even gold can rust

Jude

I'll stare at the ceiling, I'll wait right here

The Greatwood is as much home to Jude as Torchline, even when he claims no region of his own. It is timeless in its own way, though he has only truly known it in the shapes it has taken after the war so he is undoubtedly biased. 

The visit with Sohalia had gone as well as he could have possibly hoped for. In many ways, it leaves him more off-kilter; simultaneously reassured that he is doing the right thing, and all the more self-deprecating after seeing her be so...fine. Fine in a way he isn't. Maybe can't ever be. 

It makes him feel a little ill, but the fresh encouragement of his quest is a mercy that keeps him going. He still isn't sure how he'll get something of Koa's in order to achieve all he wants out of this quest, but for a reprieve from the emotional aspects of his quest Jude instead turns to shopping for a container to hold everything within. 

Though there are plenty of stalls in Sidhe Village, many more human-friendly Fae also set up shop near the borders of the Greatwood, earning coin by resupplying travelers or aiding those spit out by the labyrinthine pathways of the forest without having found their destination. Prices are higher, but selection is more varied, and that's what Jude is hoping for. 

Joan weaves idly through his ankles as he bends over a seller's table, arms wrapped around his waist to ensure he won't knock any precious items off the top and have to pay for the damages. Biting his lip, his eyes flick across different pieces of jewelry. He already has his necklace, and his father's inherited one to boot. Perhaps a bracelet? But would that be a more breakable area? Thinking of his and Sohalia's old quest that had never - on his side, at least - been completed, Jude looks up at the seller. "Do you sell earrings? Ones that can, er, hold things?" Earrings are perfect for reducing the chance of breaking, while still being wearable even while sleeping. He's seen plenty of glass orbs and encased plants in Fae earrings, surely some small ashes will fit in a small bauble that can dangle off some studs?

'Cause I don't get the feeling you'll stay another year

NOE

You know there's many different ways that you can kill the one you love

Noe found herself in the Greatwood almost by accident, no longer sure exactly where she fit now that her home had literally fallen out of the sky. Sure, she might have considered moving to Torchline in recent years, but she'd never actually decided to go through with it, and now she couldn't imagine living anywhere but Stormbreak.

It was a strange feeling, to be so adrift. Noe had never been one to wallow, but she wasn't sure what else to do now. So she wandered, visiting here and there, trying to find a way forward.

She meandered out of the village and along the edge of the Greatwood, checking out some of the local vendors. There were all manner of wares out here, some of which she didn't see being very useful to travelers but enjoyed looking at nonetheless. It was while she was browsing a selection of books written in a language she couldn't read that she glanced up and saw him.

Jude.

For a moment, Noe's heart stopped, her jaw dropped, and she simply stared. It had been ages since she'd seen her friend, since he'd left her on read and disappeared into the wide world of Caido. Hurt layered with rage clicked her mouth shut, and she carefully, intentionally set the book she'd been looking at back on the vendor's stand. She should just walk away. Koa would tell her to walk away.

But Jude was her best friend. Or he had been, once upon a time.

So she marched over to the singer to stop behind him, arms crossed over her chest, a very unamused look on her face, and waited to see if he would turn around.

The slowest way is never loving them enough