πΉππππππ πΉπ ππΆ πππ (they/them) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ruevealing) wrote2023-08-05 10:44 pm
ruevealing) wrote2023-08-05 10:44 pm
[Rue returns with a basket hanging off of their wing and two pairs of shears, one gently tucked into Caduceus' palm before they both slip out onto the path that leads to Rue's garden, a little painted sign requesting he step carefully, he's entering a fairy garden.]
Any preferences for your future garden?
Any preferences for your future garden?
And more proud of you than you know.
[These moments are so precious, the times that Casey can speak of his sensei with fondness and warmth, not just the lingering sting of hurt and grief. The fact he can look back on that man and smile, even as emotional as it makes him, is such giant step forward in his healing.
Rue is so endlessly proud of their boy.]
Leo will be so thrilled.
[These moments are so precious, the times that Casey can speak of his sensei with fondness and warmth, not just the lingering sting of hurt and grief. The fact he can look back on that man and smile, even as emotional as it makes him, is such giant step forward in his healing.
Rue is so endlessly proud of their boy.]
Leo will be so thrilled.
[sweet girl, how long has she felt so isolated?]
You are not alone. I promise. Please know you can reach out to me for anything. You and I are friends now.
You are not alone. I promise. Please know you can reach out to me for anything. You and I are friends now.
[Even if Rue knows it to be true, they still preen at the compliment. They love being able to create such perfect clothing - and costumes - for their family.]
You are going to do amazingly. Is there anything else you need from me beforehand?
You are going to do amazingly. Is there anything else you need from me beforehand?
[It is possible and Rue knows their Casey can do it, even if it may take a little bit longer than a lesson or two.]
Just like that, my darling! Here -
[And if there was ever proof that Rue loved their son, it is this: the pair of them sitting on the floor of Rue's new shop, making loud, exaggerated vowel sounds at one another. This is a mother's love.]
Just like that, my darling! Here -
[And if there was ever proof that Rue loved their son, it is this: the pair of them sitting on the floor of Rue's new shop, making loud, exaggerated vowel sounds at one another. This is a mother's love.]
[Even after Rue's already sent along their own holiday, gift, they can't help but send a thank you note with a new red bow and a white bow attached, matching rhinestoned bows for Minako and her girlfriend to enjoy.]
[Their sharp eyes certainly take notice of the numerous scars running along the man's hands and wrists, but that's another thing Rue will just tuck away for later.]
You owe me nothing in return for this. But, if you'd like to give a gift, it would be indecorous of me to deny you.
You owe me nothing in return for this. But, if you'd like to give a gift, it would be indecorous of me to deny you.
[Sensei being proud of him was such a difficult thing to envision, ever since he'd had to close the portal on Leo and heard those words. Now, though, it's... less painful. It warms his heart at the same time, the thought so much more bearable. Proud of him... he hasn't technically done anything to earn this power, but hopefully he can earn that theoretical pride by putting it to good use. And of course, showing gratefulness to those who (even subconsciously) gave it to him.]
I'll tell him soon. For now, got any advice for a novice teleporter?
[Since they're right here and all, and they offered.]
I'll tell him soon. For now, got any advice for a novice teleporter?
[Since they're right here and all, and they offered.]
[Casey... Rue can't even try to hide the way the offer touches them.]
You don't want to wait to talk to Leo? We both know he'll say it's his domain.
[Teasing and warm as Rue pecks a kiss into Casey's hair.] Not to mention, it might be a perfect opportunity for the two of you to spend time together. Not that you ever need the excuse, but it's far easier for you and I to make time for one another. Leo and Donnie get so caught up in their lives, it might a good in to get some extra time with him.
He'll also be so endlessly proud if he has the chance to teach you.
You don't want to wait to talk to Leo? We both know he'll say it's his domain.
[Teasing and warm as Rue pecks a kiss into Casey's hair.] Not to mention, it might be a perfect opportunity for the two of you to spend time together. Not that you ever need the excuse, but it's far easier for you and I to make time for one another. Leo and Donnie get so caught up in their lives, it might a good in to get some extra time with him.
He'll also be so endlessly proud if he has the chance to teach you.
