(LA Day)the old coffee shop...

[Aredhel]

((ahem... my hair is PURPLE!!! ......that is all,))
((ok, I lied, not all... moment of truth!! where has aredhel been?))

I stood up sharply, holding up my hands; every muffin hung still in the air. I could feel the familiar aura in the air around me, one tha tI hadn't felt for the better part of 2000 years - give or take. It sat heavily, threatening to choke what little life I had left right out of me. I almost succumbed to the will to run. Almost. But I refused to give her that satisfaction.

"Aredhel!" Her voice cut through the now silent coffee shop, scaring the various creatures that made their homes in the rafters. In seconds it was silent again, but I knew it would not stay that way for long.

She walked over to me, almost gliding in a way that made me want to break her delicatle little ankles; I remembered a time when I glided like that. Her chesnut brown hair fell in light waves past her shoulders, almost seeming to float. Green eyes were narrowed slightly to show her distaste of where she wa and who she was facing; they matched her hunter green dress. And framing her face were two delicately pointed ears.

"Hello Aralin," I greeted, somewhat icily. She was one of the last people I wanted to see right now. "Is there a reason you're here, or do you just wish to insult me further?"

"You know," she snapped back, "I could kill you where you stand, insulent child."

"Try it," I challenged. She did nothing. "No really, I dare you. Try to kill me and see what happens. Take my unlife right now and end me! What will they think of you then?!"

I was aware of my companions' look sand thoughts of confusion but I ignored them. They would find ou twhen I was damn ready to tell them, or when Aralin decided to properly introduce herself - whichever came first. It was impossible to tell with her.

"Its disgustin, what you've become," she said finally. "Absolutely morbid."

"Yea, because, you know, I meant to get ymself killed by the last demon to leave earth. That was on my agenda the whole time."

She narrowed her eyes. "Do not use that tone with me, Aredhel. You know, when you came to us, we thought it was good sign, we thought it meant you were ready to change. I see now we were wrong."

"All I wanted was your acceptance," I countered. "Something you wouldn't give me. Something you never gave me. That's why I left. I'd hoped you would all stay in your cosy island homes."

"You knew we'd find you eventually. We always find you. It's time for you to come home." Aralin held out her hand to me, and her expression softened. For a moment, I was taken in and ready to go wth her. Then I remembered the people standing around me; friends.

"When I went to you, I was broken. I needed guidance, yes, and training. And I honed my skills with a blade, bow, and magic. You gave me all that I asked for save one thing-"

"It was not ours to give."

"Bullshit! All I wanted was forgiveness, for my crimes against you and the world. I wanted forgiveness for-"

"For not protecting your daughter, Aredhel, I know. Only she can give you that, and you should not seek it. She should have protected herself. You are not accountable for her weakness."

Without thinking I unsheathed the sword at my side, the weapon made by the daughter of which we spoke. The perfect blade reflected the dim lighting into Aralin's face; I held it against her neck.

"Say what you will about me," I said, dangerously low, "But the next time you insult my daughter, I will kill you with her blade."

Aralin's eyes flicked to the blade and back to me, a challenge in them. "Come now," she said, sounding eerily calm. "You would not behead your own kin, your own sister."

I dropped the blade. Cat was out of the bag.

"Everyone, meet my sister, Aralin Laurëwen."

[Jessy Jackson]

"Hello," I said with obviously false brightness. My thoughts....well let's just say they weren't nice.

[Azoth (Kyler)]

(((Wow! What a long introduction!)))

I stared at the new elf that Aredhel called Aralin Laurëwen, 'great! First humans, now an elf! Could this get any worse?' I thought, remembering that elves and undead did not get along at all.

[Maya]

"Hi." I said icily. Her sister, huh? Well kin or not, she better watch the bitchiness to Del or she'll be lookng for a whoopin', I thought.

[Jessy Jackson]

I looked at the elf. I'd done some reading in the Training Centre's library and discovered the history of shapeshifters. They didn't have a good relationship with elves.

[rachelle]

"Hi Aralin, it's nice to meet you." I said, watching everyone elses reactions to Aredhel's sister. Aralin didn't look to be widely accepted. Aralin had been pretty b*tchy to Aredhel, and i had not failed to hear how much she did not like demons. I guess she won't like me then, even if i am half and half.

[Azoth (Kyler)]

I sat there and looked at the elf suspiciously while getting ready to attack if she made and sudden, hostile movements.

