26. Homecoming
General Summary
Starting to come down from the adreneline, Mirage checks in with Cypher at the back of the deck, where he's sitting with Laith and Saeldor.
"How you feeling?"
He returns her low-five and his smile is tired but present, and just as proud as hers.
"Like I really, really miss sleep" it's a laugh, an exhausted one, but a laugh all the same
Mirage is too full of everything to comment
Laith looks a little taken aback.
"You guys did that on an all-nighter?"
“And scared shitless, my good dude. I’m Mirage, by the way. Nice to meet you. You feeling okay?”
He'll start to stand, get a side-eye from Saeldor, and reach up for a handshake instead. "Nice to meet you, properly I mean. I don't really know - better than I was? My leg's on the mend, so that's good."
Cypher looks like he appreciates the sidestep on the sleep thing. "We should probably drop him off home"
Mirage looks back at Laith.
"Whitepost. You haven't heard of it, it's a day's ride north of Lantern Hill, east end of the Bramble?"
“My friend, you are in luck. We happen to know exactly where that is. Do you have people waiting for you who can keep you safe? I don’t think Amir would be stupid enough to make another pass at us but he did write his evil villain plan down in a journal, so. Who knows.”
"Just mom." he looks doubtful, "I guess there's the reeve. If he believes me."
“Trust me,” she adds, “I’m happy to back up your story.”
"That'd help, for sure. You guys are like, proper adventurers, huh?"
His gaze sweeps across the party; the owl-aaracokra who he just watched transform from a grizzly bear, the minotaur piloting the Actual Airship, the half-giant placidly blowing smoke rings, the sunset rogue before him.
"I have no idea how to thank you."
“You just did. We’re square.” Mirage grins, giving him a fist bump.
He looks like he's gonna protest, but then he bumps your fist.
"You gotta at least let me and mom make some food for you guys or something. You usually pay adventurers right?"
Cypher has a funny kind of smile.
"Hey bud, she said you're square, you wanna get her to budge on that I wish you luck."
Mirage laughs. He smiles, but continues,
"On the topic of protection though, you got people anywhere else? Preferably arms-trained people with thick walls?"
A lightbulb goes off for Mirage.
“Wait! Ta’lok, where are we headed after this?”
He looks over his shoulder.
"Your place, I thought; maybe detour for the kid - is he en-route?"
I look back at Laith. “We can definitely drop you off, no problem. But my parents have pretty heavy duty security set up, and I know they’d be happy to host you until all of this blows over. We need to get this journal to someone who can do something about it. No pressure, just think about it. It’s an option.”
His eyes kind widen when she mentions the security.
"I mean I ain't never even been past the icerun before so I'm super down to see more but uh, I should probably let my mom know I'm okay"
“Oh not for nefarious reasons. My mom’s kind of famous is all."
"No kidding? She an adventurer, too?"
“Not exactly” Mirage smiles. “We can pick up your mom on the way!”
His eyes absolutely bug out.
"She'd have a heart attack"
Cypher laughs. "Maybe a letter?"
Mirage nods, still excited. "That works too! I can give you my parents address to share with her if she decides wants to come by, she’s more than welcome!”
Laith nods, grateful smile, he still looks a little bewildered by all the everything.
"Yeah speaking of," Cypher pushes himself to his feet, wobbles a little.
"Woah."
Mirage put her arms out to spot him, but he waves it off.
"I'm fucking freezing. Gonna get m-" he pauses, frowns.
"m-, mih, MY coat."
Frown gets bigger.
“Whoa there, sailor," Mirage cautions, "You overextend a bit with that last spell?”
Saeldor lowers his pipe, tuning in.
Cypher shakes his head, tries a smile and fails. An alarm starts ringing in Mirage's head.
"Just. Tired." It's oddly staccato, like pulling words out of thick, deep mud.
“Hey Cri,” Mirage says, loudly, Not looking away from him.
He shakes his head, putting up hands like "no no no" but Cri is already heading over. Saeldor is gesturing for him to sit.
"I'm fine. Ro- FUCK. Really."
“Shut up.” Mirage's voice is as tense as her neck.
Cri gets close enough to hear what's going on. He looks back and forth between Mirage and the two healers, debating.
"It's not a big deal, dude," Laith offers, "I stuttered til I was like, ten."
"Don't hay- haaa - HAVE a ffffucking st-" His sentence ends like it's been bitten. His mouth is a tight line, his scowl drawing his brows together.
“If I ask nice," Mirage says quietly, "will you sit back down?”
He looks at her, jaw tight, thinking.
"Yes." The effort. Then a sarcastic half-smirk. "Nnnot. Here."
And he distorts.
For a moment, Mirage just looks at the wall of the cabin where her eyes that refuse to focus on the space where he was standing have slid to. Then she sits down.
Her voice is soft, almost swallowed by the wind.
“Please sit with me? Please.”
For a long moment - almost a full minute, nothing. Cri sighs, Saeldor is scanning the deck.
Then Mirage becomes aware of him sitting beside her.
One arm resting on his backpack. It's open. Hes' got his grimoire on one knee. He's not looking at her.
Cri closes immediately, makes him look up. She checks his eyes, takes his temperature, doesn't seem to find any answers.
She looks up at Saeldor, who holds up a hand and asks how many fingers
Cypher answers by holding up the same number, mouth shut. He looks annoyed.
On the other side of him, Laith has the awkwardness of being at a friends' house when their parents start fighting. He's just trying to be quiet and not intrude.
