RP: Finding Haven [Elisha, Alou & Emory]

Juni - Elisha

There was no body. There was no casket. There were no mourners, except for one, at the doors of the funeral home this morning. All of those things were miles away in New York- far outside of the circle of safety that was Walpurgis. The coven refused to send his mother's body to him-- she wasn't his mother, not by blood, and blood was stronger, they said. Blood had a claim. He couldn't deny that. But not having a focus for his grief made it difficult to be grounded to anything.

Elisha hesitated only the briefest of moments outside, before escaping the foggy morning for the cool and dark atmosphere of the home. It smelled like flowers, old wood, and something underneath slightly astringent and clean. Those scents were like a cinderblock of nostalgia to his chest, and an older, deeper grief welled up inside of him, making his vision blurry. He had to stop a moment, remember how to breath and quickly swipe his face on his sleeve, before he was able to approach the front desk.

Elisha found himself smiling as normal, despite it all.

"Is... there a service, today? Or would you... mind horribly, if I could just... sit. In the service hall, for a bit."

Ohyou - Emory

Emory's fountain pen skidded across the page slightly, splattering ink over his carefully prepared schedule for the next week's services at the sudden sound of a stranger's voice. He hadn't even heard them approach, too busy trying to juggle two different services and whatever was still left to organize them. Emory quickly muted the curse that almost spilled out of his mouth before slipping into his quiet professional tone of voice, soft and sympathetic and welcoming.

"There are no services today, no-" he began before he meets Elisha's gaze and is instantly hit with an all too familiar feeling that leaves his blood running colder than normal and his gut tightening into knots. It was almost like looking at an echo of his past self, seeing a young man in so much pain but still smiling through it, still so polite despite it all. Emory composed himself, which was all the more easier now thanks to seeing this same hurt over and over at his time at Haven.

Emory set down his pen, closed his planner and stood up from his desk. "You can sit in the service hall for as long as you like. Is there anything else I could do for you in the meantime? Make you some tea, perhaps?" he offered, wondering if the other needed the funeral home's services at all, or just somewhere to grief quietly and fully. "If you'd like to follow me," he softly beckoned, taking Elisha into the service hall.

Juni - Elisha

He hadn't been expecting such a kind voice, and it takes Elisha a moment to focus his vision on actually seeing Emory. Calm, gentle, understanding, and beautiful. He stares earnestly, stumbling and trailing after Emory as if pulled on a string.

"Tea? Ye... no, thank you." He said, still sounding like he'd wanted to accept. He felt unusually subdued, even as he could feel the tendrils of his magic reaching out. It could make others feel strengthened, energized, but also antsy and any other number of unexpected effects, and he didn't want that. He didn't want his magic, today. Still, he could hardly control it-- it acted up the most when he was yearning for connection.

Elisha at the very least was able to easily seat himself on one of the bench-like seats in the service hall. "You're... the undertaker?" He asked quickly, as if he was afraid Emory might leave too soon.

Ohyou - Emory

Luckily for Elisha, Emory hadn't made any decisions on leaving him alone. He was already planning on making himself busy in the background if Elisha hadn't wanted to talk, just to keep an eye on him. People did strange things when mourning and he wanted to make sure the young man was alright.

Thankfully, his guest was the first to break the silence and he was more than happy to be a distraction or a comforting shoulder to lean on. "That I am, yes. I'm Emory. It's a rather quiet day, so if you need me at all, I'm at your service," he offered with that same soft smile.

"And you are? I don't believe we've met... New in town?" he asked before taking a seat on the bench, a polite distance away from Elisha. Folding his hands in his lap, Emory cants his head and his smile tugs upwards, encouraging the other to speak. Speaking openly about your grief, especially when so raw, helped. The least he could do was listen.

Juni - Elisha

Normally, he might have been suspicious of Emory's careful, caring demeanor, but at the moment it was exactly what he wanted, whether faked or not.

