HAWKS PALACE

[doublefried]

The process of entering the palace is... smooth. Painless.


You are falling, but it's not scary at the speed you're going. You drop through the pre-dawn sky like a feather, light and easy on a breeze, descending towards a bright and multicolored island in a sea of dark trees.

When you land, you are somewhere new.

Comments

[rootsforyou]

If only so you don't burn the furniture. It would save us from having to clean it up.

[doublefried]

"And my outfits."

[rootsforyou]

Ah. Should we get you something fireproof to wear?

[doublefried]

"Those fabrics tend not to be very comfortable. I think I'll be okay if I'm careful."

[rootsforyou]

Hmm...You're already overly careful, it seems. A young man your age shouldn't need to be worried about clothes to that extent. I'll find you some fireproof clothes that are comfortable, how about that? You won't need to think about it until I put them in your hands.

[doublefried]

"I get the feeling I'm being worried about."

[rootsforyou]

That's correct. Please bear with it for now. I expect I'll worry a little less once you've had time to recuperate.

[doublefried]

"Well, since I did worry everyone, I'll accept it without complaint for now."

[rootsforyou]

I appreciate it. If it gets to be too much you can just let me know, of course. I don't want to make you uncomfortable either. But...hmm, how should I put it? Since you do a lot for everyone else, it only makes sense that we take this opportunity to spoil you a little.

[doublefried]

"I promised no complaint, so I won't point out I haven't done much since arriving here..."

[rootsforyou]

You did plenty before you arrived here. That counts just as much.

[doublefried]

"All right, all right, point."

[rootsforyou]

It's a point I'll be insistent on! Even heroes need rest. Perhaps, they need rest more than most. But...we cam worry about the finer details later.

[she taps the Endeavor and Hawks plushies on the head]

Would you like to take these with you? Since you seem to like them.

[doublefried]

"I should probably keep 'em safe."

[rootsforyou]

[gently teasing,]

Only probably? He's your friend, so you should definitely keep them safe.

[doublefried]

"I think this guy is pretty important for like, the cohesion of my soul, also."

[rootsforyou]

...Should we make you a second one, if he's that important?

[doublefried]

"Do you think that would make my soul more cohesive?"

[rootsforyou]

I don't think it will, if I'm honest, but if you like him that much then having more of him around can't hurt.

[doublefried]

He laughs sort of self-consciously.

"Well, it's kind of embarrassing as an adult..."

[rootsforyou]

What makes you think so? It's rather normal to want to be around friends and loved ones. Or even to just be closer to the people you admire. You've both been through life and death together. That's bound to have an impact.

[doublefried]

"He meant a lot more to me than I did to him, y'know? Not like, in a self-deprecating way. Objectively."

[rootsforyou]

Ah...that's a bit more complicated, perhaps. But I don't think it's anything to be embarrassed about. That's just how things are in life sometimes.

[doublefried]

"That's just how things are sometimes! Sometimes... the crush does not work out."

[rootsforyou]

...It feels sad to say it out loud like that. Might I ask...did he not reciprocate your feelings, or did you not express them?