post-snek recoveries

[neonleon]

[You know?

That weird temple wasn't good, but it wasn't the worst. Not by far now that he's back in this dimension. He floats a bit aimlessly, body broken, shell cracked and falling apart, some bones and insides shattered. His head aches in a way that he can't think.

All he can really do is hope Prime doesn't find him immediately right now. The light off his ring catches his eye and he looks at it, not fully registering that it's lit up.

A promise.]

Comments

[pyrighteous]

[ A promise made before the temple went a little mad and endgame happened - a promise started by his older self in an effort to change the timeline - and a promise being kept, damn it, no matter what the cost.

The light flickers, dimly, then starts to brighten. A voice calls out. It's blurred and hard to make out. ]

--ardo? Leo - can hear - please -

[ It echoes strangely in this dimension. ]

[neonleon]

[He definitely hears... something? Something. Weird dream. Hearing Hunter, because even if they said he'd find Leo, there's no way he'd actually willingly come to this place, right? Knowing what was waiting here?

But even he notices that ring getting brighter. He holds it to his chest with that family picture with his good arm.]

Was nice hearing your voice again, Hunts. [One last time. probably.]

[pyrighteous]

[ Something blurred in return; Hunter's gone the wrong way for a moment, getting himself turned around in this empty hellscape. but then he manages to turn himself, and find where the light is brighter... ]

-- hear it lots of times! I promise! Just - hang in there! If you can hear me, say someth -

[ Hunter's voice is clearer the closer he gets. ]

[neonleon]

[It IS clearer. Enough that Leo cracks open his not-swollen eye to look around. Unsure, slowly turning frantic.]

Hunter? Wait - are you here?

[He can't see Hunter, but that voice was definitely clearer, it was closer. Leo clutches at the photo and tries to shove his weight to float a direction but it hurts.]

[pyrighteous]

I-I'm here! I'm trying to find you, I'm just -

[ There's a LOOOOOT of debris. But Leo can just barely make out the faint glow of a light glyph coming from behind that one chunk of rock? Off to the side and a ways away. ]

[neonleon]

[It's been a week. Leo's rested as best he can with his arm, but the pain keeps coming and going in waves, each day the pain lasting longer than the previous. He's not letting it get in the way of spending time with Hunter and Dell, or the others when he starts feeling better enough to be out and around them. He's eating plenty as he can.]

Sooooo you're cool with me just sitting and watching how flyer derby works?

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter, meanwhile, is getting increasingly worried the more pain Leo seems to be in. He feels bad about showing it - tries not to show it! - and winds up inviting Leo out to flyer derby in hopes the fresh air will help. ]

Of course! It's amazing, honestly - you'll love it. Plus you'll get a chance to meet everyone.

[neonleon]

The way you described it sounds really cool. [And he's genuine in that as they walk to the field.]

Always love seeing you fly, but it'll be really cool seeing you flying with everyone else.

[pyrighteous]

It's definitely a different experience. You haven't seen me in my element yet!

[ And there's the crowd of friends ... Willow and Gus are suited up, while Amity and Luz are in the stands dressed in green. Luz immediately starts slapping Amity's shoulder when she sees Leo and Hunter approaching, and the word spreads from there. ]

[neonleon]

I sure have not.

[He almost leans in close but then catches the motion in his eye. He lowers his voice:] Well. Guess the introductions are about to start.

[neonleon]

[Flyer Derby? Flyer derby. Leo watches as they approach the field and get ready to land, even if his arm is just. Aching now. A low grade throbbing that doesn't seem to be letting up. Probably overworked it or something, or lay on it weird while they were napping. But it's fine. It's fine, and Lucky trills at his ear as they land.]

Yeah? You ready to do this, buddy? [He just pets at Lucky's head on his shoulder.] Okay, so hhhhow do I start this.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter looks back at the trill - SO cute - and snags the bag of supplies from Leo. ]

He looks ready to fly, I think. Just kind of ... think about having a staff in your hand. He'll get the idea.

