#botgd2

[scoutvox]

Desecration [Pt 9]

[x]

The scout, having had his senses barraged, reached out for Sav as he remained hunched down on the floor. He was able to grip what he hoped was his arm, wiping the sweat off his brow as he caught his breath. Seeing the gargantuan monstrosity before him, Vox felt his stomach drop - Kendra and Jin were likely still in the air, as were the Felman children.

Once the ash and dust settled around them, he turned to have his hopes confirmed; Liam was sitting where he had been before. With his ears still ringing from the piercing, shrill cry of what could barely be considered the Grand Illuminar, he kept a low profile and quickly moved to his son, careful to avoid the chains that bound him to the tomb.

"Hey bud, you good? Are you hurt?" Vox's voice was raspy and strained, clearly feeling the weight of the day alongside his desperate pleas just moments earlier. "We gotta get you out of here. I'm not leaving you here, don't worry."

[dario-the-deer]

No Lamb Was Lost [Pt 2]

[x]

"Evening, ma'am."

The hooves had stopped, just shy of where Dario could glean any information as to who had entered his home. A shadow of her form was cast onto the floor in front of him; a somewhat familiar shape.

"Luca. Is he here?"

"Right there, with his mum."

The elk motioned as he spoke, and before Dario could prepare himself further, a female Caprinae took quick steps into the room, acknowledging the stag and his mother.

"Anita. Dario."

The younger half-breed was taken aback; this couldn't be who he thought it might be. He'd heard of stories - Milae recounted them many times, in passion, in anger, and in memoriam. He knew he could be wrong, but the name left his lips before he could stop himself from speaking.

"Duri?"

[ad-aster-per-aspera]

Ad Astra [Pt 5]

[x]

It took Atty longer to realize what they were referring to; given his frequency in coming into contact with the contents of this floor, he had grown used to the sensation and could easily disregard it.

"You get used to it!" His voice was surprisingly cheery in contrast to the sounds of war in the distance. "I felt that for a few weeks when I was here; I suspect it's some sort of magick energy, but that is not my specialty by any means. Someone with more knowledge on the subject would be better suited to inspect it."

[moe-lazyeye]

Jugen Turns Himself In pt 2 (botgd 2)

Part 2

"To apologize." Jugen answered, and for a moment, his lips pressed together tightly. But then he closed his eyes and breathed a gentle exhale. "I am sorry. And I've brought everything you'll need to hold me accountable."

He offered up the satchel, which was filled with parchment and document packets. "I fear I've done worse than just putting out a non-fatal hit. Most of the damage is so hopelessly tangled in so many different things that it'll be impossible to undo. So, answering for it in court is the only thing I can reliably offer."

[furibotgd]

Rumble PT 2

[Previous]

Indigo let out a little growl when Lila jumped right in without hesitation, and knew this was an excellent moment to dive right in.

To prove even more how dedicated he was to helping this cause and these people. To being an ally, and one worth keeping. Worth trusting. The Indigo Phantom got to his feet with a burst and ran full speed towards the hole, Storm chasing right on his heels.

He didn't even mount the dragon, letting out a holler, almost a war cry, maybe the screech of a fury, and jumped in after the leader, his dragon companion on his heels.

They met up midair effortlessly and vanished into the red tinged void below, the wing whistle and roar of a night fury coming out after they'd vanished.

He didn't even see Indi, perched hidden inside one of the many holes in the walls, watching them, since they were going so fast.

[hookedhookless]

Buzzards pt.5

Part 4

"Lots of potential, I'd imagine." He eyed Dixie cautiously. "It all depends on how one would use it."

He slowly approached, keeping his eye on any movement Dixie made.

"We need to make sure that it stays with the right person. A dagger of that much power could easily corrupt. As you just said, Its been infused with years worth of demon essence."

He slowly crouched next to the man, on guard, but allowing himself to trust.

"I don't know if emotions got tied in, but that dagger would be infused with the essence of a confused, and Impassioned demon. We must be careful with it."

[hubwalker1]

This Will be the Day

[X]

Things were falling apart around her. Their super weapon was scrambling up the wall for God knows why, two teams of people had been lost underground and she had to send a third, and on top of all of that, their forward momentum had stalled. They needed to get moving.

She reached out to the network to one of the riders. Despite Vox's claim that he had lost the beacon the strength of the web had not been diminished. Now was not the time to consider that though. She ordered the rider to fly above the city and to look down. With that she began to plan. She ordered her troops to circle around to the second gate so that they might pin the forces between them and have a stronger foothold from which to press forward.

