Chapter Text
Hog’s Breath is a small village. It is barely more than a settlement, truly, its alliances with neighboring villages giving it status on a map. The people there rarely have family outside, being born, living, and eventually dying in a small village known for the stench of its animals. The number one thing that Hog’s Breath is known for is being a small respite for adventurers - big and small - and playing host to nearly every traveler in Heluazuno.
Many years ago a great adventurer decided to settle down in this small village and make it her home. Since then, her deeds have been lost to time, her name now synonymous with the small farming district. Anyone who knew who she was died long ago, but the woman remains. Today she is the village’s grandmother, looking after anyone who needed looking after. She would help the occasional thief, the rare nomad, the infrequent hero, but currently she was looking after a young woman in love.
“Mama Nity!” A young elvish lady called from the doorway of The Old Hag’s Tavern and Inn . Her olive dress was hiked up and bunched around her waist as she stomped her boots to clear the mud. “I’ve got to talk to you!” Her typically pink face was flushed red, nearly matching her long braided hair.
The door to Nity’s room creaked open ever so slightly, the room still dark.
“Mama Nity, it is nearly noon and you have yet to open your dang doors, what is goin’ on?” The elf called out, letting her dress fall and swish around her ankles as she traversed the bar. The Old Hag always felt cozy, no matter what stink and mud was outside. She pushed the door, peeking her head into the small room. “Mama?”
Nity was sitting up in her bed, still dressed in a nightgown and slippers. She gave a sleep-filled smile and waved her hand. The elf watched as orange sparks seemed to fly from Nity’s fingers, moving through the air to create different shapes.
I was resting, Naevys. I’m closed today.
The woman sighed. “The business is closed. I still need my Mama Nity.” Naevys smiled and flopped down on the bed, jostling them both around for a moment.
Go make us some tea, I’ll join you in a moment.
“You don’t need to change, it’s just us.” She said, tucking loose strands of hair behind her ear. “Besides, I really don’t want to wait to tell you.”
Nity chuckled softly, and reached for her glass on the bedside table.
What is it?
“That man, Vilith? The one I told you about from last month with the horns and the big ol’ muscles? He wrote me a letter!” Naevys squealed, shaking a letter in front of her friend’s eyes.
A letter! What did it say?
“Well…..” Naevys bit her lip, trying not to smile. “He writes to tell me that he’ll be back in Vanesse next month. He asks if I would wait for him!”
Nity’s eyes widened and she reached for the letter, deciding she needed to read it herself. There it was, written in black and white in front of her. This gentleman was coming back to see Naevys.
“What do you think, Mama Nity? I am so excited!” Naevys squealed once more, jumping up and dancing in the doorway. “Okay, I am going to go make tea for you, you sleepy ol’ bat. Then we can talk about what we will do if he asks to court me!”
Nity stared blankly at the letter. She knew this man. She had known him for years. He was an efreeti, walking the streets of Heluazuno for a potential mate. She had fought him a few hundred years ago and banished him back to Muspelheim. He had been much younger then, true, burning villages and forests. Apparently he was back and searching for a wife.
Efreeti are strange in this way. They keep to themselves, staying in their realm for most of their lives. Every 300 or so years they emerge and look for a potential mate in the middle realm. There are theories as to why they specifically look for middle-realm mates, one being that the temperature and violent nature of Muspelheim is not conducive to raising a child. Nity had also heard that all children born in Muspelheim are born in-depted to Surtur himself. There is no problem with Efreeti searching for love in the middle realm, however, they cannot stay long outside of their realm and no middle-realm creatures can survive in Muspelheim.
What are you expecting of him? Nity threw the words into the tavern behind Naevys, standing and searching for her favorite purple dress.
“Well, Mama, I’m not expectin’ anything . But I wouldn’t be opposed to a few dates!” Naevys giggled.
If he expects to propose, he should ask for my blessing.
“Mama!” Naevys gasped somewhere farther away, muffled by the closed door. “First, we aren’t speakin’ of anything like that! And second , of course anyone that expects to marry me would need your blessing.” The door pushed open and Naevys entered carrying two teacups. “Who do you think I am?”
Nity smiled and took the cup, sitting again on her bed.
I know, I know. You’re entirely a grown woman and I am incredibly proud of you. It’s everyone else I worry about.
“He’s so good, Mama. You’re going to love him.” She stirred her tea absent-mindedly, her eyes somewhat glazed over with a small smile.
I’m sure I will. Nity smiled, her heart aching with dread. However this efreeti may have changed in the last few centuries, she was sure he didn’t change his physical limitations.
Naevys continued on, rambling about her new love and all the wonderful things they would do together but Nity’s mind was elsewhere. When parenting, where is the line? When do you tell them something in hopes they can avoid heartache and when do you sit silently, ready to support them? She should at least give this man a chance to tell Naevys that he won’t be a very present partner, that much is fair. Of course, she hopes that she’ll never have to tell Naevys. No one wants to break anyone’s heart, especially not someone they view as a child.
“...but that’s just me rambling. I’m sure you have better things to do on your day off than listen to a lovestruck girl.” Naevys hopped up and kissed Nity on the cheek. “I’ll be ‘round at the end of the day, okay?”
Thank you for the chat, Naevys. You’re always welcome to sit with me on my day off.
“Love you, Mama.”
Love you too.
And so they went over the next few weeks, letters flying in from Vilith, her returning them with pressed flowers and heartfelt notes, until it was the first of the month and Nity hadn’t heard any news of Vilith being unable to stay. She was still giving him the benefit of the doubt - perhaps he didn’t wish to say it over a letter - but Nity’s stomach twisted in knots when she saw a new carriage pull into town.
Through the window, Nity could see him step into the mud. His skin was a deep red, he had small horns growing in his head, almost giving the illusion of a crown. His clothes were fine - a black overcoat, white shirt, and light blue vest. Nity noted that last time she had seen him, his head was entirely engulfed in flame, and yet this time he had a head full of dark brown hair.
Naevys sprinted into the scene and leapt into his arms, Vilith catching her and spinning around, laughter drifting in through the windows. She looked so happy.
How long would it last?