At the end of the rainbow

// somebody told me that there's two sides to this life //

It was raining. A haze had lingered amid the treetops for the better part of the morning, and now that the sun was lowering from zenith, fine droplets descended alongside it. You could hear it more than feel it. A rustle in the leaves, the sussurration of tiny bells striking against rocks and fallen branches, the shimmering streaks of silver in the air as sunlight hit the droplets just so. The scent rising from sun warmed earth was heady and Maea breathed it in slow lungfuls, drinking down petrichor like it might coat her insides and make her light as the mist, as air, as the drifting wisps of cloud that shed tears without apologising. 

Standing in the shade of an evergreen spruce to shelter from the rain, she searched the sky for rainbows. Lately she had been in a mood to wish on miracles. Tossing coins into wells, dreaming on shooting stars – and maybe, if she could find one, she just might go chasing after the end of a rainbow. It couldn't hurt, right? It was as likely to find happiness and golden treasure as it was to stumble over a second rose, and she really didn't have anything better to do with her time.

Maea

// I think I might've chosen darkness over light //

This was the kind of weather that Alys had always considered to be misting rather than raining. The little droplets that pitter-patted on the ground floated rather than fell, just coating the world in a fine spray that she was sure did a world of good for the flora of the Greatwood. It had always amazed the seer, the way that the sun could shine while it was still raining. She was sure that there was a metaphor for life in there somewhere, if only she wanted to look for it.

As she neared the end of her quest, she felt quite restless, and as her time in the Greatwood grew nearer an end, she roamed. This particular morning found her in a part of the forest she had yet to visit: Mathair, the great tree named for the deity of Leafchange. There were rumors and stories about this place, and Alys, ever the superstitious sort, proceeded with caution. All she needed was to anger the Mathair, and she might find that she no longer had need of her quest - for she would join Sascha in Mort's halls rather than the other way around.

As she walked, a flash of pale color caught her eye, and the seer smiled to find that she recognized its source. "Maea!" she called out as she picked her way through the roots of Mathair, approaching the evergreen where her friend sheltered from the rain. Alys herself was unbothered by the dampness that had permeated her dark curls and caused her clothes to cling to her petite frame. She brushed her hair back from her face as she joined Maea under the tree. "How are you?"

ALYS GLASSE

// somebody told me that there's two sides to this life //

Surprise widened her eyes as Maea turned, a smile already warming her eyes by the time they fell on Alys. It shouldn't be strange at all to run into one another considering that everyone and their uncle had comme to vacation in the Greatwood. Yet considering the sheer size of the region, the fact that they had managed it twice was a strange and wonderful coincidence. 

"Alys! Hi. I'm good," she replied, and actually looked it too. The dark coat had been mended, cleaned of mud and lint and hung better now from shoulders that weren't quite as thin as when they'd met last year. Her white hair had been pulled back in a high ponytail and curled softly in the damp. A few tendrils had escaped and framed her face, softening features that had been locked in harsh wariness and doubt for far too long - the smile came easier now, and lasted longer, reaching her eyes as though risen to the surface from somewhere far within. 
"It's good to see you. How has the season treated you so far?" Shifting aside so that the seer could fit better into the space, Maea was glad for the interruption. It was a coin toss every time whether her current sort of mood faded into glum disheartening or brightened into a restless itch to do something, and neither one was very comfortable to endure on her own.

Maea

// I think I might've chosen darkness over light //

Maea looked good; healthy, bright, perhaps even a bit vivacious. Time, it seemed, had treated her well, and Alys was pleased to see it. The last they'd spoke, the seer had been concerned that she had given the poor Ancient an existential crisis. To see her thriving was a welcome sight indeed.

Alys herself was looking better, too; her quest had given her a new sense of purpose, and it showed in her physical appearance. No longer were her cheeks gaunt and hollow; her eyes now reflected a quiet brightness that shone from within. It was amazing, really, what so short a time could do when one was properly motivated.

