14 ☆ Revival

[lingeringlegacy]

Good morning, everyone. Last night, I have found myself hatched anew in the Hall of Beginnings. It was a relief that not only can I remember what I had named myself before, but also many of the experiences I have had and people I have met in the last seven months

Comments

[crimson_seeker]

[This page sits open for a very long while. So much to say, none of it enough. The writing is much more careful than Hawk's usual hand.]

It's good to see you again.

I'm Hawk. I called you my friend.

quickslow log

[crimson_seeker]

[His tense expression turned milder. She seemed to understand as much as he could expect her to-that whatever else, the dragon was an intelligent creature. As deeply as it had unsettled him, he couldn't deny this truth.

As she finished, he nodded once acknowledge her words, then let the silence settle.]

That creature and I--are not the same, Stellaris. I swear that on my life.

And as for worship, I say that's between you and your gods. [He spoke quite seriously, but there was a small glimmer in his eye at that.] That's the most anyone can expect in this place.

[Before the silence could stretch too long and awkward, he reached into the bag at his side and withdrew an object wrapped in a piece of fabric. He had picked her handgun from the snow, remembered it only after Lyle had left with her body, and by then thought it might only be a needless reminder of her. Now, he pushed the folded cloth and the gun into the middle of the table, and spoke quietly.]

This is yours. I found it, afterwards.

Re: quickslow log

[lingeringlegacy]

Your words are enough. [Actually, they weren't. Not as reassurance. They were, though, enough to relay his goodwill.] And in that vein, if I, or something taking my form, ever would endanger someone I shouldn't, then I trust my friends not to hold back when dealing with it.

[It seemed like a fair principle. It also felt rather bitter to say, after that inauspicious second birth dream.]

But gods, hm? I honestly can't recall having that sort of belief.

[Her airy vocalised pondering was interrupted by the mild surprise. She unfolded the wrap and found it indeed matched her handgun's appearance: a subcompact with black polymer frame and metallic slide. A reminder, somewhat, of her futile counter-attack, but she didn't and wouldn't regret fighting back.

Though perhaps she should get Lyle to teach her how to use a submachine.]

Thanks for keeping this safe.

quickslow log

[crimson_seeker]

[He passed by her comment about divinities; he had been in Edensphere long enough to be aware that some here considered the gods a matter of mere belief. The thought was alien, but he couldn't get bogged down in it now.

Her friends, was it? He couldn't help a twitch of regret. There was the urge to ask a question and then caution smothered it just as swiftly.]

Mm-hm. I'm glad I didn't end up just keeping it. [Suddenly feeling weary, he rose onto knees and toes, ready to rise from his sitting position.] Was there anything else? I did come to answer your questions.

[If she thought that his stirring to leave was abrupt, she might have well been right. The conversation was a weight, if one he'd shouldered willingly. So much passed unsaid in the space where he'd almost come to expect a warm, easy welcome, the gentle teasing and laughter between friends.]

Re: quickslow log

[lingeringlegacy]

[Considering he had already rose, the query for other matters felt like just a formality. If she said she wasn't the least bit irked, it would be lying. She was the one who died violently in that ordeal; if anyone should be shirking anyone away, shouldn't it be her? And yet she recognised this pattern. It felt like yet another way the Tree jerked around her relationships, like with Lyle and Genius, and the prospect of going through that motion again was already tiring. She glanced at his undrunk tea and softly exhaled. When she addressed him, her expression was cautiously hopeful.]

No, so if you need to excuse yourself now, it's alright. But... look, Hawk. Although this situation has more than enough known and unknown factors to make both of us uncomfortable, I hope it won't turn us into strangers afterwards.

quickslow log

[crimson_seeker]

[He rose and knew it was a mistake. Her expression seemed to flicker--anger, sorrow or disappointment? Any and all of them, he'd have to understand. He had tried to make his heart calm and still as water, and forgotten that sometimes the deepest currents made barely a ripple on the surface. He was heartsore and felt worn to the bone, wanted to be back in the clement green of the Wilderness and away from this.

She was his friend.

Having rounded a corner of the table, he crouched down, closer now to her than before. Perhaps there was a way to share some of the burden. His voice gentled almost without his meaning.]

Stellaris. When you came in the door, I wanted to stand up and hold you like a friend returned. Take that as the reason for joy that it is.

I didn't. We both know why. I see someone I care for that I failed. You see the face of your killer. There's pain in both of those things.

[Cautiously, he rested his right hand, palm up, fingers open, on the table--for her to take if she wished. A part of him wanted to withdraw before

Re: quickslow log

[lingeringlegacy]

[He kept bringing up his fault, and yet she didn't think he failed her more than their community's ineffectual emergency warning system rendering people unaware that a killer was on the loose. But arguing that point further didn't sound fruitful right now. Instead, she laid her palm on his and squeezed lightly.]

The killer's face and not the killer. Trust me to know the difference, please.

[And a nagging thought formed on the back of her mind that even if he did kill her, it may be justified depending on reason and circumstances. Strange, nagging thought. She glossed over it with an addendum, accompanied with mildly amused smile.]

After all, it would be strange if I treat Lyle and his brother similarly just because they're twins, wouldn't it?

quickslow log

[crimson_seeker]

[He clasped her fingers and held them, gently, but no longer so carefully. She would not break. She'd fought a dragon with nothing but a gun in her hand. Right after her return, she'd asked to meet him, to make clear the situation, and that bespoke a strength one might not attribute to her mild manners and polite front.]

I reckon so. They do appear very much alike, now I think on it. [Hawk didn't know either brother well, but had seen Lockon at the weapons stall enough times to remember his face.]

I could hardly do other than trust you on that, could I? And as strange as it is death doesn't cut a bond in this place, I'd still call you my friend.