eighth arrow → VIDEO → Seelie / Hermionenet

[notyetlegend]

[It's been a few days now, but when Merida flicks the locket on, she looks like an absolute mess. Her hair is disheveled, it looks like she hasn't slept in days, and in spite of how she's feeling, she's only contacted a couple of people. Who knows how many others he knew? There's a couple of wolfhounds on either side of her, and she rubs at her eyes, wiping a the corner.]

Lancer - that is, Cu Chulainn - he left th' Drabwurld this last week.

[Her throat clogs up and she has to clear it before she continues, one of the hounds nuzzling her and licking her cheek before she gently places a hand on his collar.]

I'm goin' to be livin' in Leathann from now on, since th' fortress is gone, but I'll still be comin' an' goin' between there an' th' trainin' grounds. Anybody that had any unresolved business with him, I'll try an' follow through with it.

[There's a pause before she lets her lips quirk into a tired, wry smile.]

I don't suppose anyone knows a cure for heartbreak, huh?

[And the feed ends.]

Comments

[chromosomes]

You're okay. And nah, these are just friends.

[ Pack is all black wolves with glowing eyes, men and women like him, Aspects of Death.

One of the bolder dogs, a mongrel pup with spots, pounces forward to lick Merida's face. ]

Strays still stuck on the island, left by their owners when they evacuated or went to the Void.

[notyetlegend]

[Strays. Was she a stray now? She still had Diarmuid and Gilgamesh, but she'd never felt more alone. Stuck on that thought, the pup startles her enough to cause her to fall back, blinking and laughing as her face is licked.]

Down...down, lad!

[The pup doesn't let up, though, and quiet soon he's licking at her tears before she can get him under control. Merida didn't know she'd started crying again until she reached to wipe at her cheeks after she got the pup under control, shoulders shaking with slight giggles as she gives him a rub.]

Ou...my pups are outside in th' backyard if they want someone to play with.

[chromosomes]

They're here for you.

[ The pup keeps wriggling, the others coming to assist with licks or to tumble with each other -- just generally being all-around cute, a distraction. ]

They need some affection, too.

[ Just as much as she does. ]

[notyetlegend]

[They're a distraction she needs - even if she does have her own pups, they remind her of Lancer, and at the moment that's too painful. Merida lets herself be covered in the adorable things, burying her face in one neck and letting herself relax from the pent up state she's been in. She feels like crying again, but she instead manages to force out something else.]

What're they sayin'?

[chromosomes]

[ John cocks his head, listens to the dogs for a moment. There's a lot of voices all at once with them, but after a moment he laughs. ]

You smell good, apparently. They like your house.

[notyetlegend]

[She can't help but laugh a little, the sound coming out a little forced as she pulls back, standing and wiping at her eyes.]

I'll give you a tour if you like. [Merida gives him a weak smile.] Thank you, for comin', John.

[chromosomes]

Later. We've got booze and puppies for now.

[ He smiles back. ]

Come on, let's sit down somewhere.