There were actually a lot of people that he recognized around them, and though part of his attention was always on Alys, Tal kept turning his head to try and keep track of everyone. He caught Zavien waving in greeting and he gave his friend a grin. He would have given him a thumb's up, seeing Lena at his side, but the courier's hands were full of lanterns still and he was trying to find a place to hang them.
Thalassa passed by looking unexpectedly glum, and Tal's heart twinged with guilt at seeing the lantern in her hand. There had been so much going on that he felt terrible for missing one of his own, but he promised himself that he'd figure something out before the festival ended. He bit his lip, squeezing Alys's hand instinctively, and when he turned to look at her he caught sight of Flora and Soh hanging out over by the MerKing, having a tearful reunion. Tal was oblivious to the misunderstanding, but was just glad to see the two friends together again.
Letting go of Alys's hand briefly, he reached up to hang his lanterns on a nearby tree that wasn't too crowded yet and spotted Sunjata just as his Archon shifted and flew away. He looked around in consternation for Ru, but seeing no one fitting her usual appearance he shook his head and turned back to his partner in concern just asSah and Rhiannon came over to say hello. Tal beamed proudly, looking pleased as punch to be on the Seer's arm for the festivities, and grinned at the two Halovians. "Hey guys. Alys, Rhi's been my tagalong since I was just a kid, but now she's a proper Deepfrost Shield," he explained, teasing the guardswoman and not realizing that she and Sah hadn't met yet. "An' Sah's got a sweet tooth th'size o' th'Greenwing! We'll be lucky if there's anythin' left by th'time we get t'em!"
Which wouldn't stop him from trying! Though as they headed for the donut stall Tal noticed a small rubber duck sitting atop an apple amidst the donuts, one that looked kind of raggedy and had a little mask. He hesitated and looked around surreptitiously to make sure no one was watching before he hurriedly offered the vendor payment for the apple and picked up both it and the duck. The toy was tucked it away for luck later. Ludo might have bullied the hail out of him on his last few quests, but it was still Mort's herald.
And Tal's heart still glowed at the memory of the Big God's last words to him, wrapping Alys's magic in gentle awe and pride and joy even all these days later, even as he took out his pocket knife and started idly carving out the apple to make a makeshift lantern for one of his friends who had never come back.
Tal hangs lanterns for his parents and those killed by the Void, and makes an apple lantern for Maea
Thalassa passed by looking unexpectedly glum, and Tal's heart twinged with guilt at seeing the lantern in her hand. There had been so much going on that he felt terrible for missing one of his own, but he promised himself that he'd figure something out before the festival ended. He bit his lip, squeezing Alys's hand instinctively, and when he turned to look at her he caught sight of Flora and Soh hanging out over by the MerKing, having a tearful reunion. Tal was oblivious to the misunderstanding, but was just glad to see the two friends together again.
Letting go of Alys's hand briefly, he reached up to hang his lanterns on a nearby tree that wasn't too crowded yet and spotted Sunjata just as his Archon shifted and flew away. He looked around in consternation for Ru, but seeing no one fitting her usual appearance he shook his head and turned back to his partner in concern just as
Which wouldn't stop him from trying! Though as they headed for the donut stall Tal noticed a small rubber duck sitting atop an apple amidst the donuts, one that looked kind of raggedy and had a little mask. He hesitated and looked around surreptitiously to make sure no one was watching before he hurriedly offered the vendor payment for the apple and picked up both it and the duck. The toy was tucked it away for luck later. Ludo might have bullied the hail out of him on his last few quests, but it was still Mort's herald.
And Tal's heart still glowed at the memory of the Big God's last words to him, wrapping Alys's magic in gentle awe and pride and joy even all these days later, even as he took out his pocket knife and started idly carving out the apple to make a makeshift lantern for one of his friends who had never come back.
Tal hangs lanterns for his parents and those killed by the Void, and makes an apple lantern for Maea