[blair-the-navigator]

Bound to the Burn [Pt 3]

[x]

"Ye' called us a fuckin' what?"

Blair looked to both ends of the burrow, gifted with decent dark vision. It was a fraction of a second that he had turned to face behind them when he let out a blood-chilling scream.

"What in te' everloving fuck is that?"

[battleofthegroundeddungeon]

Shadows of the Father

The palace halls were quiet. He wasn’t sure he liked them so. Even though he had no reason for immediacy, he found his pace increasing. Torchlight to torchlight, shadows flying wildly across the wall, these apparitions were Egil’s sole company as he crossed from the throne room to his private chambers.

Egil always felt alone, anymore. And he always felt like something was following him. Shadows pursued him, and not just the physical ones. Good days, bad days, quiet days, chaotic days, stressful days, more stressful days, solemn days, aggravating days—at all points, he couldn’t escape the shadows of his father. The ominous darkness of Gareth’s death and the legacy he bestowed upon Egil were two shadows Egil could’ve done without.

He’d never wanted to be king. He’d never deserved to be king. Why the Helheim had the Powers that Be approved his coronation? He was the most powerful man in the Wilderwest, technically, but he couldn’t feel more helpless and trapped.

He passed a few guards, presumably the only people awake this time of night. But then he spotted several long-stretched shadows flickering ahead. They dissolved into Avara Aslaug Haddock and two diminutive forms.

“Egil,” Avara said, before he could slip down a side hallway.

“Didn’t think you’d be up this late,” Egil remarked.

As if on cue, eleven-year-old Eva broke into an enormous yawn, which got passed to Sara standing beside her. The hours were late for adults and his daughters looked miserable standing here.

Sara said, “We can go to bed, right? I’m tired, Daddy.”

Avara forced out a belabored smile, thin, little more than a perfunctory stretch of her lips. The smile didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m afraid we didn’t leave Brega’s until late.”

Egil shrugged and said, “Ah. Something hold you up?”

“Oh, the trip went without a hitch, didn’t it girls?” Avara tried to make her voice light. She looked like she wanted to say something else, but no one, not even Egil, caught the expression. Instead, Sara was saying again, “I’m tired,” while Eva, prompted by the mention of their trip, was descending into a tangent about the ducks they passed near a creek. Both Egil and Avara ignored it.

“Well. That’s good.” Egil didn’t know what else to say to his wife. Avara was slowly herding them to the bed chambers, and Egil fell in line with his mismatched family.

“Daaaaaddddy, I’m tired.” Sara clawed at Egil’s sleeve, and belatedly, he picked his younger daughter up. She was getting heavy for this and holding her felt unnatural.

“We’re all tired,” said Avara. “The trip is a little hard for a woman expecting.”

This time, Egil comprehended what she was getting at. “I couldn’t have gone. I’m the king, if you don’t remember.”

“Your father’s got time for you, doesn’t he?” crooned Avara to Eva, sickly-sweet. Implied in it was a barb Egil didn’t miss, if only because they’d had the conversation before.

“Girls, let’s get you to bed,” she continued, maintaining that soft voice.

“I could sleep for WEEKS!” Sara said.

“I bet you can,” Avara said. Her pace quickened. “Egil, you’ve got Sara?”

“Of course,” he answered. Sara was feeling floppier; she’d fall asleep in his arms if he didn’t get her to her room. The two girls’ rooms were next to each other, so Egil was forced to walk beside Avara, and even after setting Sara down on her bed, couldn’t leave without Avara’s notice. She came out of Eva’s room about the same time, and, with more firmness in her voice now that the children were out of earshot, said, “You really should be doing this when I’m due soon.”

"Sorry."

"You didn't think about it."

“Sorry for not thinking about taking them to my ex-wife.”

She pointed out, “They’re your girls.” Then, in a cruel parrot, “I’m not their mother, if you don’t remember.”

"Step-mother."

“And of course I love them. But this is something you could step up on. The trip happens once every three months. It’s hardly much of a responsibility.”

“If it’s not much of a responsibility, then why are you shitting on me for it?”

“Because I’m always doing your job!”

“My job is king. If you don’t remember.”

The two paused outside their bedroom door. Their faces mirrored displeasure.

There was a long, pregnant pause before Avara undercut, lowly, “I’d believe that if you took the kingship seriously, too.”

