Meri laughed, biting her lip slightly. She enjoyed Porcelina's company, as rare and...loud...as it was.
"Uh, Porcelina," Meri started, "this is Eckhart, Lady Hildegarde's brother. He's been with me and Dr. Alderon since he's gotten here, so he couldn't have taken your brush." She let out a relieved breath, as Chrys left the apartment. "What's a sponge brush, anyway?"
Meri went to take another drink then stopped herself. "Would you like a cup? Peppermint tea."
* * *
Alderon pulled out his checker board, setting it down on the table. "What color do you want to be? Black, or..." He stopped, hearing a shrill voice call Zymeria's name. A slight smirk crossed his lips, and he gestured for Randal to wait for a minute. The elf stood, disappearing into his bedroom.
He was greeted by a white-haired elf woman lounging on his bed with her ankles crossed. "No- How many times do I have to say no shoes on my bed!"
"Come on," she said. "You don't like your girls with heels on?"
"That isn't who I am."
"Sorry," she said, squeezing her eyes shut momentarily. "I meant guys."
"Sel!" He said firmly. "You have to leave.
She scoffed. "But I like it here!"
He pursed his lips together, glaring at his sister. "You can come back another time, but as you can see, I have company and I'm leaving again."
"Fine, whatever. I'll be gone when you get back."
Alderon nodded once, approaching Randal again with a short sigh. "Randal, how would you like to see Eckhart again? Griselda won't mind, I promise." He knew that Chrys would never willingly stay anywhere near Porcelina, as Porcelina hated that creature probably as much as Alderon did. "Come along. It'll be fun."