Closure, Cuddles, and Diplomacy

Log Info

• Title: Closure, Cuddles, and Diplomacy

• Emitter: Telamon

• Characters: Ravenstongue, Telamon

• Place: Ravenstongue and Telamon's home

Lupecyll-Atlon home, morning

Tanith has slipped away, with a soft, "Goodpeoples," and a nuzzle. Telamon sits up slowly from the bed, not feeling tired or worn in the slightest. A good night's sleep, with a dream so close to reality now -- and the knowledge that some things are happily settled, with no more need to worry on them.

He stretches, letting out a yawn, before looking around, his mind still slowly rousing. Absently, he glances back over his shoulder to look at his peacefully sleeping wife, smiling at her. "Breakfast tea. I should make some breakfast tea," he says out loud, rubbing his face to help push himself further along the path of wakefulness.

Cor'lana has never really been a heavy sleeper. The sorceress tends to stir in the middle of the night if Telamon gets up from bed to go make use of the water closet, or if it's storming particularly hard in the middle of the night and there's a lightning bolt that crashes in the sky over their happy home, but she always goes back to sleep fairly quickly afterwards. That being said, when Telamon slips out of bed and talks to himself, that's enough for Lana's violet eyes to flutter open.

"Mmm." The little grumpy-whine that is usually associated with Cor'lana's awakening leaves her again, before she stretches her arms and yawns, sitting up in bed. "I feel like I slept like a log." But she eyes the blankets on her bed and seems to be contemplating if maybe, just maybe, it's advisable to stay in this morning. The bed is warm and cozy, after all. But there's no husband in it.

"Good morning, love," Cor'lana says brightly, now that she has most of her faculties again. "Did you sleep alright?"

Telamon is used to it by now, but his smile as his wife rouses is like the sun coming up. "I did. But... I dreamed. Something different." He looks around, and hmphs. "She left. Figures." He lies back down on the bed, tugging the blankets up so he can snuggle with Lana.

"Tanith came by last night. Just as we were both going to sleep. And... brought me to a dream, with the girls." He doesn't have to tell Lana which girls he means.

The very mention of 'the girls' gets Cor'lana's immediate attention, putting her so very firmly in the waking world now that she actually slips out of bed and excitedly pads forward to Telamon, taking his hands. "Really? Our girls?" she asks, violet eyes bright with excitement. "Were they okay? Did they look the same as last time?"

She squeezes Telamon's hands gently. "They must have been so happy to see you, Tel. I'm sad I didn't get to go, but I think I occasionally get to see them in some of my dreams--you know, in that odd way you sort of remember things and you sort of don't." They'd spent enough time with totems and Eluna's realm of dreaming to know exactly that sort of thing.

Telamon nods. "They were playing. I wasn't the only one there." He pauses, because he knows this one will tug on Lana's heartstrings. "Zalgiman was there, too. With... a daughter, as well. I... didn't pry. I didn't want to."

His arms go around Lana, hugging her close. "They were all playing together, then Aryia needed to cuddle her papa. Then Zalgiman showed me how to braid their hair..." He chuckles. "Of all the things to learn, but if I have three daughters I'd better learn how."

It's a good thing that Telamon's so clued into his wife's emotions and needs that he goes to embrace her, because the moment that he informs Cor'lana that Zalgiman was there, tears well up in her eyes like precious little glossy beads. Her arms go up to hold him, and Lana closes her eyes, letting the tears fall. "That must mean--he went through Vardama's judgment," she says softly. "Did he seem happy? What was his daughter like?"

Her heart aches a little in ways both sweet and bittersweet. That their littlest daughter needed cuddles from Telamon and got them. That Telamon learned how to braid hair from someone they briefly got to call friend before Marsward, in his cruelty, took the man's potential for happiness away forever--or... so Lana had thought all along. "I was... so worried he might never find peace," she says. "After everything he'd ever been through..."

Telamon cups the back of Lana's head, letting her weep against his shoulder. After a few moments, he continues, stroking her hair. "I think... the Harpist was kind, in the end. He seemed happy, at peace. His daughter was this pale, white-haired girl, named Phea. Very playful, but unimpressed with my choice in clothes." He grins at the memory.

The smile fades, though. "She was afraid. Afraid we'd never meet again. I told her that there would be other dreams, and we'd find our way back together." He rubs his cheek against Lana's head. "She asked me to tell you hello. So... hello, from Phea, Zalgiman's daughter."

It's a tender moment that passes with the gentle rise and fall of Lana's breath and the darting of tears from Lana's eyes to Telamon's shoulder. A greeting from someone beyond this life, a life beyond death, for her. In that moment, Lana understands...