There couldn’t be anything more serious than Gareth’s death, than Egil’s awful descent to the throne, than the noose slipping around his neck every time he was expected to weigh in on foreign policy or local economics or the appointment of ministers. Ticked, he vomited out a “What the Hel?” before he realized he was speaking. Since it looked like she was waiting for a better response, he continued with the only other thing he could think of: “I do take it serious.”

“Do you? Then why haven’t you accomplished anything?”

“Now that’s l—”

“Am I supposed to believe you’re ruling when you slip off to the thirtieth ‘dragon stables inspection’ instead of entertaining dignitaries?”

“Is that what we’re calling feeding my dragons now?”

“No. It’s about what you’re avoiding, Egil.” Avara rolled her eyes. “You avoid Bre—”

“Who wouldn’t?” muttered Egil.

“You stop that! You stop that and listen. You avoid three-minute conversations with Brega to the detriment of taking care of your daughters. You avoid your royal duties, your actual duties. You avoid me. Egil, did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

Inflamed and insistent: “It’s too much. I’m busy.”

“I’m your wife, Egil.”

“Damn! Do you want me to spend time ruling the throne or don’t you? Because that’s becoming unclear.”

“I couldn’t BE more clear!”

“You could BE more supportive!”

“Of what? Your cowardice?!! YOU should be supportive of ME!”

Raised voices echoed through the hall. Egil sucked in a shaky breath. Avara squeezed her eyes shut and rubbed her forehead.

“Egil,” she bemoaned, trying to rein in her frustration. “If we’re going to make this work, you have to take ownership of yourself. Everywhere. Quit running away.”

“I’m trying to make this work,” he insisted. Didn’t she see him in the throne room every day, forcing himself to do what he hated most? Didn’t she hear him trying to talk this out now? What more could she expect? If she wanted more time with him, that’d take away from his kingship. If she wanted him to spend more time ruling, that’d take away their time. Couldn’t she respect his hard work? Couldn’t she at least acknowledge he was trying?

“No, you’re running.”

“Fuck this. I’m out. You want running? I’ll run.” Egil began to back away. His eyes locked into hers for several cold seconds before he whirled about, leaving her alone in front of their bedroom door. If she didn’t appreciate his presence, she could sleep alone tonight.

The palace halls were too loud. He didn’t like them so.

[skyesinnie]

Is it too late for a bitch to get in on BOTGD2?

[lbigreyhound13]

My Little Grey (BOTGD 2 Oneshot)

(Takes place right after No Choice)

As soon as Grey and Lila stepped through the portal, the Chief quickly placed a hand on Lila's shoulder and smiled at her to silently thank her. She felt slightly better after their talk, but there was still a nag of guilt inside her. However, she couldn't think about that right now. She needed to find her mother and the council and get them to come home.

"Mom?!" she shouted running through the camp looking around for Ingrid. "Mom?!"

-----

Ingrid sat in the tent with the councilmembers around her. She silently prayed to whatever god or goddess was listening that her grandchildren and the Rebellion were successful in their plans to take back Haligan Island and to save her daughter, her son-in-law, and their men. She begged her late husband to watch over them.

"Please, Sven, please, my love..." Ingrid whispered to herself. "Watch over our grandchildren. Watch over the Rebellion. Watch over...watch over our little Grey...our little girl...and our son-in-law, Brandt...please..."

Silence was her answer. The healer was sure that the council was looking at her, but she didn't care. All she wanted was her family safe. She sighed as she listened to the silence until...

"Mom?!"

Ingrid gasped aloud at that voice. She knew that voice. She's known that voice ever since she heard her cry when she was born. It was a voice of someone calling for her mother.

"G-Grey...?" she asked herself.

"Mom, where are you?!"

Ingrid wasted no time in running...scrambling out of the tent. She flung open the tent flaps. "Grey?!" she shouted.

Sure enough, there was her daughter...her only daughter...her little Grey walking about the tent calling for her.

"Grey!!" she shouted as she ran over to her. It wasn't a trick. There was no way it was a trick.

The Chief turned at the call of her name and smiled as tears flooded her eyes when she saw who was calling her. "MOM!" she shouted as she ran toward Ingrid.

"GREY!!" Ingrid shouted gathering her daughter into her arms. "Oh my gods...my little Grey..." Tears flowed from her cheeks.

"Mom..." Grey said as she held her mother tightly. For 16 days...especially after seeing her father in her dream...she ached for her mother's embrace...to be 6 or 7 years old again...and to be held in her mother's arms...safe...protected.

