The sky is bright and vivid, filled with a mass of stars. The sea is deep and dark, bottomless and mysterious. The land is lush and vast, stretching wide. Mana is entangled in all that lives, and in all that breathes.
For thousands of years the world has thrived from the mana that flows through it. The sky, the water, the land and… the beings. 

He slowly sat up, rubbing his hand over his face. The light reflected off of his crimson horns and bright pink eyes. His hand trailed to his ear as he moved his hair from his face, he felt along the bottom of his ear, along each hole, one… two… three… four.
He slowly got up with a quiet grumble, letting out a long sigh as he dragged himself into the bathroom. He slammed the mirror shut, which forced him to look over his own reflection.
Tall crimson horns that reached forward and bended up, long purple hair that faded lighter, except for the back which instead was shorter and became red. Pink eyes behind a white pupil… 

He was the third seat of an order of elves considered to be the strongest within their small realm. Taru Kiyomizu-Abrexi. Though the elf is known to only use one of his last names, the one who held the seat before him had.
One by one he clipped his earrings in, the small ones and then the hoops. He then began to brush his hair, separating the red tipped short hair from the longer light purple hair and braiding it up behind his back. He then finished styling the front of his hair and slowly clipped the two rings around his horns, rings that are supposed to say he’s high class or something… he doesn’t really feel it any day though.
Once Taru finished getting ready he just stared at himself in the mirror. 

… stupid bitch… what are you even doing… 

Taru always walked to work, yes he did have faster ways of getting there but… he genuinely did not care. Not like he actually liked his job. They would be fine if he was late. All he would do is sit in his office all day and sort the papers no one wanted to sort for the last thousand years… honestly Taru wasn’t even close to a hundred and now he knew more about the last thousand years than anyone else… All of the systems, the laws, the names upheld and lost… all of the things no one wants to talk about. Like how the last time the Inner Forrest ever worked with another civilization of elves on a wide scale was to-

He stopped outside of the door and squinted, he tilted his head side to side before he groaned. He began to fish into his pocket for his ID. “Looks like you are having another rough morning. I do hope that changes for you some day.” And the door clicked open. He turned to see but the other was gone, he already knew exactly who it was though… Taru stepped in and already held his same expression, ready for the comments that did start as usual. 

“Wow Kiyomizu you're still showin up, good for you.”
“I’m surprised you still drag yourself in…”
“At least you haven’t just vanished like the last one.” All three at the desk spoke before laughing. Taru snapped his fingers and a gust of wind blew all of their stuff over. He quickly retreated into the door to the higher levels.

Taru only has this job because the one before him vanished seemingly without reason. That was his mother. Of course it looked bad on their family for her to do that so they rushed to fill the position, it was meant to be his sisters, she was so much stronger than him but she threw the test so it fell to him instead which… he hates completely. He hopped up onto the last railing and stepped down, opening the door and quickly basically running to his office. He shut the door and threw his bag onto the couch before slumping down into his chair. His desk was littered with papers and binders as was the floor. The bookshelves were terribly unorganized. Besides one other elf, he was the only high elf who didn’t have anyone working under him… 

though to be fair… who would wanna work under a coward anyways?

He sat at his desk sorting and writing the papers as usual, honestly each elf could pick their job, he just chose to be an over glorified filer. A soft knock on the door didn’t draw his attention though. He just mumbled a quiet come in.
The door opened and the room seemed to chill just a little. A soft tap of heels glided across the floor as the other drew closer. 
“Aru dear, you really need to get someone to help you with this mess… how do you keep track of all of these files… are you sure you don’t want a few of my assistants?”

Imani Msuya, the second seat of the high elves. She was very tall, with even taller purple horns that twisted from either side of her head. She was calm, elegant, and honestly the most beautiful elf to ever grace any of them. If he weren’t gay and she weren’t a lesbian he definitely would’ve considered asking her already. Though she also comes from some really really prominent wealthy family in another province and that’s too much to deal with, so maybe not… besides she’s the closest to a hundred out of all of them… not… like that’s even an issue to him… whatever why is he even thinking about that.

