and everybody's gotta breathe somehow
Alys spent very little time thinking about her youth in the Grounds. It was far easier and more interesting to remain grounded in the present or to consider the future. Still, the Labyrinth had been a pleasant enough distraction when she was younger, what with its Speaking Squirrels and shifting hedges. "It was one of the few places I really enjoyed visiting," she admitted. Then she smiled. "Though I'll admit I was never looking for herbs." Indeed, she'd been much more interested in roving its halls, reaching out to run her hand along the leaves as she followed the twists and turns. She'd never gotten truly lost, no matter how the walls shifted and changed.
Though she rarely wondered what it would be like to return to the place of her birth, she did so now, and was quiet for a moment as they walked on. What were her parents doing now? Were they still running a successful shop, wishing for a successor to take over from them? How close were they to retirement, now?
Did they ever miss her?
The caverns were silent but for their footfalls and Belial's antics; Alys studied the rock surrounding them thoughtfully, but saw nothing further to pique her interest. It was into this companionable silence that Alys spoke next. "What else do you envision for Halo?" she asked, genuinely curious. Perhaps there would be more that she could do for her new home as time went on and she settled into her new role there.
Though she rarely wondered what it would be like to return to the place of her birth, she did so now, and was quiet for a moment as they walked on. What were her parents doing now? Were they still running a successful shop, wishing for a successor to take over from them? How close were they to retirement, now?
Did they ever miss her?
The caverns were silent but for their footfalls and Belial's antics; Alys studied the rock surrounding them thoughtfully, but saw nothing further to pique her interest. It was into this companionable silence that Alys spoke next. "What else do you envision for Halo?" she asked, genuinely curious. Perhaps there would be more that she could do for her new home as time went on and she settled into her new role there.
ALYS
