Elm

He had been abandoned by all who claimed to love him -- he had a right to be cautious and to question this man's intentions. It seemed few creatures were capable of an act of kindness without some kind of selfish intention lurking behind it, and he was no different. It seemed even Deteste was not sure how to answer, and he watched quietly, with only the slightest hint of a sneer on his dark lips.

Fire, he answered finally, and the boy's eyes would shimmer with interest. Fire. Always fire. Burning in the core of his being, hot and unbearable at times. Cataleya was teaching him to use it. He could only wonder if Deteste sought to extinguish it. Long ago he had condemned himself to a life full of anguish and hate -- he knew there was no changing the spiteful man he was growing to be. But he knew he was not quite like his father. The sight of Deteste before him did not make his blood boil; he was not aroused by the thoughts of killing him, by fantasies of maiming and torturing him. He was different. He would not answer, only stare silently and wonder.

"These trees were my home once," he acknowledged quietly. It had been so long ago, and he had been afraid to ever return. It was not danger that he was afraid of, but of something else -- of family. Of realizing they might still be here, never looking for him, never missing him. The unwanted Basilisk. The man spoke again; although his words were cryptic, the meaning was as loud and clear. "So long ago. And I wish to stay again." He had no other home -- he never had. And yet he wondered if Cataleya would join him; if she would allow him to stay. "I have but one stipulation."