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]

I ... I think so ... but let's move quickly just in case.

[ he hefts the full bag. ]

[neonleon]

[He'll help lift it at least until Hunter has it secure.]

I'll follow you, keep an eye out.

[pyrighteous]

[ Thanks Leo. It's quite heavy with all those books. ]

Right. Then - let's head out.

[ He trudges out towards the spot where they came in so he can teleport them out again.

As they leave ... there's faint movement among the bones. ]

[neonleon]

[He keeps a hand close by so Hunter doesn't lose the bag but he... catches something.]

Let's head out, yeah...

[pyrighteous]

[ If Leo turns ... he'll see a ghostly figure staring at him from among the piles of bones.

Hunter keeps moving. ]

[neonleon]

[That's...

Leo tugs at Hunter's sleeve.] Hey- Hunts, hey, you should. Definitely see this. [He stops walking, watching the figure watching them.]

[pyrighteous]

[ The figure makes a faint gesture - hard to see given the ghostly outline, but still clear enough in its intent: a grateful bow.

Hunter turns and opens his mouth to protest before stopping dead, eyes wide. ]

Is that ...

[neonleon]

[Leo stares at it. Then... mimics the bow hesitantly, keeping his eyes on the spirit.]

I'm- I'm not sure? But it might be...

[pyrighteous]

I-it looks like it. I didn't think there was enough left for anyone to ...

[ Well. He gestures at the outline. ]

[neonleon]

...Then... what do we do?

[pyrighteous]

I'd say "help him rest" but I don't know how. Except to finish.

[ He gestures again, this time at the massive pile of bones. That ain't happening today. Or tomorrow. Or in a week. ]

[neonleon]

[Leo watches that, looks back at Hunter. Then at Lucky.]

Then... we'll finish it soon.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter nods to Leo. then ... holds up a hand to wave to the ghost.

The ghost tilts his head back at them. ]

Time to go home for now.

[neonleon]

I think so... Yeah.

[He gives a hesitant little wave before turning to walk with Hunter.]

...You okay? Not hurt?

[pyrighteous]

[ More headtilts as the ghost watches them leave. ]

Just my face. You already healed that spot.

[neonleon]

Good. Wasn't gonna let anything happen to you but glad I didn't miss anything.

[pyrighteous]

I - I believe it. I'd probably have been eaten if you hadn't been here.

... Let's not tell Darius about this.

[neonleon]

Yeah, let's not do that. Guy's got enough to figure out and deal with on his own.

[pyrighteous]

Y. Yeah.

[ He rubs at he back of his neck. ]

He was friends with the previous Guard. Really good friends.

[neonleon]

Right... So definitely not telling him or Dell about any of that. Better for them, I think.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter nods, glancing back at where the shade is still watching them go. ]

... Thanks. For helping me.

[neonleon]

...Of course. I'd help with anything you asked, Hunts.

[He gives one more little wave to the shade as they leave, into the late afternoon sun.]

You're gonna be okay?

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter takes a moment just to breathe and enjoy the sunlight. That more than anything energizes his tree body. ]

Yeah. I'll be fine. It's ... not any worse than anything that happened at the temple.

[neonleon]

...No, I guess not. [This just felt more... personal. He rests a hand on Hunter's shoulder for a second, giving it a squeeze.]

Can't help worry some.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter leans into that. ]

I just - I - they lost so much. They lost everything. Ori and I are the only ones who made it out, and Ori is ...

[ A special case. Very special. ]

They shouldn't have even had a horrible monster eating them today. Who knows how many of them were eaten without me there to help.