エル・メル・マータ

“I called him but he said he’s going to be late today, so he said to go with you.”

So that was the other issue that stopped her from speaking up.

It was true that Jude and he had discussed adopting since they both wanted to have a child in their future together and, while they hadn’t spoken to anyone else about it, Elle had been privy to it courtesy of his explanation over that midday dream. It was only natural then that she would keep that particular detail in mind.

But… somehow, that didn’t feel like much of a problem to Alvin since the solution was simple enough. Elle was technically an under-aged orphan and one in obvious need of a legal guardian or parents.

It’d be a good opportunity to get her identification papers done for Elempios and deal with the issue of her family name at the same time.

“That won’t be a problem if we adopt you though, will it?” he asked rhetorically, pulling his handkerchief out to dab–not press or rub–at her tear-stained cheek before moving the cloth over her nose, pinching it and wiggling it playfully. “It might be better to wait until we’re married to do that, but…”

He trailed off here as he wasn’t entirely sure which course of action would be best in their situation. Jude had only recently turned 18 and that might work against them, but the adoption he had envisioned was a joint commitment as opposed to a solo undertaking.

“B-but...” Elle started just as Alvin interrupted with the rest of his words.

Would Jude be really okay with that?  Was adopting a friend really that easy?  Or forming a family even though they weren’t related by blood?  Couldn’t they all just stay as friends?

... However, if they were family then... doesn’t that mean she could stay for good?

Without a doubt, Alvin’s words had caused hope to grow in the young girl.  If his words were true and they were willing to let her in their lives by that much, how could she even dare to complain?

“....” Falling silent again even as she stood up and reached out to grip at the cuff of the brunet’s jacket, she nodded.

So, it really had been an issue of her wanting to be where her papa and Ludger both lived. His theory to Jude regarding her presence in Elempios hadn’t been completely off, nor were the unspoken parallels with his past completely unwarranted.

Maybe when she was older, she’d be more comfortable with the thought of living elsewhere permanently, but he thought such attachment and sentimentalism was perfectly reasonable of her. He himself had lived with such sentiments for over twenty years after all.

"See?” he uttered gently, placing his other hand on the top of that bowed head in a soft pat. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

Which was to say, there was no way he could refuse her either when she obviously wanted to be here.

There was also the lingering thought of being eventually kicked out once she did become a hindrance.  Everyone had to move on in some way or another and it didn’t always mean she would be included.  Especially after hearing what Alvin and Jude had been discussing between them.

“It doesn’t,” he returned firmly as he kept a good hold of her hand and moved to his so-called confession. “My secret is… I’m happy that you’re here with us and think it’d be nice if you chose to stay here for good.”

Even with all the banter and 'bullying’ he was suffering at her hands, the brunet realized early on that her 'intrusion’ in Jude and his daily routine didn’t feel like an imposition. Sure, the two males had to adjust their day to accommodate her presence and now had less time to themselves, but her addition to their household was actually quite a pleasant and lively one.

And, maybe it was just him seeing more similarities between their situation where there might not be many, but he also thought that, at her age, she belonged more on her homeland than in Liese Maxia. It would certainly put his mind at ease about whether or not she was healing properly or if she was just coping with her circumstances.

"I...” Elle started before biting back at her lip as she felt it quiver from that emotions that were suddenly welling up.

If he makes such an offer then...

“Everyone is so nice and I like staying with Elise and Drossel, but...” her voice broke out into a whimper, “B-But Elempios is where I met Ludger... and where I lived with Papa.  I want to be closest to where Papa and Ludger lived.”

Then, how could she refuse?

Which in any other situation Alvin might’ve teased her about given how she’d come to their apartment without warning and had yet to leave, but in this case…

“... It better not have anything to do with the lady you’ve been dreaming about.” Elle grumbled unhappily, but with the intention of turning the conversation away from where she felt it was heading.

“But it’s still hurtful and make you feel like you don’t belong, right?”

Ultimately, there was only so much Drossel and Elise could do for her on that front. No matter how much they wanted to help, Elle’s gate wouldn’t ever be open, just as Alvin’s hadn’t no matter how long he’d lived in Liese Maxia, and that would always be a point of contention between Elle and her Liese Maxia peers.

And not belonging was something that could easily make one miserable. That much he knew.

And this situation, much as she wanted it, was one of those she didn’t want to force upon any of her friends.  

“…If you mean friends with Liese Maxia kids, then no, I didn’t,” he replied quietly. “Are they giving you a hard time at school for not being able to use mana?”

“... Mm.” she nodded again, “But nothing serious... We just have a hard time understanding each other sometimes.  Everyone knows that I can’t use mana but sometimes...”

What followed, however, was disappointment.  That meant he couldn’t really understand what she was experiencing, could he?  And that also meant he wouldn’t be able to give her accurate advice.  But she supposed it didn’t hurt to ask a few questions now that she had started on it.