“Forgive us for giving a shit about your well-being." Mirage says, "You sound different, is all.”
A sideways look like 'no shit'/I NOTICED
“Please, you’d be doing the same thing if it was any one of us in your shoes, don’t even pretend.”
A frustrated sigh, slumping of shoulders, reluctant nod.
Mirage looks at him, thinking. there has to be a way to make him smile. Tease him in some way that won't just piss him off more.
After a moment, she smirks. Bends the winds to cast her voice to his ear alone.
“Although," she murmurs, "if you want to keep fighting about it, I’ve got more rope.”
He's still looking down, but she sees his eyes widen for just a second as red blooms over his cheeks. One corner of his mouth curls upward in an impertinent smirk. Then he opens his mouth, and hesitates.
Shuts it. Hesitates again.
"Do-" not the sound he wanted, apparently. He makes a face like a curse word, closes eyes, inhales.
"Do...n't Three-THrr-" short, tense exhale, eyes closed to focus, "THREATEN me. with. A . Good. Time."
The sentence takes nearly a full minute. He's still a bit red at the end, but probably not for the same reason.
Mirage listens with a growing smile, then laughs. Despite the irritation, he smiles back.
“Rest.” Cri says when she grows impatient of the two of them making eyes at each other.
Saeldor makes an agreement sound. "whatever going on, pushing yourself won't help it."
“Yeah," Mirage agrees, recalling herself, "That’s smart. How far until we hit my place? Dinner time-ish? So we can just head home, crash at my parents while we plan our next move." She looks back at Cypher, "Take a load off until we get there. You’re going to look back on these next few hours of peace and quiet fondly, I promise you that.”
He nods acquiescence but doesn't seem eager to try responding verbally again. Then he starts to get up.
Mirage fights the urge to yank him back down. Her hands are twitching.
Cri goes to passively block him, which prompts an exasperated expression. He opens his mouth on reflex, bites something back, then a light comes on.
He pulls the wrap-tie off his grimoire, yanks a page out of the back. Scribbles. Shoves the page toward Cri, who looks at it while he walks past her.
She shakes her head, but doesn't look upset. Shows it to Mirage.
the day is clear and warm to Mirage's standards, her being cold-resistant. Laith is also fine. Cri is but probably because she's got a sweater on. When it's approaching their expected arrival time but the house isn't in sight yet, Cri takes Mirage aside. She wants to know whether the rogue wants company when she sees her parents. Tells her she doesn't have to have everyone there if she doesn't want. Her offer to accompany as an overlookable creature from before is applicable here, too. “Oh, Cri." Mirage smiles, “You are so thoughtful. Don’t know what I’d do without you. No it’s okay, you guys can come in with me. The sooner that storm passes, the sooner we can all get somewhere safe and comfortable. “And my mom is more likely to temper her reaction if there are witnesses, so.” She winces a little. Cri smiles, puts a soft hand on your shoulder. "Your parents will be glad to see you safe. Parents can have... odd ways of expressing that." Mirage nods, and gives her hand a squeeze. The noors have a gate where un before you can get on property So you pull up to the airship gate, and there's like, a speaking stone at the side of it After a second, voice of one of the security workers comes through, sounding neutral with a trace of bored "State your name, please." “Marwa Noor.” A static sound, followed by panicked cursing. (someone just startled so hard he spilled his coffee all down the front of himself) a BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ and the gates open the details of the property are hard to make out from outside - a veneer of fog that parts as they enter. Ta'lok steers the airship along a neatly-marked route toward the garage as Leith gives a long, low whistle. "Dang, kid," the minotaur remarks, "Your folks have some nice digs." Cri is still mostly focused on you but she's also taking in the property in silence. I’m expecting him to have a reaction to this level of wealth, based on what I know of him. And so in the same way that he looked sideways at her waiting for a comment. Shes doing that with him a little too. Like, waiting for judgment Cypher's eyes probably bugged when y'all first drove in. But past that, he's hard to read. Neutral. Not unimpressed, not staring slack-jawed. I think he's up front with ta-lok, and is watching him navigate in a way that Mirage can probably read as being intentionally to distract/deflect from whatever he's thinking about the surroundings She doesn't dare to ask. So the Noors for sure have like, a covered garage that can be opened remotely. this isn't a world of radio waves, so its done by air manipulation rather than a key fob, in a specific sequence so not just any elemental can do it. Like the air temple doors in AtLA. Ta'lok docks the ship in the covered berth. It's a wood platform adjacent to the gardens, the other few berths occupied by your parents ships (one that Lydia uses on tour, one that's for those staying at the house, both very nice, state-of-the-art vessels.) there's a door a little ways up the platform that leads into the main house, another past that for deliveries that leads more directly to kitchens etc for expediency-of-route's sake. They don't even finish disembarking before the door to the main house bursts open and all four of your parents come through. Marwa shakily disembarks and makes her way over to them, waving the "its okay, you can go with them" to Toby as a stable