Stormy Soul

[GoblinFae]

The petite elf having nowhere to go for the night had moved further down shore from where he had met the mermaid. It had seemed like centuries ago but could have been no more than a few weeks. 'Odd day. Odd creature. Missing them.' The last thought came upon him suddenly, crashing against his heartstrings in the same manner that the cold ocean waves bashed against his legs. Pointed ears drooped in sadness at his last memories of them both.

Despondent, he flopped down into the damp sand and dug his feet deep into the cool earth. His eyes stared ahead, unable to take in and enjoy the beauty of the sunset lighting the murky waters aflame. Instead he could only see the black shroud of misery that surrounded him.

Ocarern was shutting down. He had already been sent to the breaking point with his dear friend's death and his other friend's rejection. To then come here and be made a slave soon after had nearly destroyed him for good. So much blood and suffering, even now he could not recall how he had escaped or what had happened. It was all a blur, a horrific nightmare. But, there was not waking from this now. It was too late to believe in fairy tales. Aren wanted nothing to do with him. He had no home to return to. Even the blessed sea he had always dreamed of seeing no longer held its mysterious allure for him.

He let his body fall back with a heavy thud. The tide was rolling in stronger now. The elf could feel its fingers dragging across his leggins and the bottom of his tunic each time it retreated. He was so weary of all this and continued to lay there even as the water moved further and further up his chest. 'It's better this way. Much better this way'

[Maris]

Beads of sweat trickled down Rosalind's face as she cantered along the beach on her horse. The day had been long and hard leaving her body and mind completely spent. The young woman sighed as she slowed Fleur to a walk. For a brief moment Rosalind allowed herself the luxury to relax and actually enjoy life. It wasn't fair to say that she didn't enjoy life it was just that Rosalind spent most of her days hunting, gathering food, and making sure her horse was well tended to. In other words it was all work and no play.

As rider and steed inched their way down the shoreline a figure started to form. Rosalind strained her eyes trying to make out the details. The effort proved futile and she spurred Fleur into a canter, sand flying everywhere, only to reign her in again once they were a few feet away. She dismounted and loosened her horse's girth and fixed the stirrups, patting the Andalusian's neck when she was done. "Good girl, Fleur." Rosalind cooed.

She let the reigns drop from her hand as she turned around to inspect the form that was lying on the ground. Her head tilted to the side curiously as she took in the elf who was laying chest deep in the water. Something sinister and depressing seemed to surround the petite man and Rosalind was at a loss as to what to do. "I can't just let him lay here..." She muttered incoherently. Her stomach summersaulted at the idea of actually conjuring up a conversation with a complete stranger. The idea petrified her but Rosalind's caring instinct kicked into play.

"Uhm...I'm not sure if that's a good idea laying there and all." Her voice wavered nervously as she knelt down beside him.

[GoblinFae]

Ocarern crossed his arms over his chest and glared up at the sky, unable to see the speaker who had disturbed him from where he was currently laying. 'Stupid females and their need to ruin things. Yeah because you are definitely the expert on all things good aren't you missy. Why if Aren were...here...did it again.'

The elf let out a heavy sigh, choking back tears as he squeezed his eyes shut in an attempt to lock away the pain. "Go 'way! My sand! You're not invited," he finally grunted out to her, sounding more like a petulant child than anything else. "I said get!" Ocarern added one last time making a shooing motion above his head.

[Maris]

Rosalind continued to kneel next to him as she silently considered him. Go 'way! My sand! You're not invited. Looks like someone's having a bad day. She found his childish comment amusing and fought back a chuckle. However, Rosalind did crack a small smile, eyes dancing. Despite the elf's clear wish for Rosalind to leave the beach she plopped herself down beside him. She dug her calloused fingers into the wet sand feeling for tiny clams.

"What's wrong anyway? You look like you're about to cry? And this sand doesn't exactly belong to you." She shot him a sideways glance.

Not far from where the two were sitting Fleur let out a soft whinny as she splashed in the water. The andalusian pranced towards them and gracefully lay behind Rosalind, who rested her head against the horses back.

[GoblinFae]

"Oh sure everyone come and crowd the elf why don't you!" he exclaimed grumpily, flailing his arms about at the pair before sitting up. "You have the whole beach and you choose the only part that is occupied. What is wrong with you? Stupid humans and their stupid sensibilities."

Looking to the side, he was irritated to find the pair still there. "Well go on! Don't lollygag now. This is my stretch of beach. Find your own, you buzzard. You don't actually expect me to move do you?" His eyes were wide and wild as they shifted about, unable to focus on one thing for very long. Ocarern could smell salt on the wind and imagined that it was the salt this unknown, intruding woman was pouring into his various emotional wounds.

'Why can't you just leave? Go away! Let me go. You're torturing me. Go away. Just leave me alone!' In his mind eye the image of the woman had faded and morphed into that of a dead woman with the voice of an angel. 'No Kessy, go away!' No longer aware of the present the elf raised his hands and tugged painfully at his hair, rocking back and forth as he tried to dispel the painful image resonating within his mind.