“Meegan finally told me a story,” says Sandra.

“Oh good, I thought we were going to have to wait until next week.”

“Not quite. It’s not a cheery scene, but it’s a start.”

###

Meegan woke to a heated conversation outside the den where she and Mother slept. One voice she recognized as Mother’s; the other was male and demanding. She couldn’t hear the words. Instead, she detected an acrimonious tone. Creeping closer to the opening of their small shelter, she listened.

“It is dangerous out here alone, Lorielelei. You belong with your kin in the safety of the village. Not out here in the wilderness coddling a… a parasite.”

“She is my daughter, and I love her just the way she is; I will not leave her to die,” responded Mother to the man. Those words made Meegan’s heart soar. The following utterances, however, brought her crashing back to reality. “That her father is human matters not to me. I loved him for his spirit and soul, not his race.”

“But…”

“But, nothing, Father. This is my home until I have taught Meegan enough to survive on her own. I have gone through the Bando-Qo. That makes me an adult, able to make my own decisions. You can either accept us both into the village, or you can leave us in peace.”

“You will regret this, Daughter.”

Meegan crawled back to the sleeping area and nestled into her rapidly cooling furs. She curled into a ball, trying to capture any of the thoughts swirling through her mind.

I’m half human? Is that why they hate me? Meegan wept into the pelt beneath her, shoulders shaking with each sobbing breath. A rustling from the main chamber alerted she wasn’t alone.

“I know you heard,” she said. “I should have told you sooner, and I am sorry.” Mother reached out, pulling Meegan into her arms.

Meegan curled up like a child while Mother rocked them both to tranquility.

###

“That’s how she found out she was half-elf, and not full elf.”

“Oh man,” says Julie, “that’s sad.”

“Yeah, but now that she’s talking to me, I’ll get more of her story down. Besides, she’s already hinted at some events from her childhood.”

“Nice,” says Bert. “Does anyone else think they might have more character stories to tell?”

“Aye,” Mac, ever the actor, says in Roland’s voice. “I gots me plenty o’ tales t’ tell.”

“As does Skrie,” says Julie.

“And what about Beiron?” asks Yvonne. “You mentioned before Dave ghosted us that Aeryn might have known him.”

“Yeah, I have some notes from Dave about his character. Beiron also has a soldier background, so you might have a connection there. And I have his character sheet, so I’ll have something next week.”

“Same time next week, then?” asks Julie.

“Yep. And everyone bring another character background story. I know they all have more than one tale to tell.”

The group packs up to disperse.

“See everyone next week,” Stevie, my avatar, says, clearing the empty cups and wiping the table as they leave.

I send the usual Blessing with them out the door.

(To be continued)