long shadows

are you really going to talk about timing in times like these?

What was meant to be just a quick trip into the woods to meet with Ludo had eaten up the better part of the afternoon and into the evening. For Remi it had seemed like only seconds had passed. Only when Mort had gone, had the purple of the skies and lack of sunlight dappling the ground alerted him to just how long he'd been away. With a promise to return to the spriggans that Oria might visit, the alchemist had set off, strangely not-alone for the first time in years.

Emerging through the trees like a man fighting his way out of a dream, the alchemist's eyes are unfocused and his steps are crooked. There's a haphazard smile on his lips and dirt smeared on his cheeks and knees in addition to the glitter from Ludo's crown that still decorates his curls and fingertips.

Meaning to run a hand through his curls as he so often does, his fingers brush against Oria, who links her earthen arms around one as if Remi was some carnival ride. "Oh." He mumbles. "Sorry, I didn't—" Holding her out before him, her body as long as his hand but hardly wider than two of his fingers, Remi gives her a soft and apologetic look. 'I think you will hear me apologizing often.'

remi

Styling stolen from Sky (obviously)