#leileah

Dark and empty.  Such were Tris’ thoughts and her flat when she came home.  It was still bittersweet. Coming home to an empty flat.  That time had been odd for her, for both of them she surmised.

It was odd. While he was there during the dark of night, outside of that? They both seemed to find things to keep them busy and away from each other.  It wasn’t as if things had been bad when they were together. If anything, it had been easy.

She had sensed how it would go; how it always went, once Duir was back. So arrangements were made, fires kindled.  She had been right, but outside of that, she was quite pleased in how things had gone in the weeks since Duir had returned. When she had first met Raerys, she wasn’t sure exactly what she was looking for nor what she would get. In the time since forging that relationship, she found she craved others. They made her vulnerable, but she couldn’t seem to keep from trying even if she didn’t fully understand the complexities that made a relationship. She didn’t care, she needed them.

Tris stopped outside her guest room, the one most thought was her room. It was clean, sheets fresh. She nodded and continued through the door to her room.  Another great idea, she thought to herself.

This applied to her cousin as well. She felt she had a handle on everything except her. Just like so many others, as soon as she and Leah were getting to know each other, Leah was gone. She appreciated that at least Leah had let her know, had written her a note cutting her off. But she was no less empty because of it.

This was where it began to fall apart. The note still laid on her desk. It would gather dust if not for Nardrah meticulously dusting. She picked it up, eyes scanning the words she nearly had memorized by now.

“Tris,

    I have to go away for a while. I’m not happy about this, we were finally starting to get along like proper cousins. Thank you for showing me that not all of our family are as overbearing and cruel as I once believed. In the meantime, I hope your business continues to flourish and feel free to use the cupcake recipe I sent with the last letter.

Maybe we can meet up again after all of this passes.

Truely,

L.K.”

Tris sighed and grabbed a bag and started haphazardly tossing clothing inside. No matter what plans she made, arrangements she made, there was always that emptiness. It was easier now to know when it was coming, the looming figure that only gnawed at her when she was alone. It was easier now to have someone there to distract her. Still, that wasn’t always enough.

She found her comm and sent off a quick message to Raerys.

“Hey, I’m going out of town. I won’t be available for a few days. See you soon. XOXO.”

She’d wait until morning to return to Silithus. She did have morning plans after all.

A small mana ray arrived at Trisandrah’s apartment. Fastened to it was a small box containing a delicately wrapped cupcake and a handful of Dwarven spices. In its mouth, a cylinder housing a piece of parchment.

     “It’s been a few weeks since we last talked. In that time I’ve made my way to Ironforge. It’s nice here, and relatively peaceful. One of the local pups has a small balcony that overlooks the Great Forge. There’s an odd comfort to be found sitting in the forges glow, basking in its warmth. The people here are fairly kind. There are the sour looks, sure, but most are polite enough. I think I may even prefer it here to Father's estate.

     I’ve taken up baking in my time here. Try the sweet I sent along with Lueur and let me know what you think. I’m sure communicating by Mana Ray is new to you. When you’re ready, deposit your letter in tube he carries and send him on his way. He’ll eventually find his way back to me.

I’m looking forward to when we cross paths again.

Truly.

L.E.”

“I brought you something, I hope you enjoy. Erm, try not to choke on the suckers.” - Leah

Trisandrah and Mira had met to discuss chocolates.  Tris never was sure exactly why Ande had introduced them as Mira had done little in the way of actually selling any chocolates in the human city. Or anywhere really.

“Oh…your cousin sent this.” Mira commented as she handed a box to Tris. 

Trisandrah nodded and took the box, taking the time to quickly read the card. “Oh, thank you.”

“She wants to see ya, ya know? She always wants to see ya. If she weren’t so worried bout comin to your city, I expect you’d see ‘er a lot more.”

Tris looked up from the note, tucking it back into the side of the box. “Hmm? Oh…aye. I’ll meet with her. Tell her as much. I’ve got…things going on right now. Too much for a trip to see her. But soon.”

After Mira had left, Tris opened the box to look inside.  Now the note made sense. She laughed and shook her head, reaching a hand in to swipe a finger in the icing. 

Once back home, she sat the box on the counter and quickly scribbled out a reply.

“Leah,

Thank you for the cupcakes. I’ll see you soon. Our spot in the Bay?

What are you going to do you silly girl?

What if she comes back? Will she tell all about your family?

Does she know more than you do? That’s likely as you don’t know anything about anyone beyond your father.

Tris made her way from the shower, toweling her hair dry. She stopped and bent to pick up the crumpled parchment laying by the fireplace.  

Ms. Emberstrom

An update. I’ve found a few places to sell your chocolates. I haven't made contact, though. The people I’ve shared them with really like them.

On another note, I’ve met and working with an Emberstrom lady. One of those new elves that’s showing up over here. You might’ve heard. Anyway, once I heard her name, I asked her. Ya might know her. In fact, I’m sure ya do. She wants to meet with ya.”

Truly,

Mira T

Tris sat on the bed and read the letter again. She turned and smoothed the crumpled paper out, squinting to read a few words from the human contact in Stormwind and blew out a breath.