"Elisha." He let out a small, embarrassed laugh, which triggered a sob-- he bit his lip nearly hard enough to draw blood, breathing deeply again. When emotions were too strong, distance was easier. He repeated the word in his mind like a mantra. Distance. Slowly, he calmed.

"I'm from... west. Haha, nearly everything is west of here though, isn't it." His voice was tentative at first, but slowly grew more assured as if practicing the cadence and tone. "I'm sure I'm not the only lost soul who's come here seeking safety. That's how the town was founded, right?" Hesitation as he grew uncertain how to continue-- then he deflected. "Did you grow up here?"

Ohyou - Emory

Emory remained quiet as Elisha found his words and separated them from the urge to cry. He was patient, practiced with this sort of thing, and naturally cared anyway.

"It was indeed. Founded by the Witches escaping the Salem trials." There was a little surprise in his eyes when he hears the other was from the West, and shook his head at the latter question, "And ah no, actually. I did not. I'm from the West too. I was born in Oregon and raised in a Settlement there. I moved here with my father when I was around... sixteen. Gosh, recalling it now makes me feel old," he gently chuckled. "If you have any questions about Walpurgis, I can try and answer them the best I can."

"Or... I can help with whatever is troubling you? Are you in need of our services...?" Emory finally took the plunge and asked as tenderly as he could, curious to what had brought the young man to Haven.

Juni - Elisha

Oregon was quite a ways to travel, and Elisha found himself with more questions about Emory rather than Walpurgis itself. Why travel so far? His father and not his mother? How many years ago was that? He didn't quite yet get a chance to ask anything though as the topic of conversation shifted back to Elisha.

"I was looking for something familiar... I think." He looked down at his own hands in his lap, the dark spots of wiped tears nearly invisible on the black fabric. "In a home, things are still. You can have a moment to think about... what you're letting go. It isn't pulled away from you." Miraculously, his breathing stayed even, so he pressed onward. "My maman... my mother, she died, a few weeks ago. I can't go to her funeral." He honestly wasn't quite sure what to do.

Ohyou - Emory

Letting the silence sit between them for just a moment, Emory bowed his head and softly replied with his most common greeting, "I'm sorry for your loss. And I'm sorry that you are unable to attend her funeral. Funerals are for the living to say goodbye and grieve and it's a shame that is not being granted to you." He hummed in thought then before meeting Elisha's gaze, trying to communicate that he too understood what it was like to lose a dear parent.

"...Would you like me to help you say goodbye to your maman? I don't have any pressing work to do today," he lied, but he can just work later into the night to catch up. "Even if it's just laying a few flowers out by the lake or a tree she would have liked. Sitting here and just reflecting on your memories together is also completely acceptable too."

Juni - Elisha

Emory offering a clear line of action made Elisha feel just a little less like he was drifting untethered- but he felt a small jolt of panic at the same time. *Goodbye*. Yes, he needed to say goodbye. And he needed to apologize. Elisha closed his eyes and rubbed his face.

"Merde, I do not want to." He said softly, words fuzzing very softly as the slightest trace of an accent slipped in. Then he shook his head and stood up, smiling again. "Maman was always fond of Lavender. Do you think it's possible for us to find some?"

Ohyou - Emory

The faintest hint of an accent surprised Emory and almost distracted him from the task at hand. "Sadly, we all must say goodbye to one and other eventually. But... saying goodbye helps start the healing process. I promise," he reassured Elisha, his promise sincere. Echoing the other's movements by standing up and smiling, Emory beckoned Elisha to follow again.

"I actually have some here from my garden, in the back. Come, I can make you a quick bouquet," and with that he turned on his heel, leading Elisha to a staff entrance. He quickly checked to make sure Lorelie wasn't about before waving Elisha inside. "Stick close to me, you're not actually meant to be beyond this door, haha..."

Juni - Elisha

Elisha took the invitation literally, hovering close behind Emory as they left the public section of the home.

"An Undertaker who grows flowers...?" He asked, curiosity piqued.

Ohyou - Emory

Leading them through a small corridor, Emory eventually led them inside a room that acted as storage for gardening and maintenance equipment. One corner was dedicated to flower arranging, with a door leading off somewhere else.

