[SE] shelter when it rains

ALYS

And I know that this life isn’t safe

Safrin's Mirror was a new addition to the Citadel since Alys was last in Halo, and the seer padded towards it with a little ursur close at her heels. While Sascha had been growing bolder and more confident as time went on, returning to the region of her death had her sticking to her bonded like a burr. Alys couldn't blame her. She wasn't too keen to let the bear out of her sight, either.

The hot springs were simple, but beautiful: a large, heated pool surrounded by ice and snow - a strange juxtaposition, but one that somehow worked for the area. Alys wondered how much use the springs would get in Deepfrost, when one would have to battle frigid air temperatures in order to enjoy the springs' warmth.

In truth, she wasn't really planning to get in today, even though it was fairly mild for Leafchange. The sky was bright and sunny, and though snow blanketed everything, the icy wind was cut here by the heights of the Palace. Alys wandered to a large, flat rock near the edge of the pool, where the warmth of the water wafted up to brush against her cheeks, and took a seat to wait for Noah. Perhaps this would be a look-but-don't-touch kind of visit instead of a strip-and-jump-in one.

But it’s wild and it’s free

tell me that your hopes and dreams don't end in the heart

Noah arrived not long after Alys settled in, his boots crunching across the snow with a rhythm that didn’t carry the same heaviness as before. The sun shone down on him and glinted against the water, sparkling like stars in Safrin's sky. The last time he and Alys were together they had walked the Greatwood together. They’d hunted for roses with grief curled in their lungs and silence settled between them like ash. But today, his steps were lighter. When he spotted her perched near the pool, he offered a lifted hand in greeting.

"Hey, Alys," Noah said once he was close enough, not quite wanting to yell the distance across the open air of the hotspring. Without hesitating, Noah slid in next to her on the large, flat rock. He drew his knees up slightly, arms resting on them with ease. “Well,” he said, eyeing the steam rising from the water, “this is a hell of a lot better than digging through brambles. How's Talyson?"

Noah

of a graveyard

ALYS

And I know that this life isn’t safe

Noah didn't keep her waiting long, and it was a nice change to feel the optimism that seemed to grow now under her friend's skin rather than their shared grief. "Noah, hey!" Alys said with a bright smile. Sascha rumbled her own greeting, waiting for the demigod to settle on the rock before batting affectionately at his foot with one paw. "It's certainly an improvement," she agreed with a soft laugh. Then she sobered. "Tal's recovering." It was the most she could say for her partner, who had taken the events of the past few seasons hard.

But it was too fine a day to linger on her worries, not when they should be celebrating. The Family was gone, Tal was cured, and everything was slowly returning to some kind of normal. "How are you?" Alys asked, shifting to cross her legs beneath her as she regarded her friend. The steam wafted past, a drifting warmth that was enticing to the humans, though Sascha, regrettably, could have done without. She wallowed in the snow, happy for the moment, at least, to be in colder climes than she had been in recent seasons.

But it’s wild and it’s free

tell me that your hopes and dreams don't end in the heart

”Doing okay. Since the Faimly left, I’ve been here spending some time with my kids and getting re-oriented to life in their wake.” he said, voice softer than usual, touched by something content rather than weary. Noah hadn’t realized how much he missed being with them. Not patrolling, not training, just being.

He exhaled, the steam curling up with the smell of pine and sulfur. “Time moves different when you’re watching them grow. You blink and suddenly they’re taller, louder, braver. And I kept thinking I’d have more time.” But he knew nothing was promised and while he stood beneath the protection of Vi, his children ndidn’t hold the same immortality he did.

He glanced over at Alys then, his expression quieter, clearer. ”What brings you up to Halo?” He asked, head tilting as he looked sideways at her.

Noah

of a graveyard

ALYS

And I know that this life isn’t safe

Alys leaned back on her hands, turning her face into the sun. The chill of the tundra was biting, but it was softened somewhat by the warm rays filtering down. "I'm sure the kids are pleased to have you home," she said, her tone as bright as the sky above. She might not have children of her own - and, frankly, she wasn't sure if she ever would - but she could appreciate that bond in others, particularly when her own parents had been decidedly less than supportive. "Perhaps time will slow down for you, now that things don't feel quite so dire."

As for what had brought her to Halo, Alys hummed. "I was looking to make a costume for Ludo's masquerade, so I thought I'd go shopping here. Oh, and I have a quest, so I'm looking for someone with teleportation magic to use it in front of me, too." And if she got to spend time with friends along the way, well, that was simply a bonus.

