3. City Streets

Dieter’s head snaps up from a book he was looking at. He looks at the shop keep them around for other customers, he decides to retreat a safer corner of the store.

Stella's eyes widen and the stars within turn icy blue "What?! No, I—" She averts her eyes. "I know he's powerful, and Geas is a potent spell, but Ida or I still might be able to end it with enough attempts of Dispel Magic or Remove Curse..." She believes what's she's saying, but she tucks her arms in and folds them, obviously not telling everything.

By the shock and confusion on Aiwë's face, Stella might as well have struck her. She looks around like someone might be able to explain what is happening, but of course, only Stella can.

"I... Stella..." She pauses and takes a shaky breath. "Why?"

I'm terrible at this... At this point, there was no use trying to hide anything; Aiwë could read her.

Several eye-stars flash orange with frustration as tears well up in her eyes. "I—I'm sorry, I just—I didn't think you wouldn't let do it if I explained..." Her jaw clenches and her nose twitches, her insides like a wolf threatening to tear her up from within. She doesn't meet Aiwë's eyes.

"When I met Viconia in the Cloakwood, she offered to teach me. To hide from the stars. Quiet their visions. Magic from the Shadowfell, I think. I thought maybe she or Ossein could teach me. But she said I would need to change, to...abandon part of what makes me...me." She opens her mouth to say more, but hesitates, then looks up and shutters, baring her teeth in pain and the tears start to flow. "But Aiwë, I can't do this anymore!" she cries, likely drawing the attention of others in the shop.

She raises her hands in front of her and curls her fingers towards herself, like claws . "I can't live like this! I th-thought I was fine, that I was learning, that I could be strong, be a Hero," she says, as if pleading, "and I know you're always there for me, and I know this seems too far, but I still don't know what else to do." She quiets, "I'm a danger to everyone," she seethes.

The fire in her eyes slowly dies out, dimming to a defeated indigo. She clutches her arms over her stomach, turning away.

"I can't do it." she whispers after a moment. "I want to go home. For real this time."

Aiwë closes her eyes and grits her teeth against the pain. "You don't know what else to do?" she sounds incredulous. "Everyone is always trying to help you, Stella. You have so many options. Xan just offered to take you to Evereska," she lowers her voice to a whisper. "The center of Elven culture and magic on the continent. To even know its name is an honour beyond words. Who knows the stars and magic better than the elves! But instead of talking about it you said 'no thank you' so you could immediately sneak behind our backs to ask a cleric of the evil goddess of darkness to induct you into her cult and wipe your memories for you?"

She throws her hands into the air. "Why do you feel like you need to hide and push yourself so hard? To save face? So people won't know you're barely hanging on? By the Seldarine!" Aiwë's curse to the side startles a shopper who came in close to try to hear the gossip. She scolds the shopper like it is she who has spurred this conversation. "If you all looked around yourself for a second you'd notice that everyone around you is in the same boat!" As the shopper scurries away Aiwë blows out a stream of air.

"You want to go home?" Her voice is quiet and soft as she repeats the question she's asked dozens of times since their terrible adventure began. "Let's go." She gestures towards the Silvershield manor, first stop to Icewind Dale. "I'm right behind you."

Stella squeezes her eyes shut and braces for Aiwë's tirade.
She flinches at the word 'always'. It was true. What was wrong her?! Why wouldn't she just accept it?
Stella grits her teeth but can't get herself to speak. After the war was stopped. I still wanted to help, I needed to help. You were the first to say I needed to be taken away...
Stella opens her eyes. "W-wait, wipe—?" Was that what Viconia was offering to do? She turns around hesitantly to face Aiwë.
"I—I don't know..."
Stella closes her eyes and her lip trembles. So much for being a watchwoman.
Stella's eyes, still closed, flick back and forth.

What about the war? All the people here? They needed—No. There were others. Dieter, Koveras, Ida, Runeson, maybe Sheemish...Even Xzar and Moranton. Perhaps they could find Caliope if she was still in the area too.

...What about Aldous?

She could return. After this was all over.

Stella hangs her head in shame, eyes reddened and dry now without any tears left to cry. She nods nearly imperceptibly, and heads for the door.

Dieter peers up from behind a display he had taken cover behind.

"Wait!" Dieter calls out. He instinctively ducks again but realizes the words came from him. He breaks cover and walks out into the open.

"Aiwë, how dare you talk to Stella like that, We are a team thick and thin.

Stella, apologize to Aiwë right now. I didn’t die so that we could be sitting here squabbling. We are heros and we have a greater purpose, it is beneath us to fight like this." Dieter stands tall hoping not pull his team together.

Aiwë looks at Dieter, her eyes as hollow as her drum. "I will always dare to speak out for Stella's safety. I don't want an apology. I am not fighting or squabbling. I was... surprised. It doesn't matter. Stella makes the decisions, and I follow. If she wants to go home, I'll take her." She smiles reassuringly. "Don't worry, I'll come back to help with your sister, even if I miss all this Rieltar business."

Dieter looks around "we need to continue this conversation elsewhere"

She said his name! out loud!

Dieter squirmed at the lack of operation security.

Aiwë was right though, If Stella told dieter to jump the only response was how high (If he wasn’t already jumping).

Dieter makes his way for the door with Stella.

Stella keeps walking for a few paces while opening the shop door, then slowly comes to a stop. Dieter didn't speak often; it gave her pause.
Still standing in the doorway, she turns her head to look back towards Aiwë and Dieter from the side. "No, Deiter's right. I'm sorry Aiwë. You shouldn't have to deal with me and my nonsense. I'll find a way home. You can both stay and continue the mission." She turns to face forward again. "Whatever you'd like. I'll...talk with Xan after this is all over."

As Dieter starts to follow, she starts walking again and lets the door swing closed behind her.

She blinks at Stella's apology. That's what she is apologizing for?

"Our parents told me to take care of you. I'll escort you home no matter what."

Aiwë walks quietly behind Stella, just two steps behind and one to the right, like a perfect second in command. The tears on Stella's face rend her. But what can she say? Nothing she hasn't already. Nothing Stella will hear.

A dozen details run through her mind in preparation for their departure. Has Stella thought of—no. Maybe she should remind her about—no. Not anymore.

For Aiwë is good at telling stories. Stories to inspire, stories to soothe, stories to keep people going when it seems hard to. At the look of deception in Stella's eyes she was forced to cast her mind back through the last few months and beyond and saw for the first time how good she is at telling stories to herself.

One of her favourites is the one where she and Stella are cousins, sisters, with a bond beyond blood, and a trust stronger than the weave. With an empty heart and a wound on her soul, Aiwë stops telling it.