The comfort of home

The approval process takes no time at all. Apparently, between Mazzy’s glowing praise, and how well you’ve done on the inspections, there’s little worry about sending Ellie home with you. The fact that she and Mazzy are friends helps as well. The little goblin doesn’t say much, though you see the excitement in her amber eyes as you head towards the exit.

Both girls climb into the back seat of your car, and Mazzy is talking nonstop about what has happened so far. Ellie listens intently, even as you pull out and begin to drive home. You glance back in the mirror occasionally, and see Ellie watching out the windows, although once you catch her gazing at you. When she sees that you’re looking, she blushes and immediately looks away.

By the time you arrive at home, Mazzy is whispering in Ellie’s ear, and you see the goblin giggle at what she’s hearing. You chuckle and shake your head. “Here we are, Ellie. This is home.”

As the three of you get out of the car, Ellie looks over your house. “I-it looks nice. C-cozy.”

Mazzy grins. “It’s great! Just the right size, I promise!”

You laugh, and lead them inside. “Feel free to explore. The spare bedroom is across from ours, and it’s all yours, Ellie.”

Mazzy giggles as you flop onto the couch. “He’s had a busy day. C’mon, I’ll show you around!”

Hand in hand, you watch them wander off. Though you promised to let Ellie move at her own pace, you can’t help but watch her walk away, wide hips swaying. She really is pretty.

You turn on the tv, and before too long, Mazzy and Ellie come back from the ‘tour’. Mazzy simply hops into your lap and snuggles up, as Ellie stands nearby, looking a bit unsure. You smile at her.

“Go ahead and sit anywhere, Ellie. This is your home too, now.”

Ellie hesitates for a moment, eyes on the way Mazzy is snuggled against your chest. She’s clearly watching you stroking the halfling’s hair, as Mazzy closes her eyes and relaxes, smiling. Ellie watches, and seems to come to a decision. She sits down beside you on the couch, not quite touching you, but still close.

A few moments later, she speaks, quietly. “C-could you…rub my hair? L-like hers?”

You smile, and gently rest your free hand in her head, slowly stroking her soft blue hair. Ellie shivers slightly, and relaxes. You hear her sigh softly, and after a while, she speaks, barely audible.

“I never had a friend in the old world. No one cared about me until I met Mazzy. When she…l-left, I never expected to see her again.”

You keep stroking her hair, and slowly Ellie leans against you. You can feel her shivering slightly.

“W-we didn’t hear much about girls after they left. The only ones we knew about for sure were the ones that had to be…r-rescued. From sponsors that h-hurt them. It scared me. I c-couldn’t go through that again.”

You see Mazzy reach over and take Ellie’s hand. Ellie takes a calming breath, and continues. “And then, today. I-I was so scared for Mazzy when she came in. I worried that she had been…h-hurt. But when she told me about you…I d-don’t know. I felt like it’s…like y-you’re too good to be true. A-and now…”

She trails off, and tilts her head up to look at you. You can see tears in her eyes, and her lips quiver slightly. “I’ve never had a-someone do this for me. It’s…nice.”

She looks back down, scooting closer. Resting her head next to Mazzy’s, the two girls relax and go quiet. You hear Ellie sniffle, and feel her slowly stop shivering. You don’t say anything, just keep stroking both of their hair. After a while, Mazzy looks up at you.

Very quietly, she whispers to you. “She fell asleep, love.”

You smile, and nod. After a while longer, Mazzy slips off your lap, and you scoop up the sleeping goblin. She’s light as a feather, and immediately clings to you in her sleep. Mazzy giggles, and follows you to the guest room. Ellie refuses to let you go when you lay her down, so you lie beside her. Mazzy climbs onto the bed and hugs her friend from behind, and you see Ellie smile in her sleep. It’s a beautiful sight, and one you hope to see more of in the future.

You and Mazzy snuggle up with the exhausted goblin, and you soon realize that Mazzy was right, earlier. It’s been a crazy day. You go back to gently stroking Ellie’s hair, as your eyelids grow heavier.