"As do I, Miss Gallagher, as do I. And I promise, no freezing shall come on my part; only a few light snow falls," he added with a teasing wink,"But as for being welcome in Elimlee, I think I'd rather not risk it and stay on my own side of the border."

Leaning towards her, the impulse to kiss her upturned face was too tempting, causing him to gently caress her cheek with his hand. However, just as he was about to place his lips upon hers, he pulled back, "I'm sorry.. I'd better go.. My best wishes to your friend for a speedy recovery."

Although his words told of his leaving and his head reinforced the need to leave, something held him back.

Ariala stood, frozen, the need for being with her friend and being with Dimitrius were at war with each other. "Maybe you should stay." She said, after searching for any reason to not let him leave. "I'm sure Erreminette would want to thank you herself when she becomes...thawed." She said. Then she added, "Unless you absolutely need to leave..."

Without even realizing what he was saying, words began to form on his lips from deep inside. His head unable to make sense of where they came from before they were spoken, the words simply spilled from his lips in a soft voice, "I'd like that very much, Ariala. But only if you're sure my presence won't upset anyone, Miss Gallagher," he added hurriedly as a light blush crept into his cheeks.

"Oh, I'm sure." Ariala said, delighted that he had agreed to stay with her, or for Erreminette. "And you can call me Ariala, there's no need to be formal with me." She said, with a smile.

"Would you like something to eat?" Ariala asked, not waiting for his answer when she turned and began to climb the rope ladder. "It might be some time before Erreminette is able to talk."

Not sure whether to follow her or not, but deciding it was a better option than staying on the ground by himself, Dimitrius began climbing up the ladder behind her, "Then please do me the honor of calling me Dimitrius, if you insist on my calling you Ariala. As for something to eat, I'm quite fine. Tea though, if you have any, would be lovely."

"Of course." Ariala said, leading him to her treehouse. She entered the kitchen, walking towards the sink to fill a teapot. She put the water on to boil and walked over to the table, ushering him to sit. "So, Dimitrius." She said, "What's Winterglade like? I've only crossed the border once and that was on accident."

Dimitrius chuckled as he stook a seat opposite Ariala.

"Dead, barren, cold, and full of ice and snow," he said simply with a teasing smile, "But in all seriousness, it's lovely. It may be winter all the time and different from what you're used to, but I think you'd enjoy it there. The snow is always a crisp white hinted with hues of light blue, the ice crystals that hang from the trees and cottages shimmering in the sunlight, the trees covered in snow; it's nothing short of the Winter Wonderland every human child thinks of as the Winter season approaches down on Earth."

With a slight blush, he took off his jacket and draped it across the back of his chair, "Forgive my passionate speech, it's one part of my nature that I can't seem to overcome."

"I know how you feel." Ariala said. "I don't think I could ever not appreciate the Spring. I just love all the colors. To me, nothing is more beautiful then a blooming lotus tree. The humans that live near them are so lucky. To see the blossoms everyday..." Her voice trailed off, distracted.

The teapot began to whistle, snapping Ariala out of her trance. She poured tea into two mugs and returned to the table.

"Of course. I think the other seasons are beautiful as well."

"Aye, but no season compares to the one in which your talent lies," Dimitrius said before sipping his tea. "Speaking of talents," he said with a smile, "you, Ariala, know mine; but I'm afraid I haven't a clue as to yours."

"Oh, well I just assumed. When I grew the roses..." Ariala said, "See, my magic can grow plants. Sometimes when I'm very excited or simply happy I can grow flowers without realizing it. You know how the magic feels when its pumps through your veins, making you all warm inside?" Ariala meant it as a question but she didn't wait for an answer before continuing. "I simply focus on what plant I want and it grows."

Dimitrius blushed, "Ah. I thought the 'flowers when you walk' phenomenon was simply an Elimlee Elf trait. Forgive me for not realizing it was a specialized talent. I'm afraid I've never felt this warmth in my veins before while using the abilities I've practiced since birth. The only warmth I've ever felt is the warmth I feel when I'm near you," he added almost to himself absentmindedly. Realizing he spoke aloud, he blushed even deeper as he stammered, "I-I mean, the warmth I feel when I'm near Elimlee. It's quite a bit warmer than in Winterglade, I'm afraid I'm not quite used to it. You'll have to forgive my bits of insanity, blame it on the heat, if you will, and pay no mind to my endless bumbling."

Ariala flushed a deep red. "Oh, many other Elves have the same trait. Some of us can do a variety of things. Some control rain, others plants, some even heat. But the very powerful ones, the elders, have developed all of that magic. Only a chosen few can handle that powerful of magic." She said.

