses was something every Slayer ought to know, to save himself and herself from unwanted dangers. House Taran was teetering off the edge, unless Master Penril shed off the mantle of being Ablest and step forward. By the little Elmira knew of her superior, things were looking bleak for the kingdom.

She placed the dishes over a rack to dry and soon joined Hadrian by the table, but not before writing.

You can of course also always visit me in Nirav. My next visit won't be for years I fear, I have too many things left back there. A healer is always busy, busy.

So they ate. It was a bit of a silent affair, more with stares and smiles. They were ready to leave the house in a matter of minutes. As they stood by the front door, Elmira had a hand on Hadrian's left arm. She gave him a slightly mischievous look before placing her right hand on his breastplate. For a moment his armor glowed, and she pulled back her hand, smiling ever so lightly.

It will help you in the future. It will help you in every thing you hope to conquer.

So little time, so much to do. The gardens. Those blue roses should be in bloom now, by her reckoning.

((Ooc: Kinda XD))

First stop, the gardens. Well, he hadn’t been here really. First visit, in fact. He only knew of its location because he was the one who assigned the troops their quadrant when it was time for guard duty. It was the last day of his break too. After that, he had to go back to the Fort, sink back into his normal routine and sleep in his office again.

The gardens were a medium sized expanse of land filled with flowers, shrubs and the occasional tree. Most of the plants here you could find perhaps in Maloren, Gayth or Calandae, but the one thing Olencia was famed for were the blue roses. These only bloomed twice a year and required exclusive care. But the blue rose’s beauty was unmatched among others.

Of course, Hadrian didn’t like flowers very much, but then his sister loved them, to the best of his knowledge, so yes, he was High Commander and was currently a) standing in the cobblestone path and b) bored and looking very weird in his armor. While he shuffled slightly from foot to foot, he felt very awkward indeed.

At this time as well, several people were in the gardens as well. Most were here for the blue roses, and Hadrian spotted a few recruits, who gave him a wide berth. Such disrespect. He frowned, and the few resorted to sidestepping. Much better. He waved a hand, and they went to their business. Hadrian turned back to looking over at his sister.

“I take it you’re enjoying yourself?” He asked.

Everything was beautiful. While there were scarcely any trees in the Gardens, the Blue roses were blooming in such a way that their filled the air with a slight minty scent that helped one relax easily just by inhaling the said fragrance. Elmira knew that blue roses were not just decorations one could have; they had outstanding medicinal properties - outstanding in fact that they could help cure a nasty sword wound overnight when applied correctly. Elmira had of course used the said blooms countless times while practicing her medicing in Calandae.

“I take it you’re enjoying yourself?”

She straightened up and turned to Hadrian, who looked bored. She gave him a small smile before proceeding to walk down some steps on the cobblestone path that snaked around the gardens. She pulled out her writing things.

I will have to go now.

She gave him the paper and the doll. It was an assurance that she would go back, but when that would be, she could not say. She took several steps back, away from him. Leaves started to swirl around her as she reached out with her magic.

Take care of yourself, brother...

The leaves went a-flurry, and when the sudden wind died, she was gone...