by Eden Redd
“Am I going to learn more about you and Captain Thorn?” Jon grinned.
Lilly returned his grin with her own. “I’ll give you the details when we have another moment.”
“Is it dirty?” Jon asked, unable to hide his smile.
“Yes,” Lilly said simply.
Jon’s face grew hotter. “Okay then. Enjoy dinner and I hope we see you downstairs soon.”
Jon turned and left the room. Closing the door behind him, he took one more glance inside to see Lilly smiling.
Door closed, he made his way downstairs.
I’ve never been to Aquris. I’ve read what I can, but to actually go is a completely different experience. This trip sounds dangerous and yet, why am I so excited to go? Am I breaking out of my shell? Am I really going to go on a secret pirate mission? Am I just a love sick fool for elves? What is happening to me?
Jon reached the bottom of the stairs and walked the short hallway, his mind clusters of confusion and excitement. When he reached the living room, he was about to sit on the couch with Zelda and Cora when the doorbell rang.
Zelda was to her webbed feet, hands flexing. Jon lifted a hand, signaling to wait. The young man crossed the main room to the door. Looking through the peephole, he saw two figures standing there, but the sun hadn’t set yet. It created a moment where long shadows covered their faces, but something familiar jammed into his mind.
Jon took hold of the doorknob, turned and opened the door toward him. The inside light illuminated the two figures as they looked to Jon with loving eyes and smiles.
“Mom? Dad?” Jon said with wide, unblinking eyes.
Three
“Son,” the large man said as he stepped in and embraced Jon.
Jon struggled to breathe, his father’s strong arms crushing his ribs and forcing the air out of his lungs.
Zelda stood in the living room, watching the reunion play out. The large man crushing Jon was taller, almost six-four. His shoulders were wide and strong. Short, black hair covered his head except for a lock of grey flowing from one temple. He wore normal clothes of a shirt and pants, but his feet were in sandals. Despite the tender moment, his body gave off strength and power.
Jon’s mother stepped in and closed the door behind her. She had a kind smile and large, bright blue eyes. She was fit and thin, her height the same as Jon’s. Her hair was long and tied back. Zelda didn’t notice it at first, but the moment she stepped in and was under the light, the sea elf could see a blue tinge to her dark hair.
Cora stood up and stayed by Zelda’s side, watching the affectionate display with unblinking eyes.
“My boy,” Jon’s father said as he continued to crush Jon.
“Dad… need… air,” Jon managed.
The large man loosened his grip and stepped back, his gaze filled with amused concern. Jon gasped as air rushed back into his lungs. The moment he composed himself, his mother rushed in for her hug.
Jon’s heart melted to his mother’s embrace as she knew just how to hug him.
From the stairs, Lilly stepped down onto the main floor. She walked down the small hallway and emerged into the living room. The elf saw the two new people and glanced at Zelda.
Zelda mouthed the words, “His parents.”
Lilly nodded and smiled as she stepped well into view.
Jon’s mother pulled back but kept her hands on Jon’s arms. “Have you been eating? You look a little thin.”
“Mom, I’m always eating,” Jon said shyly.
“You need to eat more if you’re going to get taller,” Jon’s dad smirked.
Jon blinked. “Dad, you know that’s not how it works.”
“Not with that attitude,” Jon’s dad chuckled.
Lilly, Zelda, and Cora stepped closer. Jon glanced to the side, seeing the three elves.
“Mom, Dad, please meet… umm… my girlfriends. Lilly, Zelda, and Cora, these are my parents, William and Sandra Song.”
William and Sandra didn’t skip a beat as they stepped forward with hands out. Lilly, Zelda, and Cora held out their hands and everyone took turns shaking them. The three elves couldn’t hide their wide gazes at the strength in William’s handshake as he smiled brightly. Sandra was a little more tender.
“Pleased to meet all of you,” William beamed happily.
“It’s so nice to know my son is dating,” Sandra smiled.
“Mom?” Jon said with a raised eyebrow.