"I-Is it...really you?" Ingrid sobbed.

"I-It's me, M-Mom..." Grey sobbed in return. "I-I'm here. I'm really here." There was a part of her that needed to convince herself that that was true....even after she had just reunited with her husband, her children, and her dragon. "I-I missed you so much."

"I missed you, too...so much," Ingrid said before pulling away slightly to kiss her on the cheek. "My little Grey..."

Grey couldn't help but chuckle as tears streamed down her face at her mother's pet name for her. Sven always called her his little Valkyrie. Ingrid always called her her little Grey. She then pulled away to look at her mother allowing her to see the tears on her face. "Y-You're okay, right?" she asked. "Y-You weren't hurt, right?"

"N-No...no, I'm fine," Ingrid replied shaking her head tearfully. That was so like her daughter. Grey always made sure the other was okay before worrying about herself. "I promise, I'm fine. We're all fine, but you..." she placed her hands on Grey's cheeks wiping away the tears as she remembered where her daughter had been...in captivity, "oh...my little Grey...what about you? Did they...did they hurt you?"

"I-I'm okay, I promise," Grey said. "Everyone made it...me..." The Chief's face fell as she remembered... "Brandt...Shadow...the men...we're all okay..."

Ingrid furrowed her eyebrows in concern. "What is it?" she asked quickly. "Th-There's something you're not telling me."

Grey couldn't help but laugh to herself. Of course she couldn't lie to her own mother. "E-Everyone made it," Grey said meekly, "but...Brandt...w-when we get home...I-I'm going to need you to look at him. He...uh..." The memory came flooding back...

“Brandt���” Grey breathed. She then turned to Ai glaring at her. “You leave my husband alone. He has nothing to do with this. I’m tell you the truth. I don’t anything about the new leader!”

She shrugs. "Fair enough, have it your way." She looks up at the ceiling and the Half-Breed that brought him in cracked a whip across his back, hard.

Brandt screamed as he fell forward catching himself on his shackled hands as the whip struck his back.

“NO!” Grey screamed at the top of her lungs. “Brandt!”

"Ai...the...the leader...she..." Grey said trying to force the memory of her husband...the love of her life screaming in pain out of her mind as the tears came back, "she brought me in to interrogate me, and...I wouldn't talk. So...she had Brandt brought in...and whipped him..."

Ingrid gasped as her eyes widened.

"...right in front of me..." Grey finished.

"Oh...Grey," Ingrid said pulling her daughter into another tight embrace, "my little Grey...I-I'm so sorry that happened." She hated the idea of her daughter...her baby girl experiencing something so horrible happening to her husband and their love being used against her. She hated the idea of her son-in-law experiencing such pain. Ingrid and Brandt had a rough patch in their relationship when he revealed the truth about him and her late-husband Sven...after Brandt connected the dots. When Grey and Brandt told her and Einar that they wished to continue their relationship and to move past this horrible revelation, she gave her blessing but needed time to forgive him, and eventually, she did. She forgave Brandt, and their relationship improved greatly. The thought of anything happening to Brandt made her heart ache. "I-Is he alright?"

"I-I managed to clean the wounds before they separated us 2 weeks ago," Grey said sadly, "but I would appreciate it if maybe you could--"

"Absolutely," Ingrid said quickly. "I can check him once we return home."

"Thank you, Mom," Grey said, "really."

"Anything for my little Grey," Ingrid said smiling. She wasted no time in pulling her daughter in for another hug. "Oh...I wish I could've traded places with you. My heart ached every day for you."

"I appreciate that, Mom," Grey said pulling away, "but I'm glad you weren't there. After what happened to Brandt...I-I don't know what I would've done if they used you against me too." Ai was not afraid to harm Brandt in front her to get her to talk. She shivered to think about what Ai would've done to her mother. "Besides, I'm glad my kids had their grandmother."

"I'm glad I was there for them, too," Ingrid said, "but, Grey, I have to say, you and Brandt should be very...very proud of them."

"Well, we're always proud of them," Grey said.

"No, I know," Ingrid quickly said, "but...oh...they were so strong throughout this whole ordeal. Sven...little Sven...Hroar told him that he was acting Chief since you and Brandt weren't around, and he wasted no time in trying to figure out a way to take back Haligan Island."

The Chief widened her eyes in astonishment. "Really?"

