A shoulder to cry on

Elysia’s POV:

His hands were warm, they were comforting. That’s the only physical sensation I felt at that moment, my mind and heart were in total chaos as I remembered what had become of the Woman who made my world but his presence was comforting enough for me to notice that his hands were warm. I couldn’t even control the tears that rolled down my cheeks, they came on their own accord, each tear reflecting the fear, anger, and helplessness that I felt in those final moments. I needed her. I really needed her. But for some reason, I felt like I could speak to him, like there were no boundaries between our worlds, like we had known each other for quite a while. I couldn’t believe that I felt all this and more with just his hands wrapped around me, but I couldn’t control anything in that moment. Not how I felt, not even how I was positioned. Everything felt cold and warm at the same time.

“My mother”, the only words I could say. I wanted to say more, but I felt constricted, constricted by demons I couldn’t see, or rather the lingering presence of the Yotu that took my mother away from me.

Suddenly, I felt something touch the top of my head. It felt nice. I didn’t know what it was, but it felt good. My flaring emotions had begun to die down, and I began to regain my sense of self. Even though I still wept, but not uncontrollably. I didn’t know how much time had passed either. I just knew I was being held for quite a while. This being was nice. Was this how all the people of this world were? Or was it just this one? I couldn’t tell. I needed to be strong for my Mother - to avenge her. But right now in this moment, I felt safe, in the arms of this person.

Soren’s POV:

She was cold, I couldn’t tell if it was her emotions that made her cold, but It wasn’t a physical kind of cold, it was more of an almost spiritual kind. I rushed over to her side once I saw the first tear trickle down her cheek. I don’t believe she even noticed me when I got there. She must have been so fixated on her hurt, my presence didn’t quite matter. She was too hurt to bother.

“What did I say wrong?”, I thought.

I felt horrible for making her feel this way but the deed had already been done. I could be there and watch as she sobbed like a little child. I felt the urge to place my hand on her head like a mother telling her hurt child that it’ll be fine, but I wasn’t sure how she’d take it. She began resting more intensely on me, She sank into my arms, my heartbeat quickened, she was cold, but warm. I had never been in this position before, not with anyone. It felt strange. It wasn’t a sexual or nervous feeling. It was one of genuine concern. I felt her pain. I was scared for her.

“My mother”, she softly whispered. I didn’t know what to say in response to this. It felt like she spoke those words out of regret and suffering, rather than questioning.

“Could she have lost her mother in the woods”, “Did her mother abuse her?”. I felt powerless right there and then. I wanted to help, but I didn’t know how to.

“Who hurt you?”, My heart whispered.

I didn’t realize it but my hand lifted on its own and began stroking the top of her soft hair. Her hair was amazingly soft. My breathing was surprisingly calm. In that moment, nothing else mattered. It was just me and this person who’s tears spoke of a heartbreaking tale.

“Why do I feel this way?”, “What even is this feeling”. But then I noticed it again. I was present. I wasn’t drifting off like I’d normally have done in situations prior, for some reason she made me live in the moment. It felt like I was anchored in the reality of the present. I took deep but quiet breaths. My hands around her, and her petite physique resting on me. I couldn’t tell how much time had passed but it didn’t matter, this was the most interesting, truly interesting experience that I had ever encountered, and I didn’t want it to end.

__________________________________________________________________________

After a couple hours that felt like minutes to both Soren and Elysia, Soren sneezed and almost like that was the catalyst for the awakening of their minds to the world around them, they both opened their eyes and realized that it had gotten dark. They had both drifted into a suspended state of consciousness in each other's arms. Soren slowly let go of her and she assumed an upright position. Soren - now sitting shoulder to shoulder with Elysia - mustered up the courage to say something.

“I’m sorry”, “I didn’t mean to make you cry like that”. Soren said as he broke the silence that had previously taken over the room they were in.

“No, I’m sorry, I should not have behaved in such a manner”, Elysia retorted.

“But I’m sorry regardless”, He said as he instinctively reached for her hand.

She looked at him, his hand on hers, and a sheepish smile on his face. She returned the subtle gesture and looked away with a distraught demeanor. Soren noticed this and decided to ask her the question that had plagued his thoughts. “What happened to you?” Soren blurted out, he didn’t realize he said this but thought that he was just thinking it. Elysia resumed her gaze on Soren and her eyes now clouded unwanted memories began to speak.

“I’m not from your world.” “I come from another realm, the realm of Urath. My mother sent me here to save me from monsters… Monsters that have plagued my world for so long.”

Soren - trying to process the information he was now receiving - tried as much as possible, not to say something that might agitate her, and responded in a manner that would only make her feel safe, more safe than she was now, so he could know more about her and what she was facing.

“Where is your mother?”, he questioned.

Her eyes teared up and a cloud of grief suddenly hung over her. “She was killed”.

Soren now understood why she was this broken. He couldn’t imagine what he would do without his mother, and here - sitting beside him - was someone who lost hers.

“I truly am sorry”, Soren said as he held her hands more firmly.

He was honestly confused. Soren felt so many emotions at once and didn’t know how to process any of them. He sat there, trying to grasp everything.

“She’s not from earth?!”, “She’s not even human!?”, “Her mother is dead?”, “Does she have any relatives”, “I mean she didn’t say anything about relatives” “What do I do?”, “Where does she stay?!” “Do I tell mom?!” “How do I even tell her?”

All these questions and alot more flooded Soren’s mind. Suddenly, He let go of her hand, stood up and decided to leave the room so he could think.

“I am so sorry, I would be right back, you look hungry, let me get you something to eat”, Soren said with a tone filled with sincerity. Elysia nodded her head, and He walked towards the door and left the room.

Closing the door behind him, Soren dropped to the floor and breathed heavily. That was the most intense experience of his life up to that point. His thoughts were all over the place and it felt like he had lost touch with reality. All he knew, and felt in that moment was pure confusion. He needed counsel, advice, some form of help from someone smarter than him. He wasn’t sure telling his mother was the best of ideas because he couldn’t tell how she would handle the situation. He didn’t even know the entirety of the situation himself and thus; it was above him to even know what others would think if he told them.

He calmed himself, and got to his feet, he walked down the stairs slowly and headed to the kitchen to get something for her to eat. He was absent minded throughout the whole of this commute. His mother had fallen asleep rather early on the couch and had left the television on. It was only a few minutes past 7. “It seems like she’d be sleeping over”, Soren thought to himself considering the story he had just heard. He was surprised that he didn’t question the authenticity of her tale and rather just felt sincerely sorry for her. He wholeheartedly believed her. And he was okay with that.

Soren finished making the one thing he could do with proficiency - a sandwich - and headed back upstairs to give it to her. He opened the door and met a completely knocked out cute elf sleeping on his bed. He chuckled lightly. He knew she was beautiful but in that moment, she looked really cute, like baby who immediately falls asleep after a hearty meal from its mother. He set the sandwich ontop of the stool beside his bed. And leaned closer into Sleeping Elysia. Today had been a hectic and emotional day for her, and he could tell that she was drained both physically and mentally. He didn’t wake her up to eat but instead decided it was best to let her sleep.

“I’ll take care of you”, Soren blurted out suddenly.

Almost like his brain took the decision to say those words without his permission. Soren laid down on the floor beside her as his consciousness faded away into a good night’s rest.