“Alright. I know my parents will love you.” Cirice smiles, “I’m sure there are, but scars are signs of battle, I want at least one. What kind of adventurer would I be if I didn’t have scars?” She jokes softly.

“Good I look forward to it. You have siblings and I don’t so I look forward to meeting them.” She grins, not pressing further and taking a deep breath. “Right to my house!”

The pair of travel together via Halcyon to a sizeable traditional manor house right on the waters of a little river.. The house is sturdy and well-constructed, with sliding doors and wide wooden porches. Sitting at the main entrance is a pair of moon elves, a man and a woman, in simple kimonos, awaiting them. The pair look them over with warm smiles.

“Welcome to our home, young man.” Cirice’s mother says, giving him a shallow bow, “We have heard so much about you. I am Cirice’s mother, Lyleth, its a pleasure to meet you. This is my husband Seto, we welcome you with open arms.”

"A smart one is what you'd be." He smiles and kisses her forehead before turning to head back to Halcyon, whistling the kestrel back down.

The bird is landed a minute or so outside the home, just so they aren't descending into the middle of a garden and ruining flowers or anything like that. Though since they are expected and they are atop a very visible bird, it's not like the landing is done in secret. Halcyon flexes his wings out to give the pair a moment to readjust clothing and hair from the flight before they head up to meet her family.

"T-the pleasure is all mine." He grins, wide, but nervous as he hesitates a moment to return the bow unsure if he is supposed to. "Knowing Cirice, I can only imagine everything she has said about me so far. I'm sure it's all been far too positive."

“Nonsense.” Lyleth says with a smile, “You’re just as humble as she said. Perhaps too much. Please, come in. Do remove your shoes and grab some slippers and we’ll have a lovely lunch.”

“I hope you like fish, young man.” Seto adds, giving him an inviting smile as they rise and usher the couple inside.

Cirice squeezes Gerhart’s hand tight as they head inside. Lyleth leads them to the dining room where a feast of sushi is being brought out by a maid.

“Tell us about yourself, Gerhart. Shizuki has had nothing but praise and blushes. Seems you’ve thoroughly won our daughter’s heart.” She and Seto sit on one side of the low table on a pair of cushions on the floor and she gestures for them to sit opposite them.

"I've never been one to turn down food, especially when it's free." He gives a little laugh as he follows after, still bubbling with some nervousness as he tries to as the kids say play it cool.

Gerhart nearly forgets the recently explained rule to take of the shoes before Cirice gently reminds him. He eases into the slippers a little curious about this tradition. It was a hard balance to not just start blurting out every question that came to mind and filter down to just being as normal as is possible for him.

"I think I'm only about half as amazing as the stories she's probably told." He smiles as he sits down on a cushion. "I know Rice will admonish me for this, but I promise I've no exciting history. Didn't really expect to end up on all the adventures I have been so far, just sort of....trying to do right by people ya know? It's all been pretty accidental."

“If this is you being incredible on accident then I’d love to see what good you could do if you really tried,” Cirice giggles. “Don’t let him fool you, he’s really amazing. My hero. He’s like a prince from a on old tale.”

“Humility is a virtue, but so is acknowledging your own accomplishments, young man. Be proud of who you are and what you’ve accomplished. Even if that was not what you set out to do you’ve done a great amount of good from what Shizuki said, that is nothing to scoff at. Just having the courage to do the right thing is impressive.” Seto says, with a smile. “Not many people would risk their lives for the sake of others, and yet you do.”

“What of your history? Shizuki tells me you’re from Moonglade. I’m from Eclipse City myself, though its been almost a century since I pent a good amount of time there. Tell us of your family, perhaps we’ve met. Our trade company is pretty well-connected.” Lyleth pours them tea as she speaks.

Gerhart just makes a quiet gesture of 'I told you so' as Cirice does jump in to immediately start talking him up. It was still a process getting used to such effusive praise from the others. He looks to the floor with a little laugh as he rubs the back of his neck, cheeks burning.

