burn the house down

The Settlement and homes open up around them, and he walks with her easily, unfolding the shirt to shake it out again now that it’s mostly dried. Goosebumps travel up tattooed arms with the slight chill to the air as he regards her, as he tells her that he wouldn’t want to return to Korofi on any day. And at her question, he can’t help but pause in his step with her to contemplate it. He hasn’t been here long, but any amount is enough for him to realize that he doesn’t wish to return. And so he nods, giving a small half crooked smile. “[say]It’s got everything to offer in comparison.[/say]”

And he means it. There’s no threat of forced monarchy down his throat, expecting him to continue on. There’s no floods of danger to hide beneath the shelters, when the rains grew too strong for their drains and their roads and paths to handle. There weren’t hundreds of people begging for his head on a pike, for the news to flood the streets at his demise. Not yet anyway. But he figures a better explanation is necessary, rather than the gritty details of his past. “[say]Too many memories back home, too many people who want me dead.[/say]” He snorts, as if it doesn’t bother him.

Because it doesn’t. Not anymore.

Her head angled along the vestiges of sunlight and the burning embers of what was left of the warmth, breathing into the chilling essence of wind curling, coiling, immersed in contemplations. Truth be told, she understood what his first statement meant – Caido was far better than the Rift could ever offer, and while it had its share of monsters, demons, and treacheries, she didn’t have to guard herself constantly, didn’t have to be afraid of every moment of every day. There were friends here, beautiful, incandescent, wonderful allies and kin and things that felt like family all over again. There were things to do, things to accomplish, things to embed herself within instead of howling and screaming into the void. There were gods who glanced her way instead of the ones who broke apart the world.

It wasn’t Helovia – but nothing could be.

Her eyes swung back to his, smile quiet and indulgent. Too many memories back home, indeed; but hers from her birthplace had been effervescent and golden, all ether, air, smoke, and fumes now, gone with the rest of ghosts and phantoms – distant, incorporeal fragments and slivers of a mother’s song and a sister’s lullaby. [say]“That’s understandable.”[/say] She hummed under her breath again, wild and free, maneuvering along pathways where she could see the house she occupied in the distance – back once more. [say]“Well, it was very nice to meet you, Sunjata.”[/say] Her smirk, a bewildering, gilded interlude too, spoke the truth – he’d uttered many lines today that she could utilize, both in speech, syntax, and her general existence, stretching far and away from her father’s anomalies and blood. [say]“Thank you for all the information.”[/say] The snicker, Cheshire grin and all, ensured she’d be putting it to use in the near future. [say]“I’ll see you around!”[/say] Then she waved, bounding ahead, Fangorn leaping after her.