perched in the dark

The Rainbow Road was just as beautiful as Liam had imagined it would be. Vibrant volcanic rock covered the area, accented by the underwater geysers that made the nearby sea bubble and churn. The myriad colors were fascinating to watch, constantly shifting, melting into one another as the waves crashed against the shore. The soldier wandered along the shore, barefoot and relatively carefree, carrying his shoes in one hand while the other was shoved into a pocket. Ever since the pool party, he’d been remarkably calm, cheerful even, and he’d taken it upon himself to take a tour of Torchline before heading back to the Greatwood. Or maybe to Stormbreak. He wasn’t really sure which, yet. He paused in his meandering, stepping into the surf and enjoying the feel of the waves crashing upon his ankles as he turned his face into the sun. It was a shame they’d ruined Haulani by blocking out the Family, but the rest of Torchline definitely had a certain appeal. When he’d had his fill of the sun and surf, he turned to continue his trek down the beach. Liam I am the patron saint of lost causes

Iskra

His time in Torchline continues to extend. At first, he'd stayed by choice. The trek to fulfill Ludo’s quest—one he’d been deeply opposed to—had brought him here. But once he arrived, he slipped easily back into Torchline’s better moments. So he’d lingered, letting himself enjoy it a little longer before returning to Halo—until the pool party changed everything. Since then he remained, nestling in the safety of Haulani while deliberating next steps to take. Halo is home, but he for right now, this feels safer, and he be of some use to Melita or the town while he waits. Though, he is starting to get anxious to return to his own bed, to ensure his own region is not facing newfound trials, and Deimos' actions amid the fray have him curious.

So he's still here, out for a stroll along the shores back to places that inspire him with joy, something he'll gladly gather to help push out all the darker portions that still remain with him. He's walking aimlessly along the colorful stones, dressed for water though he remains dry, chucking a stick back and forth for Goose. The dog races up and down the coast, happily splashing through the easy waves and dancing around gysers with a fit of barks at the mysterious and color-producing vents, the mist casting rainbows in all directions. It’s on one such streak down the shore that Goose spots Liam, his playful gallop halting as he veers toward the partial stranger.

"Hey!" Iskra calls out cheerfully, though Goose has since stopped dead. The dog goes rigid, his previously loose posture and happy tail at seeing someone he kinda knows amid the waves, now stiff. Hackles raise, and Goose's lips pull back in a deep-throated growl that sets Iskra's features to an immediate frown.

I can see the sunshine for the first time in a while
It's like I've been baptized by the warmth of your smile

Suddenly, out of nowhere, there was a dog - a dog that Liam could swear he had seen before. But it wasn't until he noticed Iskra walking down the beach that the soldier put two and two together. A broad, welcoming smile broke out on his face as he raised a hand in a friendly wave - only to pause, head tilted to one side, as the dog stopped to snarl at him. A faint frown appeared on his features then. He didn't have a pet or companion or whatever the dog was of his own, but he'd never been growled at quite so fiercely before, and he wasn't sure what to do now that the creature seemed to have decided he was less friend and more foe. Well, that was fine. He didn't need the dog to like him - or the man, for that matter, although he had no quarrel with Iskra. He had the Family, and that was all he needed. "I don't remember your dog being so protective," he called out over the crash of the surf, aiming for lighthearted even as his gaze stayed on the canine. "Everything okay?" Liam I am the patron saint of lost causes

Iskra

"Uh, y-yea, sorry!" Iskra calls out, still perplexed. He calls the dog over with some sharp words and a cutting whistle, to which Goose gives a low whine, usually reserved for when he's been wrongfully slighted. The husky gives one last, lingering look at Liam and a snorted, gruff noise before darting to Iskra's side, curling around behind his legs and into the sand with a discontented huff.

Iskra reaches down to gently rub Goose's nape, tugging on his face, though the dog avoids his eyes. "Not sure what got into him..." Iskra admits, glancing back over at Liam. "Maybe the light on the water reflected weird, or some smell he's not used to... we haven't really been to Torchline much."

Giving Goose a final pat, Iskra stands back up, tilting his head like he's still a bit unsettled. "So how you been Liam?" He doesn't know the other man well, but enough to be polite, especially after Goose.

