My day tended to be filled with monotony. After living as long as Nisse did, not much would surprise you. However— the day I met her was the most surprising moment of my life. Having traveled to the western oceans upon the islands of Tatsu, it became apparent that the quest I had been sent on was folly. The Adventuring Guild paid me either way, which I was extremely grateful for. The small Village of Inari held a quaint, subtle, friendly atmosphere; the people were pleasant, there were even people of different races. And no one even blinked at the fact that I was a Nisse; I hadn’t even heard the dreaded term Elf yet.

How rare. But then, a slight frame caught my eye as she walked by. Her warm honey hair mingled with browns and deeper tones of silver the likes I had only seen on the Heart-Tree in the wilderness of my homeland made me pause.

“Sessan.” Good Morrow. She smiled at me, a bright grin with earthy, warm copper-colored eyes. I stopped abruptly and looked around-- someone here knew Nissen? I coughed and did a slight bow, my index, middle, and ring finger touching my forehead.

“Sessan im yesha .” Good morrow flower.

She tinged pink across her cheeks, and her eyes fluttered, blinking rapidly. Tucking a long strand of hair behind her ear, she tilted her head, “you’re an adventurer?”

“Ah.” I nodded and felt my spectacles slide slightly, shoving them back up my nose in a smooth motion. Despite what many would say that Nisse are these other-worldly, stoic, graceful creatures, I sadly seemed to miss out on the graceful aspect.

She noted the motion and giggled. “Traveler would you like something to eat?” She pointed at a strange-looking building, a circular tower with a fox sign. “My family owns this place; we would be happy to give you a meal.”

I nodded and stepped forward, and took the small hand that was extended to me. And all the years of being told to never mingle with humans flew out of my mind.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“Aramil!” Freya called over the din, for once it was busy— and that was because there was a band of traveling adventuring folks. She darted to and fro between tables and masterfully managed to get all the dishes and drinks out in record time. “We need another pot pie and stew for the table at the back, please. I’ll grab the ale!”

“Yes, Freya, I’ve got it.” She always was so severe and quick to work; I wish she would slow down every blue moon. But with the Foxes gone, she was a bit more on edge— as was Fauna, who was tucked away in the Tavern behind the counter and serving drinks. She was a hit with the locals as well as the travelers. Still, Gaelan— was the main barrier. I laughed seeing the brooding mass of Sentinal Warrior at the edge of the bar watching her with affectionate cobalt eyes and sipping whatever concoction Freya had made him.

Freya had a knack for mixing drinks. Herbs, syrups, florals, tea, strange liqueur? The crazier, the better. I supposed things didn’t change even if one was reborn.

Glancing at her, I sighed; at some point, I would need to tell her. But I, having been raised as a Nisse, we were very isolated. We did not often interfere with outsiders nor the outside world. However, we had embassies and travelers who went out into the world and visited back on rare occasions, bringing items, inventions, and things to help our daily lives.

Once a Kitsune had come back into the Tavern with two Nisse girls trailing behind her, I had thought I was dreaming for a moment. Fauna had looked just like her but with golden-silver spun hair and blue eyes. But then her sister had appeared, and I knew.

She looked exactly the same as the day I had met her. Her words had floated in my head. I will ask the gods to grant me more time with you, so please don’t follow.

I swallowed as I cleaned a mug a bit firmer than I needed to when Freya walked over, “Aramil?”

Her soft voice reached out like a warm hug.

“Hm?”

“What’s wrong?” She took the mug that was gripped in my hands.

“I—n-nothing.” Coughing, I shoved my spectacles back up my nose and glanced around, “quite a party.”

“Mmhm!” She giggled that soft laugh and walked over to Fauna to help.

It had been years, several hundreds of them since the Tavern had been built within the small village. Only a hundred that I had taken over and waited patiently. And still, it was as if not a day had passed when I glanced at her. She would indeed have more time; in fact, she was still immortal even though she was half-human. The ability of a Nisse and Sentina to extend the life of their loved one only lasted so long…and she had only had a hundred and thirty years with me before she had died. I blinked back tears and sighed.