Dimitrius smiled, "I bet anything you're one of those chosen few, no?"

"Uhm-my,uh-my Master thinks so but I-I don't know..." Ariala said, stammering. She had been doubting her own magic lately. "I think it would be best if I wasn't."

After taking a sip of his tea, Dimitrius set the cup down and inquired, "Really? Why's that, love?" Realizing what had slipped out of his mouth, he immediately corrected himself, "I mean, Ariala?"

"I think my friends would be happier if my magic was more at their level. It would put less of a strain on our friendship." Ariala said. "But that's nothing to worry about, love." She said with a teasing wink and a partly forced smile on her face. Dimitrius hadn't asked about the complexities of her friendships.

Dimitrius chuckled, "Sorry about that, bad habit I've picked up over the years from creating the storms over in Ireland, which would also explain the Irish lilt in my accent. As for your friends," he began more seriously, "They should understand better. It may be hard at first, and this I know from experience due to it happening when I first became the Master's Apprentice, but in time they'll come to understand that it's nothing to be ashamed of an it's not your choice. You have a gift from the Goddess of Spring, you should be proud of it, not wanting to hold back."

Eying her forced smile, his voice softened, "Unless this is not the case and it's simply a case of your friends being selfish and jealous?"

"Its unimportant." Ariala said, her friends weren't Dimitrius' problem. "I think we should go and check on Erreminette. Its killing me being this far away from her when she's hurt...or in this case frozen." She said, picking up the mugs and placing them in the sink.

Taking the hint that the conversation was better left untouched for now, Dimitrius stood up with a nod. After all, it wasn't his place to get into a stranger's personal business. "Of course. I wish to apologize on Emelaide's behalf as well."

"Don't." Ariala warned. "Erreminette will be unhappy if she thinks you're taking the blame for that girl." Ariala walked towards the door, leading Dimitrius through the complicated web of rope bridges.

"Erre?" Ariala said cautiously, leaning in her friends window. She didn't want to go through her parents first.

"Ariala?" Erreminette said, trying to sit up but weighed down by the blankets covering her still somewhat shivering frame.

"Hey." Ariala said, relieved by Erreminette's obviously improved condition. "I brought some one to see you." She leaped through the window, gesturing for Dimitrius to follow.

Carefully, nervously, Dimitrius climbed through the window. Looking hesitantly over where Erreminet was laying, and blushed as he nervously spoke, not really listening to Ariala's warning for he felt this was something that needed to be said, "I-I hope I'm not intruding. If you'd rather I leave, I will do so without question. I'm sure your opinion of Winterglade and it's inhabitants have diminished a great deal, but please let me apologize. We are not all as spiteful and hateful towards other races as Emelaide is. I am not asking for you to forgive her, I would never even consider such a thing. Nor am I trying to take the blame for her. I simply wish you a speedy recovery and wish you to know that not all Winter Elves are like Em. She.. she's just... I don't even know how to explain her, so I won't even bothering babbling on anymore; you're probably sick of hearing me talk as it is."

Erreminette smiled warmly, if somewhat forcedly. "And thank you Dimitrius for helping. Its greatly appreciated." She shivered violently and Ariala rushed to her side at an inhuman speed.

"What do you need? Another blanket?" But Ariala wasn't waiting for an answer. She grabbed a blanket from the closet and placed on her friend.

"I'm fine Ariala." Erreminette sighed. "You're so protective..." She mumbled before her eyes began to droop and she fell asleep.

"I guess we better go." Ariala whispered to Dimitrius, climbing back out the window.

Dimitrius nodded as he followed her out. When they were a safe distance away from Erreminet's window, Dimitrius sighed, "I'd probably better go. I don't want to cause you any more trouble, and I'm sure you'd rather my babbling mouth be gone as well," he added with a soft chuckle, "Best leave you while you don't hate me, right?"

"I don't hate you!" Ariala said, perhaps a bit to quickly. "I rather enjoy your company." Ariala said, staring down a her feet. Great, she had admitted it and now he was going to tell her that he never wanted to see her again...

Looking down at her, he stepped closer. Impulsively taking her hand in his, he smiled as his eyes lit up as her blonde hair reflected in his eyes, "Really? I-I quite enjoy your company as well, Ariala."

Realizing how close to her he had gotten, he blushed, but made no intention of moving without her asking. He knew he shouldn't be feeling like this, especially with Emelaide back in Winterglade and him having a committment to her, but he couldn't shake the feeling he had while around Ariala; it was completely different than the connection he felt with Emelaide - stronger, if possible.