“I’m sure… I have a method… Once I finish the ones on my desk they go to the left on the floor and the ones on the right on the floor come to my desk. I said that.” He spoke.

“Yes yes and then the ones from the closest go to the right of the floor. What will you do when your floor is filled with papers and you can no longer walk in here?”

He squinted, it felt like being scolded by his mother… She used to tell him the same stuff about his books all the time. You can't just put them to the side once you finish them, put them up, you’ll find them again later if you wanna read them again, just pull them out if you wish to reference them. He lifted his gaze slightly, giving her a tired pleading look, though saying that like he gave any other looks was quite an implication.
“... yes Miss Msuya…” He spoke quietly.
Imani smiled slightly, flipping her bundled hair behind her back. “No need to apologize, I just don’t wish for you to be overwhelmed in your task. I mean your space is not just another storage for these papers but your sanctuary before you fulfill your duty. It’s the same for us all.” She crossed her arms. “And Aru, you can just call me Imani, It’s more than fine by me.”
“Alright… Imani…” She’s way too kind… too much like my mother. No way in hell I'd have a chance with someone like her even if we were a considerable pair. 

Thankfully, he didn’t have to fulfill his duty today. How ecstatic that made him. As they all got ready to leave however the advisors appeared. Oh boy… These three only appear when They have messages to convey to the high elves. They covered their faces, yet wore three distinct colours, their horns as well still stuck out through their robes, which matched the colour of their robes as well. By the moon that's ugly…
“All, we ask you to pause to lend us your ears. The divine has passed a message, wanting us all to gather a moment and give thanks as the sun sets and the moon rises. Though they are not unified tonight we still want to pray to them for protection and unity.” one spoke.
Taru squinted. I so don't wanna stay for this…

He did though, all of them had to move to the super special area or whatever. Honestly these were just excuses for rich elves to mingle with the high elves under the guise of giving prayers or something… but no one ever called it out cause it was always said to be divine will.
Taru simply leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, watching everyone talk. Some didn’t mind entertaining these guys, yes most of the high elves and those working for them were considered nobles anyways so it was really just a fancy party…
“So you are here. I thought I would miss you again.” Someone walked up beside him. Vywr Xi, the ever mysterious, ever elusive first seat elf of the high elves. Honestly it was more shocking he was there than Taru. He was quite distant… though he wasn’t cold. He just simply didn’t like much interaction. Truly a “do your job and move on” kind of elf… 

Taru looked over at him, tilting his head slightly. “Yeeah.. I did. Figured it would be more… fun… than just going home you know?” He turned forward again. “Though I might be wrong… or maybe I’m tired from reading so much. I may go home soon to sleep.” He stood straight.
“What exactly is on your mind? I can’t ever tell.” Vywr spoke quietly. The guy more enigmatic than him says he has trouble understanding him. Huh. 

Taru shook his head. “Nothing, really. I just have never been one for parties like this. Too stiff.” He shrugged and turned around. “I already gave my prayer, so I should be on my way.”
“Alright… stay safe…” Vywr frowned but only after he turned away. Neither of them can actually admit they like each other. Well how can he when he’s supposed to be in a relationship?

Taru did not go home, of course he didn’t. The sun still honestly hadn’t even set fully and he would be bored sitting there all night. Besides there was nothing to drink at home other than tea and water and he drinks those all the time.
… he’s lying. Well he’s NOT lying but he is so lying. He drinks other stuff. He tied his hair up and used the bathroom to change his clothes. He is so not getting caught out at a bar… he’s already nearing getting caught as a disappointing whore, the last thing he needs is for anyone to start rightfully calling him a drunk too. He stopped and stared at himself in the mirror again, his ears drooping slightly…