"Ah, yes... I've always loved flowers since I was a little boy, and when my father and I moved here, our estate had a garden in much need of attention. I quickly developed a green thumb and since working here, I find making personalized arrangements for my clients fulfilling," Emory explain as they walked before he opened the second door, and both of them were met with a wave of cool air.

"Ah, my little flower morgue, haha..." he flicked on a dim overhead light and gestured to the stored flowers sitting in separate buckets. "There's your lavender. Pick whatever you like to go with it and I'll make a bouquet for you. My treat."

Juni - Elisha

Elisha had never really had any opinions for or against flora, but herbs and wildflowers had been part of the trade for Aurelie and Alou. So he could imagine Emory, knelt in the dirt turning the soil, or inspecting nursery pots for the health of sprouts.

The first genuine smile touched Elisha's face at Emory's small joke as they entered the refrigerated space. He didn't feel guilty for being able to still feel happy-- just... relieved. It'd only been minutes being here and he already felt far less lonely.

"... My brother would probably know what all these meant," he mused, picking up a few sprigs of Lavender flowers. "He's a romantic, like that." Elisha took a deep breath, and gravitated again towards the familiar-- white lilies were a traditional mourning flower, but they were always so overbearing so he only chose one. This small bundle he offered over to Emory.

"So, it was always just you, and your father?" Alone, together?

Ohyou - Emory

A little pleased that his joke wasn't met with a strange look and awkward silence, but rather a lovely smile, Emory returned it. He proceeded to watch over his guest carefully, curious as what he'd pick for his mother. Lavender... and a single White Lily. The quip about his brother drew Emory back to reality once it finally registered. "I suppose the language of flowers is romantic, hm? A flower for just about every emotion... I could tell you what these mean, if you'd like?"

He reached for the offered flowers, cold fingers brushing against the leather of Elisha's glove for just a moment before he stepped towards his stash of flora and mused over them. After a few beats, Emory plucked a few filler plants to go into the bouquet to compliment what the changeling had chosen.

Juni - Elisha

Elisha considered Emory's offer with the flower meanings, then shook his head.

"No, just... Do you have any that mean 'I'm sorry'?"

Ohyou - Emory

Just as Emory was ready to usher them out of the room, the question takes him by surprise. "Ah... an apology? Let's see-" He doesn't pry. Nothing like death to make one realize how wrong they've been, that they should have acted differently, should have made most of each moment. Amethyst eyes gaze upon his flower selection and he points out three flowers. "Purple hyacinths. White tulips. And yellow roses. Which would you prefer?"

Juni - Elisha

Elisha eyed the flowers Emory chose out. The tulips would match the best, but it wasn't about looking nice or fitting in. It was about the feeling.

"The hyacinths." There was no ignoring them, with their large shapes and presence. That was fitting. "One for her, one for my brother, and one for me. If that's not asking for too much."

Ohyou - Emory

"'I'm sorry, please forgive me, regret, sadness, sorrow'..." He recalled the meaning out loud in a soft mumble before realizing he was probably rubbing salt in the wound. "Oh no, three is perfectly fine. Whatever you need," he quickly cleared his throat and reached for the hyacinths. Placing a gentle hand on Elisha's shoulder, Emory guided Elisha back out of the room, turning off the light and closing the door behind them. "I'll get these put together for you in a jiffy..." he murmured as he set the flowers on a bench neatly decorated with several rolls of ribbon, wrap, and other decorations and tools needed for arrangements.

The question about his father caught him off guard, but he assumed Elisha was just avoiding the topic of saying goodbye to his mother for the time being. "No, it wasn't. He adopted me, actually. I didn't meet him until my early teens. But the entire time we lived together in Walpurgis, it was just us," he explained softly as he worked. He paused then, meeting Elisha's gaze and gave him a sad knowing smile, "He passed nearly three years ago now. So... I understand. To lose a parent is..." He doesn't finish his sentence. He figured Elisha knew all too well.