hand beckons to the pegasus. “Hey guys. Good to see y-OOMPH” Big Lydia hug as they both fall to their knees, Which turns into a group hug. All their voices overlap in a cacophony of noise and happiness. “Baby girl, where have you been!?!” “What’s this with you and the Teeth?” “You write me one letter and it just says, ‘Hey, not dead!? You have much to explain, habibi.” I think that last one brings a space, filled swiftly by expectation They lean back to see that Mirage has been crying. “I’ll tell you everything, I promise. But I just - I missed you so much.” And she hastily wiped her eyes Hugs back on, Just a huddle of insanity Then she is ushered inside. someone notices the gang waiting. Erik, probably. "You must be her travel friends. Come in, come in. Thank you for bringing our little thunderstorm home" I think Erik probably catches Lydia beginning her line of questioning and just ushers them somewhere, says this shouldn’t take too long lmao I think they go to the dining room. Big table, lots of chairs, enough for guests. Big windows looking out on the rear gardens, HIGH ceilings, some tasteful art on the walls, cabinets of the special-occasion china and silver. Lydia's absolutely standing, I don't think she's a pacer though Alejandro absolutely is. Julius stands behind a chair with his hands folded on the back of it, listening and waiting for now. Erik ushers the guests to seats, he's got an ear on the conversation and ABSOLUTEY has his own questions but it's just as ironclad that Lydia gets first on this. so he'll make non-interruptive inquiries about if anyone wants something to drink etc which of course everyone's gonna nothanks-im-fine that given context. but y'know, social rules, he's gotta ask. He probably makes a mental note to reiterate the offer when things have calmed I think Erik is a god-tier host. He's good at making people feel at ease. He can schmooze with the best of them but he sees a tired ragged crew lmao I think Cri will stay beside you, stand if you're standing, take the spot next to you if you sit Ta'lok and Saeldor hang back, standing by the wall for now. Mirage would situate herself so she can see all of them, or as many of them as possible Cypher with them, Laith too. The former doesn't seem to know how to stand in this space He's watching you, mostly. His eyes keep getting pulled to other places around the room. He's tense. I think his experience of Being In Trouble With the Folks is very different from yours. He's not going to interfere because Family Business - he probably feels awkward just being in the room, but he's absolutely prepared to back you up if you ask for it even implicitly I think the parents had their suspicions to varying degrees about mirage getting up to trouble, But they can see how emotional she is and how serious she is And they go, “Oh, this was more than a lark.” And she was 1) freeing several prisoners, 2) breaking magical restraints, 3) using her privilege for good And they nod along like “well of COURSE you needed to free that Terran.” And “An Ignean princess, huh? Good for you for seeing past silly prejudices.” I don’t think they’re terribly pleased about her story of trashing the music critic’s house But she follows jt up with BUT ULOTH!?! They definitely hired her. set her up with her own little bakery and the help of her pick of kitchen staff (hiring rights if none of them suited) “You’re WELCOME” there's a plate of cookies in the centre of the table for pass-by-snacking on. the kind that don't dry out easily, frosted. They look divine and smell of almonds “Shit are these hers?” Shoves a bunch of cookies in my face She's definitely focused on her parents right now but the party has some reactions to this convo I think Saeldor is feeling a kinship with Mirage rn; this group conversation reminds him of his own village. I think firbolgs have blood relatives but the whole village raises kids together. Seeing this kind of group support feels familiar in a way he doesn't see reflected in other family units Cypher is aghast at how much you're telling them. Like he's genuinely shocked when you mention the music critic's place. same when you detail the conditions of your prison, not sanitizing or downplaying anything. He looks surprised in a worried way every time you bring up a topic where your actions were potentially parent-upsetting, followed quickly by a ready-for-battle kind of tension, followed by varying levels of confusion when that tension goes unneeded. She can clock that. I think they’ve all heard most of this in separate chunks before but maybe not the whole story spun out like this. When they get to the present moment, there is silence. Then Erik claps his hands. "We've been terribly rude," addressing the party "We all know your names of course, but I'm afraid we've neglected introductions" its a formality of course, between the story told just now and the ones Marwa's shared over her time with the party, everyone here knows each others names. "Ta'lok Keenstrider, I presume?" "Good to finally meet you." "And you must be Cypher." A hesitation, glance away. "Did I say it wrong?" "It's just kind of a nickname. My real name's Mika." "Mika, nice to meet you. And Cri, good to see you again." Around it went, familiarity and hospitality easing the accumulated tension by degrees. This done, Erik will suggest you can give your friends a tour while their things are brought to the guest wing. once they're settled, it's getting to be dinner hour. Have they eaten yet? Headshakes / nos from the party "Excellent! Then please do come back here and join us for a meal, dinner should be ready around six-thirty." I’d catch then on the walk