…stupid bitch… you really need friends… 

Taru sat in the corner, it was the only place really open. This place was so full. Everyone was sitting with someone though… even the solo people at the bar were all chatting together. Must be great… He slowly began to drink his cup which then turned into a second. As he went to pick it up again someone suddenly set their cup down across from him.
“This seat taken?” he hummed. He seemed… forward. He can't even make mention of wow he’s tall… cause every damn elf is taller than him… honestly why was he so short? He had yet to meet an elf shorter than him and Vywr didn’t count since they were practically the same height…
He blinked a few times, trying to gather his thoughts again to form an actual coherent and socially acceptable response. “If you want it to be…” sure that works.
“Okay… do you feel like havin company then?” He tilted his head. So polite… most people would’ve just stolen the chair and assumed he was alone… Taru’s gaze lingered away. Let’s think… no friends… drinking alone after ditching a supposed work event… he’s probably just gonna go home and pass out on the couch anyways… talking to someone won’t kill him…
“I don’t mind…” he replied. The other sat down, leaning back with one arm over the back of the chair. How cool, he can’t even hate on him. The other elf had short green horns that curved out, short reddish brown hair that was bright blue only on his side bangs. He also had quite a few piercings like Taru did. Maybe he was attracted by his piercings… his bottom teeth poked out of his mouth and he seemed to hold his eyes so close to closed they might as well be. “So… who are you?” He took a sip of his drink. Forward.
“Uh… Kiyo…” He isn’t risking anything yet…
“Kiyo huh… ooh you’re from around the same area as my sister huh?” He lit up. Taru squinted. “You… can tell just by my name?” He was sure this was incorrect but… he appreciated effort.
“Yeaah, she’s always going on about meaning and all- hey she runs a really cool shop! You should come by some time!” He smiled.
So outgoing…
He sipped his drink, nodding along slowly. 

He has no clue how many drinks he had, he just allowed the other to keep talking to him while he drank. However he eventually woke up outside. He blinked a few times, before he looked around. “Urgh…”
“Are you alright?” He offered Taru water and he took it… before his eyes widened and he looked back over. Oh… the overly nice guy was still there. Honestly he’s still way too out of it to care but guess that’s something?
“Why… are we outside…” He sat up to drink the water.
“Ah… you fell asleep on the table… and I figured you’d need some air so I brought you out here…” He nodded. He can’t remember if this guy said his name… that usually doesn’t phase Taru but this guy is so nice it feels mean to keep going without knowing who he is..
“So… who are you again…” he placed the bottle down.
“My name is Jemm! I figured you wouldn’t remember you seemed pretty out of it.” he smiled. His eyes were open now too… they were a weird colour… and his pupils were the shape of some sort of music thing… Taru laid back on the grass and Jemm watched him.
“My name is Taru…” his eyes went half lidded. “So… you’re so cheerful… you must be doing amazing…” he mumbled. He’s reached the no filter part of the cloudiness.
“Oh… yeah no not so much.” He laughed. “I just thought you were interesting. I mean your hair is really cool… and your piercings too.” 

“Ugh… my hair is stupid and I almost infected my ears doing these…” he grumbled.
“Oh you pierced your own ears?”
“Are you stupid?” He sat up.
“I like to think I’m not.” Jemm hummed. Taru fell back into the grass and covered his face, grumbling. “Everything sucks… I have a shitty job I don’t even want… i have a shitty boyfriend I don’t even want and I don’t even have any stupid friends.” he hissed.
Jemm just smiled and watched him have a small breakdown. [Yeah… that’s relatable.]
“Yeah… I get that. I mean minus the job and boyfriend part. I don’t have a job or boyfriend but I don’t have friends either so I get that part!” He smiled. “I mean I really don’t have a place to live either…”
Taru turned and squinted at him for a moment. Now is a terrible time for him to be making decisions… but this guy is nice… and he’s bearable… even though he did just call him stupid… he should apologize for that… (he’s gonna forget to do that…) Jemm just kinda stared back at him. Weird failure to failure communication going on here.
“Do… you want a job…”
“Huh?”
“Wha…”
“I mean sure? Depends on what it is?” Jemm sat up.
“I need an assistant.” He closed his eyes.
“Assistant for what?”
Taru didn’t elaborate… “You could live with me too…”
“Wait what-”
Taru pulled his phone out and handed it over. “Here… put your number…”
Jemm stared at the phone, and then at him. This is too nice of a phone for some random sad elf…