Do you remember seeing and/or meeting humans for the first time? What was it like?
Starling, that was millennia ago. I was, oh, so very little.
In the old days, you see, the entire continent was called Xadia, and humans and elves lived together all over Xadia, along with dragons, phoenixes, and other sentient creatures. Seeing humans wasn’t so rare for most elves.
For me, my parents were rather protective. I think I was around six the first time I met a sentient creature that wasn’t of my arcanum. A Sun dragon, if I remember correctly. But you asked about humans.
I don’t remember how old I was exactly. Young, small. My horns didn’t have the points they do now, so I must have barely started adolescence. It was my first time out in Xadia alone, so I had to be at least thirteen.
She was smaller than me by over a head. Dainty, even, especially compared to the tall, powerfully built elves I knew. Her skin was such a beautiful shade of brown, and her hair was like a cloud. I was entranced. Every elf I knew had deep purple or blue skin carrying their own star map, and straight or wavy white hair. The few other elves I’d met had straight hair too. I remember wondering what kind of magic humans possessed, that they could pull clouds from the sky and wear them. Perhaps it had something to do with their lack of horns, or their extra fingers.
I didn’t believe my mother when she told me humans didn’t have magic. I didn’t listen when she told me not to go near any human, or any creature I didn’t know, without her, and I snuck out to see the human the next day.
She was there again! Picking strawberries. I remember just watching her as she ate almost as many berries as she put in her basket.
Finally, after a week, I worked up my courage and leapt down from my spying um surveillance tree. I don’t remember the exact wording of our conversation, but I’ll try to paraphrase.
“Hello,” I said.
She jumped. Starling, I startled her so much, she literally jumped.
“Don’t be scared!” I held up my hands. “I’m just an elf.”
She held her basket in front of her like a weapon. “Yeah?”
“Yes,” I said. “Startouch.” I pointed to the stars under my eyes. “See?”
She lowered her basket, taking a couple steps closer. “Yeah.”
“Can you say anything else?” In case that was rude, I added, “My name is Aaravos. What’s yours?”
“Ellyan,” she said. “You’re really a star elf?”
I nodded, confused. “What else would I be?”
Ellyan shrugged. “There aren’t many star elves in Xadia, is all.”
“There are plenty!” I protested. “We just don’t live here.”
“Here?”
I gestured around. “On Xadia.”
“Where do you live then?”
I waved my hand at the sky vaguely.
“In the sky.”
“No, I-- oh, it’s complicated. You wouldn’t understand.”
“Because?” Ellyan sounded like she’d heard that before. “Because I’m a kid? Because I’m a girl?”
“Um, no. Because you’re not Star-connected.”
Ellyan made a face at that, then reached into her basket. “Strawberry?”
I paused. The little red fruit glowed like a ruby.
“It’s good,” Ellyan said.
“I know!”
“Have you ever had a strawberry before?”
I lifted my chin. “Yes, of course.” I held out my hand.
Ellyan dropped the strawberry into my palm. “Don’t eat the green bit.”
“I’ve had strawberries before,” I huffed. Ellyan’s eyes twinkled as she bit the stem off another berry before popping it into her mouth. I followed her example, and my eyes widened.
“Oh. My Stars,” I breathed.
“I knew you hadn’t had strawberries!” Ellyan declared.
“I have so! Just,” I admitted, “only the ones that were already cut up and with milk.”
“They’re better fresh from the vine and soaked in sunlight.”
"Can I have another?”
Life was good then, starling. Before all that business with Sol Regem and my apprentice.