[What a racket it would be for anyone who happened to come by, a load of nonsensical warking, but Casey at least seems to be having a good time, and he does show marginal improvement as the lesson carries on.
It's surprisingly tiresome, though; by the end of it, Casey is huffing and puffing through the vowels.]
Lot of effort... how long this take you?
It's surprisingly tiresome, though; by the end of it, Casey is huffing and puffing through the vowels.]
Lot of effort... how long this take you?
[As long as Casey is having fun, Rue will allow themself to look a little silly, just for their lessons.]
Hm - [A thoughtful flutter of their lashes.] I do not want you to feel discouraged.
Hm - [A thoughtful flutter of their lashes.] I do not want you to feel discouraged.
No no, I do! Of course I do. And I will.
[His cheeks go pink, his head ducking and leaning a bit into the kiss. They make a whole lot of very good points.]
I'm sure he'll teach me plenty about teleporting. A-and I want to hang out with him more, I really do. But it's also fae magic, so... I wanted to ask you, too.
[As both the source and the local expert, he'd be a fool not to.]
[His cheeks go pink, his head ducking and leaning a bit into the kiss. They make a whole lot of very good points.]
I'm sure he'll teach me plenty about teleporting. A-and I want to hang out with him more, I really do. But it's also fae magic, so... I wanted to ask you, too.
[As both the source and the local expert, he'd be a fool not to.]
[He takes note of the sign and immediately takes more care with his steps. Best not to mess with fairies- not that he likes stomping on plants anyway.]
Not especially. I take the scraps because of what they can be turned into, not because of what they are. But if you have any recommendations for what might grow well here in spring, I'm happy to take it.
[He's asking for the garbage here, he is not remotely picky. Especially with the land obviously in the midst of winter- not as much growth here as there might otherwise be, so he's prepping for the future.]
Back home I grew food and flowers, mostly. And mushrooms.
Not especially. I take the scraps because of what they can be turned into, not because of what they are. But if you have any recommendations for what might grow well here in spring, I'm happy to take it.
[He's asking for the garbage here, he is not remotely picky. Especially with the land obviously in the midst of winter- not as much growth here as there might otherwise be, so he's prepping for the future.]
Back home I grew food and flowers, mostly. And mushrooms.
[Can owlbears pout? Have the biggest, babiest owlbear pout.]
Will even live that long? Teach to fly instead, just as likely!
Will even live that long? Teach to fly instead, just as likely!
You really are fae-touched! Just as dramatic as any faerie I've ever known.
[But that pout is darling and Rue can't help but lift a paw to hide their beak as they giggle at the sight of it. He's just too much.]
Not quite that long. It took me nearly a decade to fully awaken under the magic, so maybe three or four years to learn to speak? So much of that time is fuzzy for me. But I was an animal learning to think and speak for the first time, learning language and sapience all at once. You already have quite the advantage.
[But that pout is darling and Rue can't help but lift a paw to hide their beak as they giggle at the sight of it. He's just too much.]
Not quite that long. It took me nearly a decade to fully awaken under the magic, so maybe three or four years to learn to speak? So much of that time is fuzzy for me. But I was an animal learning to think and speak for the first time, learning language and sapience all at once. You already have quite the advantage.
[Casey puffs out a breath but relents (dramatically, yes) and lifts both paws to his beak, feeling it out as he tries a few more sounds. Tongue and throat, not beak... it really is very difficult. Even with a head start, several years of this could be very daunting.]
Maybe why so hard. Pangolin can talk perfect. Owlbear change was wild. Angry. Maybe owlbear want to stay wild.
[He's not sure how much sense that made, but it's where his instincts are leading him.]
Maybe why so hard. Pangolin can talk perfect. Owlbear change was wild. Angry. Maybe owlbear want to stay wild.
[He's not sure how much sense that made, but it's where his instincts are leading him.]
I hadn't thought of that, but it was a rather traumatic change in comparison, wasn't it?
[As much as Rue would like to forget that night, it lives on in their memory all too vividly, not just the pain and terror, but the animal sounds Casey made coming to their rescue. It had been him, but not him, both at the same time, just more beast than human.]
Casey, may I ask a question, dear?