up to the guest wing and ask if they’d rather eat in their rooms. “I promise that the rules in this house are all about doing what you want, when you want, so long as you aren’t hurting yourself or anyone else. If you’d prefer some time to just chill, they’ll totally understand.” I think Cypher's quiet, watching to see everyone else's responses. Saeldor and Cri are of course happy to eat with your family if you're okay with it. Ta'lok also has no issue accepting the invitation, it didn't seem like an "i have to ask you because host obligations" thing, and he's interested to get to know where you came from as any of your friends are. Following a vote of three to unspoken one, Cypher will shrug and say he's fine with it “Are you sure, man? You expended the most of all of us today. No shame if you want to take a night to yourself.” "I'm fine. Trip was quiet. Only the normal level of crazy at the moment." I give a nod “Okay. Well let me show you your rooms! I think you’ll like them. They all have skylights!” The rooms are lovely. like Erik said, they're already refreshed from your cousins visit. Clean sheets on the feather beds, large closets cleared, skylight and wide balcony doors cracked to air it out. All the suites are connected by balcony, so you can go between them from inside or outside as wanted and of course flying people have a second entrance Each "room" is a proper suite, too. Like there's a bed, but also a sitting area and an attached washroom, if a smallish one comparatively. so you literally don't have to go anywhere for anything if you don't want to “And if you get bored or lonely, here’s my room! A suite only slightly larger than the guest ones, with a four-poster canopy bed piled with a laughable number of pillows and throw blankets. "I’m just down the hall.” I think Marwa is on autopilot right now. Been a fucking WILD day and seeing her friends walk around her childhood home is both surreal and not strange at all. with the groups agreement, She finds her dad (Julius) and gives the journals to him to look over. She'd tell him to be careful of the skin one He handles it with gloves, makes a brief face at the sulphur smell but is otherwise a consummate professional about it Alejandro says “Youre not spending all week studying that thing, I forbid it.” The parents and mirage know he’s joking "You are welcome to stop me, dear." Rolled eyes and a warm chuckle Lydia’s wearing a smirk that says “Challenge accepted” although she doesn’t say jt outlays You have some time before dinner. I think the party is probably encouraged to unwind for a minute, given directions back to the dining room (its not a complex route but still), invited to wash up if they want - there's clean towels, soap, etc. I think Erik loops back to find Mirage before dinner hour. She's in her room, just staring out the window I don't think she closes her door most of the time, probably leaves it ajar. he knocks on the doorframe “Come in!” He walks in, joins you at the window. It's a bay one, obviously, so you can feel like you're under the sky even if it's too nasty to actually go outside. He takes a seat, looking outside with you. I grab his hand "So. Now that your mom's out of earshot. How you holding up?" She laughs. “I’m okay.” I lean my head on his shoulder. “I missed you all. These last few weeks were hard, but I’m glad to be home. Back with my crew.” "You had us pretty worried, kiddo." He pats your head with the near hand. It's a gesture as familiar from soothing hot temper-tantrum tears when you were little as more mature frustrations. “I’m sorry. I never meant to. I know mom’s right, I should write more.” "I know. More letters would be nice. We all look forward to them, you know. Hearing about your adventures." he looks at you aside. "You're home for a while, you know that, right?" He pauses, "Nobody's ready to watch you leave again." “I know.” Sheepish smile "Good. Then I think, once you've all had a minute to catch your breath, we should celebrate." “Celebrate? You want to throw a party?” "My baby girl is home safe, and not only that, but she's been out rescuing other people as well? Of course I do. Besides, if we don't give your baba something to put his energy into, and quickly, he's going to scorch the ceilings. Again." I laugh “Fair. Although I have a feeling y’all are gonna have a TIME keeping him here instead of out hunting Amir. He looked SPITTING mad.” He laughs "I'm sure they'll come up with something." (It is implicit that 'they' refers to your mom and Julius, who do 90% of the Alejandro-wrangling) Mirage has been missing the freedom to hug and cheek kiss and hold hands - that physical reassurance that everything is okay. Especially from her parents, who shes so close with “You know I had to make Nimbus a deal while we were rifling through that asshole music critic’s house that I’d let him do a test run of my birthday party hairstyle this year?” An amused smile from Erik. “I think he’s gonna try to get me to rock a beehive.” Guffaw Nimbus is going to try to model it right away he's SO excited, like 'LOOK SEE ISN'T IT MAGNIFICENT' I’m too tired to fight it he makes it swirl, tornado-style "It's certainly something, little buddy," Erik says, doing an admirable job of not laughing. "Maybe call it a fallback." Nimbus loses a small bit of altitude, resumes his normal form with a haughty pout. Clock chimes 6:30 "Well, that's the dinner bell. Your friends joining us?" “I think so. Yeah. Hey, thanks for coming to check on me, Pops. I love you.” Smile, hug "love you too, brave girl"
"I'm still COLD, dammit"“Pain in the ass” Mirage grumbles under her breath. He heads below, presumably to get his coat.