The tea is a welcome distraction, even as temporary as it is. He really should've thought about his answer about his family, of course they were going to ask about. It's a pretty common question and natural the parents would want to know their daughter isn't getting herself in trouble with some boy.

"Probably not." He says quietly, almost imperceptibly into his tea before coughing gently to cover it. "Uh, well actually Dad writes plays, so I brought two as a gift, I know Cirice has her books, but you could add these to a collection here."

Gerhart retrieves a small wrapped bundle with two leatherbound copies of script plays: The King's Ransom and A Devil's Night, both written by Arkmir Kymenos. If her parents supported the arts, the name wouldn't be unfamiliar. The plays are two of his most popular and the name is connected to the Kymenos Family Circus, a traveling band of fellbloods that often perform for orphans or for little to no cost. Fellbloods generally don't make humans though if they make that connection.

“Plays?” Cirice’s eyes light up with wonder and joy, “you never told me that! I love plays, we should go see one sometime! That would be so fun! I’ll have to get copies for my library too and get your dad to sign them!” She bounces with glee at the thought.

Lyleth takes the pair of books reverently and looks them over, “Thank you, that’s a very thoughtful gift, Gerhart. Hmm… Kymenos… That name sounds familiar… Isn’t Arkmir the head of the family?” Her brow furrows the tiniest bit, “A fellblood if I remember correctly, though I’ve only seen him once the last time I spent much time in Eclipse City, oh my probably before Cirice was even born. I believe Seto and I went and saw the Ciricus before returning home.”

“You’re dad’s a fellblood?” Cirice asks innocently with a smile, “I didn’t know that either! An author and a fellblood, you have to introduce me. Mother Moon says people with horns are very trustworthy. And if he’s your dad I’m sure he’s as wonderful as you are!”

“Cirice will you please take these to the library for me quickly so they don’t get ruined?”

“Of course haha, be right back!” She gives Gerhart a quick kiss on the cheek and skips out of the room with the leather tomes held tightly to her chest.

Once she’s gone Lyleth’s expression becomes more somber.

“I don’t know much about you, Gerhart, outside of what praises our daughter has sung, but I do have some concerns. Shizuki is only twenty, barely more than a child by elven standards. If she hadn’t been called to serve Mother Moon she would still be living at home safely for another thirty or fourty years at least… She is so very smitten with you, but I worry about what the future holds for you both. Adventuring is dangerous, and you’ve proved to be a great protector… Please do everything in your power to stay safe and live as long as you can. Whatever the future holds I hope that you can be happy together. If ever there is anything you need please don’t hesitate to come to us and we will support you in any way we can.”

Gerhart is a little surprised at how quickly they move past that topic aand don't press any further. Either they didn't put too much thought into it or they understood the implication and were kind enough to not press any further. He wanted to keep this dinner a positive one, but then there is the leveled statement from Lyleth.

The ranger is quiet a moment, he shouldn't be surprised the parents would take her safety above all else. Especially if she was being taken in by a man they didn't know and led towards a life of nothing but danger and struggle.

He offers a quiet smile, hands folded in his lap. "I'll be honest, I never expected things to go so well with Cirice so quickly....I want to promise you I'll never let harm come to her, I really do. But I know that would be stupid to promise. I do a lot of stupid things but telling a pretty obvious lie seems like a bad thing to do the first time you meet someone's parents. I can promise I will do my best to make sure we are happy for whatever amount of time she is willing to share with me."

For a moment there is silence. Then Seto nods once.

“Thank you, Gerhart. It seems that our daughter chose well. A man of honor and integrity. Your words and deeds are truly noble. We hope that the two of you can live happily for a long time. Shizuki tends to love freely and absolutely. No matter what happens we want you both to be content in your lives. You’re both so young and yet so powerful and strong… You honor us by joining our family.” He gives him a deep bow that Lyleth mirrors.

“I do want to know more about your father… How is it that he has a human son..? I don’t claim to know much about fellbloods but I didn’t think that was usually something that happened… Perhaps you can share more of your history with us?”

