#long awaited reunions

[better-than-one]

...

Come on, Hero, we don't have all day. You've got this.

[justcallme-ange]

What will a reunion between papa XD and Dream look like? Pardon me for I am utterly obsessed with them ueueueue

Hey, it just means I get to talk more about my boys!! Ask away ^^ It takes a long time, Dream is an adult by the time they meet again.

Dream was worried his papa wouldn't recognize him, or be mad that he disappeared, or disappointed it took him this long to reach the End.

Exdee actually needed a moment to recognize his boy, it had been so long since they'd been face to face, and Dream is no longer a child. He'd imagined this moment countless times throughout the years - but reality still took him by surprise.

He's tall, almost as tall as Exdee in his human form, with broad shoulders and sun-bleached hair. They look almost identical to each other, and yet the person standing before him is so different.

It's all good though, the moment the mask comes off, there's no doubt this is his little boy. He's a little scarred, and there are lines under his eyes but it's him. Exdee loved his son the moment he created him, rooted for him from afar, and continued to love him even worlds apart.

The Void God is just happy he can hold his son again.

[clairedaring]

Happy 1st Anniversary, I Feel You Linger In The Air! (August 18th, 2023 - November 3rd, 2023)

“I am heading towards the end of my life. Throughout the course of my life, I have learnt that the current of time always runs forward without any retreat. With the matter of time, I might already be your past, but, for me, you are my future. I'm still looking forward to seeing you at the same place, and I hope that someday we will get back and spend our lives together.”

[forgetimabluedreamer]

[thistle--bug]

Untamed ep 20 sort-of spoiler ahead? Not huge ones but just in case

*Wei Wuxian returning from being thrown in the yiling burial mounds*

Lan Zhan: oh my god I can't believe you're meddling with demonic cultivation, that messes with your body and heart forever! don't get in to this!

Jiang Cheng: wow dude chill and maybe mind your business? yippee my brother's back :)

[vertigoartgore]

2004's Madrox Vol.1 #1 (turning 20 today, feel old yet ?) cover by cover artist David Lloyd (V for Vendetta) and colorist Brian Reber.

[the-obnoxious-sibling]

Do you think it means anything that Bartolomeo burned shanks flag? Like that choice, means something? Is it foreshadowing for shanks death?

i think it's an indicator of how shallow barto's knowledge of luffy is. just about anyone who's managed to have a real conversation with luffy knows how important shanks is to him, but barto's at such a remove he can only see shanks as a rival, or an enemy. he admires luffy, but he doesn't understand him.

(something something idolization and dehumanization are two sides of the same coin, something something putting someone on a pedestal just puts them farther away from you, something something downsides of godhood, you get it.)

i don't think it tells us anything new about shanks, we've already seen his death flags.

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #1212: Coffee Chat with Geese (King of Fighters)

6:45 p.m. at Athena's Coffee Shop........

It was a slow, normal day in Athena's established coffee shop. The afternoon came by, the customers are at their seats, enjoying the various drinks they've ordered, Hinako happily hums as she places her recently baked batch of cookies inside a glass jar stand, and Rock is sitting in front of the counter talking to Shingo, awaiting for his friend's time to clock out for the rest of the day so they hang out more later.

It was a good day so far, despite it's normalcy-

'DOOR KICKED OPEN'

Malin: (Frantically Ran Inside the Coffe Stop) LOCK EVERY DOOR IN BUILDING AND HIDE LIKE HELL, PEOPLE! MOVE IT!!

Shingo/Rock: (Quickly Turns to the Source of the Sudden, Loud Ruckus Along with Everypne Else in the Room) Malin?

Hinako: (Starts Getting Worried) What's going on, dear? (Notices How Exhausted Malin is Getting) Did you ran your way to get here?

Malin: (Starts Panting a Bit) Yeah....I.....really had to.....Hightailed my ass.....over here.....The MOMENT i saw that black limousine!.....(Whips the Sweat Off her Forehead) ('Whew')

Hinako: Limousine?

Rock and Shingo look at each other after hearing that piece of information, for a brief second before turning back to Malin.

Rock: Did you catch a glimpse of who was inside?

Shingo: And was there anyone else in there with him by any chance?

Malin: Yeah! There were two guys in there. One was the bodyguard and the other-

'Door Push Open'

?????: Ah.

Everyone in the room now turn their attention to a man in a suit, rocking a read and white stripe bandana wrapped on top of his head, and carrying a red pole walking and looking around inside of the establishment.