"Hello, Phea," she murmurs. Suddenly she longs for that. That meeting, that reunion, in dreams, where she can see her daughters, where she can hold them with Telamon, where she can meet their friend and see his daughter. The Harpist's kindness given to a man who'd never known any, given form in a little girl. It's a beautiful thing. The kind of closure that Lana could never give him, the peace she never could have given him.

Eventually, she looks up from Telamon's shoulder and gives him a teary-eyed smile. "You know, somehow it makes sense to me his daughter wouldn't like your clothes," she says with a little chuckle, reaching up to chase those tears away. "Was she a werewolf too?"

Telamon kisses Lana gently, brushing away the tears. "Well, nobody's perfect," he says with a grin. "But yes. She turned into a wolf, and then back. Startled Ri-Ri -- Aryia -- so then I had to supply some cuddles and diplomacy." Sitting there together, hugging close, the future so bright.

"Zalgiman wondered if I feared the future. I told him I wanted to grasp it, not to merely dream of it." He pauses, playing back the dream in his mind, for Lana's benefit through the bond. Zalgiman's countenance, no longer worn by anguish and sadness. The rambunctious white-haired Phea, clad in furs and leathers. And of course the three girls, happily getting their hair braided one at a time. And Telamon's benediction: until next time.

There's a wave of feeling that goes through Cor'lana when Telamon shows her everything. Their girls, just a bit older from the dream in which she and Telamon had met them in the dream-castle. Zalgiman, finally happy and at peace. And the girl who had Zalgiman's whole heart--that little girl with white hair, pale skin, and red eyes.

It's sweet. Overwhelmingly so. And of course, the part where Phea's words of worry hits Cor'lana so very hard. She wipes away her tears. "You were so sweet with her," she says softly. "What a nice girl. Fatherhood..."

She laughs a little again, softly. "Fatherhood suits you and Zalgiman both," she says.

He's used to those tides of emotion from his wife, and he lets it wash over him. Surfacing, he hugs his wife again, and smiles down at her. "I want to be the best father I can be," Telamon says. "Just as much as I want to be the best husband. I'll make mistakes, probably, and learn from them. But our children will know they are loved -- just like you are."

He takes a deep breath, feeling only anticipation and promise. The new day, and what lies ahead in the future. "I wish you'd been there, but I probably should've suggested it to Tanith." He pauses, and laughs. "I went to talk to Sir Seldan at the temple, and Tanith... decided to pounce on him. Which was rather funny, but I'd mentioned in passing our anniversary. This was her gift -- the knowledge that Zalgiman was at peace."

Lana smiles tenderly at Telamon, before rising up on her tiptoes to give him a gentle little kiss on the lips, something appropriate both for the morning and for the moment. (I want you to know you're loved, too,) she thinks through their telepathic bond. (Mistakes and all--the gods know we've both made plenty.)

Pulling away a moment later, Cor'lana says, "It was a beautiful gift for Tanith to give--but I can understand why I wasn't there. It was about two fathers at peace and happiness with their daughters. Especially if Phea's mother wasn't there, it would have been an odd point if I was there."

Telamon gives his wife a big hug and a squeeze. (I know.) A simple response, but heartfelt. Aloud, he replies, "True, and it's not like I can't bring you the message -- and show you what I saw." He smiles down at her. "I imagine Pothy would've been a trifle bored in the dream, as there wasn't much snacking."

Something comes across his face. "Which reminds me, I need to see what was in that package that arrived last night. I didn't feel like opening it, so I left it in my study. I'll have to look at it after breakfast -- or at least after we've gotten some tea in us." His eyes twinkle. "Did you order an early Yule gift, love?"

Cor'lana blinks at Telamon. "An early Yule gift?" she asks, before offering him a little grin. "No, you know that gift-giving isn't much of a thing I can hide from you, Tel--"

Speak of the Pothy and he will appear. Which is to say that there's a rapping, a tapping at the bedroom door. Cor'lana laughs as she walks over to the door and opens it, letting Pothy in as the leucistic raven does his funny little corvid-walk on the floor.

"I'm dying," Pothy complains. "I need breakfast. I long for the comfort of eggs and fluffy pancakes and preserved meats."

He looks up at Telamon with bright blue eyes. "I've never been fed. Ever. Pleaaaaaaaase feed me." It appears this is his approach this morning.

Telamon laughs softly. "I know. It's near-impossible for me to hide things from you as well. Even the times I've tried, you can tell I'm doing it, so I've just given up on trying to play cards with you." When the tapping begins, he hms. "And here we go... alright Pothy, let Lana and I toss on some robes and slippers, and get the tea on."

As the trio come down the stairs, Telamon remarks, "Pothy, is there anything you'd especially like for Yule? I mean, I know you like food, but I wouldn't mind getting you something special." He gives his wife a grin. "Maybe a pair of earmuffs for when Lana and I are gushing over each other?"

