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

[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.

[neonleon]

[A match made in heaven. He gives Lucky a little pet along his head.]

Good name. You don't mind helping me out? [The little pine marten trills up at him settling his clawed paws on Leo's arm.] Cool. I'm Leo.

[pyrighteous]

Yeah, I think he's good with you. At least temporarily.

[neonleon]

-Right! I'm. Not a witch or anything.

[He just focuses on feeding Lucky a treat directly before handing the bucket back up to Hunter, keeping Lucky draping on his arm.]

I'm sure it'll be fine until he decides he's done.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter laughs gently. ]

It's not like that. Sometimes palismen take a while to warm up to people? I see it all the time in adoptions.

[neonleon]

Mm. Either way, up to him, right?

Don't mind you climbing around, just be careful with the shell for now, all right buddy?

[pyrighteous]

[ The next trill is an echo because he has IMMEDIATELY found a cozy spot in Leo's shell. ]

I think he's made himself comfy already.

[neonleon]

[He could cry.]

I think he did.

[pyrighteous]

[ Aww. Hunter smiles a bit at that. ]

It's a good feeling, huh? I felt the same when Flapjack found me.

[neonleon]

I'll make sure he doesn't get hurt while he's helping me look after you.

[pyrighteous]

They're pretty sturdy, honestly. But - yeah.

[ Hunter's expression goes a bit soft. ]

I wish Flapjack were here.

[neonleon]

...I know he'd wanna be here with you too.

[He's gonna hop up and reach for Hunter's hand in his good one.] He'd wanna see you happy after all of that.

[pyrighteous]

[ He squeezes Leo's hand. ]

I - I know. But knowing he's safe with Ori and Viktor is important too.

[neonleon]

It is. And we're gonna visit, so you can see him. He'll be happy to see you.

[pyrighteous]

Y-yeah. For sure.

Anyway um - let's go finish chores so we can practice, yeah?

[neonleon]

[He squeezes Hunter's hand back, kissing at his cheek. He's still a little worried about him, but. Can't push it.]

Good plan, perfect plan.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter leans into that gladly. ]

Right. Uh - come on, help me clean up the hutch for the others.

[ annnd he's gonna go through his list of chores today - mostly tidying and tending the outside gardens. ]

[neonleon]

[And Leo will do his best to help with each thing Hunter asks. Back home he'd gripe about chores, but after the Temple? This is easy. This is simple. He'd rather this any day.

He's pretty tired by the time they finish but-]

What else've we got?