[Aredhel]

I could feel the tension in the room, pressing against everyone. I had been in my share of tense places, but this... this was pretty bad. I knew very well the relationship that the elves shared with most of the species with me today. They didn't like demons, shapeshifters, undead, or anything of the sort. In fact, they barely tolerated humans, and they're inherently good (apparently), let alone something inherently evil. But I knew Aralin.

"She wont harm any of you," I said to them, hoping to ease their concers.

Aralin nodded grudgingly. "I haven't come to start a quarrel. I only wish to see my sister."

[Maya]

"I know." I said aimably. "But your sister is also our friend, and i just wanted to make it clear that we'll be right beside her all the way, no matter what. Why dont you have a seat?"

[Jackson ''Doc'' Ellison]

Before I sat, I grabbed the elf by the arm.

"Unhand me human," she spat.

"Wielder," I corrected. "Saber Wielder," Aralin looked like someone had just told her she wasn't really an elf. Elves didn't like humans, sure, but they had some respect for those that wielded Soul Sabers. "One should not talk about, or to, family that way, no matter the situation. It dishonours them and the speaker," that said, I let her go, sat down and prepared to listen to her story.

[Azoth (Kyler)]

'Ahhhh, shouldn't believe the elf!' I thought to myself, still staying as tense as before, I wasn't going to trust the elf, and just because she said that she wasn't going to attack, doesn't mean I should trust her any more!!

[Jessy Jackson]

I noticed the way Aralin's eyes narrowed when she looked at me. I looked at her cooly and waited for her to say it.
"Shapeshifter." It wasn't a question, it was a statement.
I nodded.

[Aredhel]

I shook my head and magicked up a chair for Aralin (a very fancy chair if I do say so myself: high back, mahogany, silk cushions). Holding it out for her, I waited for her to sit. Even if it made me want to cut off my own head, she was my guest, and propriety cannot be forgotten. Not when one traces one's lineage back to the noble house of the elves. Vampire or not, I couldn't forget my manners. That would give her too much satisfaction.

Aralin sat down, forcing her resentment back to some dark and dusty corner of her mind. I could see the change come over her when she did so. Either she really just wanted to talk, or she was leading us all on. Of course, I knew Aralin better than that: she wouldn't attack unprovoked.

I sat down in my regular chair beside her as she looked around. I knew she didn't want to speak to any of these people (except maybe Doc and Maya who had actually earned her respect in the past five minutes), but was willing to do so for me. I wondered why.

"I have come," she began, "to see my sister. That you already know. When she came to us, searching for herself, I did not see her. She sought many things, the least of which you heard us arguing about only moments ago."

"Those were the least?" I cut in, glaring. "They seemed pretty damn important to me."

"You know very well that other things were far more valuable."

"Yet far less valued by me," I shot back.

Aralin gave me a look that silenced my instantly. "After you left, the community was split. The elves wanted to keep their treasure; they are not selfish, dear sister, you know that. But it doesn't matter anyways. Because they wanted to help you. So they bade me come to to you. I am at your service, until you find what you seek."

I raised my eyebrows in disbelief. "At my service? Aralin," I muttered, shaking my head. I didn't want her here against her will. Whether she angered my or not, she was, and always will be, my sister. "If you do not want to be here, then your service to me is to go back to your home."

Aralin stayed where she was. "You may have died, and I may hate what you have become, but you are primarily my sister," she said, unknowingly mirroring my own thoughts. "I will," she closed her eyes; whatever she was about to say, it must have been hard for her. "I will surround myself with your friends, if it means helping you."

There were many times before that point that I wondered why I ever had a sister. The wondering stopped there.

[Maya]

I relaxed a little, because i knew that Arlin meant it- even an Elf is readable sometimes. She truly did care about Aredhel, even if she despised the demon that was inside her sister. So for the moment, at least, she was alright by me.

[Azoth (Kyler)]

Even though I DESPISED elves, I knew that, them being siblings, I could now trust her sister as I knew that Toraan would never attack my allies, or friends as they may call them...

Slightly more relaxed, I sat, and prepared to listen to any stories that would be told, and to, possibly, welcome this elven stranger. I knew it was hard to fit in, and feel accepted by these humans, and I also knew that it wouldn't be easy for her... I, against my will, decided to help her, all I can to fit in with this group.