Short-Eared Elf

Her home life had been awkward since that day. Edelgard allowed her skin to heal before going on to the next step. Daily visits to the bath seemed to quicken the recovery process, though Claudia and Starkus had become like limpets, never leaving her alone.

She guessed that they wanted to make the most of their last days together...

There were two others she had to tell, though.

For today's bath, she resolutely told Starkus that she would go with Serya and Graetia, as she wanted to tell them herself.

"Hey, Edelgard!" Graetia called, waving enthusiastically.

"Hello, Greatia," she called back, "and Serya!"

"..."

Serya simply nodded back, a soft smile on her lips. The sisters were the same as always, hyper and fun to talk to, and so they made their way to the bathing tree, cheerful and happy.

Edelgard selfishly decided to postpone her announcement for just a little while longer.

Once inside, they sighed in bliss.

"How's your skin?" Graetia asked. Serya gently caressed Edelgard's arm with a concerned look on her face. Edelgard smiled at her, making Serya blush. "It doesn't hurt?"

"No, the water in here really works wonders."

"I'm glad about that," Graetia said, cocking her head. "But why?"

"Why?" Serya supported.

After getting to know these two better, Serya started to speak some words with Edelgard, at least. She thought about the best answer to give.

It seemed like the time had come.

"I'm going to become an elf," she announced, calmly watching the ripples her finger made as it broke the water's surface. "A full-fledged elf."

The sisters didn't react the same as Claudia had.

They probably didn't know the gravity of this statement.

"I didn't dislike your hair," Graetia said, leaning against Edelgard's shoulder, "though I don't dislike your new skin, either."

Serya did the same from the other side, and Edelgard laid her hand around their shoulders, embracing them closely.

"I'm going to start with the next step, soon."

"The next step?"

The sisters didn't vacate their positions.

"The rest of my non-Elvish hair will be pulled out. I wanted to wait until my skin was strong enough to deal with the procedure," Edelgard explained.

Serya nudged closer, resting her head on Edelgard's breast. Upon seeing her, Graetia was confused but followed her sister's example.

Edelgard, fearing their reaction, placed a kiss on each of their blond-haired heads, suppressing her tears.

She could always visit, but still...

"... Where will you go?" Serya asked.

It was the first complete sentence she spoke around Edelgard. She was happy that Serya finally seemed to trust her enough to do that.

"What do you mean, where will she... go..."

Graetia's voice lagged, and her eyes widened.

She finally understood.

"Seen from our position, it's behind the Argus Field. It's a bit farther from the elders' tree, and on the other side of it. We won't be seeing each other as often," Edelgard revealed.

The sisters stayed as they were, not even breathing.

"It was time," Serya finally said.

"Serya-"

"Sister, please respect her decision. We both found it weird for her to just live with a married couple, remember? Only because we're attached to her now... shouldn't change the support we have to provide her." Serya breathed in and out. "We are happy for you, Edelgard." She rose from her position and moved in front of her. Graetia further buried her face, hiding the tears. Serya openly showed them, and Edelgard, remembering the scene with Claudia, joined them in crying. "Don't forget us."

Edelgard smiled her best smile.

"Never."

And she meant it.

...

After that encounter, Edelgard decided that she hated saying good-bye.

The next stop wouldn't involve any of that, though.

Still sobbing from time to time, she accompanied the sisters back home. Then she made for the elders' tree, which was supposed to be empty at this hour, or so Almerya had said. Except for Karkass, of course.

Edelgard's hair hadn't been cut for a few days.

Bushy, scratchy things protruded from her private parts and armpits, and even though they were annoying, she was a bit solemn to see them go.

They were a part of her, after all.

It had to happen at the elders' tree, for that was the only place with the right equipment, Almerya had explained.

She wondered how Magmaranda was allowed to do fire-rituals at home while simple hair-pulling wasn't possible, but she wasn't about to question the elders on that.

She trusted Almerya.

Everything had been prepared.

Almerya waited for her friend in the meeting room, sitting on her cushion. Karkass was still asleep, which would make things easier, too.

Every moment, now...

"Hello?"

And there she was.

"Hello, Edelgard," Almerya said, taking her by the hand. "Let's go upstairs."

"Is this where... it will happen?" Edelgard asked suspiciously, looking around the room. Almerya thought that she had eliminated all that could frighten her... oh, well. "Will it hurt?"

"I doubt that it hurts more than the burning did," she assured her, caressing her head. "But, first... I completed the other mission you gave me."

Almerya handed her a scripture, rolled up and held in place with a string.

"Is this it?" Edelgard confirmed, her face lighting up.

Almerya loved seeing her like this.

"Your new house... The other elders don't know about it, so I doubt they'll find you that quickly. I can't promise anything, though."

"Don't worry, that's fine," Edelgard assured her, smiling from ear to ear.

That was when they both whirled around, having heard footsteps approaching. It was too late.

"The other elders don't know?" Magmaranda asked, appearing from the ladder. She looked from Almerya to Edelgard to the rolled parchment in her hands... She sighed. "So you're actually doing it."

"Eh?"

Magmaranda attempted a glare, but only sighed again when she didn't manage one.

"I won't tell tales. I can pretty much guess what you're going to do... hah, if only I had had the strength you have."

Her behavior was so different from usual that Almerya forgot her composure.

"Say, Edelgard, who treated you?"

"I did, Almerya. I wouldn't have expected you to do such a thing, either. Maybe it's better like this, then. I lost, Edelgard... not that I had any chance like this. Treat him well..."

With that, she went up the next ladder, leaving them alone.

Almerya was the first to find her composure again.

"Quickly, before another one comes!" she hissed, and Edelgard quickly hid the roll of parchment.

They looked at the equipment in silence for a while.

"Remember what she said?" Edelgard asked, looking at Almerya. "She's not as bad as I thought she was."

"Glad that you realized it."

"So... I hope you'll treat me well?"

There was a shiver to her voice.

Almerya embraced her friend, caressing her hair.

"Don't worry," she promised, "It will only hurt very much."

"..."

Her words held true, as Edelgard experienced shortly after.