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]

[ Hunter laughs a bit; the nuzzling tickles. ]

You're REALLY gonna enjoy Flyer Derby, trust me. It looked fun when you watched, right?

[neonleon]

It looked amazing in every possible way.

[pyrighteous]

Then yeah. You're gonna be great at it.

[neonleon]

I won't let you down. Or whatever palisman helps me out. Can't let them down either.

[pyrighteous]

Speaking of which. Want to help me tend the hutch this morning?

[neonleon]

[GASP]

Yes! I wanna see. [Already leaving the balcony to head to the door. Someone's excited.]

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter laughs. ]

W-wait! They'll run if I don't come out there with you.

[neonleon]

Riiiight.

I also have no idea where it is. [But he's still bouncing on his feet a lil.]

[pyrighteous]

It's pretty obvious, honestly.

[ But he hurries out back tot he garden, where there's a riot of branches and plants and forest. And sure enough ... there's a cute lil house with all sorts of animals hanging out. A little water feature for the aquatic palismen. Roosts for the birds and bats. Most of them are earth creatures actually? Some with a twist, like the goose with a bell on it. But.

They come flocking to Hunter as he grabs a bucket with treats for them. ]

[neonleon]

[Leo follows after him, hanging back a few steps when they approach the little house hutch. But there are so many...]

Ooooh my gosh they're all adorable.

[pyrighteous]

[ SO MANY adorable lil animals. Hunter offers Leo the bucket. ]

Go on.

[neonleon]

[Leo blinks taking the bucket in both hands reverently.]

For real? I can?

[He slowly smiles and crouches down before just... He wants to do this right, so he takes a second to think instead of just acting, carefully taking a few treats and holds out his good hand.] Here.

[pyrighteous]

[ The little palismen look at each other. Over at Hunter? And then one brave lil critter trots up first to take a treat from Leo's hands. Looks like some kind of mink or ferret. ]

Just like that ...

[neonleon]

[Oh Leo doesn't dare move when it comes up to him. He swallows thickly.]

Just like that?

[pyrighteous]

I mean keep feeding them just like that. They'll warm up to you.

[ Like this pine marten, which is bravely taking the snacks and redistributing them from the stranger to the rest of their crew. ]

[neonleon]

[It's so brave! Leo is transfixed on it and how it moves as he keeps gently feeding out treats.]

...So how will I know which one?

[pyrighteous]

Well - just ask them, really. And one of them should come close and volunteer.

[neonleon]

Just ask, huh...

[Leo watches them a little longer, really thinking.]

Okay- So which one of you adorable little guys. Or girls. Or- critters, I guess? Anyway, which one of you wants to be my palisman?

[He watches eagerly as they all watch him... then turn away to munch on their treat.]

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter laughs a bit at that. ]

You have to be a LITTLE more specific than that. Like - usually palismen only come to people who know what they want to do with their life. It's a whole thing.

And if you want to borrow one just for the day, you have to be specific there too.

[neonleon]

Oh.

[He looks from Hunter back at the palismen. And- really he thinks about it. Really thinks about it, watching them and feeding them slow treats. Like. Three each so far.]

Look... I wanna look out for him? [He jerks one thumb back at Hunter behind him.] I love him, and I'm gonna marry him. So I gotta keep an eye on him, and I'm gonna need all the help I can get. So if one of you thinks you could help me with keeping him safe? I'd be all for it.

[pyrighteous]

[ The little palismen look at each other. Cock their heads? Then the pine martin scoots closer again, looking up at Leo. ]

[neonleon]

[Leo watches them. It's hard not to miss the way his shoulders kind of slump with the nonresponse. Maybe just not time. Maybe not these ones.

But then the pine marten comes back up.]

...Hey. What's up, buddy?

[pyrighteous]

[ It reaches up and puts its lil paws on Leo's fingers. And makes a soft squeaking noise. ]

I ... think he wants to go with you? At least for a little while.

[neonleon]

[Oh it's adorable...

Leo looks at Hutner back at the little palisman. And then carefully moves his hand so it can climb into it properly and up his arm.]

A little while's fine too. You got a name?

[pyrighteous]

[ Another lil chirp. ]

He says his name is Lucky.