?????: So this is the famous coffee shop that twat of a pop star owns....Not as loud and obnoxious looking as I thought it would be, I'll give 'em that.

Shingo: (Instantly Recognizes the Man Walking In) Billy Kane? But if he's here and then- (Notices The Silent, Harden Look in Rock's Eyes Before Coming to the Chilling Realization) Oh no..........

?????: ('Hmph')

Another man in a business suit walks inside the shop as well, with a face that everyone instantly recognized. The infamous crimelord of Southtown and the man that was absent from Rock's life since he was a child, Geese Howard.

Geese: I prefer a more sophisticated establishment, but I suppose this will do for now.

Billy: (Bows hid Head Down in Agreement) As you wish, sir.

Malin: (Grimaces in Fear) There's goes the lockdown plan.......

Hinako: (Eyes Widened in Genuine Shock) What possess that man to come to a place like this?

Rock: (Glaring at His Own Father) He came here for me.

Shingo: (Quickly Tries to Ease the Tension) O-Or! He's....probably here try out one of our....Finest selection of coffee! (Chuckles Awkwardly) Given our very....VERY good review scores we've gotten so far. I mean, that's probably and mostly because it has Athena''s name on it, but-

Geese: (Turns his Long Lost Son With a Welcoming Yet Evil Looking Smile on his Face) Ah, Rock, my boy! I knew I would find you here eventually. Come. (Pulls Out a Chair For Him) Take a seat. We have so much to discuss and catch up on.

Shingo: (Grimacing in Fear) ..........I hate being wrong sometimes

Geese: (Looks Around the Room Filled With Intimidated Customers and Employees) As for everyone else still present, we do hope you enjoyed your time here thus far. (Puts on a Stone Cold Look on his Face) Now, leave our presence.

The customers immediately abides to crimelord's demand as Billy holds the door wide open for them quickly leaving the premise.

Billy: Yeah, you heard the boss! Get outta here! All of ya! Hop to it! You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here!

Customer: (Starts Singing) I knooow, who I'M-

Billy: (Angrily Uses his Pole to Shove the Singing Customer Out of the Room) OUT! ('Groans in Annoyance') Damn tourist......

Geese: (Softens his Look a Bit) No need to waste your anger on that fool, Billy. The song is catchy in its own right. (Turns to the Coffee Trio) Are you three the workers of this establishment?

Hinako: (Smiles Very Nervously) Y-Yes, but-

Malin: (Grins Very Awkwardly as She Points Back at the Door in the Other Side of the Room) We have some unfinished work that needs to be done in the back!

Hinako: (Quickly Nodded in Agreement) T-That's right! If you'll excuse us! (Turns to Shingo Along with Malin) Shingo-Kun?

Shingo: (Sighs While Standing Still) You guys go on ahead without me. No way I'm leaving Rock alone with that guy, father or not. Plus, someone gotta serve him coffee and I'm more than willing to step up to the plate. ('Gulps') And hopefully stay alive after this.......

Hinako: (Eyes Starts Sparking and Tearing Up Along with Malin) ('Sniff') You brave soul!~

Malin: We'll never forget your sacrifice!~ ('Sniff') GODSPEED, SHINGO!

Hinako: (Carries Malin Up in her Arms as She Quickly Makes Their Way to the Back Room) WE LOVE YOU!~

Shingo: (Tearfullly Waves Goodbye to his Co-workers/Friends) I LOVE YOU GUYS TOO!~

Billy: OI!

Shingo's body immediately starts tense up by Billy's booming voice.

Billy: Are you that Kusanagi brat's disciple?

Shingo: (Claps his Own Face Three Times and Clears his Throat Before Turning Back and Facing Billy With a Slightly More Calmer Look on his Face) I used to be. What of it?

Billy: (Casually Shrugs as He Walks Over to Shingo) Oh nothin' on the sorts. Just heard a few things about you is all. (Forms an Evil Smirk on his Face) Specifically how YOU were one responsible for roughin' up one of my men back at the warehouse.

Shingo: (Shivering a Bit in Fear While Trying his Hardest Not to Lose his Posture) Y-Yeah, well......(Glares at Billy While Mustering Up Every Bit of Courage He Has Inside of Him) S-So what? They're the ones who lured Rock and the others there to begin with. And I'll beat 'em up again if you and your goons even THINK about harming my friends agai-

Before Shingo could finish his sentence, Billy place the tip of his red pole right onto his cheek, shutting him up instantly.

