Hideaway [Sarain + Liluth + Valdarim]

"Valdarim, it's nice to see you again." She said warmly, appraising her friend. "It's been a little over a year now, hasn't it? It's me, Sarain."

She rummaged through her pack and pulled out two small satchels, one filled with various magical crystals from the kingdom, and the other with roots and herbs. She had taken a few from her stores to bring as gifts for Valdarim and Liluth, both of whom were alchemists and no doubt fighting the merchants for the dwindling supply of materials from the West. It was as much as she dared to carry along with all her other belongings, but it would definitely last them a few months if used sparingly. She handed the pouches to Valdarim, smiling apologetically. "I'm sorry for barging in like this. I brought gifts from back home, since I have a hefty favor to ask of you... Is Liluth here?"

Finally inside the house where she knew she was safe, Sarain took the glamoured ring off of her index finger. Following him into the house, she glanced towards where he had indicated she should sit to rest. Instead, she followed him to the kitchen counter to help, noticing he had been moving quite slowly. She knew of his illness, and didn't want to take any chances. She was very excited to see Liluth again, but her reason for being here she knew would make the dark elf woman very upset seeing as to how Sarain was basically ignoring her advice from a few weeks prior. She didn't want to make it any worse by causing her cousin any strain over her random appearance.

"Please, my friend. You rest, and I'll make the tea. I should still remember where everything is, right?" She chirped, turning to look at the myriad of cupboards in front of her. After a brief moment of silence, she turned back to Valdarim sheepishly. "Um, perhaps you could point out to me where the spoons are and I'll go from there..."

Murmuring a thanks at his indication, she did in fact find the spoons in the aforementioned drawer. Mixing together the ingredients for the tea, she froze at Valdarim's question. Peeking over her shoulder at him, she met his worried eyes and sighed. She brought the tea over and sat with him, handing him a cup. She wasn't too sure how much she should reveal to him, Liluth was entitled to her own secrets after all. She supposed a little wouldn't hurt, in the name of family.

"I think that her ailment is that she left half of her heart back in the Kingdom." Sarain murmured quietly. "I did run into her near my home, and she was with someone else and she seemed happy and full of warmth. I can recognize love when I see it." She smiled, thinking of the way that she and Faolan interacted. "He took care of her, keeping her safe and hidden while she was there. There was really no need for me to do anything, but I tagged along anyway to ensure she had a safe journey to Amedra so she could come home after her loss. I empathize with her having to separate from him for an undefined amount of time."

She stared down at her tea for a while before taking a sip. The explanation had brought her mind back to the whole reason she was here. She would get answers, and she would get them soon. She was so close...

Blinking in surprise as Valdarim turned her head gently so his searching eyes could meet hers, she couldn't help but smile. He was so like his cousin sometimes, both in mannerisms and attitude.

"I-it's just... Love is what drive me here, I suppose," she said, cheeks taking on a rosy color. "More than anything, I'm seeking answers from the family of someone very dear to me but I don't know where to start. All I was given was a name."

Sarain smiled apologetically at Liluth. Of course she was angry, Sarain was essentially ignoring her advice as well as endangering them all just by being there. "Liluth..." She murmured, casting her gaze downwards. "If it's any difference to you, I came here seeking answers. Not to actually mend anything, not yet."

She knew it was a vague explanation, and she knew she would have to explain herself further. She rose and made her way from Valdarim's side over to Liluth's, taking her hands. "I'm glad to see you arrived here safely, and I'm truly sorry for barging in like this. I know the circumstances of the world are less than ideal for my being here, and I know I'm asking a lot from you. But I... I would really like your support in this, if possible..."

Sarain thanked Valdarim for his hospitality and moved about the familiar room. She never thought she'd be back here in such circumstances. A lot could change in a year, she thought, sighing to herself. She had fallen in love and been broken by it, been haunted and hunted by her past, and their countries were at war. She was glad that Liluth had chosen to support her, even if she couldn't fully approve of her actions. It meant a lot, it really did. She hoped it would be enough to find the answers, maybe even the closure she was looking for.

But are you ready to say goodbye?

Sarain didn't have an answer for that. It was never easy, was it?

It will haunt you, just like everything else has.

She sighed as her doubts tried to shake her resolve, but she had made it this far already. She had to see it all the way through. She decided to quell such thoughts and went to freshen up before dinner.