In a dark wood, just after a dark time

[wolflord_andain]

The forest is briefly lit by an explosion of brilliant white, that terrible glow limning the edges of three darker figures linked hand to hand to hand.

It vanishes almost as quickly as it appeared, though the three figures remain.

In the wake of such an aberrant arrival, the Wolflord spends the first minute or so scanning the surrounding area, first for damage, and then for the imminent arrival of any of the more troublesome of Pendaran's creatures.

Only when all the details have been ascertained will he speak.

Comments

[inthetapestry]

The forest is full of creatures who give Galadan of the andain a wide berth.

. . . except for one elkor, who, against all the laws of rational herbivore behavior, appears to be making right for the Wolflord and his company.

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan looks up at said elkor, grey eyes sharp and winter-bright.

Honestly, now.

Kevin. How like you to continue your trend of absolutely appalling timing.

[inthetapestry]

I thought you would be pleased, retorts Kevin, that I'm paying enough attention to know when the boundaries between worlds are crossed by strangers.

In other words: is he here mostly because he's bored and annoying Galadan is more interesting than anythi else going on? MAYBE.

You're beginning to make a habit of this, Wolflord. Is this world so poor in company for you?

[simon_doctor]

Simon is watching the approaching animal with some unease. It's an herbivore, or at least looks like one with those antlers, but ... do antlered herbivores even get that big?

(Although both horses and cows look a great deal bigger close up, he remembers.)

Low-voiced, to Galadan: "Should it be doing that?"

[river_meimei]

"He's a brat," River responds for Galadan, without looking up. (And without lowering her voice.)

There's second-hand world-weariness in her tone, along with the actual weariness.

"Call it habituation."

[wolflord_andain]

In point of fact, yes.

Galadan's mental voice is entirely matter of fact, only twisting into sharpness near the end, though he does (at least for the moment) make no attempt to shred through Kevin's mind.

But Kevin should really know better by now. Alas.

Meanwhile, in more human-comprehensible speech --

"It is in the habit of doing many things it should not. More fool he. Brat is entirely too mild a term."

[inthetapestry]

Irritated, and not willing to show it, Kevin sheds his elkor form and leans back against a tree, grinning at all of them.

"And yet, cousin, of the two of us, which is the one brought mortals to Pendaran? There might be a difference of opinion about who's doing things he should not, strictly speaking."

[simon_doctor]

Simon starts visibly at the transformation.

That's all the reaction he gives, though.

(After the other things he's seen tonight, a deer turning into a man just isn't all that intimidating.)

[river_meimei]

River twists around (a little more stiffly than usual; her shoulder is starting to hurt) to stare at Kevin.

It's a look Simon probably knows well, though he probably can't see it from this angle: the one that says, I'm sorry, did you leave your brain at home today??, albeit a stronger version than usual.

"His is weighted," she informs Kevin.

[wolflord_andain]

"Of all the opinions that matter, yours is near the least of them. Cousin."

Galadan's teeth flash white as he smiles.

Are you foolish enough to challenge me, little deer? I had thought our lessons long done, but I shall gladly resume them, just this once. If you are quite sure you insist.

[inthetapestry]

"Why would you think I was speaking of my opinion?" Kevin asks, widening his eyes. "I've nothing at all against mortals, and were this place mine, I would gladly bid your friends welcome."

You see challenges where there are none. Your daring here proves I'm no match for you. I admire it, is all. And the daring of your mortals, if they're aware of the risk they take.

[wolflord_andain]

There is a feeling that accompanied being thrust face-first into a wall at superhuman speeds.

That same feeling buffets Kevin's mind now, a vast, soundless pressure that slams into him with great force and little pity.

And yet it does not tear.

Enough, Kevin. You overstep yourself.

But his voice, when he speaks, is conversational enough. "Bid them welcome, then, and be gone."

[river_meimei]

River does not say: saw that one coming.

Because she's not Jayne.

Her face might kind of say it, though.

[inthetapestry]

Anyone watching might see Kevin suck in a breath, like someone whose stomach was just hit by a soccer ball.

"Haven't I just said," he gasps out, "that this place is not mine to welcome them to? That would be overstepping."

He straightens, and then bows, politely enough. "But I will hope you enjoy your time in Pendaran, friends. I hope your guide tells you something of its history, that you may appreciate it properly."

The grin reappears, for a flash of a moment. "I would not, however -- what is the phrase, take pictures?"

And then the young man is gone, and the elkor leaping off, graceful and careless, once again. Even Kevin is not foolish enough to stay when the Wolflord has said to go.

[simon_doctor]

"Well."

That was ... strange.

"I hope this won't mean any trouble for you later on?" It's directed at Galadan.

[wolflord_andain]

"Hardly."

Galadan has returned to his usual dry mode of address.

Funny how that works.

"You need not worry on my account."

Kevin's account may be an entirely different story.

[river_meimei]

"He's not in the political contestants."

River may be kind of leaning against Simon's shoulder.

A little.

"Call it abstention to throw spitballs."

River totally approves of brattiness, of course, but she thinks Kevin needs to work on more adroitly judging his audience. It's a hobby that involves delicate calibration!

Luckily(?), Galadan is good at reminders about those.

[simon_doctor]

"All right."

He puts an arm around River, barely conscious of doing it; he's still looking at Galadan.

"As long as we have a moment here.... Thank you. For pulling us out of there."

[wolflord_andain]

"Thank your sister," is Galadan's reply, one corner of his mouth twitching ever-so-faintly.

"She is the sensible one."

[simon_doctor]

Simon's eyebrows go up, slightly.

He glances at River, as though to ask when did this happen?

[river_meimei]

River twists her head enough to direct a serenely smug look at Simon.

It's not her best version of that expression -- it's kind of undercut by the weariness, and also all the grime and gore that's still all over her face -- but it'll serve.

[wolflord_andain]

Silence reigns for a short time as Galadan slakes his thirst, then moves away from the bank of the stream to take his seat in a more comfortable location.

One with grass.

Then he turns his gaze to River and Simon.

"Provided you choose to remain hydrated, I'm afraid you'll have to do without a waterskin."

Cups are also right out.

[river_meimei]

River's face says, duh, in a friendly but muted manner, to Galadan's general vicinity.

She should probably have some water. (In other words: yes, okay, fine.)

...She should probably wash her face, then have some water.

That requires sitting up away from Simon, though. So she'll be a minute or two yet.

[simon_doctor]

... yeah.



Murmured: "We should drink."

[river_meimei]

It's another couple of seconds before River sits up.

(She can't push emotions back very well, nowadays. Which means momentary distractions are more effective than they might otherwise be, if they're genuinely distracting -- but means that the rest of her feelings crowd in the rest of the time. And right now, what's in the back of her mind is Milliways.

How many friends will they never see again? How many are dead? And Boukephalos, Tequila, Bar herself -- some friends must have died with it no matter what.)

Then she nods a little, and pushes herself -- inclines herself upright (ow, shoulder) and scoots forward towards the stream.

Handkerchief in hand. Her face is going to need some good rinsing, or everything she drinks is going to taste like possibly poisonous ichor.