the day is clear and warm to Mirage's standards, her being cold-resistant. Laith is also fine. Cri is but probably because she's got a sweater on. When it's approaching their expected arrival time but the house isn't in sight yet, Cri takes Mirage aside. She wants to know whether the rogue wants company when she sees her parents. Tells her she doesn't have to have everyone there if she doesn't want. Her offer to accompany as an overlookable creature from before is applicable here, too. “Oh, Cri." Mirage smiles, “You are so thoughtful. Don’t know what I’d do without you. No it’s okay, you guys can come in with me. The sooner that storm passes, the sooner we can all get somewhere safe and comfortable. “And my mom is more likely to temper her reaction if there are witnesses, so.” She winces a little. Cri smiles, puts a soft hand on your shoulder. "Your parents will be glad to see you safe. Parents can have... odd ways of expressing that." Mirage nods, and gives her hand a squeeze. The noors have a gate where un before you can get on property So you pull up to the airship gate, and there's like, a speaking stone at the side of it After a second, voice of one of the security workers comes through, sounding neutral with a trace of bored "State your name, please." “Marwa Noor.” A static sound, followed by panicked cursing. (someone just startled so hard he spilled his coffee all down the front of himself) a BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ and the gates open the details of the property are hard to make out from outside - a veneer of fog that parts as they enter. Ta'lok steers the airship along a neatly-marked route toward the garage as Leith gives a long, low whistle. "Dang, kid," the minotaur remarks, "Your folks have some nice digs." Cri is still mostly focused on you but she's also taking in the property in silence. I’m expecting him to have a reaction to this level of wealth, based on what I know of him. And so in the same way that he looked sideways at her waiting for a comment. Shes doing that with him a little too. Like, waiting for judgment Cypher's eyes probably bugged when y'all first drove in. But past that, he's hard to read. Neutral. Not unimpressed, not staring slack-jawed. I think he's up front with ta-lok, and is watching him navigate in a way that Mirage can probably read as being intentionally to distract/deflect from whatever he's thinking about the surroundings She doesn't dare to ask. So the Noors for sure have like, a covered garage that can be opened remotely. this isn't a world of radio waves, so its done by air manipulation rather than a key fob, in a specific sequence so not just any elemental can do it. Like the air temple doors in AtLA. Ta'lok docks the ship in the covered berth. It's a wood platform adjacent to the gardens, the other few berths occupied by your parents ships (one that Lydia uses on tour, one that's for those staying at the house, both very nice, state-of-the-art vessels.) there's a door a little ways up the platform that leads into the main house, another past that for deliveries that leads more directly to kitchens etc for expediency-of-route's sake. They don't even finish disembarking before the door to the main house bursts open and all four of your parents come through. Marwa shakily disembarks and makes her way over to them, waving the "its okay, you can go with them" to Toby as a stable hand beckons to the pegasus. “Hey guys. Good to see y-OOMPH” Big Lydia hug as they both fall to their knees, Which turns into a group hug. All their voices overlap in a cacophony of noise and happiness. “Baby girl, where have you been!?!” “What’s this with you and the Teeth?” “You write me one letter and it just says, ‘Hey, not dead!? You have much to explain, habibi.” I think that last one brings a space, filled swiftly by expectation They lean back to see that Mirage has been crying. “I’ll tell you everything, I promise. But I just - I missed you so much.” And she hastily wiped her eyes Hugs back on, Just a huddle of insanity Then she is ushered inside. someone notices the gang waiting. Erik, probably. "You must be her travel friends. Come in, come in. Thank you for bringing our little thunderstorm home" I think Erik probably catches Lydia beginning her line of questioning and just ushers them somewhere, says this shouldn’t take too long lmao I think they go to the dining room. Big table, lots of chairs, enough for guests. Big windows looking out on the rear gardens, HIGH ceilings, some tasteful art on the walls, cabinets of the special-occasion china and silver. Lydia's absolutely standing, I don't think she's a pacer though Alejandro absolutely is. Julius stands behind a chair with his hands folded on the back of it, listening and waiting for now. Erik ushers the guests to seats, he's got an ear on the conversation and ABSOLUTEY has his own questions but it's just as ironclad that Lydia gets first on this. so he'll make non-interruptive inquiries about if anyone wants something to drink etc which of course everyone's gonna nothanks-im-fine that given context. but y'know, social rules, he's gotta ask. He probably makes a mental note to reiterate the offer when things have calmed I think Erik is a god-tier host. He's good at making people feel at ease. He can schmooze with the best of them but he sees a tired ragged crew lmao I think Cri will stay beside you, stand if you're standing, take the spot next to you if you sit Ta'lok and Saeldor hang back, standing by the wall for now. Mirage would situate herself so she can see all of them, or as many of them as possible Cypher with them, Laith too. The former doesn't seem to know how to stand in this space He's watching you, mostly. His eyes keep getting pulled to other places around the room. He's tense. I think his experience of Being In Trouble With the Folks is very different from yours. He's not going to interfere because Family Business - he probably feels awkward just being in the room, but he's absolutely prepared to back you up if you ask for it even implicitly I think the parents had their suspicions to varying degrees about mirage getting up to trouble, But they can see how emotional she is and how serious she is And they go, “Oh, this was more than a lark.” And she was 1) freeing several prisoners, 2) breaking magical restraints, 3) using her privilege for good And they nod along like “well of COURSE you needed to free that Terran.” And “An Ignean princess, huh? Good for you for seeing past silly prejudices.” I don’t think they’re terribly pleased about her story of trashing the music critic’s house But she follows jt up with BUT ULOTH!?! They definitely hired her. set her up with her own little bakery and the help of her pick of kitchen staff (hiring rights if none of them suited) “You’re WELCOME” there's a plate of