( closed ) in you I can trust, it's all about us

[feisticuffs]

🧙 WHO: Jade & Eleven
⚔️️ WHAT: Reuniting!
🕒 WHEN: Several days after their arrival.
🗺️ WHERE: The Red Spring.
⚠️ WARNINGS: None!

[While she has made herself comfortable at the hotel designated for recent arrivals in Camelot, Jade has found herself drawn back towards the Red Spring more than once since the day she and her familiar had found themselves here. Though Camelot is certainly beautiful, so many years of constant travel and searching have made her feel a little more at ease within the smaller resort town, and there have been plenty of odd jobs people have needed done to keep herself occupied with. If she were being completely honest with herself, she might have been more open about the fact that she was holding out to see another familiar face arrive from the White Cliffs— any familiar face would do, at this point, so long as it was a friendly one, but voicing such a desire aloud seemed like asking for trouble. If she allowed herself that, it most certainly wouldn't come true.

Her first two visits to the town during the past week hadn't yielded much in the way of results, and she almost dare not hope that today will be any different. Regardless, there is work to be done, and she's determined to come here and ask after odd jobs and other news until the locals tell her definitively that there haven't been any new faces recently.

It's late morning when she arrives, heading towards one of the inns with long strides, having become friendly with the proprietress during her last two visits. Her familiar, Bella, bobs along behind her, wings beating rhythmically as she keeps herself afloat, but Jade gives pause as she hears a sudden change in that rhythm, a flurry of flapping as Bella changes direction and breaks away from her partner. She attempts to gain Jade's attention with a huffy noise of protest, at which point Jade slows her step and turns on her heel.]

What is it? Really, there are better ways to—

[Upon turning, she sees that Bella has flown to investigate something hanging from one of the trees hanging just outside of the inn. It looks like— a boot? No, not a lone boot, but one that decidedly has someone's foot still inside it, and appears to be attached to someone hidden up in the boughs.

She narrows her gaze, curious as she approaches the tree itself, cueing Bella to flit back and hover behind her shoulder.]

There's someone up there, hmm...?

Comments

[luminatus]

[Eleven is lying on his back on a low branch, cupping his brow with one hand and letting his mind wander. Every time he closes his eyes he sees Mordegon again, feels the clawed hand penetrate his breast and feels the extinguishing of his light. With eyes open he can see leaves above him, stretching between himself and the sky... He can almost imagine this is the Yggdrasil alive and well.

"There's someone up there, hmmm?"

He hears the voice from below and for a moment he swears it sounds familiar. But...no, she's dead. She's dead and it's his fault.

With a miserable moan he tries to roll over on the branch, disturbing the sad Tockle perched nearby. It blinks owlishly and tilts its dark gaze toward the ground.

"Oh, Eleven! There's a rather intense looking young woman down there."

Finally, Eleven sits up and peers down.]

Jade?

JADE!?

[His voice cracks in delighted surprise.]

[feisticuffs]

[Of course, she would know his voice anywhere. She hears it before she can get a good look at his face through the leaves, but she quickly meets his gaze between the boughs, her own eyes going wide.]

Is that—?!

[It's what she had hoped for, to find someone she knew, but for it to be him in particular—

She hadn't wanted to hold her breath, and yet here he is. Her lips pull into a wide smile as she reaches up and extends a hand to him in the tree, offering him the chance to take hold.]

Eleven!

[luminatus]

[His heart leaps in his chest as he reaches for her hand.]

Crikey, am I ever glad to see you!

[In his eagerness he leans too far forward and topples from the branch. It's not a far distance but he may land on Jade if she doesn't do anything.]

Argh!

[feisticuffs]

Wait—!

[Except she had extended her hand to him, so it's not like he had done the unexpected by taking it. Fortunately, her reflexes are as sharp as ever, and she's quick to steady herself and prepare to catch him as he drops. She does stagger back a step or two from the impact, but they both manage to stay upright.]

Imagine, the Luminary himself tumbling out of a tree!

[But she's smiling even as she teases, a warmth and affection in her tone that always seems to come easily around him.]

You're a sight for sore eyes.

[luminatus]

[He holds on to her shoulders and steadies himself, smiling gratefully.]

...Yeah...

Tumblin' outta a tree is the last thing I remember before I woke up in that lake.

[He bows his head, the smile wavers then disappears.]

I thought... I thought I'd never see you again.

[If the others had survived, what were the odds that they'd be in Avalon? ...Maybe part of him really still was the Luminary and the enormity of his presence had pulled his companions down to another world in his wake...

No, that was silly.

And not worth thinking about right now.

Eleven's eyes tear up and he pulls Jade into a tight hug.]

