Wynlynn’s Reflections 7

(Written in collaboration with Teal)

On the second night of our journey downriver, I find myself on watch with Teal. Out of all of our companions, Teal is the one I am most comfortable with. He is always easy to talk to and is indeed a kind soul. After the others seem to be asleep he asks if I am alright. At first I am not sure what he is referring to.

“Of course, I’m alright. I am glad we were able to heal Travis. I was very concerned that with such a strange ailment inflicting such a strange being, it would take more than normal healing arts from a cleric to make him himself again. I am very glad it all turned out well.”

“I meant with you and Val. I noticed she did not stay at the school house when we were in town. And then yesterday morning, she went back to the Yeoman’s Apple to collect her travelpack.” Teal pauses for a heartbeat and then sighs. “I’m sorry … I probably shouldn’t have brought it up. It’s just that … Val and you have always seemed awfully close, so I was worried about you–especially since it looks like Val’s adopted one of our companions as her new room-mate.”

“I know I’d be devastated if my best friend did that to me,” he continues quietly. “So I just thought I should check on you–otherwise what kind of friend would I be?”

“Oh, that.” It seems many in our party have noticed and are interested in this. I suppose it’s only natural. From the outside, it is hard to imagine what our relationship looks like. The kiss, which couldn’t have gone unnoticed, only makes things more confusing to those around us. We haven’t been exactly forthcoming with details from our past. 

I know Teal asks out of concern for me and I am touched. I decide that I trust him enough to share what I can. “You probably saw us kiss after the succubus attack, or at least heard about it from the others.” He nods, confirming that this is not news to him. “Me and Val were together once, but that was some time ago, maybe about a year before we came to the Glade. I can’t really tell you much about it because it is not my story alone to tell, but it ended very badly. I love her, so I do whatever I can to keep her safe, but I don’t imagine we will ever be together again. The kiss was an accident. I got so caught up in the moment, I lost all rationality. But the truth is, it was a mistake that never should have happened. It only served to open old wounds that have never really healed. Val just needs some space from me and it’s okay. It hurts, but I’ll be alright, eventually. Or maybe I won’t be, I don’t know. It’s difficult but that is just life I guess.”

“Oh, Wynlynn!” Teal leans in to hug me. He is silent for a moment. “Regardless of the status of your relationship, the fact that you and Val have been true to your friendship through the years–and in spite of all difficulties–gives me hope. You will resolve this with time–I know you will.”

I can’t help but think, if by being true to our friendship you mean I follow her around without her consent while her seething anger at me slowly mellows into tolerance then yes, we have been true to our friendship. But I am being too cynical so I smile at my caring friend who means well and say out loud, “I appreciate your hopeful optimism. I can’t say I believe it, but I appreciate it none the less.”

We are both quiet for moment, then Teal continues. “I know I have a lot to learn–about fighting and relationships and life in general–in some ways I must seem like a child to you. But if you ever need a friend, I hope you will trust me enough to let me be one to you.”

I have to laugh at that. “I am guessing you are referring to our age difference. Just so you know, I am not yet an adult among my people. I hope you don’t think I am laughing at you, it’s just funny you should say that, because I feel like I am so naïve sometimes. I have so much learning and growing to do myself.” It feels good to smile and laugh after the last several days which have been so difficult. Teal always puts me at ease. “I do consider you a friend, Teal.”