But it’s wild and it’s free

tell me that your hopes and dreams don't end in the heart

"Oh, they are. Ravenna--I'm not sure if you've met her--she aged up and has set off to start her own way in Halo. I'm very proud of her. Marcus and Margot are working on their studies, and keep busy. But Margot sleeps now, with the Faminly gone." He said. Noah tilted his head some, eyebrow lifting. "Margot was talking about making costumes too, when we were working on a lantern for Cordelia." He paused, only briefly, as to not distrupt the moment with the darkness of grief. "Would you mind helping us, too?"

Then, Noah let a faint smile tug at the corner of his mouth. “You’re in luck,” he said with an edge of amusement. “I do have teleportation magic. It was one of the first ones Vi gave me.." It was handy for errands, hunting, and occasionally for avoiding small talk.” Not to mention flitting across the world to help fight the void and void creatures.

Before Alys could respond, Noah was gone from the rock and reappeared silently on the opposite side of the steaming springs, snow crunching under his boots. He spread his arms, letting the frosted wind tug at his sentinel's coat. "That's just a fraction. I can jump across regions." He called over the springs, letting the small use of his magic fill back up before teleporting back to where Alys was. "I can't go from here to Stormbreak, or the desert, that's too far. But I can go a pretty good clip."

Noah

of a graveyard

ALYS

And I know that this life isn’t safe

"I don't think I've met any of your children," Alys said thoughtfully - which, now that she thought about it, seemed like a shame. She would have to remedy the situation at the earliest opportunity, given that Noah was a dear friend. She should know his family. "I'd love to help with costumes."

But costumes would wait for a few minutes, it seemed, because Noah was suddenly teleporting across the pool and back, leaving Alys to blink at him in surprise. "Oh!" she said, laughing softly to herself. "That is fortunate, indeed. Thank you for showing me." Pausing, she added: "I'm trying to get a teleportation item, in case I run into trouble and need to get away. Now I can check this piece off my list."

But it’s wild and it’s free

tell me that your hopes and dreams don't end in the heart

Noah nodded from across the springs once, and then teleported back to Aly’s side. He flashed a brilliant, bright grin at her. ”I think that is wise. When I was part of the Order, when Vi first called me, I received this.” Noah said, reaching into his pocket to find his compass. He handed it to Alys, letting her turn it over in hand and inspect it. ”That takes me to each of the capitols. It has been most useful to get me to the court of stars in Torchline, where the healing fountain is.” He admitted. He had been in far too many battles now where his ragged, broken body had found refuge and healing in the cool waters of the fountain in the tropical region.

He took in a breath, letting her place the compass back in his hand. ”I think you’d like them. Ravenna, though, you might like the best.” He said, raising an eyebrow slightly. While he wasn’t allowed to choose favorites among his children, others certainly could. There was an air with Alys that Ravenna shared, and the abandoned may even be able to break through the ice that the younger woman formed around herself.

Noah

of a graveyard

ALYS

And I know that this life isn’t safe

Alys accepted the compass, turning it over in her hands as she inspected it. At learning what it did, she raised her brows. "It sounds powerful," she commented, handing it back to its owner. "I don't know that what I'm working on will be quite that useful, but anything to get away from a fight when needed would be better than nothing." If she'd had such an item during the fight with the Void yeti, for example, would she have ever lost Sascha? But then again, if she hadn't lost Sascha, she never would have seen Mort, wouldn't have understood death the way that she now did, wouldn't appreciate living quite so much... Still, she wouldn't have wished such pain on her companion if she could help it. So maybe, if she could go back, she would change things no matter what she had gained from such a tragedy.

"I don't believe I've met Ravenna before," she commented thoughtfully. "I may have seen her at some feast or other, though." Not that that really counted as knowing someone. "What makes you think I'd like her best?" Some similarity that they shared, perhaps, or just a gut feeling?

But it’s wild and it’s free

tell me that your hopes and dreams don't end in the heart

Noah smiled. “Kid’s sharp—mouth on her, snark for days. She's smart, and fun. Like her dad, her real one." Which was an entire story unto itself, but Noah would be forthcoming with the details it Alys pressed. "Always wants to be in the middle of things, stirring it up, seeing how far she can go.” At least, that's how she was in the Olson home. He knew she had been battered by her small world, and that scar tissue was heavy and she used it as a shield against the world every time she stepped through the threshold. Yes, his tone carried that quiet pride he couldn’t hide. “Talks way older than she is, half the time."

As he talked about her, he couldn't help but unravel on his other children. Margot first, then Marcus. “Margot’s quieter—kind, thoughtful. She notices things most people don’t, and she’s got this way of making you feel seen without saying much. She cares, real deep. Marcus is different, not unkind just Halovian through and through." He knew she'd understand that statement, that he didn't have to elaborate. "But gods, he lights up when he’s learning something new. Doesn’t matter if it’s hunting or some little trick with magic. You’d get them both right away.” He grinned.

"For anything else its useful for, teleportation gifted by the gods should bring you back to the people you love."

FIN

Noah

of a graveyard