"He said his first order of business was to take back Haligan Island and to get you back on your throne," Ingrid said with a smile.

Grey didn't dare to speak as her mother continued.

"And...Dagny...little Dagny..." Ingrid said. "Sven was trying to figure out how to get help from the Rebellion--"

"Wait...what?" Grey asked quickly. "I sent word to the Rebellion the minute the attack happened. A Nix was supposed to come here."

Ingrid sighed. "Sven said the same thing," she replied, "but...unfortunately, the Nix was killed in the attack. The Rebellion never got word."

"So, that's why it took so long..." Grey thought to herself.

"So, then what happened?" Grey asked. "How did Lila find out what was happening?"

"It was Dagny," Ingrid answered. "Sven was trying to figure out how to send word to the Jaw...to here, and his options were very limited. So...Dagny personally volunteered to do it."

Grey widened her eyes as she let her mother continue. Was her mother really about to say what she thought she was about to say?

"It took some convincing on Sven's part," Ingrid continued, "but he agreed. Dagny took SkySinger and flew all the way here to get Lila."

"She flew all the here...alone?" Grey asked. "For two whole weeks?" She couldn't believe what she was hearing. While she was imprisoned in her home...while Brandt and her men were imprisoned...while Shadow was captured...Sven took over as acting Chief, and Dagny volunteered to fly on her own...to find the Rebellion.

"She did," Ingrid said. "I didn't agree at first, but it needed to be done, Grey. We didn't have many options."

"I-I can't believe it," Grey said in amazement. Of course, that left her youngest daughter...her baby girl. "And...and what about Kari? How was she?"

"She was remarkable as well, Grey," Ingrid replied. "She kept an eye on Haligan Island the whole time you were captured, and she helped Sven come up with plans to take back the island. Grey...they reminded me so much of you and Brandt."

"My kids are pretty amazing, aren't they?" Grey said with a smile.

"Well, they have amazing parents...one of them being my daughter," Ingrid said with a wink.

Grey smiled. However, there was a part of her that wondered if she...was even as amazing as her mother claimed she was...especially after what happened over the past few weeks. They had an amazing father for sure, but as for a mother...she wasn't sure. "Well, as much as I would love to stay here and talk about how amazing my husband and kids are," she began, "what do you say we grab the council and the rest of the villagers and head home?"

Ingrid couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Grey suddenly changing the subject, but she agreed that they needed to get home. Brandt was going to need those scars to be looked at, and she was itching to see the rest of their family. "Yes, I think you're right. I will check Brandt as soon as we get there."

Grey nodded gratefully.

It didn't take long to gather the councilmembers, who wasted no time in embracing her thankful that their Chief was back.

"It's good to see you again, kid," Hroar the Young said as he hugged her.

"You too, Hroar," Grey said with a smile. "Tomorrow, we can worry about the clean up and all that. I think we all need to get the rest of the villagers home, so that we can get some rest."

"Agreed," Hroar said. "We'll gather everyone up immediately." So, they went off to gather the rest of the villagers informing them that the Chief was freed from captivity and that it was time to return home.

The whole time, Grey stood there with Ingrid with their arms wrapped around each other...extremely grateful to finally be together again. She of course missed her father beyond words and wished he was there with them...but after that dream she had...she had a feeling that he was there...hugging both her and Ingrid close...grateful that the two women in his life were together again.

[scoutvox]

Like It Should Have Been [pt 3]

[x]

He wondered if the deepening red of his face could be felt where her paw made contact with his face, despite the fact that there was no opportunity for him to hide it visually. Vox's head shook slightly as the slightest hint of laughter escaped from his lips.

"Everything. A lot to think about, huh?"

His eyes fell down and to the right, tracing the grain on the patches of makeshift floor as he softly hummed to himself in thought. The only luxury gained over the past day had been a temporary reprieve from the inevitable and existential - at least, until the scout learned of his second untimely demise.

"But... us... I think we have time, Tree. I didn't know that we would this time yesterday, but we don't have to figure this all out right now. We can just..."

He softly took her arms and brought them to his waist, stepping the smallest bit closer and gazing deeply into her eyes. Everything beyond her was a blur, and if he could make it last forever, he would.

"Hey. It's nice to see you again."

Before she could respond, the scout leaned in with a hand cupped under her jaw and thumb bracing her cheek as his lips met hers - all intention to act in brevity suspended as he willed the heavens to keep them rooted there for the remainder of their natural lives.