cookies in the centre of the table for pass-by-snacking on. the kind that don't dry out easily, frosted. They look divine and smell of almonds “Shit are these hers?” Shoves a bunch of cookies in my face She's definitely focused on her parents right now but the party has some reactions to this convo I think Saeldor is feeling a kinship with Mirage rn; this group conversation reminds him of his own village. I think firbolgs have blood relatives but the whole village raises kids together. Seeing this kind of group support feels familiar in a way he doesn't see reflected in other family units Cypher is aghast at how much you're telling them. Like he's genuinely shocked when you mention the music critic's place. same when you detail the conditions of your prison, not sanitizing or downplaying anything. He looks surprised in a worried way every time you bring up a topic where your actions were potentially parent-upsetting, followed quickly by a ready-for-battle kind of tension, followed by varying levels of confusion when that tension goes unneeded. She can clock that. I think they’ve all heard most of this in separate chunks before but maybe not the whole story spun out like this. When they get to the present moment, there is silence. Then Erik claps his hands. "We've been terribly rude," addressing the party "We all know your names of course, but I'm afraid we've neglected introductions" its a formality of course, between the story told just now and the ones Marwa's shared over her time with the party, everyone here knows each others names. "Ta'lok Keenstrider, I presume?" "Good to finally meet you." "And you must be Cypher." A hesitation, glance away. "Did I say it wrong?" "It's just kind of a nickname. My real name's Mika." "Mika, nice to meet you. And Cri, good to see you again." Around it went, familiarity and hospitality easing the accumulated tension by degrees. This done, Erik will suggest you can give your friends a tour while their things are brought to the guest wing. once they're settled, it's getting to be dinner hour. Have they eaten yet? Headshakes / nos from the party "Excellent! Then please do come back here and join us for a meal, dinner should be ready around six-thirty." I’d catch then on the walk up to the guest wing and ask if they’d rather eat in their rooms. “I promise that the rules in this house are all about doing what you want, when you want, so long as you aren’t hurting yourself or anyone else. If you’d prefer some time to just chill, they’ll totally understand.” I think Cypher's quiet, watching to see everyone else's responses. Saeldor and Cri are of course happy to eat with your family if you're okay with it. Ta'lok also has no issue accepting the invitation, it didn't seem like an "i have to ask you because host obligations" thing, and he's interested to get to know where you came from as any of your friends are. Following a vote of three to unspoken one, Cypher will shrug and say he's fine with it “Are you sure, man? You expended the most of all of us today. No shame if you want to take a night to yourself.” "I'm fine. Trip was quiet. Only the normal level of crazy at the moment." I give a nod “Okay. Well let me show you your rooms! I think you’ll like them. They all have skylights!” The rooms are lovely. like Erik said, they're already refreshed from your cousins visit. Clean sheets on the feather beds, large closets cleared, skylight and wide balcony doors cracked to air it out. All the suites are connected by balcony, so you can go between them from inside or outside as wanted and of course flying people have a second entrance Each "room" is a proper suite, too. Like there's a bed, but also a sitting area and an attached washroom, if a smallish one comparatively. so you literally don't have to go anywhere for anything if you don't want to “And if you get bored or lonely, here’s my room! A suite only slightly larger than the guest ones, with a four-poster canopy bed piled with a laughable number of pillows and throw blankets. "I’m just down the hall.” I think Marwa is on autopilot right now. Been a fucking WILD day and seeing her friends walk around her childhood home is both surreal and not strange at all. with the groups agreement, She finds her dad (Julius) and gives the journals to him to look over. She'd tell him to be careful of the skin one He handles it with gloves, makes a brief face at the sulphur smell but is otherwise a consummate professional about it Alejandro says “Youre not spending all week studying that thing, I forbid it.” The parents and mirage know he’s joking "You are welcome to stop me, dear." Rolled eyes and a warm chuckle Lydia’s wearing a smirk that says “Challenge accepted” although she doesn’t say jt outlays You have some time before dinner. I think the party is probably encouraged to unwind for a minute, given directions back to the dining room (its not a complex route but still), invited to wash up if they want - there's clean towels, soap, etc. I think Erik loops back to find Mirage before dinner hour. She's in her room, just staring out the window I don't think she closes her door most of the time, probably leaves it ajar. he knocks on the doorframe “Come in!” He walks in, joins you at the window. It's a bay one, obviously, so you can feel like you're under the sky even if it's too nasty to actually go outside. He takes a seat, looking outside with you. I grab his hand "So. Now that your mom's out of earshot. How you holding up?" She laughs. “I’m okay.” I lean my head on his shoulder. “I missed you all. These last few weeks were hard, but I’m glad to be home. Back with my crew.” "You had us pretty worried, kiddo." He pats your head with the near hand. It's a gesture as familiar from soothing hot temper-tantrum tears when you were little as more mature frustrations. “I’m sorry. I never meant to. I know mom’s right, I should write more.” "I know. More letters would be nice. We all look forward to them, you know. Hearing about your adventures." he looks at you aside. "You're home for a while, you know that, right?" He pauses, "Nobody's ready to watch you leave again." “I know.” Sheepish smile "Good. Then I think, once you've all had a minute to catch your breath, we should celebrate." “Celebrate? You want to throw a party?” "My baby girl is home safe, and not only that, but she's been out rescuing other people as well? Of course I do. Besides, if we don't give your baba something to put his energy into, and quickly, he's going to scorch the ceilings. Again." I laugh “Fair. Although I have a feeling y’all are gonna have a TIME keeping him here instead of out hunting Amir. He looked SPITTING mad.” He laughs "I'm sure they'll come up with something." (It is implicit that 'they' refers to your mom and Julius, who do 90% of the Alejandro-wrangling) Mirage has been missing the freedom to hug and cheek kiss and hold hands - that physical reassurance that everything is okay. Especially from her parents, who shes so close with “You know I had to make Nimbus a deal while we were rifling through that asshole music critic’s house that I’d let him do a test run of my birthday party hairstyle this year?” An amused smile from Erik. “I think he’s gonna try to get me to rock a beehive.” Guffaw Nimbus is going to try to model it right away he's SO excited, like 'LOOK SEE ISN'T IT MAGNIFICENT' I’m too tired to fight it he makes it swirl, tornado-style "It's certainly something, little buddy," Erik says, doing an admirable job of not laughing. "Maybe call it a fallback." Nimbus loses a small bit of altitude, resumes his normal form with a haughty pout. Clock chimes 6:30 "Well, that's the dinner bell. Your friends joining us?" “I think so. Yeah. Hey, thanks for coming to check on me, Pops. I love you.” Smile, hug "love you too, brave girl"