Lana picks, of course, a wool robe and the ridiculous bear slippers to match Telamon's ridiculous bear slippers, and down the stairs they all go together. Pothy cheats by flying, but he waits patiently for them. "I mean, if we're playing pick-pocket, it sort of comes to a certain conclusion anyway, doesn't it?" Cor'lana responds with a wicked little grin.

Pothy makes a disgusted noise. "I think putting me out of my misery might be a kinder gift than earmuffs when you two get like that," he responds to Telamon. "Alas, I am the sworn carrier of knowledge for the inheritor. Which means I have to suffer."

Cor'lana snorts. "Maybe we could get you a little knitted hat," she says. "I'm sure Grandfather would be more than happy to provide. Or a little scarf? Maybe both?"

"Pothy, you are an absolute ham. I know Nadina drove you nuts, but must you complain about the abiding love between Lana and I?" Telamon has the kettle on, and is rapidly working on breakfast. "Look what it's brought you: a warm, safe home, family that love you, and snacks practically on demand. Surely it's a small price to pay for all of this." Tel's eyes twinkle at Lana as he serves up a light breakfast for himself and Lana, and something a bit more substantial for Pothy (knowing the familiar's tendencies).

Telamon looks thoughtful. "Maybe we could get him a new bow-tie. He looked adorable with one." Once tea and food are served, he sits down with Lana and Pothy at the table. "Or build a new nest for him. Something comfy."

"Oooh! A new bow-tie!" both Lana and Pothy exclaim at once, and then they exchange looks before they both giggle at each other. Sometimes siblings--even when one's flesh and the other's feathers--can have the exact same thought.

Lana takes a seat at the table, petting Pothy as breakfast comes out. Of course, the bird has the lion's share (raven's share?) of food, but it's only to be expected. But there's a look on her face as she starts eating. "Speaking of warm and safe homes," she says, before she frowns a little. "We should probably get the matter of the Corpse-Eater squared away. I know Auranar's been waiting. Rune's made her inquiry."

She looks thoughtful. "I should probably remain in Alexandria while you go with the others somewhere else to meet that alter ego of the Corpse-Eater's--maybe in Quelynos, in Grandfather's woods? Or just on the edge of them? That way, Grandfather can assist as needed."

Telamon frowns, thinking. "I'd want you there with me, to witness if nothing else. But... again, we're playing a feint within a feint within a feint. We have to keep him off the trail until the trap closes on him. If I show up with you in tow, he'll know he's been... heh. Rooked." He reaches over to squeeze Lana's hand. "Just stay out of trouble, hm?"

"I'm not sure we can lure the bastard all the way back into Quelynos. And I think he has more power there. Am I overthinking this? I honestly wanted to just get him outside of Alexandria and then we all jump up and down on him."

Cor'lana looks thoughtful. "Well... Do you remember, in that... Castle?" She's careful not to refer to their recent escapade in Charn by too fine a point. One can never be too careful where the Griever is concerned. "I accidentally tore open that portal to Quelynos and the Corpse-Eater stepped out? It was like he was waiting, somehow, for me to make contact--which you could probably use against your advantage."

She smiles at the hand squeeze. "Either that, or I go to Grandfather's house while you're with the others in Alexandria," she says. "The idea being... He can't be in two planes at once. I'd be safe with Grandfather, too."

Telamon nods. "I'd almost prefer that, love. I know you're strong, but I'd rather have you tucked away with Grandfather. Once we've dealt with the Corpse-Eater, we'll come by to give the good news." He makes a face. "I hate to say it like that, but... he's brought this on himself. Repeatedly. And as you said, we can't leave this to haunt our children. This mess gets cleaned up by us."

Speaking of messes, soon breakfast is dealt with, and the plates are being carted away by an unseen servant to be cleaned. "There is something to be said for a leisurely morning meal with my family," Telamon says with a smile, reaching over to pet Pothy's feathers.

Pothy makes raven-purring noises as Telamon pets him, as happy a bird as could ever be. "Breakfast was yummy!" he informs Telamon, before flapping away, off into the study.

Lana, however, remains, taking up Telamon's hand where Pothy's vacated his spot. Her violet eyes are bright as she looks up into her husband's starstruck eyes. "There really is," she says, before smirking a little, violet eyes half-lidding. "But I'm halfway inclined to go back to bed."

Maybe it's not so leisurely after all.

But outside the Lupecyll-Atlon home, one of the two garden pixies is peering into the window. "Oooh. Oooh! Mirabilis!" Lily-of-the-Valley says. "I think they're--"

"Shhh." Mirabilis harshly silences Lily. Her eyes are trained on a cloaked figure that's crossing the street. Inclining its head at the Lupecyll-Atlon house and then, after a moment, carrying on. Walking away.

"I've got a bad feeling," Mirabilis murmurs. And then she shivers.

It's no weather for a pixie to be out in.