Billy: Making a direct threat to me and the boys, right in front of my face.....That takes guts.(Forms an Impressed Smirk on his Face) ('Heh') I think we're gonna get along just fine, mate.

Rock: (Angrily Yeah at Billy) You get the hell away from Shingo right now, Billy Kane, or SO HELP ME-

Geese: Enough, Billy. Quit messing around with the employee and let him make our coffee. (Sits Himself Down on One Side of the Circular Table) We're wasting enough time as it is.

Billy: (Immediately Bows Down to Geese) Yes, sir! Apologies in advance. (Turns Back to Shingo) You heard the boss, mate. (Pokes Shingo's Cheek with the Tip of his Pole) Move it already!

Shingo: Alright, alright! I'm going!

Geese watches Shingo walking over to the counter as Billy follows behind him before letting out a small sigh and turning back his biological offspring.

Geese: Now, where were we?

Rock: (Sighs While Sitting Down on the Opposite Side of his and Geese's Table) Let's just get this over with.

Geese: I take it that boy over there is a friend of yours?

Rock: Yeah. My best friend to exact. Seriously, I will HURT your bodyguard if he tries anything with him over there.

Geese: Calm down. Billy knows better than to disobey any orders I give him. Your friend will be unharmed.

Rock: (Hardens his Glare onto Geese) He better be.

Geese: You've really been holding a grudge on me these days, haven't you?

Rock: Well, you practically ignored me and mom since I was child and never bothered to visit her in her death bed and her funeral. So yeah. Still not letting any of that go just yet.

Geese: ('Sigh') I see. If it makes you feel slightly better, I did help your uncle pay for funeral expenses.

Rock: Neat. Why didn't come and visit then?

Geese: I was busy that day.

Rock: OF COURSE YOU- (Stops Himself From Yelling Before Taking a Very Deep Breath) Why do you even wanna see me in the first place? Besides giving me more of a migraine.

Geese: I just wanted to see how you are doing these days. Especially now that you're- ('Sighs Heavily') OFFICALLY Bogard's adapted son.

Rock: (Forms a Small Smirk on his Face) What? You jealous of him or something?

Geese: (Turns Away While Crossing his Arms Together, Unamused) ('Tch') Please. You're sorely mistaken if I hold any jealousy towards that imbecile of a man. That being said, I do wonder how he's been doing these days........

Rock: He's in Smash Town. Still taking part of that Smash Tournament or what have you.

Geese: ('Sigh') Ahh Smash Bros.....The one tournament that dares toys with my time and patience.

Rock: Wait. (Raises an Eyebrow in Confusion) You were invited to that tournament at one point?

Geese: Yes. Or at least I thought I was. I standing in my balcony until I noticed one of their invitation envelopes flew by. I tried to catch it, but with no pervil and.only to end up falling five stories off the building.

Rock: (Eyes Widened in Genuine Horror) Oh God. That's terrible.

Geese: (Shrugs) Mm. I had worst falls. (Forms a Small Coxky Smirk) None of them were enough to put me down that easily. My ambitions and willpower always came in clutch every time.

Rock: (Gives Geese a Deadpinned Look) Pretty sure it's dumb luck saving you constantly.......

Rock then sees Billy walking over to his and Geese's table and gives his boss the hot beverage he ordered in a cup.

Billy: Your coffee, sir.

Geese: (Simply Nodded to his Most Loyal Right Hand Man) Thank you.

Billy bows to his boss before walking back to the counter. Geese then takes a Sip of his freshly made coffee, savoring the taste for a brief second before nodding in approval.

Geese: Hm. I'll be damned. This might be the best cup of coffee I've tasted in a long time.

Rock: (Forms a Proud Smile on his Face) I know, right? It keep tasting better and better the more Shingo makes them. He's a natural at this. (Went Back to Glaring at his Father) And no. You're not gonna make him your personal coffee boy under my watch.

Geese: And why exactly not? He could benefit our organization greatly with his talents.

Rock: Well, one, he has family and friends to come home to, and two, we don't want his innocence to get tainted by your twisted bullshit. (Hardens his Glare a Bit) And unless you want me to speed dial Terry here to humble you and your sidekick once again, I suggest you drop the idea entirely.

Geese: ('Scoffs') I wouldn't lose to that toothless mutt that easily. ('Sighs in a Bit Of Defeat') But I'll pretend that piece of conversation never happens. Happy?

Rock: Very.

'A Bit of Silence'

Geese: You're really enjoying the new life given to you so far, haven't you?