Juni - Elisha

The feelings he had distanced from since earlier surged up as Emory spoke those meanings, and briefly he got choked up again. It was well that Emory steered him out of the room, the touch on his shoulder grounding him again.

He watched Emory's hands as he worked, careful slender hands working delicate flowers and paper and string.

"It's like too much is happening too fast, and you're not ready. And you never had a chance to become something they could be proud of." Emory's look pulled the words out of Elisha. He desperately hoped to be understood.

"They found you when life was uncertain, and even though you thought you could survive on your own, you didnt know how much you were missing before their kindness and guidance. And with it all taken away you're not sure you'll ever find it again."

Ohyou - Emory

Emory's hands are still frozen in place, his gaze unblinking as Elisha's words ring so true. How wonderful and sad that he could bond with this stranger so quickly over such a thing like grief."...Exactly," he said to finally break the silence, still rather stunned. He opened his mouth to say something but words don't come, only a voice in his head reminding him that he had to remain professional.

He forced himself to return to the flowers, fingers trembling slightly before he remembered to take a breath. "It sounds like your mother was a wonderful woman, to have such an impact on your life. But... even if she has passed, you can still make her proud, in her memory," he continued once he composed himself. "That is what keeps me going. To not let my father's teaching, kindness, and love go to waste."

"You'll find kindness and guidance in friends. Especially here in Walpurgis," he told Elisha as he finished up the bouquet, turning it around in his hands to make sure it looked good from all angles before offering it to the other. "Consider me your first one, Elisha."

Juni - Elisha

Emory's moment of stunned silence was more than Elisha could ask for to confirm it. The same.

So it was easier to swallow his words of advice, rather than to wallow and dismiss them outright. Especially as Emory offered him something so precious and valuable-- and it wasn't the flowers.

"Thank you." He could barely breath out the words, but he forced himself to say it again. "Thank you Emory." For the first time in days, he was aware of the faintest tendrils of his magic stirring again. The rejuvenation that normally reached out so desperately to others had shrunk into the smallest, dimmest light inside of himself because of the shame and loneliness he'd felt. It shone gently from him now like an invisible light, in all his gratitude and adoration.

Ohyou - Emory

Elisha's gratitude stirred something in Emory's chest, a welling of pride, relief, and just... happiness that his friendship wasn't rejected and that he seemed to have a positive impact on the other. It was strange, for a brief moment he felt like he had connected with Elisha on a deep level. He bowed his head a little, suddenly shy, "You're most welcome."

Then he remembered that he had a stranger, not even a paying client, in the restricted areas of Haven. Sheepishly, he beckoned Elisha to follow him again. "Ah, let us return to the service hall before Kettle or Lorelie spots us. Actually, we could take a walk around the grounds. Try to find a spot to lay the flowers," he suggested, turning swiftly to return to where they came from.

Juni - Elisha

Elisha was quick to hurry after Emory, staying close and radiating gratitude. He became quiet and thoughtful, eyes cast around the halls and facilities as they made their way outside.

"Do you know..." he asked slowly, carefully, "If your home is in need of any extra hands?" It felt presumptuous to come here looking for help, and then ask for a job, but Elisha had never let embarrassment stop him before. He'd decided he wanted to stay close to wherever his new friend was. "I used to work as a mortician's assistant, when I was younger. I'm not really sure whatother work I might do, and I've been staying at the motel..."

Ohyou - Emory

"Ah... Potentially? That's a question more for Lorelie, she is the Funeral Director here. But if you have experience and are eager to learn, I don't see why not?" Emory replied thoughtfully as he lead Elisha outside, holding the door open for him then stepping out himself. "I can always put in a good word for you. I can't imagine staying in the Motel for too long is that comfortable," he added with a sheepish laugh before looking about the gardens and cemetery laid out before him. "I didn't realize you were that fresh into town. If you need a place to stay, I have a guest room."

