Elfifi Elfi

BASED ON AN OLD BACKSTORY
"I had finally gotten in touch with the last of the group and here she was. She had made it back to me safely." The Exarch thought at the sight of her.

Elphie stumbled toward them for a moment and looked up at the Exarch then over to Callashel and A‘quil, clearly dizzy. "Oh good, you're safe…” she said with a smile before she turned toward A’quil and vomited at his feet.. "I... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..." She apologized profusely as she stumbled backward and passed out.

"She didn't recognize me? Did something happen? We knew there were going to be some small risks but I wouldn't have sent her if I had thought there was a chance for memory loss..." The Exarch thought to himself. He stood there staring as Callashel rushed to help her small friend while the hungover A’quil mumbled some smart ass comment with disgust.

Callashel looked up at the Exarch. "Why are you just standin’ there?”

The Exarch cleared his throat and moved in sweeping Elphie up from the ground and toward his study where he placed her on a tufted lounge in the corner. Doing his best to conceal any emotions, he moves over to a clean wash bin. He dunked one wash cloth in the cool water and rang it out then dipped the corner of another. He folded the soaked cloth and placed it on Elphie’s forehead then leaned forward and cleaned her face with the corner of the second cloth. "You should probably be the first person she sees when she wakes up." He finally says to Callashel.

As soon as Callashel moves to sit with Elphie, A'quil peaks his head through the open door and looks at the Exarch, “So… who else was supposed to be here?" He opened a bottle he had hidden on his person and chugged a bit of it as he leaned against the door jam.

"Well, from what I had seen... 5 others." The Exarch said placing the dirty cloth next to the wash bin and moving over to his research.

Just as the room fell silent again Callashel smiled down at Elphie who had covered her face with embarrassment. “There she is!" She exclaimed quietly.

"Cally, please tell me I didn't actually throw up in front of everyone." Elphie pleads while peaking up at her through her small fingers.

"Oho! Aye, you most definitely spood your guts…" A'quil's voice chimed in, "...all over my boots." He continued.

The Exarch looked over from his research at Elphie. "I'm glad to see you're awake."

Elphie's attention moved over to him as she sat up properly next to Callashel.

Callashel motioned toward him, “This is the Exarch. Exarch this is..."

"Elfifi..." The Exarch gently interrupted with Elphie's given name. "Do you remember me?"

Elphie looks at him with an agitated and offended expression, "No, I don't and how do you know..."

"You know what? It's been a long mornin’. Elphie you should see the rest of the Crystarium." Callashel interjected. "Some fresh air would do you some good plus the Exarch has some more work to do in findin’ the others that came with you."

"But..." Elphie retorted weakly.

"You can question him until you are blue in the face after you rest for a bit." Callashel said as if it was final. She knew very well that there were only two people Elphie had trusted with her given name, herself and Kirin, and she was not about to let her sweet friend be overwhelmed by a stranger. "A’quil, you are welcome to join us if you want. We can get you new boots while we're out."

Seeing that Elphie had given in, the Exarch sighed and nodded. "We'll talk more later then.” He replied as he watched Callashel help her off the chair and move to the door.

As soon as they left the room, A'quil walked into the study now barefoot. "Cheer up and have a drink, at least she didn't vomit on your nice robes." He placed the half empty bottle on the table and left to catch up with the girls.