"I've been well," Alys said, and was perhaps surprised to find that she meant it. Her transformation from devastation to hopeful had been a slow one, one that had taken so long that she hadn't even realized it was occurring. "I've almost finished my quest," she told Maea with no small sense of pride. "I hope I can find you after. I would love for you to meet Sascha."

ALYS GLASSE

// somebody told me that there's two sides to this life //

They were each healing in their own way, one painstaking day at a time. While she would gladly have spare Alys the grief if she could, Maea was glad to at least be able to share some of the journey with her. Hearing that the quest was nearing its end was wonderful news – her responding smile was warm and delighted, sharing in her excitement.
"I would love to meet her, too," she replied, extending an arm to squeeze Alys in a quick hug. "I can't believe it hasn't even been a season – you must have worked so hard to be done already. " Understandably, of course, given what awaited at the other end of success, but she was impressed all the same.

"Actually... I was inspired by you, and tried praying too. And Mort took pity on me... perhaps, before too long, I will beable to introduce you to my Shii, as well." A tender expression softened her face, hope flaring bright within where earlier it had been a final gasping candle flame, one sigh from going out forever.

Maea

// I think I might've chosen darkness over light //

What a blessing it was to have friends who felt so wholeheartedly supportive of her, Alys thought; her magic allowed her to feel the genuine joy emanating from Maea as she shared that she had neared the end of her quest, the actual excitement at the potential to meet Sascha in the near future. "It was challenging," Alys agreed, returning the quick hug with a smile. "But Mort warned me that it would be. That bringing her back would not be a small thing."

And then there was a sense of wonder, of excitement, of hope - and Alys grinned to hear that Maea had been inspired by her quest and embarked on one of her own. "Oh, that's wonderful, Maea!" she exclaimed, reaching out to clasp Maea's forearm warmly. "Is there anything I can do to help? You did so much for me..."

ALYS GLASSE

// somebody told me that there's two sides to this life //

Blessed with second chances, indeed. Alys' hand on her arm radiated warmth and Maea didn't pull away, despite her normal aversion to touch. The little shake of her head was gentle, not without regret. "Just like you, I am almost done. I only need one more account on ressurection. I know someone I want to ask, though she's about to get married soon... I thought I would wait until after, considering the subject." Patience was a virtue she would practice in the meantime, difficult though it was. Comfortable in the knowledge that Shii was well and at peace in the meantime, Maea preferred to do the stages of the quest thoroughly rather than to rush through it.

"What will you do, once Sascha is back with you? Talyson told me something of what happened to you over LongNight. Going home must be... difficult, right?" She knew from experience, how a home could be transformed by what occurred within its walls.

Maea

// I think I might've chosen darkness over light //

Alys could understand wanting to wait, given that this person was about to be married. If she had impending nuptials to plan and prepare for, then she would probably appreciate someone being so thoughtful. The thought of marriage had never really crossed her mind before, and she blinked with a brief flash of consideration before dismissing it as something to think about another time. "But only one more task!" she said warmly. "It's wonderful to hear that you're so close!"

The mood quickly sobered, however, as Maea brought up LongNight and the attack on her and Tal's home. "You could say that," she agreed, a slight frown twisting her petite features. "When we first moved to King's End, I stayed there for a time when Tal traveled on deliveries. But now I can't stomach the thought of being there alone - or of inadvertently putting Sascha in danger again." She considered for a moment, then: "But Sascha and I have always been happiest with Tal and Boreal. I imagine we'll continue to travel with them."

ALYS GLASSE

// somebody told me that there's two sides to this life //

Truly, time had passed by so swiftly that it might have been yesterday that she spoke to Mort. Now only a few short weeks stood between her and Shii, and Maea was doing her best to prepare for the reunion. Working on herself, settling down in the house, resolving issues around her; all so that Shii could return to peace and calm in the time of transition.

Something she could understand Alys to desire, as well. "The Peregrine is comfortable enough," she agreed, having spent some time aboard the little ship herself. "If either of you start craving solid land for a while, though, you'll always be welcome to stay with me. I have a house... did I tell you about that?" Come to think of it, last time she spoke to Alys was when she still stayed at the camp. So much had happened since then, Maea almost forgot she might not know about her change of fortunes.