Rock: (Simply Nodded) Yeah. I have. It's not perfect by any means, but I still love it all the same. I love the people that's been a part of it for a while now. ('Clicks Teeth') And hate to be that guy, but I can say with pure certainty they're more of a family to me than you'll ever be.

Geese: ('Heh') Is that right? Good for you I suppo-

Geese suddenly felt something buzzing as he takes his phone out of pqlants pocket before sighing at the message that was given to him just recently.

Geese: Always has to be something with these people.......

Rock: Business calls?

Geese: Unfortunately. The higher ups are hosting yet another business meeting held back at HQ in the next hour or so. So I'm afraid we'll have to cut our conversation short for now. But before I go, there's one more thing I need to discuss with you. It involves that power of yours.

Rock: ('Sigh') And here we go......

Geese: Listen, I don't mind you being the young man you are now. After everything you and your mother been through, you have every right to follow and obliged by the path you forged for yourself. But you are still a Howard in blood at the end of day. You can't keep holding back the power you bear within you forever, you know?

Rock: Yeah. It only does more harm than good to own body and mental state I keep this up.

Geese: (Simply Nodded in Agreement) Exactly.

Rock: But......

Geese: Hm?

Rock: (Looks Down at the Table With a More Somber Look) What if it change me for the worst? To someone......I can't recognize anymore?

Geese: That could happen. Or you could be more stronger than you originally were beforehand. The possibilities are endless despite how uncertain the future is. But I'm sure you'll figure something along the way. You are my son after all.

Rock: True. And you're my father in blood. (Forms a Smirk on his Face) But you're definitely not close to being a dad at heart.

Geese: (Stares at Rock For a Brief Second Before Smirking Back) ('Heh') Whatever keeps you satisfied in the long run. (Gets Up From his Seat as He Picks Up his Cup of Coffee From the Table) I'll have high hopes for you for the time being, Rock. Until the next time we meet. Billy! It's we part from this establishment. (Finally Makes his Leave) Our next meeting will start soon.

Billy: (Bows to Geese) Coming right away, sir! (Turns to Shingo with a More Friendier Smile) And that's my cue to leave. Sorry we has to cut our chat short, mate.

Shingo: (Smiles Back at Billy) It's alright. I'm just glad we had the chance to get along in the first place. (Sticks his Hand Out in Front of Billy)

Billy: (Gives Shingo a Handshake) Likewise. You and your friend there be safe out there in the streets and have a good rest of the day. (Finally Makes his Leave as Well)

Shingo: (Happily Waves Goodbye to a Unexpectedly New Friend) You too, Billy-san! Good luck on your meeting!

Billy gives Shingo a farewell salute before following Geese out the door.

'Door Opens and Closes'

Rock: (Walks Over to Shingo) You and Billy are friends now?

Shingo: (Happily Nodded) I think so, yeah. He's pretty cool to talk to once you get to know him a little bit. How did your talk with Geese go?

Rock: Surprisingly decent all things considered. It made me hate him less now.

Shingo: Seriously?

Rock: Yeah. (Makes a Tiny Bit Hand Gesture While Having a Small Grin on his Face) Only a little bit though.

Shingo: (Chuckles Lightly) Well, nice to see it got you in you're in a better mood at least. I can tell how much it frustrates you get every time you think about him.

Rock: (Shrugs) Yeah, but it's nothing I can't brush over. (Smiles Softly) Especially now that I'm in a much better place in my life than I've ever been-

Shingo: (Smiles Brightly) With us!

Rock: (Chuckles Lightly) Yeah. With us. (Takes his Phone Out From his Pants Pocket, Only to be Greeted by Twenty-Six Missed Calls and Thirty Text Unread Text Messages) Yeesh......We should probably head back to my place before everyone has even more if a panic attack.

Shingo: Wayyy ahead of you. (Clocks Himself in For the Day Before Opening the Back Door as He Calls Out to his Two Lady Friends/Co-workers) Hey, guys! The coast is clear now! And I'm heading home woth Rock for the day! (Leaves the Back Door Open as Follows Rock Out of the Shop)

Hinako: (Inside The Back Room) Thank you!~ We hope you two have a good rest of the evening!

Malin: (Munching on Something While In the Same Room with Hinako) Yeah! ('Crunch Munch') See you guys later! ('Crunch') Mmm~

Hinako: Malin! Those cookies are for the customers only!