“It’s true. You spent so much time in your head, we wondered how long before you stepped out of your comfort zones. It seems you have, with flying colors,” Sandra kept her bright smile.
Jon rubbed the back of his head, “Mom, please, don’t do this.”
Sandra blinked. “Do what? You’re our son and we’re happy when you’re happy.”
“It seems he’s very happy with so many beautiful women, am I right?” William laughed as he stepped closer to Jon and bumped his elbow into him.
Jon’s face turned beet red.
“Give me another hug!” William grinned and grabbed his son again in a bearhug.
Lilly lifted a hand to cover part of her growing smile. Zelda grinned as Cora stared with blank eyes and a tiny smile.
Sandra addressed the elves, “We haven’t seen him aside from the occasional holiday visit.”
“It’s quite fine, we understand,” Lilly smiled to Sandra.
Jon struggled out of his father’s hug and fixed his shirt. William stayed close, but his body language betrayed him, signaling another hug attack if the moment presented itself.
“Um... yes... uh... there is one more, but she is sleeping. Her name is Syndra and she might be too tired to come out right now.”
William nodded. “That’s okay. We’re taking a long vacation here in Southvale. I’m sure we will meet her soon.”
Jon blinked. “Long vacation?”
Sandra stepped closer, her hand on her son’s shoulder. “Nothing to worry about. The family will keep Spiral City in standing order.”
Jon’s mom gave Jon a certain look and he understood what she was saying without saying it.
“They know a little about you and the family,” Jon said in a small voice.
William clapped his hands together, a small boom filling the area. “Great! Where’s the wine?”
Lilly, Zelda, and Cora’s faces grimaced as the vibrations hit their sensitive ears.
Jon noticed and looked to his father. “Dad, you can’t do the clap around them. Their ears are sensitive.”
William’s eyes widened a hair. “I must apologize. I didn’t mean it.”
Jon sighed before he looked to Lilly, “He does that to bring attention to himself.”
“Not true! I do it because you never listen to me and I want some wine!” William laughed loudly.
“William, you know where the wine is. Please serve everyone a glass,” Sandra said with a delicate, but commanding tone.
“As you wish, my love,” William grinned before turning and stepping toward the kitchen.
Sandra turned her attention to Jon, “We’re sorry for showing up so unexpectedly, but we were afraid you would try to convince us not to come. We saw the sea serpent attack on the news and when we enhanced the video, our hearts nearly stopped when you were on the creature’s back.”
Jon’s face turned pale. He completely forgot that so many people were watching the battle in the harbor and didn’t think his family would see it.
Sandra continued, “We had planned to come visit you, but after what we saw on the news, we thought we would speed up our vacation and come see you.”
Color returned to Jon’s face. “I suppose we have a lot to talk about. How about we sit at the kitchen table?”
Heads nodded in unison. The group moved into the kitchen and sat down at the round table. William moved with practiced skill, pulling out wine glasses and placing them on the counter. His large hands moved with purpose as he grabbed two bottles of wine. A drawer flew open. A corkscrew leapt into the air a
nd into William’s waiting hand. Stabbing a cork, he gave it a few twists and popped it open.
Lilly glanced to the side, seeing the large man move with almost supernatural flair. Wine poured into each glass in turn. Once one was full, the air shifted in the kitchen. Glasses floated up on their own, crossing the kitchen and settling down on the table. Lilly was first, followed by Zelda, Cora, Sandra, and then Jon. The last one floated onto the table, next to the last remaining seat as William stepped over and sat down.
“Dad, you shouldn’t use your abilities all the time,” Jon said as he noticed Lilly’s amused expression.
“First impressions should be magical,” William winked at the elves.
Lilly, Cora, and Zelda continued to smile as everyone lifted their glasses in a silent toast. Heads nodded before everyone took a deep drink.
Jon’s senses were alive as he mentally prepared for the onslaught of embarrassing moments that he was sure were to come. Sitting next to Lilly, he reached under the table and touched her hand. Fingers curled into his and the couple gave each other a reassuring squeeze.