“Well, hey, there cute one.”

I waited for Gaelan to step in. However, it wasn’t Fauna the man was after.

Nisse are by nature calm and transparent like a springtime river. However. One must never underestimate a river’s ability to flood and drown you. Despite that, she handled herself with aplomb. I glanced at Gaelan, who was ready to deal with him, and held my hand up to stop the Sentinal. “Excuse me.” I said firmly and stood in front of her behind the counter. “We do not solicit the staff.”

“Psh, she liked it she’s all smiles and stuff.” He was drunk, reeking of ale.

“A smile is not an invitation, my good man.” I went for a polite approach, Freya was speaking to Fauna, hushed and quiet, assuring her she was alright, but she was rubbing her wrist. “Freya.”

“Y-yes.” She flinched when I reached and looked over her wrist gently.

“Hmph.” Politeness was done. With one move, I had tossed my overcoat onto the counter, rolling my sleeves up my forearms and leaning forward to plant my hands firmly on the counter, “Il nor tefas yu golis urrbas oft ikna succ allas om.”

The man blinked, “ha… what’d the damn elf say?” Everyone who had even been to this Tavern on the rare occasion backed up quickly, leaving him alone.

I felt my gaze become sharp. Venom laced within my words; I glared at the person in front of me. “Since you are not cultured enough, let me translate. You f*cking mortal. ‘I don’t appreciate it when men touch what isn’t their own.” Sighing, “and so you shall apologize…Now.” With one swift grab, the warrior was lifted off the chair and slammed into the counter face first; struggling as much as he was, I rolled my eyes, using my forearm to crush down on the back of his neck. “Apologize.”

“I’m sorry!”

“Not to me, you imbecile.” I spat and turned him to face Freya. “To her.”

“S-sorry, milady.”

“Good lad.” With one jerk, he was flung over the counter onto his back. “Next time, remember this when you speak out of turn.” Replacing my spectacles, I snatched up the used mug and began to clean it in an attempt to keep myself from throttling him further.

“Good ole, Aramil.” Someone laughed. “Haven’t lost your touch, have ya?”

“Not in the slightest.” I smiled brightly.

Fauna had clapped happily, tucked into Gaelan’s side, she whispered something.

“Good job.” Gaelan said with a mock toast.

“Hmph.” I winked at Fauna, who just rolled her eyes.

Freya was frozen on the spot. But with a swift movement, she had smacked me upside the head.

I didn’t even move. It had only ruffled the hair on the back of my head, this annoyed her, and she struggled not to pout. Instead, she tapped her foot and crossed her arms, waiting.

Sighing, long sufferingly, I set the mug down and turned, crossing my arms as well, making sure to lean down, so I was nose to nose with her in a slightly teasing manner. “Yes? Oh, short one?”

“Aramil! We don’t fling customers around!”

Using my index finger, I pushed her forehead playfully. “Too bad flower, he deserved it.”

“Aramil!”

“Yes?”

“Y-you…ugh…but…” her face was flamed, and she couldn’t seem to look at me.

I took pity on her; with a swift movement of handing her a tray of drinks, I leaned down and kissed her right on the mouth. “Go. Table eight.” With a turn, I pushed her out into the dining area.

Fauna cheered and bounced up and down; her sister merely red-faced served the drinks to teasing and jeers. “Oh shut up, you pack of animals!” Everyone laughed.

Helping me finish cleaning at the sink, she swayed her hip to the side and bumped me. “Idiot.”

I grinned, “that’s fine. As long as I’m your idiot.”

“I didn’t think you remembered me.” She whispered. I paused and dropped the mug right into the sink, hearing the crack ring through space. Glancing at the mug, she smirked. “clumsy.”

“Your fault, you know….” I gulped as her hand rested on top of mine and squeezed.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you more.” She leaned closer, her arm touching my own as we worked, a silent promise that we’d have some time together after.