[feisticuffs]

[That certainly answers the unasked question of "what do you remember last?" Her smile falters, as well; the memory comes to her as though it were still fresh, as it had so many times following that day, and her heart sinks.]

I thought the same—

[He reaches out and pulls her into a hug, and while there's a brief moment of surprise, she closes her eyes and embraces him in turn, easily giving herself over to the moment and allowing herself to simply enjoy the fact that she had, thankfully, been very wrong.]

Once again, you've proven otherwise. I said I wouldn't lose you again— I meant that, you know.

[She laughs softly against the side of his head as she squeezes him around the middle, but there's something else in her voice, a note of relief that edges dangerously close to tears. She's sure that she had nothing to do with his being brought here, that her promise meant little in the greater scheme of things... but it's nice to believe.]

[luminatus]

[He continues to cling to her, enjoying the feeling of her embrace. Wrapped in her arms he feels safe, like a small child being sheltered from the elements.]

I'm sorry.

I couldn't stop them.

[Jasper, Mordegon...]

And now my Light is....it's...

[feisticuffs]

None of that, now.

[She urges him to let it go with a gentle squeeze, shaking her head even as she brings a hand to rest on his shoulder without pulling away.]

You have nothing to apologize for. I’m just so glad to see you here.

[But his Light... what about his Light? It takes her a moment, but the pieces quickly slot themselves together, and she pulls back just enough to be able to search his face.]

Your Light is gone?

[That’s right. It had been, for a time, and yet even without it he had still shone so brightly.]

[luminatus]

[Eleven steps back reluctantly and wipes tears from his eyes.]

Yeah...I can't feel it anymore. It's like I'm empty inside...

[Slowly, he reaches up and touches the middle of his chest, where Mordegon had plunged a clawed hand into him.]

...What are we gonna do?

[feisticuffs]

That's strange...

[She remembers it happening, though it hadn't persisted. She frowns, thoughtful as she looks him over.]

Perhaps it's just the nature of this place. It strips people of their abilities, only to grant them new magic.

[She had not suffered quite so much as some, having no talent for magic in the first place, but she can imagine it must be beyond jarring.]

As for what we're going to do, I've been trying to sort that out for days now. I don't have an answer, but now that we've found one another, I'm certain we can come up with one together.

[luminatus]

Would you travel with me again?

[He's known for a while now that he should leave this town and explore the world beyond but it's felt too daunting to do alone.]

There's another city...

[Eleven's brow creases with the effort of thought as he tries to remember the name.]

Came-wossname.

The big one...

Have you been there?

[feisticuffs]

As if you even need ask!

[Of course she'll travel with him again— she'd told him before that she wasn't going to lose him again, and she certainly meant it, even if this place had seen fit to try and keep her from being good to her word.]

Camelot. I have a room there.

[She nods as she corrects him, though there's some amusement at his stumbling through it.]

It's only a hotel room for now, but it's something.

[luminatus]

Really? Wow....

[He grins sheepishly, but the smile never reaches his eyes. Of course most people must be in Camelot by now.]

I never made it that far. When the carriages stopped here I just...never left.

Uh. I think I'm ready to leave now, though!

Is Camelot nice?

[feisticuffs]

It is— it reminds me a bit of Heliodor, actually.

[Mostly in some of the older architecture, and of course the size, though she thinks Camelot may be even larger than her own kingdom.]

I'm hesitant to say it feels like home, given how long it's been since I actually lived there, and there's more advanced technology than either of us are used to, but I think you'll like it. I've only seen a small portion of the city at this point, I've spent much of my time out this way, but perhaps we could explore more of it together?

[Like old times! Well. Not-so-old times, really.]

[luminatus]

[Some of his smile falls away when she mentions Heliodor. His own memories of the kingdom aren't fond ones... But he won't preemptively judge Camelot on the basis of a vague comparison.

When she mentions exploring he brightens again.]

Yeah! I'd like that...

Let me ask my mate first.

Oi!

[He calls out to the tree he'd fallen from and nothing happens.]

....Huh. Jade, you haven't seen a Tockle around here, have you?

[feisticuffs]

[Heliodor is certainly full of complex memories for the both of them, in different ways, but she holds onto the idea of a Heliodor that can yet be— and in the meantime, she supposes Camelot will do. What is there to do but to make the most of the situation they've found themselves in?

She follows his gaze up to the tree, then shakes her head as she turns to scan the area around them.]

I'm afraid not— your familiar?

[Come to think of it, where had hers gone off to?]

... maybe it thought we needed some privacy.

[luminatus]

I guess...

It's usually hovering around me, though.

I hope it's-Ah! Hey!

[As he looks around the unmistakable glow of the Tockle catches his eye. It's has wandered up behind Jade and is reaching out to take hold of her hair.]