I can see the sunshine for the first time in a while
It's like I've been baptized by the warmth of your smile

Strange, but okay. Liam wasn't one to hold a grudge, so he simply watched as the husky backed off, returning to its owner with a whine. Some dogs just didn't like some people. That was fine. It didn't have to mean anything. A nearby geyser jetted water into the sky; the droplets turned into a rainbow of their own as they fell back to the multicolored stones below. It was a beautiful day, and Liam wasn't about to let Goose ruin that. So as Iskra offered a polite query, the soldier smiled in return. "Oh, fine," he said, nonchalant and relaxed. "What about you? I think the last time I saw you was in Halo, yeah? How are you liking Torchline?" Liam I am the patron saint of lost causes

Iskra

Liam has the same enthusiasm for explaining his day as a child being picked up from school by their parent. Said parent will then later learn their child pet an alligator or other some entertaining feat that is surmised only as 'nothing' being the ultimate experience of their day. It's perhaps an indicator that the man doesn't want to be bothered, a sentiment Iskra can understand well, but he's feeling the need to smooth things over after Goose ruined them a bit—a task he's well versed in.

"Oh, yeah, Halo's where I live but I came to visit Torchline for a Ludo quest." He glances fondly out at the sea and all the rainbows bouncing among the geysers. "Y'know, I grew up here. Haven't been back in like, twenty years." He chooses not to dwell on the why, an assortment of self-exile and depressive slumps he'd rather not pick apart right now. "I'm glad Ludo got me to come back. It's been a reminder of all the good still left in the world." Good memories, and new ones to make too. Torchline is just good for him, like his body's been missing it all this time.

I can see the sunshine for the first time in a while
It's like I've been baptized by the warmth of your smile

At mention of Ludo, Liam perked up a bit, intrigued. "Ludo sounds interesting," he said conversationally. Then he laughed. "Though, to be fair, I've heard good and bad things about it." It was an invitation of sorts, to talk more if Iskra would like to do so. As for Torchline, Liam shoved his hands in his pockets and nodded. "It's nice here," he agreed, gaze flickering along the shoreline. "I'm from Stormbreak, originally, but I've spent the past few years in the Greatwood. Torchline is... different." To say the least. And not only because of the brilliant, shimmering beaches. Torchline's people were unique, too. Liam I am the patron saint of lost causes

Iskra

There's a nervous laugh in response to Ludo having good and bad stories. "Yeah, same. Although I guess, who doesn't? All depends who you're talking to I suppose. I don't think it's possible for everyone to like someone." Elizabeth could probably break down the whys of that much more meaningfully than he. "As far as gods go though, seems like Ludo's the most interesting one," Iskra admits, though he absently kneads a thumb into the wrist where Sah had jolted him with lightning, a Ludo request as much as his own.

"It aligns with what I want for the world—more of those lighter moments that make us laugh, even if it's a little bit at ourselves too. So it likes toys, treats, general mischief and mayhem." There's a fondness that enters his voice, though it has less to do with the god than it's demi-god. Mel's frequent schemes to inspire chaos in the world will never cease to make him laugh.

"It doesn't like the cold though," Iskra warns, gospel he's spread to any who will listen so they don't blunder like he had. He brightens though, "but yeah, Ludo helped me find some peace with some past issues. Is making me a nice greataxe too." He should probably tell Ludo he's done and get his hands on it, especially while he's away from the cold.

"Yeah, I guess it is," Iskra admits when he stops to consider Liam's remark on Torchline, images of the raggedy bundle of cloth drifting away. "I think every place has a little bit of that... have you tried the fish tacos yet? I'd kill for 'em." He grins, because not really, Iskra hasn't killed anything but some liquor bottles, though that truth may not remain so for much longer, not with a greataxe in hand and a focus on stepping into the role of his lineage.

I can see the sunshine for the first time in a while
It's like I've been baptized by the warmth of your smile

Iskra had a point. Everyone had good and bad, light and dark - and everyone had their own balance to find between the two. Liam listened to the other man describe Ludo, running a hand through his hair as he considered the words. "Mischief and mayhem, but not cold," Liam said, laughing softly. "If I ever seek it out, I'll be sure to keep that in mind." He didn't have any particular loyalty to any of the gods, yet, although he'd always been drawn more to Frey than the others. Still, perhaps Iskra had a point, and if there was more lightness and fun to be brought to the world, maybe Liam should try going to Ludo sometime. In the meantime, though, the soldier fell into easy conversation about various foods and places he needed to try while he was in town. Even though Goose didn't seem particularly keen to be friends, Liam rather thought that he and Iskra could be - if they continued running into one another, that is. fin Liam I am the patron saint of lost causes