#but Gale being holed up in his home and ignoring all of Dronia's messages/etc. might have...encouraged her to come here too....

[recitedemise]

"I know that look. Let me guess: they're not as beautiful as you're used to, are they?" He doesn't need to hear the answer, truth be told. What she thinks, he's positive, is a resounding no. Still, Gale finds he can't really argue with her on this. Here, the city smog prevails, every brilliant little twinkling in their skies gone pale. He can feel an indisputable sense of loss, ever a paramour of these celestial veils, and as they peer out his window by his crackling fire, he imagines what it is she would see. Romantic, he supposes, with her home midst the forest.... And, he's sure, wondrous to boot. Ah. Gale looks up, glass panes parted and curtains billowing. Dronia sat there is licked sharp and silver, and Gale, haggard, looks notably worn. "I'm sure you're raring to board the next bus out of here, ever the crown jewel of insomnia, but for what it's worth, I've very glad you've visited. If it should entice you to stay, I can conjure you something new to cast your sights on. What one might call a bribery, I'd consider an opportunity."

At least he's some humor. One year in solitude, and thankfully, dwindled as it, Gale's still some twinkle of a spirit to him. He raises his hand, the stars up above suddenly gleaming brighter--and in his face, gingerly, his expression glows. "Not too bad for a city boy, hm? I assure you, I am very capable of much more." / @thcdoomed ♡'d.