Be nice! She's my friend!

[feisticuffs]

Who are you—

[— talking to, she’d been about to say, but she feels a small hand take hold of her ponytail just as Eleven scolds them to be nice. Quickly, Jade turns on her heel and raises a fist as if prepared to deflect an incoming blow with her arm, only to find... well. A Tockle.

Ah.]

I see. [She settles for folding her arms in front of her, regarding the Tockle with a reserved sort of amusement.] No need to get defensive. He’s important to me, too, you know.

[Behind her, her Succubat poofs back into view, hovering mid-air and letting out a peal of raucous laughter.]

[luminatus]

[The Tockle waves its noodle like arms in the air with alarm.

"N-No! Hold on a tick! I wasn't going to pull anything! Your hair just looks so shiny!"]

Oh, yeah.

[Eleven snorts and rubs at his nose.]

It does that to me too.

["And I, sir, am a lady. Can't you tell by my feminine grace?"

Eleven droops, feeling embarrassed that in all this confusion he'd forgotten to ask.]

Oh. I'm sorry.

She does that to me too. She likes shiny hair.

[feisticuffs]

[The whole exchange goes by so quickly that Jade can only stare at the Tockle for a moment as she listens— then laughs lightly as it all comes together. Eleven has certainly landed himself a playful little friend, hasn't he?

She smiles, holding a hand out to the Tockle to shake, despite the great difference in size.]

It's a pleasure to meet you, miss.

[Behind her, however, the hovering Succubat recovers from her bout of laughter and leans in close to get a better look at Eleven's hair.

"Oh, it is very shiny! Smells good, too..."

Whatever the two of them did to deserve these familiars, we may never know.]

[luminatus]

[Eleven cries out and covers his head with his hands.]

Crikey! C'mon, guys, stop touching my hair!

[While he flails the Tockle reaches out a glowing appendage and grasps Jade's hand, completely calm despite her partner's shouting.

"I'm Tickety-Boo! Are we really going to Camelot?"]

[feisticuffs]

[Despite Eleven's flailing, Bella gingerly reaches a hand out to touch his hair regardless, letting out a delighted-sounding gasp.

"Oh, it's so soft, too!"]

We are— [Jade glances back towards her familiar,] Bella, stop that— but yes, we really are going to Camelot. It's quite the place, I think you'll both like it.

[luminatus]

[Eleven jerks away from Bella's touch and looks around, wild-eyed like an animal waiting to be attacked.

At his feet Tickety-Boo snickers and he hangs his shoulders in defeat. ]

Real funny.

[He scratches his nose.]

How are we gonna get there? I missed the last caravan...

[feisticuffs]

[Jade gives Bella a warning look before gently swatting a hand in her direction, causing the succubat to gasp and then vanish from sight— for now.

She'll be back. She always is.]

They do seem to have them regularly, but I've been here a few times since our initial arrival. We could always rent a horse or two— I've been doing enough odd jobs to cover it.

[She might have thrown herself into trying to make herself useful as soon as possible. It's been the best way to help herself process... everything.]

[luminatus]

Heh... You really have been working, huh?

[He sighs, feeling guilty. What sort of hero just spends all his time lying around a resort town frowning at people and feeling sorry for himself?

No hero at all.]

I'd rather take the horses if you don't mind. It's a bit more familiar and all.

I know I can handle a horse.

[feisticuffs]

I like to keep busy.

[It doesn't suit her to sit still and wait for things to happen, and truthfully, it had given her a way to keep her mind off of the more troubling thoughts that had threatened to descend on her.]

Horses it is. [It's almost like not-so-old times, really. She pulls her money pouch from where she keeps it tucked just inside the waistband of her duster and opens it to peer at the contents.] And maybe something to eat once we get where we're going? We have a lot of catching up to do, and even before this place, I can't remember the last time we had a nice meal.

[luminatus]

[At just the mention of food his stomach audibly growls. He presses a hand against it and laughs.]

Guess I can't say no to a good meal. It'd be nice to have something that's not resort town table scraps or uhm...campfire crap.

[He scratches at his nose.]

I mean I liked the campfire crap unless it was my turn to cook. My cooking is rubbish. I find ways to burn everything.

[feisticuffs]

Oh, you managed to leave a few dishes unscathed here and there.

[As someone who actually happens to be quite good at cooking— largely because she enjoys it— she feels she has the right to tease him a least a little bit. At least they had never been forced to go hungry?

... maybe cooking lessons are in order, once they're settled.]

Most of it was at least bordering on edible. It would be nice to enjoy a meal neither of us had to spear any part of on a stick, however, and I've come across a few places already that are quite good.