Family Dinner
Dinner's an absolute spread. Served family style, all of it just on the table, plates make a rotation and you get what you want off it. Folks make sure everyone gets enough. “Eat friends, eat!” Lydia gestures to the food “Marwa, you are too skinny, this adventuring life does not feed you enough.” “I eat fine, mama.” “And you, down at the end of the table? You’re skin and bones, you’re all skin and bones. Eat as much as you like!” “Mama don’t pester them.” “I’m not! I just want them to feel welcome in our home!” It’s a lot of this back and forth Lots of compliments on the food, its very good Saeldor wants to hear all the how-we-met stories “And your little girl over there,” Ta’lok’s points his fork to Mirage, “proceeded to hand me BACK my purse.” “MARWA HALAH NOOR, ARE YOU MISUSING THOSE STICKY FINGERS!?” “No mama! ….mostly” this story gets a smile from the warlock, who has otherwise been quiet except for what general politeness demands Oh my god you know what Lydia does with NO shame whatsoever? Tells them baby Marwa stories “And when she was only two she got stuck up on the roof, couldn’t get back down. When we finally found her she was a sunburnt mess!” Mirage looks like she wants to sink under the table MAMA STOP THEY DON’T WANNA HEAR THIS "At least she was small enough to get down easily. How old were you when you got stuck in the vents? Ten? We had to call people to get you out. You smelled like soot for a week. Mint will get rid of it, they said. She'll be fresh as a rose in an hour, they said." Mirage huff-pouts, pulling her arms across her chest and slouching down in her chair. party is absolutely laughing and enjoying the stories, not in a bullying way, its just cute/funny I think Lydia just gestures at these responses with a like "why are they like this then?" kind of face, and then starts telling another one Learning to use a glider was not a one-try-and-I've-got-it process Mirage is both so happy to be here and so thoroughly embarrassed right now, Like MAKE IT STOOOPP I think a lot of these stories, despite happening mostly on this estate or at the cabin, have a pretty relatable childhood through-line. sneaking out (or in) and getting caught, getting hurt while trying something moderately reckless, being adorably naive/misinformed about stuff adults take for granted. Mirage has been trying to get cypher's read since they got there and failing. She still watching? Yes. She’s trying to make eye contact with him like GET ME OIT OF THIS I do not think this poor boy has the guts to try and switch off a topic that your mom is absolutely still enjoying, even if your mom wasn't a ten foot tall STORM WOMAN he's feeling very uncomfortable and out of place. He doesn't know where to look. The conversation persists past when people are done eating AND being pesetered to take seconds and he doesn't know what to do with his hands. He relaxes a bit with the stories. You get a few smiles and even a chuckle or two, but he's obviously preoccupied. He's fidgety, as always. He keeps like, brushing at his arm, scratching at the back of a hand, sometimes he shivers out of nowhere. Brief tics, but persistent. Every time it happens he looks troubled, tries to gauge if anyone noticed. The answer is usually no, your mom's a captivating storyteller. he's TRYING to be a decent guest, to keep whatever's bugging him under wraps, but like it was said, it's been a long day and the morning was a lot. and for him, this is a lot, too. stressful. I take a gauge of the rest - how’s Cri doing Cri has absolutely clocked Cypher's discomfort but doesn't want to call attention to him by addressing him about it, because thats obviously the opposite of helpful right now. So she's kind of keeping a covert eye and otherwise engaging Julius in a conversation about astronomy, which isn't his specialty but which he has an appreciation for. He spent enough time at sea in his adventuring days to know a thing or two about navigating by the stars. Ta'lok is interested in adventuring-days stories and is comparing 'have you been to...?' stories with Alejandro and Erik, who travels in the context of tour but still travels. Saeldor drifts between conversations, just generaly flowing along with topics and enjoying himself At a certain point he'll ask if there's a place he can have a smoke. He's probably directed to use any balcony or garden he likes. He's welcome to smoke indoors if he likes, provided he lets Lydia or Marwa work some air magic to filter it, but its nice out There's some steps down to a garden leading out from the dining room. I think unless you had an idea, they'll pause by Cypher and ask if he'd like to join, which gets a nod and a stand-up that's just slightly too quick to not read as relieved. Marwa stays, but I think Cri would go. Ta’lok is probably good to keep eating. That man has a healthy appetite. Need a lot of protein to keep on the mass he does; he absolutely still has room after dinner most of the time. like I don't think he's running a deficit, but he rarely gets to eat to the point of being properly full, and this food is the best At some point, someone, probably one of the dads, asks what the party is doing after this. Like obviously Marwa is staying home for at least a while to recover (affirmative no-arguments-young-lady nods from Lydia), but do they have another job lined up? Ta'lok will field that one (saying they usually disperse to their various homes/haunts until someone finds work and contacts the rest) unless Marwa speaks up or looks like she wants to say something? She purposefully keeps her eyes down at her plate Letting Ta’lok field that one because SHE knows their next mission is to find a Wish, But doesn’t think this is the time or the place and also not her story to tell. So I don’t know if they’d see that as willful silence or just tiredness. Even the