Malin: Hey, not my fault they taste heavenly. You're a real talented cook, you know that?~

Hinako: (Giggles Softly) I tried my best~ I'll be more than happy make you a batch back home if you behave and help me tidy up the place.

Malin: Deal!

Happy Late Birthday, Rock Howard!!

@thelexhex

@tampire

@helsic

@albion-93

[rahleeyah]

@morethanwords229 if I ever find the person responsible for filming that season in this style I'm going to beat them to death with my shoe

[bietrofastimoff23]

Lately I've been thinking a lot about how Aegon won't have the opportunity to bid farewell to his brothers, sister-wife, son. and the funeral of Jaehaerys will be the first and last for him, not because others will be saved, but because the bodies of most of them will not be found.

[petrichorium]

👀 for shuvi !!!!

👀: How does your ship with your f/o influence both of your characterisations and the world? Would there be any interesting metas written about your dynamic?

ohhhh this is Another ask that would be better in a decade when we have more of the story LMFAOOOOOO but i def think theres a big shift in characterization once shanks and i get more screentime and it's revealed we r married! it's a situation very similar to shaki and rayleigh i think, where we r ambiguous enough on-screen but oda confirms in an sbs that im shanks' wife—a reveal that shocks the world i must confess, and which spawns. so much meta about him For Sure. i mean everything shanks does spawns meta abt him. oda doesnt like writing romance in general so in this hypothetical it rlly would be super casual and fairly understated, but the fact Of shanks having a wife is such a humanizing thing that i cant see that reveal happening until much, much later on, after he's already begun to be humanized in other ways and is assured to be on luffy's side and not a big mystery pfft. ofc however for every thoroughly unpacked meta theres 5 fans who hold up the one (1) lovesick panel shanks is allotted and go "LOOK AT THIS SICK BASTARD HES LEADING HER ON!!! THERES NOTHING BEHIND THOSE EYES!!!" which is very funny 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

send in some selfship questions!

[better-than-one]

I heard that Vah Medoh had stopped causing trouble... should I assume Vah Ruta is the same?

Yes.

That's... good to hear. The Divine Beasts suddenly attacking people... it was worrying. To say the least.

Imagine what it was like to be stuck on the Divine Beasts while they were doing that.

I'd rather not.

[lichtecht]

PART 19

of the dfk audiobook translation

@cnka

Narrator (audiobook): Martina puts her arm around Jo.

Jo: (sniffles) „It’s alright.“ Jo: „I’ll just stay here. At home. With you.“

She smiles a little.

Jo: „Will you also tell me when something is wrong?“

Martina, quietly: „Yeah, of course.“

SCENE CHANGE

Narrator (audiobook): Despite all hardships, our four friends will not be intimidated. They walk through the boarding school while Jo tells them about her guess.

Jo: „Ok. So. Herr Bökh told us this eternally long story.“ Uli: „It was really interesting!“ Jo: „But did you notice that he mentioned a Robert?“ Martina: „Yes??“ Jo: „Who happens to be a doctor?“ Matze: „Huh, who are you talking about?“ Uli: (sighs) „Na, Matze! Who studied medicine, plays piano and is called Robert?“ Matze: „Uhh… no idea?“ Jo: „So. We’ll get Bökh now.“

Narrator (audiobook): Herr Bökh has no idea what is happening when Martina, Matze and Uli guide him out of the boarding school. Jo is already waiting with a blindfold in her hand.

The blindfold consists of a pair of sunglasses with drawings taped over the glass.

[Note: if my eyes aren't fooling me it's the ones Jo was drawing earlier]

Jo: „Put it on!“ Bökh: „…Do I have to?“ Martina: „Yes. It’s supposed to be a surprise.“ Jo: „Do you not trust us?“ Bökh, sheepishly: „Doch.“ (laughs a bit nervously) „Of course.“

Narrator (audiobook): The kids guide their boarding school director down the steps into the valley.

Martina: „Careful, another one-“ Jo: „Stairs!“

Narrator (Nichtraucher): Every person needs at least one good friend. No one knows when you meet them. But when you do, you ask yourself; why not sooner?

Narrator (audiobook): They’re already on the last path through the trees, but Bökh still has no clue.

Bökh: „So… does it have to do with your performance for the closing ceremony?“ Jo: „Yyyeah, a little bit!“ Uli: „Maybe.“ Bökh: „Hmmm. I heard you want to shoot a movie.“ Martina: „Yeah, we’re having a few… technical difficulties.“ Bökh: „Really? Do you need help?“ Jo: „Nah, we’ll manage it.“ Martina: „Careful, stairs.“ Bökh: „Stairs!?“

Narrator (Nichtraucher): Friendships aren’t always easy. You need to listen to each other, be there for each other and be happy for each other.

