"YAAGGGHHH!!" Aeife's scream resonates across the mountain as Flint runs down the mountain, he catches a glimpse of Aku dashing. He lands and starts to run after her, jumping and running on walls.
He makes one big jump rolling in the air then lands before the carriage, Chuck, Aella and Aku are chatting. Flint lands before them then he places Aeife down on her feet, she shakes so much she falls but Flint catches her. Aeife blushes as she pushes Flint away and stands though wobbly.
Chuck squints his eyes at the elf then he looks at Flint, "...Is anyone going to explain how an elf is here? Anyone?" Aella is confused though she shows some enmity towards the elf. Aku contemplates if she should introduce the elf to Chuck of all people.
Aeife bows, "I'm Aeife." Her thoughts, "I have to keep my family name a secret. If they now, it might put my country in danger." She looks up to see Chuck turn his head to her with his signature smile as the wind blows through his hair making him look mystical with the sun shining on him. Chuck puts his hand on his chest about to speak.
"Why is an elf here?" Aella speaks up in a hostile manner. Her tone surprises the trio but not the elf. The elf looks down as she twirls her fingers closing her eyes expecting to hear harsh words.
Chuck turns to Aella, "Is something wrong with being an elf?" Chuck folds his arms and holds his chin as he listens to Aella. Flint is confused by Aella's reaction, Aku looks at Aella with wide eyes since her reaction to Aeife is like to monsters.
Aella points at the elf, "That thing is an enemy of humanity!"
Flint looks at Aella then at Aeife then back at Aella, "And?" He waves his hands prompting her to continue.
Aella is surprised by his ignorance, "Humans and elves have been at war for centuries, they've been causing chaos across many nations. Worse of all, dark elves sided with the demon king and they actually aided the demon king to invade human nations."
Aku taps her chin, "Really? I haven't heard of any wars lately."
Aella swings her hand through the air with passion….or something else. "Of course there's no war, they lost." She points at the elf as the elf lowers her head even more.
Chuck stands before Aella, "Even so, there's no need to treat her like that. When did the war end, a decade ago?"
Aella takes a step back, "About 300 years ago." Silence falls as the wind blows.
Chuck holds his head, "Wait. You're telling me despite the war ending 300 years ago there's still enmity?" Aella nods.
Flint looks at Aella then at the elf, he walks to the elf. "Aella, this is Aeife." He holds her shoulder, "She's a frail girl who got separated from his family. Do you really think it's right to treat her that way?" His words strike Aella, "Even if our races are different, our skin is different. So long as we can understand each other, there's no need for enmity."
Chuck nods his head then he raises a finger, "Just as one great teacher said, 'Anything capable of reasoning and compassion is capable of peace.' There might be enmity but what if." He walks close to Aeife, "What if we let go off this hate? Won't life be even better?" He stands beside Aeife but Flint moves Aeife to his other side away from Chuck leaving him with a shocked face.
Aku stands beside Aella, "The boys are right. Even in the village, we barely know off this war, let alone the hate. We accept anyone in the village, even weird people. And we managed to live in peace." Aku taps Aella's back, "Don't let this bother you, learn to let go."
Aella looks down, she thinks it over. "I guess you're right, the war did end 300 years ago. So there's no need for hostility." Aella points at Aeife, "You, Aiofa." The elf is shocked as Aella continues, "I'm willing to let this hate go, so…." Aella walks up to Aeife and extends a hand, "Let's work together."
Aeife looks at Aella then at her hands, she beams up with a smile as she shakes the hand. "Yes, let's."
Aku walks to them as she shakes their hands, "It's so nice when peace finally arrives. Now for some introductions."
Aella smiles, "Alright Aiofa, I'm Aella Celeste Zephan. Nice to meet you."
Aiof- Aeife gives a wry smile, "Actually my name is Aeife."
Aella tilts her head, "Aiphe?" Aeife shakes her head though smiling.
Chuck walks up to the and brushes his hair with his hands with 'that' smile, "I believe your name is Aiefo." He winks at her.
Aku slams her forehead, "It's Aeife. A. E. I. F. E." Chuck and Aella open their eyes wide in embarrassment, well mostly Chuck. Aku continues, "I'm Akua Barimah and that's my kid bro Flint. He's a nice guy with a soft spot so I make the hard decisions." Flint gives a wry smile, Aku continues. "This beautiful lady is the Duke of Zephan."
Aeife's freezes as her thoughts, "THE DUKE?!"
Aku continues, "And the thing beside her is...thing."
"OH COME ON!" Chuck makes an exasperated face. Flint holds his laughter in.
Aku grins, "Just be careful around that, he's all bark but no bite." Flint bursts out laughing but he stops with a confused face.
Chuck grits his teeth then he raises his finger about to say something. "....." He waves his finger around then stops as he enters the carriage.
Flint gives a wry smile, "Better go make sure he isn't crying. If he isn't, then I can laugh till he does." He walks to the carriage with an evil grin.
Aku shakes his head, she turns to the 2 girls remaining. "Well, I believe we should get going." She points her thumb at the carriage as she walks to it, She opens the door.
*OHOHOH HAHAHA-*
She closes the door behind her.
Aeife looks at the ground with a small smile, she feels better after the short exchange. Aella walks before Aeife but she glares at Aeife, "...…" Aella shakes her head, "Though I can't easily accept this, I'm willing to take my time to accept you. If I offend you later on then I apologize, I'll try to be better." She smiles at Aeife then takes her hand, "Come on, let's get inside."
Aeife was let down by Aella's first words but the she looks at Aella as she finishes, Aeife smiles a little. Aeife is startled when Aella takes her hand but Aeife doesn't resist. Aella takes Aeife to the carriage, she opens the door.
Flint's teasing voice comes out, "HAHAHA, all bark and no bite! She got you there, It suits you perfectly. Like the time you tried acting cool towards Veni and ripped your pants before –" *THUD* The door closes as the carriage starts to move towards Avua.