[neonleon]

[He gets his feet under him and listens to that. Looks at Lucky on his shoulder and holds up a hand.]

You ready you think? [Lucky looks at him curiously, like thinking about it. Then Leo focuses and watches as the little palisman shifts into a staff, the pine marten shape solidifying at the end like it's perched on a limb watching.]

Okay. Very cool.

[pyrighteous]

See? I told you.

[ Hunter holds out a helmet and pads for Leo. ]

I think he likes you.

[neonleon]

[He grabs for the gear in his other hand but watches Hunter.]

You think so? Kinda... figured he was just filling in and not that interested.

[Honestly hard for Leo to tell, but maybe Hunter just has The Gift for understanding palismen he doesn't.]

[neonleon]

[Sleep is still not his best right now. Resting, doing his best, he can lay here and listen to Hunter and Lucky breathe in their sleep. Though Lucky does occasionally open one eye to look back at him before closing it and snuggling up against Leo's head more.

But morning does come. The light shines through the window which Leo takes as the clear that he can sit up.]

All right. I have got to get cleaned up before we go.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter, meanwhile, sleeps like a ROCK all night. Unfortunately for Leo's mental state, when Hunter is THAT asleep, he's really more tree than person. Totally still, his magic pulse slowed to an absolute crawl. But he's still there, and when morning comes he has incredibly fluffy bed hair. he winds up sitting up and blinking stupidly at the light and Leo. ]

-- wuh? What day is it ...

[ He really needed that. ]

[neonleon]

[Cute... Leo smiles a little, kind of glad Hunter's more tree when he sleeps; it means he missed a lot of Leo's startling himself away from bad dreams. He leans over to kiss his cheek.]

Next day. Got a good night's sleep huh.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter rubs at his face, smiling at the kiss. ]

Oh. Yeah. I really like - it felt like a long time for a second there.

[neonleon]

You probably needed it. Been a long few days for you.

[He spent most of it resting in bed himself. So, long but in a different way than Hunter.]

C'mon, let's get moving.

[neonleon]

[A few weeks of resting. Of helping Hunter with his brothers' remains in that cave and no sign of anything else foul or alive there. Some time spent getting to see more of the Boiling Isles and Hunter's friends, of bonding with Lucky, of talking more with Dell and Darius so they feel more at ease with Leo being part of Hunter's life.

But ultimately it comes to the point that it's time. Leo has his bag over his shoulder and looking at the portal a little nervous. He got a disguise brooch from one of the stalls in the market to look human again once they're on Earth.]

You sure about this?

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter is currently wearing a headband, though he has a similar illusion charm hooked into one ear in case he needs to remove that, or it falls off. Thank you Gus.

Hunter hefts his own, smaller backpack as he considers the portal in front of them. It's fine! They've visited Camila just about every week since coming back. This is normal, right? They have human train tickets and everything! ]

I - I'm a little nervous but -

[ He steels himself. ]

We have to go. We have to find out. If they're in New York, they must be missing you terribly right now.

[neonleon]

[Leo nods at that, feeling Lucky around his neck nuzzling into him with a little noise. They've got this.]

We'll find out. For sure, we'll find out if they're there. [But he reaches blindly for Hunter's hand to hold before they walk through.]

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter gladly reaches to take it, squeezing Leo's hand gently. ]

Right. Then. One - two -

[ And on the count of three, they come out in the familiar portal spot in Connecticut. Drizzling faintly, but not too far of a walk to the bus station. ]

[neonleon]

[As soon as they're through, Lucky pats a paw against the disguise brooch, designed to look like a necklace pendant. His form shifts to a human, bleach blond hair already getting wet.]

Oh shit- C'mon. [There's a small covering at the bus station not too far ahead as he walks with Hunter that direction.]

You sure you're okay traveling that far like this? Gonna be a long boring ride.