The Nichtraucher is currently chopping wood in front of his wagon in a sleeveless shirt.

Narrator (Nichtraucher): And it’s no secret; real friends prove themselves in times of need.

Jo: „And we’re here! Tada!“

Narrator (audiobook): Robert is chopping wood when his visitors arrive. The kids take off Herr Bökhs blindfold and he sees…

Bökh: „Robert!“

Narrator (audiobook): But Robert’s reaction is unexpected.

Silence.

Nichtraucher: „What is this."

Nichtraucher: „Why did you bring your teacher here?“ Jo, clearly taken aback: „Uh. …You know each other. …Don’t you?“

Silence.

Nichtraucher: „And? I didn't ask anyone to interfere with my life.“

Silence. The kids cearly didn't expect a reaction like this. Bökh steps forward.

Bökh: „Well, this is all very surprising for me as well.“

The Nichtraucher continues chopping wood.

Bökh: „So this is where you live. Have you been here for long?“ Nichtraucher: „A while.“

The wood cracks loudly.

[greatunironic]

title: the other hand knocking (9/10) summary: Since he was eighteen, Steven Harrington knew he would not marry: there were many factors, but chief among them were that he had, he knew, given up his chance for true happiness when he had allowed his mother to persuade him from accepting Edward Munson’s proposal. Or: a Regency AU.

excerpt: Standing at the window, with his back towards the room, was a large man who looked as though he’d been larger still many years ago. His thinning hair was close cropped to his scalp, with what looked to be a starburst of scarring at his temple, and his clothes were plain, ill-fitted, and of suspect quality. He stood at what Steve vaguely recognized to be a sort of parade rest — he often saw General Hopper, and the Colonel and Captain Munsons stand in the same fashion when they were idle — and he was, he saw with a start, missing his left arm just above the elbow, the shirt pinned carefully into place in its absence.

This was all observed in a matter of seconds, for as soon as Steve was shoved noisily into the room, the man was turning and he was confronted with the thin, haggard, and bearded face of his uncle, aged by hardship and time. He did not remember him ever having a beard.

They stared at one another.

“Lord Steven Harrington,” came Bauman’s voice from behind, “may I present your uncle, Commodore Benjamin Hammond. Recently restored to his rank, of course, after several years of being presumed dead but for my dogged persistence You’re all very welcome for it; I shall await my thanks and praises.”

[dutybcrne]

I need to write up a thing ant how Kazu treats relationships like there will Never be enough time

[blorbologist]

Two for joy - Chapter 6

Zephrah is gorgeous. Keyleth informs her it’s like this year-round, something about the rift to the Air Elemental plane toying with the seasonal nature of trees. Fall and spring meet here, as though no cruel winter separated them, as though they did not adore the summer between them. Pink and white blossoms intermingle with the riot of red and gold that Vex associates with the return of cold winds. Life and death blooming on the same branches - there’s some beautiful symbolism if she’s ever seen any. 

 

Vex realizes this is perhaps the first place in a long time she’s found untouched by bloodshed. 

 

Perhaps the first chance she’s had to pretend she’s untouched, too. The Deathwalker’s Ward rests, neat and clean, in her bag - in her dress she feels both freed of its weight and shackled to the ground without its promise of wings.

 

The children are laughing, sounding almost like a burbling brook. 

 

Everyone’s in a cheery mood - Vax accosted Korrin, still in conversation with him right at the edge of the tree’s ever growing shadow. Gilmore and the aasimar boys are a surprise addition, too - Kyor in particular watching the proceedings with a quiet awe. Or, Vex assumes it’s awe - the lack of pupils still throws her for a loop. Keyleth seems keen to show him how to pet a griffin, beaming as it leans into his touch. She looks regal and patient, from this angle.

 

Vex lingers with Grog and Pike, entertaining the youths with tales of their exploits. It’s a welcome distraction, from waiting for the moment Keyleth is made beyond them (Keyleth, of all people, the most down to earth of all of them, a leader, nigh-immortal, it’s hard to wrestle with). Waiting for another tree to part into a gateway, or for a teleportation circle to draw itself amidst the leaves, or for someone to bring up that he isn’t here yet. 

[One for sorrow] [Ch 1] [Keep reading on AO3!]