In a blink Cirice is back sitting next to Gerhart with a smile on her face¹, “All taken care of! Thank you for the books, I can’t wait to read them!”

---

1 Blink

Gerhart leans back with a little sheepish laugh, seems there's no avoiding it huh? The past few people he'd mentioned Arkmir and family to didn't seem to know him so he was able to slip under the radar. This was going to come out one way or another wasn't it?

"Well...he's not exactly my real dad...I was pretty young when it happened, but my parents died....Werewolf attack on our village...Dad...or well Arkmir found what few of us had survived...just a few kids, and helped us get to the next village. He stuck around awhile to look after us, but...he's a traveling performer. Doesn't make much money staying still. But that's all boring, sad stuff, I don't wanna bring dinner down or anything like that. I promise it sounds way worse than it was. We were pretty happy even on the streets."

A feeling of deep worry and sorrow curls up Gerhart’s arm as he tells of his childhood. Cirice’s face is worried, openly sad and concerned for her beloved. She feels his guilt at bringing the mood down and she squeezes his hand tightly.

“That’s awful…” She whispers, “Gerhart, I’m so sorry… I’m glad you made the best of it but… I’m so sorry my love.”

She leans in and wraps him in a tight embrace. Suddenly the sadness and strength behind his smile, his unwavering positivity in the face of fear and danger a practice learned through pain and survival.

“You’re not bringing dinner down,” Lyleth says quietly, “I am sorry for pressing… I am sorry to hear about your family’s passing but I’m glad to know you had the care of someone loving as you grew up… Please know that you have a place here in our family, a home here should you or yours ever need it.”

Seto nods solemnly, his smile soft and sad and understanding. "I've gained a brother through Shizuki's adventures, we're glad to gain a son as well."

"It was gonna come up eventually, you didn't press." He gives a much smaller than normal smile and a soft, but muted laugh. "Most of the time I really don't worry about it honestly....just sorta bein here got me worried about it. Most people either don't know who my dad is right away or there's more pressing matters at hand like monsters or something to fight so we don't really talk about it."

Gerhart does warm a bit as Cirice holds tight to him, nodding to Seto. "I do appreciate the offer, most of us are doing pretty OK actually. I have a home, I know a few of the other kids found apprenticeships to earn money or new families to take them in. Things are a lot better now."

“I am glad to hear that. Should any of them need a place to call home, ours will welcome them with open arms. I am a humble fisherman but my wife is the head of a trade company, whatever we can do to help the family of our family, we will.” Seto says solemnly with a small smile. “You have a place here as well, any time you wish.”

“I’m glad you told us… I love learning more about you. About the amazing man I have the honor of being beside. I‘d love to meet your father and thank him for all he’s done for you.”

“Perhaps one day we could host one of Arkmir’s performances here on the island? We could have a grand feast to celebrate and all our neighbors could enjoy the art and culture of the mainland.”

"I think it might be easier to invite you to see a show in Eclipse City than convince him to join something like that." Gerhart softly laughs. "Dad's a bit strange about who he performs for and stuff...he preferred just to show up in random towns, playing for only donations, but wouldn't keep a solar...Never told me where they went....Then back in the city tickets to his plays can be pretty expensive."

Another little chuckle, it was sort of an odd and confusing business operation. Gerhart never did much to question how or why Arkmir seemed to have the endless funds for this philanthropic adventure, but he didn't need to know.

"Dad always said his traveling show was for the kids, not the adults, so it would be unfair to charge kids to see it or make it some big thing cause some kids don't have parents to pay for them."

“He sounds wonderful Gerhart… No wonder you’re so great. It seems you had a really great person to look up to!” Cirice smiles and leans against his shoulder.

“Perhaps we can come to Eclipse City and see a show then.” Lyleth says without hesitation, “its been quite a while and that would be a lovely family outing.”

“You think your dad would be cool with that?” Cirice asks anxiously, “Meeting me and my parents?”