“So, how long have you been dating?” Sandra asked with interested eyes.
“Erm…” Jon began.
“A little over a week, but the first kiss was so magical, it feels like we have known each other all our lives,” Lilly said with loving confidence.
Sandra and William nodded.
“Your son is strong in mind, body, and spirit,” Zelda added with her razor smile.
“He has shown us much here on Urth,” Cora said with a sliver of warmth.
“It’s complicated,” Jon said, trying to stay cool, calm and collected.
“Life is only as complicated as you make it,” William chuckled and took another sip of wine.
“William, be nice,” Sandra playfully scolded her husband.
“I am being nice,” William smirked.
Jon sat with mental images of burying himself until his parents were long gone.
“Jon has told us some things about you,” Lilly began.
Jon’s heart froze in his chest. The night on the beach swirled along his mind, telling Lilly about the time he was kidnapped by a supervillain. How a gun was held to his head and his parents goaded the villain to pull the trigger. When the gun jammed, they proceeded to beat the villain until his very eye was hanging from its socket. Beyond that, he hadn’t told Lilly anything else. Zelda and Cora didn’t hear the story, their attention shifting to their Captain.
Lilly continued, “He told us of his wonderful and exciting upbringing in Spiral City and needing a change, seeking a peaceful life here in Southvale.”
Jon exhaled a sigh of relief.
William and Sandra kept their pleasant gaze on Lilly.
“Our family life can be a little too adventurous,” William grinned.
“Jon just wanted some peace. He’s a dreamer,” Sandra followed up.
“So, what made you both decide to take a vacation here?” Jon said quickly, trying to take the spotlight off of him.
William and Sandra glanced at each other before looking at their son. There was a hesitation in their eyes before they glanced at the elves.
“Anything you have to say, you can say in front of them,” Jon stated with confidence.
“My love,” William said before taking another sip of wine.
Sandra took a small inhale before looking at her son. “We have heard a few things among our networks and friends. The recent sea serpent attack has set the government to take stronger measures against another one. The jets, gunboats and ships weren’t enough to stop the monster. They don’t want that to happen again.”
William nodded. “High grade cannons are being shipped here to Southvale via train. They plan to have them up and operational within the coming weeks. The Mayor asked for some support in defending the city until the cannons are operational. We agreed, but didn’t want it public knowledge, that is why we are on an extended vacation here.”
“Cannons? Here in Southvale? Won’t that escalate tensions between the Aquris realm and ours?” Jon asked.
“Communications have already been made to the Illuminous Empire. They are in agreement with such safety measures, saying the serpent was a wild monster. To ensure a protective peace, they are not against such defenses put in place,” Sandra answered.
Lilly’s eyes narrowed slightly before they smoothed back to normal, knowing full well the sea serpent was one of the Emperor’s pets.
“You can understand why our presence may be needed here in Southvale for a time. Plus, we get to visit our son who never calls,” William laughed.
“We check our cell phones every day for a text or a voicemail,” Sandra added with a deep sorrow in her tone.
“It’s like we don’t exist,” William pretended to be upset.
“At least we have each other,” Sandra said with exaggerated sadness, reached over and touched her husband’s shoulder in solidarity.
William placed his hand over hers, “Don’t worry my love, his brother and sister give us enough love to keep us alive.”
The absurdity of the moment struck Zelda like lightning. The sea elf clutched at her stomach and began laughing like a mad woman. Tears welled up as she turned her gaze to Jon.
“You’re a terrible son!” Zelda shouted with glee and laughed louder.
Everyone at the table erupted in laughter except for Jon. He sat and watched with half closed eyes as everyone laughed. Even Cora giggled quietly. Lilly laughed, but continued to squeeze Jon’s hand under the table. Zelda pointed at him with tears in her eyes.
Just let them get it out of their system.