[dario-the-deer]

Sacrifice [Pt 4]

[x]

Should you attempt to sever our bond by force, Dario Hjort will die.

Kalmah turned to properly face Nala - with a right arm extending once more, its fingers quickly spun, allowing the multitudes of glowing fragments to reform the scimitar in its grasp.

I expect nothing less of a domesticated demon - you know nothing of unwavering loyalty to a cause you devoted your entire existence to. This is EVERYTHING.

The former lesser deity moved forward with a much more focused resolve, keeping Nala in its sights.

My agency has been, and will always be, my own. To see the continuity of the Lífgjafi endure at all costs, and I will not be deterred.

[ad-aster-per-aspera]

Ad Astra [Pt 3]

[x]

Atty removed the deep burgundy coat that had begun to weigh him down, as the additional time spent in the tower hadn't been accounted for. He pulled up the sleeves of a beige tunic that was visibly too large for him as he looked back to the woman questioning him.

"Oh! Nothing of relevance, if I'm being honest. I do not usually spend much time down here if I can help it. Various belongings of the Grand Illuminar and those who served her over the years can be found strewn throughout this place." He adjusted his thick-lensed frames on his face, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Please forgive me, I do not believe I caught your names."

[moe-lazyeye]

Race to the Edge (botgd 2)

Amid the haze of victory and the twisting fabric of time and space itself, The Force of Nature felt a strange pull on their consciousness. It was a pull that separated them from their current perception while oddly leaving it intact. Liam found that he had no diverted focus from the task that he had before him while still being able to give his full attention to this new sight.

In many ways, it showed him that it was simply something he was able to do now. The beginning of omnipresence.

Soft light of the afterlife enveloped him, although this one was warm, natural, as opposed to the divine, almost oppressive golden heat that Odin had once radiated through it. The haze parted, and Liam found himself seated beside Hel, as she had appeared when reincarnated into a half breed.

Across the way, behind a shimmering wall, was a land just as grand as Midgard, but somehow...at peace. It's very essence reverberated challenge, intrigue, and even the harshness that came from nature and the cosmos. Only now, untouched by the concepts that wounded humanity. A place where patients was not laced with heartbreak. Where survival was not bound by cruelty. Where matter changed forms without destruction. A place that was sovergine from the likes of Kezia's hate, Orskaf's rage, and Dixie's greed, and the foothold they held in the world below.

It was...not...perfect. But in the way that only something beautiful could be. An afterlife and world crafted paitently in humility, past the edge of eternity. And even as the ghostly, collosial outline of Hel, in her true size and form, loomed protectively over the creation, the half breed figure sat as herself to speak with Liam.

The image was an invitation alone. One The Force of Nature could join or peacefully depart from.

[blair-the-navigator]

Silhouettes in the Night

Seeing Lila in this light was a welcomed change.

Blair's previous encounter with the Commander was less than ideal, much to his own credit, but seeing her steadfast approach to leading those under her was almost entrancing. Still clinging to the beacon fashioned against him, he stood near the gate cresting above the waters below. The commotion of battle, even if just speech in his current location, was jarring to his already sensitive ears; he couldn't help but wince at any sudden noise.

Not able to see the source of the command barked to his left, Blair felt himself recoil- only to then feel a set of paws envelop his ears.

"Start wearing something over your ears, Blair."

The ferret spun around, the momentum of the beacon nearly causing him to stumble to the feet of the taller copper man. The timbre of his voice was unmistakable.

"E-Ellis?" the mustelid stuttered in disbelief. "You... how are ye' here?"

"Easy, they didn't say no." The fox chuckled, placing his paws on either side of Blair's reddened face. "Dario mentioned you'd be here, and I wasn't going to sit back while mi amor saunters into danger."

"Do ye' see who we're in te' company of?" Blair forced an incredulous look to his parter, further turning to glance at the populous present in their vicinity. He could see the stag and the goat; inseparable. The sweet girl with her strange father... there was no shortage of fight to be had. "The last thing any of us will be doin' is saunterin'!"

"Calm yourself. I'm trying to bring some levity." The canid looked to the gate ahead, awaiting any signal from Lila to progress. "But I will say, I didn't expect any of this."

Blair studied the light armor and blade that adorned Ellis- it was in this moment he realized that he'd never seen his partner in any combat situation, and vice versa.

"I would 'ave been plussed if ye' had." The ferret sighed, feeling at least a semblance of relief in the present moment. "Either way, I'm glad te' have ye' here."