eachdraidh | Video || Both Courts;

Gracious, one might almost believe that we were playing hide-and-seek.

[ Felix drawls. The words are carefully picked with a leisured scorn, but they don’t do much to hide his growing flush ... or the twigs and leaves tangled in his hair. A fat green caterpillar inches its way across a shoulder, and something chitters from out view.

The heavy trees of La Llorona droop dark over the little path behind him, their branches like so many grasping fingers. He can't be very far into the forest, but the way is overgrown, and the trail plainly disused.

As far as Felix is concerned, it’s still the ninth month, and he’s still traveling to the Station with a troll and a god in tow. ]

As my erstwhile traveling companions appear to have taken the maps, supplies, and horses along upon their game, I find myself tasked with troubling assistance from any amongst you with more familiar with —

[ A yelp, and the locket drops. A few moments later, a visibly more harried-looking Felix scowls back into view, his eyes shot wide. An enormous, hairy leg twitches feebly from the edge of the frame, trailing a hazy line of green smoke. ]

— The forest, and its bug problems.

-

[[ OTA for action, as well! ]]

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I haven't gone anywhere.

[ He hisses. The caterpillar, distracted by the motion, begins winding its way towards the collar of his jacket. ]

But plainly I ought to return the question.

[ The words are venomous as ever, but at last, his thoughts begin to catch up to their fury. It's cold out, far colder than it ought to be in Jeudy -- the wind smells like the beginnings of snow. Vol'jin doesn't look to be remotely near a forest, and --

Felix's eyes bug spectacularly as the caterpillar topples down into the neck of his shirt. His teeth grit, but he makes no effort to remove it, cursorily swiping at his chest. Finally, his words deflate into muttered resignation. ]

What in fuck is going on.

Ya left. I mean-- [He leans a bit to the side and rubs at his forehead with one hand, trying to recall. He huffs, closing his eyes, as if that would help him picture it.]

We'd stopped for the night. Ya were there, with us. Then in the mornin'... [He opens his eyes, squinting intently into the locket.] In the mornin', I think ya stepped away to do somethin', I don't remember what. We got ready to go, me 'n' th'Outsider, and ya weren't there when we were done.

[The hand that was at his forehead slides down to curl in front of his mouth.] Forgimme, it's been a lot longer for me than it's been--than it's supposedta been. I don't quite recall all the details anymore.

[...Wait one gat-dang minute. He tilts his head to the side.] An' ya didn't return home?

[ He presses a hand to his temple, eyes flickering briefly shut, to re-center upon Vol’jin.

The troll isn’t lying — that much is plain, the more Felix wishes that it weren't. Something’s been meddling with the both of them, and ire is less satisfying for the mystery. There’s only so long that one can rage at the metaphorical wind, particularly when there’s a potential puzzle afoot. ]

That fits with my recollection, [ An uncomfortable full-body shrug, and the caterpillar goes tumbling out a sleeve. ] Insofar as it happened this morning. I’ve been searching for the path all afternoon.

[ Felix considers him a moment, then adds: ]

But you say it’s been longer than it ought to have. How —?

[In all of the time they've been here, has there ever been a moment when something hasn't been meddling with them?]

Lemme explain--[and he opens his mouth to do just that, then closes it, shakes his head briefly, and holds up a hand.] Nah; there be too much. Lemme sum up.

About a week past, I turned in for the night and then went home. I remembered nothin' about this place, and lived there for some months, oblivious to all o'this. Then I woke up here again.

[He spreads his hands. He's not mentioning the uprising, the war, the promotion, or more pertinent to their common predicament, his vision while he was at "home".] So far as the imps informed me, I was asleep here the entire week. I couldn't tell ya if I was walking at home in truth, or if I was here, or both.

[His face shifts to vague annoyance.] But I woke with a nasty crick in my neck. [...Because Felix needed to know that, apparently. :| ]

[ Felix flutters a hand in a gesture of equanimity, his impatience momentarily smothered down. ]

More succinct than I would have managed, [ Droll though it's delivered, he means that honestly: Vol'jin has a direct way of words. ] And you're quite definite that it was no dream?

[ He hesitates, then attempts his own explanation: ]

Their construction, in my own world, can be nearly so elabourate. You've only just yourself awakened?

[ The last of the displeasure fades from his voice, and Felix now just sounds curious as all hell. ]

I may be able to help your neck, upon my return.

[ That's mostly bullshit. He wants an excuse to ask questions. ]

Yesterday mornin'. An' at the time, it felt very real.

[The heel of his opposite hand digs into a space on his collar bone. Whatever is there is hidden by the heavy shirt and shoulder wrap. (It'll do for a hood in a pinch.) Clearly something happened there that's still bothering him.

He nods.]

I'd put money on it bein' real. When ya return, I'd like to see ya. Much has happened. Is somebody comin' for ya?

Video || Both Courts;

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hoping this gives you wiggle room?

it's great!

awesome

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