Jon sat back as the laughter began to die down. Zelda wiped the tears from the corners of her oval eyes. Cora took a deep sip of wine. Jon’s parents looked to their son with loving gazes.
“I’m glad everyone is having fun,” Jon mumbled before he downed his glass of wine.
“Ah son, you know we’re just having a little fun,” William grinned.
“We’re just so happy to see you, and in a relationship… um …relationships,” Sandra said with a smile.
Lilly smiled. “On Aquris, it is not unusual for harems and groups to form out of love. Jon is our Shullkar, our true lover. This makes him very important to us.”
“And you are all important to me,” Jon added with a warm smile.
Cora’s cheeks turned pink. Zelda smirked before licking her lips. Lilly’ heart beat a little faster, her gaze lingering on the handsome man at her side.
Sandra and William watched with sparkling eyes.
“I can see the love between all of you. It’s beautiful,” Sandra said with a warm edge.
“Do you all sleep in the same bed?” William grinned.
“Dad!” Jon tried to be angry, but found himself smiling.
“What? I don’t care what you’re doing in the bed. I’m curious about the logistics? Last I remembered, you had a king-sized bed. Even that won’t hold all these women, especially the beautiful Zelda.”
Zelda’s eyes widened before she tilted her head forward, pink touching her light blue colored cheeks.
“Our relationships are still growing. We are learning about each other every day. For now, we each have one of the bedrooms upstairs, but that may change with time,” Lilly said warmly.
“I’m sure it will,” Jon smiled as he looked at Lilly.
Sandra and William reached under the table to each other and held hands.
“If you need anything, please let us know,” Jon’s mom said with a warm smile.
“Thank you, Lady Song,” Lilly said.
“Please, call me Sandra.”
“You can call me William until you’re comfortable. After that, just call me Bill,” Jon’s dad grinned.
The sun set behind the horizon, the last rays of the day fading away and replaced with the light of the city.
Jon let go of Lilly’ hand and stood up. “I think I need to open a few more bottles of wine.”
Heads nodded in agreement as Jon stepped over to the small wine rack and pulled out two more bottles, a warm homey feeling filling his heart.
***
The evening carried on with simple conversation and a lot of laughter. Hours rolled by, but no one noticed. Sandra showed scanned baby pictures to the gathered elves, some of them with Jon as a little boy, running around naked. Cora was fascinated, asking for Sandra's phone and scrolling past each picture with wide eyes. Zelda leaned next to the thin elf, looking at the pictures with equal curiosity.
Lilly and Jon engaged Sandra and William in conversation from life in Spiral City to some tidbits of what Aquris was like. Lilly didn’t give too many details, but even Jon listened intently, soaking up small stories of life on the seas and the many island towns she and her crew visited.
The moments grew smaller, as fatigue set in. Cora returned the cellphone after yawning and saying goodnight. She was first to leave the table and disappear up the stairs. Zelda was next. The tall sea elf gave William and Sandra big hugs before she too made her way upstairs.
Lilly stayed with Jon and his parents. William couldn’t seem to get enough stories of Aquris. He asked many questions and Lilly was more than happy to answer them. An hour later, Lilly noticed Sandra’s eyes glancing at her son. There was an underlying current she couldn’t put her finger on, but the elf captain could see that Jon’s mother wanted to talk to him in private. It wasn’t long after when Lilly said she would retire for the evening. Standing up, she gave Jon a kiss on the cheek before bidding his parents a good night and made her way to the stairs.
Jon sat, his senses buzzing from the wine and company. Shoulders were relaxed and eyes half-closed as he smiled at his parents. The moment stood still, all three happy to be in each other’s company.
Jon’s mom broke the warm silence, “They seem very lovely. We look forward to meeting Syndra next.”
“They are and I’m sure Syndra will like to meet you both.”
William leaned forward, elbows on the table. He glanced at Sandra and she gave him a look and a nod.
Jon had seen those looks before, knowing full well that they were ready to have a serious conversation.
“I knew there was more than just a visit and protecting the city,” Jon stated plainly.
