Elysian- After Stellarlune

Chapter Eight- Sophie

Sophie made her way down the stairs, following Biana and Marella who were chatting quietly. She gazed up at the ceiling, admiring the handiwork and modern skylights that had been installed. Warm sunlight poured in, lighting up the ground in even sections.

Sophie couldn't believe she lived there now.

Havenfield, although similar, was nothing like this. There was a certain aspect of beauty in human structures that was different from elves. Maybe it was the lack of the glittering crystals, or that humans had to build it with their own hands, taking years at a time. Whatever it was, it enthralled Sophie.

"Sophie? Hello?" Sophie snapped back to reality when Biana waved her hand in front of her face.

"Hmm?"

Marella smirked. "We were discussing where we should go first."

Sophie nodded slowly, sitting on the bottom of the steps next to Biana. "Oh. Okay."

"Linh mentioned seeing a library somewhere that way," Biana pointed to the right, in the direction of the courtyard.

Marella pursed her lips. "We should make it fun, like into a game or something."

They looked at her sceptically.

"What? This might be the last time for long time that we can relax and have some fun, why not enjoy it?"

Linh nodded. "She makes a good point."

Biana clapped her hands together once. "What game can we make this into?"

"Game?" They all looked up to see Dex leaning over the railing at the top of the stairs. Fitz, Keefe, and Tam appeared beside him.

"Whatever it is, I'm in!" Keefe said, sliding down the railing of the stairs, his arms flailing a bit when he reached the corner. He reached the bottom, flourishing his arms.

"Bravo." Sophie deadpanned as he bowed.

"So what's this I hear about a game?" Keefe said, strutting over to lean against a pillar by the staircase. Dex bounded down the stairs and came up beside him.

"We're just trying to find a way to make exploring the castle fun." Biana explained.

"Are there any human games that we can play for that?" Fitz asked, coming into view.

"Umm," Sophie thought for a moment. It had been a long time since she'd played any. "Not really, I mean, there's one called Hide And Seek, but I don't know if you guys would find that fun."

"Well, what is it?" Fitz prompted.

Sophie explained the game, everyone staying quiet. (A/N: I trust everyone reading this knows how to play Hide and Seek.)

"We could try it," Linh said. "It sounds fun."

"I'm down." Everyone's heads whipped around to face Tam, who had somehow gotten to be right next to his sister.

"Great. Does anyone want to be the seeker?" Sophie looked around.

"I will!" Linh volunteered immediately. "And just to clarify, no abilities?"

Sophie nodded. "Okay, everyone split up!"

Linh went to stand against the pillar Keefe had previously been leaning on, shielding her eyes with her hands. She started counting down from 60.