41 Lera - Part 1

Jev was exhausted. Last week he had helped his sister search for Lera. Someone they barely knew anything about. Sure they essentially planned to work together to help her out, but she started crying and teleported away to… wherever. No one had seen her or talked with her. So he stopped the search and tried to get his sister to stop as well. He wasn't sure why Paroppe was so invested in Lera, but he did what he could. His sister went back to their parents home, since she wasn't training.

That left him alone with his best friend, Ayanni. He didn't take too well to Lera going missing. He helped for a couple days in the search, before he drowned himself in his daily training. He barely ate and there was a rage that was starting to get the better of his friend. That was why he had to focus on his best friend, rather than the search. He needed more 'care', than his sister. So they had been staying at Ayanni's home. He was still frustrated at his elven friend for not using this place before all of this had started.

Didn't matter and Jev was getting tired. Training like crazy to keep up with Ayanni so he didn't fall off the edge and making sure he was eating and sleeping right had left him tired. Waking up earlier and going to bed later was tough. It wasn't fun, but he did enjoy making sure that his best friend was safe at least.

He had dragged Ayanni again back to their house to get some rest for the night like usual. As soon as the door opened, he could smell some delicious food. Either an intruder was making themselves a wonderful meal or his sister had returned. He was happy that Ayanni had given her the extra key in case something happened.

"Paroppe is everything alright?"

Jev turned around to see that Ayanni was looking down at the floor. He couldn't do much for his friend, other than make sure he eats his dinner. Ayanni was pulled by his arm and into the kitchen.

His sister was standing over a pot of veggies and two pans with two slabs of meat each. Food for four. He didn't miss Lera sitting at the table… playing with forks and spoons? It was a weird sight, but he felt the tension slip away from Ayanni as he was still holding his arm. An improvement at least.

"I made dinn…"

"Where were you?! Why did you…" Jev watched Ayanni start yelling, only to catch himself. "I'm going to clean up first…" He shook out of Jev's grasp and left alone to go to the bathroom.

"Are you ok?"

"Of course I'm fine."

"Good."

"Aren't you going to ask about Lera?"

"I'm sure that you are going to tell me all about it soon enough."

Actually he really wanted to know, but without knowing what was going on he didn't want to repeat the last time. He sat next to Lera, but she was odd. Expressive and playful. Different from what she had been before. Whatever was going on, playing it safe was for the best.

He watched as Lera stood up and walked over towards him. She looked at his right side of his face and walked around to his right. He noticed that she was curious. He didn't move, just kept watching what she was doing. Then she jumped into a big hug with him. It was sudden and very unwelcome.

"What is she doing?"

"I don't know, but she was doing it earlier too."

Jev tried to push her off. It was easy, but there was a small resistance. He watched her face turn sad. She tried to walk back over towards his sister, only to be told to sit back in her seat by the same person.

"That's new."

She quickly changed her tune and started making rhythmic noises with her hands.

"When I woke up this morning, I found her next to my bed on the floor. She was covered in blood. Her body was hurt. The healer was able to heal all her injuries, but of course she is 'different'."

"In our house? She can teleport, but she hadn't been there before. How did she know…?"

He looked at his sister. Her face was just telling him to drop it for now. He complied.

---

The mirror had small water spots on an otherwise mundane mirror. The toilet, tub and sink were similar. Not having been outright cleaned in a while, but functional. There was a small counter where the sink was located. Ayanni slammed his hands into the wood. It held no power to hurt the object.

Ayanni stared at himself and took deep breaths to calm himself down. He wanted to know what happened. By any means necessary. Of course he held himself back, but could he really control himself?

Once he felt calm enough, he made a few silly faces. It served no purpose, but he found himself finding humor in it. He was tired from all the practice he had been through.

'Ugh I really need to apologize to Jev. He took care of me this whole time. Focus self!" He slapped his face a little too hard, but as long as he had a clear head he should be able to face them. 'Paroppe… does she forgive me?'

---

Four people sat at the square table. One played with their food, while the others just sat there watching her. They didn't talk at all. After watching Lera try to hug Ayanni after circling around him like she did Jev, was still fresh in their minds. They found it humorous and concerning. A strange shift from who she once was to them.

What had this girl been through?

Paroppe decided to stop Lera from playing with her food. The juice, from the meat, was splashing around on everyone.

"Seriously Lera! Eat your food."

Lera started eating her food, instead of playing with it. Her face watched everyone else, showing an emotion of curiosity. Probably why they weren't eating. Jev noticed this.

"Thank you for making us dinner."

Jev started to eat, as did the others before the food got cold. He noticed as he said that Lera had nodded, like in agreement with him.

"Thank you Paroppe."

Ayanni felt embarrassed about how he had stood still as Lera was hugging him. He didn't mind it, but it was weird. Not something he would like to happen again unless under extremely different circumstances. So he quietly ate his food. His mind wanted answers, so after each bite he took deep breaths.

"Will you be staying the night sis?"