Juni - Elisha

Elisha also looked about, and holding the bouquet to his chest, began walking down the main path. Death was normal. Everybody died. He'd known that. Still, it hurt to have it happen near him so frequently- and he thought it was silly that it should be able to hurt.

"I would appreciate the reference." When he was doing work as a mortician, it had taken time for him to adjust to the discomfort of seeing the insides of the dead human body. Perhaps, if he continued working as a mortician, he would adjust to the pain of loss, too. "And if you don't mind, the room would be a blessing."

He paused, frowning slightly. "Although... I would feel better if my brother was able to take it. We're not on speaking terms at the moment, so both of us staying at the motel has been uncomfortable. I know it's a lot to ask for you to keep someone you haven't met, but I couldn't take the room and leave him."

Ohyou - Emory

"...Your brother is also in town? I see," Emory said with a hum, putting on black gloves as they walked. "I'm sorry to hear about your squabble, I hope things are resolved soon. Sometimes distance helps," he continued. "...I'm sure your mother raised two gentlemen, so I'd be happy to house him until the both of you get yourselves on your feet. What is his name?"

Juni - Elisha

"You really are unbelievably kind," he breathed out in surprise and relief. "His name is Alou. And it isn't his fault, it's all me." Elisha rubbed his face with one hand, glancing around. "I don't think he's happy to have been dragged to Walpurgis, though we're safe here. Ah, can I put this here? I don't mind if it's removed later." He gestured to one of the stone benches, the back of which was surrounded by trimmed, flowering hedges. "I think she'd like the view from here." He turned around to survey the rest of the grounds from the bench.

Ohyou - Emory

"Ah, it's fine, truly! I can house someone for a few nights at the very least... I live out on Drake Road, I'll write down the address for you," he hurriedly mumbled, a little bashful at the compliment. Whilst Emory had slowly learnt over the years being *too* kind could be troublesome, he couldn't help himself when it came to Elisha and his brother considering they too had lost a parent. Seeing Elisha's raw grieving emotions brought all those familiar feelings back, so Emory simply reached out as others had to him when he had lost Ozul.

He took a moment to pause and quickly scribble down his address with a note - 'the big gothic house with a slightly overgrown floral garden'. Elisha's voice made him blink to attention before he broke into a soft smile and a nod. "It is rather lovely. I'll make sure Kettle doesn't remove them. Ah, would you like to sit? Perhaps you can say a few words. If you wish to be alone to do so, that's alright too."

Juni - Elisha

Elisha sat down, and put the flowers down beside him. He was rarely easily embarrassed, and not particularly private, and wouldn't start now.

"Aurelie always seemed like she knew me, even from the beginning. She could have left me. But she didn't. I shouldn't have left her. But I did. She was always very practical, too much for vengeance or hate or blame, so... She would want me to carry on with life, I think. So I'll try to do that. And that's just another reason I love her, and owe her." His eyes looked over the cemetery rather than directly at Emory.

"She was just, she was sensible, she was talented, and she liked to help people. She raised one son who's at least one of those things, and another who is trying, so hopefully we'll do her memory some good." He breathed out in a whoosh before he could start crying again, and then nodded.

"Thank you. I'll probably be here, for a bit. But you don't have to stay."

Ohyou - Emory

Emory stayed standing, gloved hands held in front of him, head bowed slightly as Elisha spoke of his mother. His eyes didn't particularly focus on much, sometimes the white whisps of his hair softly moving in the breeze, sometimes peering at his neatly polished shoes - raising his toes to make the leather wrinkle a bit. Basically, Emory was avoiding looking at the other in case he wanted to cry, wanting to grant him even a little privacy whilst still being a comforting presence.

There was a small voice in his head that thought Ozul would have liked Elisha's mother. He smiled a little. At the sound of his new friend exhaling and thanking him, Emory blinked up and gave a nod in return. "I shall return to work then," he replied softly, offering the hastily scribbled address. "For your brother. If you ever need anything, you can find me here most days, most of the time. Do take care of yourself, Elisha. And be kind. Your mother would want that."

And he turned on his heel, leaving Elisha alone with his grief to process.