The gratitude was hardly necessary, but Rance understood. It didn’t matter if one could find their way around a place if they knew nothing about the dangers to expect. Passing along news of changes and dangers of the world beyond Kel’s boundaries had always been a part of Rance’s stories for his friend, even when they were young. He would go with his mother or father to market or help out on a job, then tell Kel everything as soon as they returned. So the idea of recounting everything about the Grounds felt so natural that he couldn’t even conceive of not doing so.
Had he not been so caught by the thoughts of missed opportunities and the chance that his friend might vanish again, Rance might have appreciated the view that was Kel’s back. Instead, the moment passed without any tempting thoughts and the conversation shifted to a festival for the dead and what their future might hold.
Here’s Kel’s voice closer, Rance lowered his gaze, foregoing the sight of creatures that would have been fascinating had his focus not been so entirely on Kel. The corner of his mouth pulled tight in a small frown of sympathy. They’d both done their mourning in the wrong season, it seemed. But it was comforting to know that there was someone out there who understood his rooftop ritual. He squeezed the hand that tangled with his, definitely not feeling ‘too adult’ for the comfort the gesture gave. Especially not when Kel asked his next questions.
His frown twitched into a wince. “I was told there’s no gettin’ back to our world. That the portal that brought us here is one-way.” He sighed, the breath huffing out his nose, as he brought his free hand up to rake through his hair. He met Kel’s eyes as he continued, “Fuck if I know if our gods can reach us here at all. What I’ve read and heard says we’d go to their death god's -- Mort’s -- realm instead.”
Had he not been so caught by the thoughts of missed opportunities and the chance that his friend might vanish again, Rance might have appreciated the view that was Kel’s back. Instead, the moment passed without any tempting thoughts and the conversation shifted to a festival for the dead and what their future might hold.
Here’s Kel’s voice closer, Rance lowered his gaze, foregoing the sight of creatures that would have been fascinating had his focus not been so entirely on Kel. The corner of his mouth pulled tight in a small frown of sympathy. They’d both done their mourning in the wrong season, it seemed. But it was comforting to know that there was someone out there who understood his rooftop ritual. He squeezed the hand that tangled with his, definitely not feeling ‘too adult’ for the comfort the gesture gave. Especially not when Kel asked his next questions.
His frown twitched into a wince. “I was told there’s no gettin’ back to our world. That the portal that brought us here is one-way.” He sighed, the breath huffing out his nose, as he brought his free hand up to rake through his hair. He met Kel’s eyes as he continued, “Fuck if I know if our gods can reach us here at all. What I’ve read and heard says we’d go to their death god's -- Mort’s -- realm instead.”