"No. For now we will head back home. Dad set up the guest bedroom for Lera."

"Are you sure?"

"I am."

"Okay."

As they were finishing dinner, Jev had seen Lera's actions. How child-like and playful they were. He wanted to take a chance at getting more information. Nothing big.

"Lera how are you liking my sisters' cooking?" Lera nodded to his question. Even looking at him as to answer him. He could find out more. He dropped his spoon on the floor on purpose, but the others didn't notice. He saw Lera wasn't using hers, so he thought he could try to find out more. "I dropped my spoon. I need a new one. Lera, could I use your spoon?" She handed it to him as she took the last bite of her food. He pressed further. "Do you want more Lera?" She nodded happily. He looked at his sister to find that she realized what he was doing. He was sure that Ayanni already knew, but this was more for him. Did Ayanni know that?

---

"Thank you for the food, Paroppe. Do you two want us to bring you home?"

"We'll be fine Ayanni. I can take care of myself."

"I know you can, but…" He pointed towards the girl… woman? He pointed towards Lera as she was playing with her own hair.

"Oh, maybe having one of you come along wouldn't be a bad idea."

"We'll both go with you."

"The best brother in the world!" She faced Jev, but her eyes were on the distracted Lera.

Since Jev and Ayanni were in agreement, they followed along. The streets were dark and quiet. A cloudy night covered the moon. The others were silent. They just watched Lera staring up at the stars. As Lera was about to fall forwards from getting her feet all tangled up, Paroppe and Ayanni caught her. She then grabbed their hands and started to swing them back and forth towards their home.

---

"Get in the tub Lera. No! Take your clothes off first!"

"Stop splashing the water everywhere!"

"Lera this is your room. Stay in here."

"Why are you sleeping on the floor and in my room?"

"Lera…"

"Lera."

"Seriously Lera!"

---

"Why are you doing so much for her?"

Paroppe looked at Jev. She tried to keep her eyes open, but she was tired after last night. Lera was like a child and it was difficult to handle her. The reason…

"She said she wanted to die. The next morning I found her standing in front of my room, like she hadn't moved the whole night. It hurt to see that."

"I know we said we would help her together, but she disappeared… How can you trust her?"

"I just do."

"Fine. Alright whatever." Jev scratched his head as he went back over to spar with Ayanni.

Leaving Paroppe and Lera sitting on the ground. She looked over to see Lera playing with the straps on her skirt.

"Seriously, stop that Lera. It's going to come undone and fall off."

---

"Since Lera is back, I'll start training again."

"Alright see you tomorrow sis."

"Goodnight Paroppe, Lera."

Everyone waved each other off. Paroppe just mindlessly ate dinner and got ready for bed. She was too tired to care anymore. Lera was becoming a great deal of work and it didn't stop. There wasn't anything she could do either.

"Grab your pillows and blanket. I'll help you lay them down."

The stars shone through the window next to Paroppe's bed. Lera was staring at it while, Paroppe passed out.

---

"Jev, you're not moving your hips enough and Paroppe… Well you need to be less 'flashy'. Trying to impress Lera?"

"Sorry."

"It's fine. You just need to get back into things."

Paroppe and Ayanni stood next to each other. He could see how exhausted Paroppe was and didn't know what he could do to help.

"Why don't we look for some other melee fighters and see if they are interested in sparring with us. We need to do it sometime for variety after all."

"Good idea Ayanni." Paroppe cupped her hands to her mouth and yelled. "Jev get over here!"

---

"Watch Paroppe fight! She is doing great right, Lera?"

Lera turned and nodded to Ayanni, before going back to the fight.

"How are you doing Ayanni?"

"I'm doing fine. I got it under control."

"Good. Let me know if you need anything." Jev turned towards Ayanni as the latter was preoccupied hanging onto Lera from running off. "I think we should head out for lunch. Do you need to do anything before we leave?"

"I'm good." Jev watched as Ayanni had to use both hands to prevent Lera from going to Paroppe's aid. "She can do it. She only got hit once, she's fine. It's just a spar. Relax Lera."

---

*Crack*

"Uh my shoulders are so stiff. I hurt all over, I just want to go home and lie on my bed."

"How is everything going over there? Mom? Dad?"

"They're fine. Dad was kissing mom all morning so we rushed out of there fast." Paroppe moves her shoulder again, then her legs and arms. "Huh? I feel better now."

"What do you mean?" Ayanni asked.

"I mean like everything feels better. Like after a long bath or massage." Paroppe turned towards Lera. She was looking like she needed to be praised. "Did you do this?" Lera nodded. "Thank you Lera!"

"Can you do the same thing for me too Lera?" After a nod, Ayanni felt his hold body return to normal. No stiff or overworked muscles, just relaxed. "Wow that feels great. What did you do?"

They watched as Lera smiled brightly and started literally running circles around the three. Though as they walked to a place to get food, Jev didn't ask for Lera to do anything for him like that. He wasn't sure how safe it was, so he changed the subject as they continued.