Maea

// I think I might've chosen darkness over light //

Alys had always found the Peregrine to be comfortable, but perhaps that was because of who was on board; before Tal, she'd never had much interest in flying, but nowadays, she almost spent more time in the sky than on solid land. It was something that she'd accepted without even thinking until the Peregrine had felt more like home than their actual house in King's End.

Especially these days, with nightmares lurking around every corner.

"No, I don't think you did. That's wonderful, Maea! Where is the house?" she inquired, casting her gaze around as though Maea's home might materialize before them even now. It seemed that fortune had favored the Ancient, and Alys was glad for it. She'd gotten the sense from her friend that such changes were a welcome thing, indeed.

ALYS GLASSE

// somebody told me that there's two sides to this life //

Waving off a biter that buzzed in her ear, she smiled in response to the reaction. Fortune was indeed much longed for and a welcome change of pace, and this one had truly come at the best possible moment.

"It's in the Village. The old Guardian's treehouse. My camp washed away in a storm a few days after we spoke, and I was at a loss for what to do. Then, Remi Taliesin shows up, and after hearing what happened, he gave me the house. Just... gave it to me. No questions asked." Shaking her head in remembered disbelief, she shared a glance with Alys. "I always knew he was a kind man and a good friend, but that went above and beyond even for him. I have no idea how to ever repay him." The gift was more than just a roof over the head; it was a shelter from the bustle of the world, a chance to stop long enough to catch up with herself and figure out who she was, where she wanted to be, and what to do. The world wouldn't need roses forever, and sooner or later she would have to find some other way to make herself useful.

Maea

// I think I might've chosen darkness over light //

”My, my,” Alys said, impressed in spite of herself. ”That is a turn of good luck! I’m sorry about your camp, though. That must have been challenging.” The seer couldn’t imagine going through something like that. She wasn’t much of a camper, herself, always having been fortunate to have a roof over her head, at first in the Hollowed Grounds growing up, then at the Arcane Academy in Halo, and now in King’s End.

Alys considered the events that had transpired. ”Maybe it isn’t about repayment,” she suggested. ”I’ve met Remi recently. He does seem to be kind. Perhaps he simply saw your need and wanted to help.” After all, not everyone wanted something in return for kindness, and if she had learned anything about Mort (and, presumably, his demigods), it was that the god valued that above all else.

ALYS GLASSE

// somebody told me that there's two sides to this life //

About to brush it off as nothing, she stopped herself mid shrug and let out a sigh. "Mmh, well... yeah. Everything I owned was swept away. I can always replace it, but... yeah, it was rough. Fortunately a friend helped me salvage some things, and then Remi got me a place to stay. I am... very fortunate, to not be alone." A rush of warmth came sweeping through as she thought of them. It chased off any melancholy and let her smile at Alys when she offered a suggestion that probably was accurate, if perhaps not entirely satisfying.

"I know. But it feels so onesided, sometimes. I worry that I'm not giving back as much as I receive. I know it's not about keeping score, but I don't want to be a leech on his kindness, either." It left her asking what she was giving back, what she could do for a man who seemed to have everything already, and what she really brought to any of the people she considered friends.

Maea

// I think I might've chosen darkness over light //

Alys felt the moment's hesitation, and was glad when Maea stopped herself from brushing it off. It was good for her to feel her feelings - good for all of them, really - and the seer was pleased to hear more about what had happened to her friend. Especially hearing that she seemed to be surrounded by nice people who cared for her - that, perhaps, was the thing that brought Alys the most relief. Sometimes, when she thought of Maea, she wondered if the Ancient was doing alright. And although losing her camp and belongings couldn't have been easy, the seer had to wonder if perhaps that was what had to have happened to get Maea to where she was now.

"Hmm, I see what you mean," she said thoughtfully. "Perhaps it's something you can pay forward someday. You know, since someone helped you in a time of need, then you can help someone else when an opportunity arises." It was not, perhaps, the same thing as repaying someone's kindness, but it was something that she knew that she would appreciate, were she the one who had gifted Maea a house.

ALYS GLASSE