[As much as Rue would like to forget that night, it lives on in their memory all too vividly, not just the pain and terror, but the animal sounds Casey made coming to their rescue. It had been him, but not him, both at the same time, just more beast than human.]
Casey, may I ask a question, dear?
Casey.
[Their voice rings out with their usual soft, musical calm, a gentle laugh curling right at the end.]
You have nothing to be embarrassed about. I'd be so joyous to teach you what I know, you don't need to explain yourself. I only wanted to give you the choice, if you'd rather have that moment with Leo.
[Their voice rings out with their usual soft, musical calm, a gentle laugh curling right at the end.]
You have nothing to be embarrassed about. I'd be so joyous to teach you what I know, you don't need to explain yourself. I only wanted to give you the choice, if you'd rather have that moment with Leo.
[He tilts his head at that, chirping a wordless affirmative.]
[A paw crosses the distance between them to take one of Casey's in theirs.]
Are you still frightened of something happening to me?
[It would make sense why Casey might be so unwilling to let go of the owlbear's wildness, the fear he'll need to tap into it again.]
Are you still frightened of something happening to me?
[It would make sense why Casey might be so unwilling to let go of the owlbear's wildness, the fear he'll need to tap into it again.]
[Casey opens his beak to answer, but halts before he can utter a sound. He chirps uncertainly, claws scraping in the carpet as he mulls over his words.]
Not you, [is at last his answer.] Not only you. Everyone.
Not you, [is at last his answer.] Not only you. Everyone.
[He looks so uncertain, but Rue squeezes at his paw reassuringly, offering whatever strength they have.]
I understand. Even during these quiet, happy times, we can not completely forget what we've all been through. The fae that tried to take you and Peter, who tried to kill me, who took Leo's arm... Truly, I understand still being scared.
I understand. Even during these quiet, happy times, we can not completely forget what we've all been through. The fae that tried to take you and Peter, who tried to kill me, who took Leo's arm... Truly, I understand still being scared.
[Casey looks down at their joined paws, his claws curling to hold on tight. It's so small now, compared to when he made himself huge to fight. He hasn't been able to recreate it since. Holding onto the wildness of this form makes him feel more secure- like if he could, in a pinch, do it again. If he tames it too much will he go back to being weak?]
Human weak. Pangolin useless. Owlbear strong... owlbear can fight. Protect family.
[It's too simplified, he knows. His human form has its own strength. He can talk, he can fight. But not like this, the raw strength of it, the ferocity, the capacity for intimidation. Even with the chainstick Casey's never struck fear in the hearts of his enemies. But he'd seen the change in the unseelie that night. He'd seen the acknowledgment, the hesitance. He'd gone from a target to a source of danger.
...The pangolin is still useless, though.]
Human weak. Pangolin useless. Owlbear strong... owlbear can fight. Protect family.
[It's too simplified, he knows. His human form has its own strength. He can talk, he can fight. But not like this, the raw strength of it, the ferocity, the capacity for intimidation. Even with the chainstick Casey's never struck fear in the hearts of his enemies. But he'd seen the change in the unseelie that night. He'd seen the acknowledgment, the hesitance. He'd gone from a target to a source of danger.
...The pangolin is still useless, though.]
[He straightens up as they say his name, like he'd been caught raiding the cookie jar. He's doing that thing again, fussing too much over the small stuff. This isn't a zero-sum, low resource situation here.
So:]
Why not both?
[Does he have to choose?]
So:]
Why not both?
[Does he have to choose?]
[Rue follows his gaze down to their joined paws, quietly admiring the way they fit like this, his tiny one in theirs, two sets of talons gleaming under the bright lights of the shop. The silence stretches for just a few moments too long as Rue focuses on how tiny and small Casey looks beside them.
(As he should, after all, he's still a child.)]
Do you think I'm useless? I cannot fight. I make others step in to take care of me, because I refuse to lift a paw to save myself. Despite my wild shape, I am no better at keeping myself safe, much less fighting back.
(As he should, after all, he's still a child.)]
Do you think I'm useless? I cannot fight. I make others step in to take care of me, because I refuse to lift a paw to save myself. Despite my wild shape, I am no better at keeping myself safe, much less fighting back.
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