least socially astute of your parents clocks it a mile away. You didn't randomly get too tired to converse at that topic, you have Thoughts. Lydia clocks the silence first. “You have thoughts you want to share, habibi?” Mirage clenches her mouth, “Not yet, Mama.” “Very well. We are here when you are ready.” Ta'lok glances aside at you. I think he can infer you didn't get some ordinary quest hook off a job board when he wasn't looking because you would have brought that up to him already. He probably figures you're thinking of tying up the Amir stuff. And he considers that party relevant because it involves you and you're party, but it's more tying up the current job than it is a next one. “One thing at a time. We need to do something about Amir first.” "He should be made to reset." - Lydia. I think Julius had the chance to read the journal and nobody here keeps secrets from Lydia - she would have wanted the fulltext, and upon getting it, she's LIVID Genies are immortal, they don't die of old age, and they're as old as the literal elements. But they have vices like boredom and grief as much as anyone. so they have like, a voluntary Time Lord Reincarnation thing that they can do; they can keep memories of their previous life if they want, connections, etc. but for most intents and purposes its a start over. using it as a punishment is almost unheard-of, for autonomy principles if nothing else; it has to be VOLUNTARY. people usually prepare for it, make sure those close to them know whats going on, etc. Some have barely ever reset, others do it all the time, enjoying getting to experience the world with fresh eyes again. Genies are immortal, so Lydia is suggesting the closest option to capital punishment that applies. not that they can't DIE but like, short of a firing squad, arguably more final “Do you think anyone would support that? I caught myself wishing we could transform him into some kind of mortal, so he could experience the world through the eyes of people he looks down on.” She'll commend the idea, but tell you such a thing is not possible. He is built of the same sky as you and she are, galling as the thought is. You can no sooner remove that from him as catch the sun in a net. Mirage nods Julius comments idly that you could turn him in to his allies in the Nine, and he could experience life as a Lemure. he says it aside, in the same voice one might comment that it's going to rain tomorrow I knew dad would back me on this one. Mirage smiles and it’s mean. “I like it.” Alejandro has heart eyes I don't think Lydia's opposed but she wants to know how anyone plans to turn him in without summoning a devil, themselves. “Yeah…good point.” Laith has been quiet through this convo. A little uncomfortable at first. I think Erik was just about to offer some diversion for him when the topic changed to switching Amir's perspective to that of a mortal, then he tuned in. Not that he wasn't paying attention, but like, it became participatory attention. He's intrigued by the idea of turning Amir mortal, is disappointed visibly when Lydia says it won't work. He looks like he wants to say something but he's not sure. there's some momentum between current speakers, y'know? Lydia might make an opening for him, she's very direct like you said. He looks embarassed, directs his question to Mirage. "He wanted us because we're halfers, right?" She nods "And he's got like, an army, right? Lots of people who have to do what he says?" this one's more rhetorical. He continues after a beat too short for anyone to answer in. "Do you think... do you think we could make him order them to... to find my dad? I mean, if he's gonna be getting tortured in the Hells or something, he doesn't need his army then, right? I could borrow it?" “…Laith. I don’t know, that’s a big ask.” -Mirage He looks down, "Yeah, guess so. Sorry. I just thought... my mom's on her own, you know?" “No it’s okay. Maybe there are things we can do to help her with funds from Amir’s estate? You were imprisoned for fuck’s sake, youre owed money if nothing else.” He thinks about it. "It sure wouldn't hurt" “We should probably sleep on it, huh? Make sure your mom knows she’s welcome here anytime.” "Oh, uh, I wrote her to let her know I'm okay - I don't know where to post it here, though." "Yeah I can put that in" I assume Erik would facilitate that letter going out with tomorrows mail I think the others come back around this time too. it's probably sundown. Party had a long day and an early start, plus food coma; everyone is ready to crash They're welcome to wander the house, use any room they want, but it's also okay if they're tired and want to crash they all thank the Noors for the food and the hospitality and head toward the west wing with marwa to hit their respective hays. ostensibly, anyway. There's no watch to keep, but Cypher is probably going to spend the night reading/studying, no doubt Mirage would go find him before going to bed Not hard to do “Hey. You got a second?” Brief hesitation, then "yeah, of course." “I’ll be quick, I promise.” Yeah he's already let you in the room. Gives a one-shoulder shrug like 'you don't have to be' "S'fine, I'll be up anyway." “I know. I just.” She hesitates, looking for words. “You doing okay?” I think he flinches a little. "Me? Sorry, which of the two of us went back to their old prison and flipped off the jailer today?" "That's definitely my line. Not that you've not answered the same question a million times at this point I guess" She sighs. “Doesn’t answer my question, but I guess it’s not a lie. So I’ll let it slide.” I give him a half-hearted smile. “I just came to say thank you for today.” exhale, stressed. "no, sorry, you're right. I said anything, right?" he looks like he's not particularly happy about that offer right now, but he's not willing to ignore it “You don’t have to tell me anything. I wasn’t trying to guilt you, honest. You saved my life today. Again. At great cost to yourself.” He shrugs, looks down. He's never been good at accepting thanks “I don’t think I could have done that alone. For as long as I live, I’ll never forgot what you did for me.” He's talking over her, eyes anywhere but hers. "S'fine, See, I'm talkin real good again already." “Would you shut up and let me say thank you” I laugh mid-sentence 'ugh fine' kind of face, mimes buttoning his mouth shut “Cypher. Mika Oliviera. Thank you.” I wait to see if he looks at me. So he can see that I’m sincere Yeah I let it stay for a second before I stand up and head for the doorway "Não há problema," softly, as you turn. “Do some relaxing while you’re here, at least. Good stargazing from these windows.” I give him a small smile and close the door behind me
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31 Mar 2025
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