#fungus lore

Ellie's joy is doubled when she finds herself dancing, and not just because here dancing is safe, here dancing won't be interrupted by death.

When she dances Riley dances with her, beneath her feet. She knows, in her bones, that this is true.

She can't prove that the echo of Riley somehow caused the ground beneath her feet to lurch, sending her crashing into Dina.

(who caught her, of course)

But what harm is it, to hear her friend's delighted laugh in the call of a bird when Dina blushes and tells her (fondly!) to watch her step?

~

Ellie used to dream of Tess, in-between the other nightmares. She was sure Joel did too, when he startled awake and refused to tell her why. Was quiet (even for him) the next day.

Now, this dream Tess is peaceful. Unmarred by blood and fear and fire. Fungus weaves itself through her hair, lends a shine to her eyes that isn't quite human, the same shine Ellie spots in her own when she catches brief glimpses of her reflection passing mirrors. There is greenery around her, foliage rustling in a gentle breeze.

"You did good kid."

"I didn't," Ellie says, "I didn't save anyone, or the world."

"You saved one person," Tess tilts her head, as if listening to the wind. She looks different, less human, "you'll save more, in time."

"What does that mean though?

Tess shakes her head, grins. She looks solid again, as solid as a dream, an echo, can be.

"Tell him, ah forget it. He'll know soon." She reaches for Ellie, touches her shoulder, her touch gossamer as a spider's web.

Ellie wakes, knows for certain what is in the future, what will become of them. As she sinks back into sleep she decides that's not a bad future, not at all.

The next morning she remembers nothing of the dream, but wakes calm, reassured.

~

The first time Ellie slept outside the QZ, she felt cradled. Like the Earth was holding her close. It was an easy thing to dismiss. As time goes by, when the feeling arises, she lets it. Allows it in, relaxes into the sense of safety, of love. She imagines this is what being held by a parent must feel like, hopes that somewhere deep in her memory the echo of that feeling is there, even if she can never recall it.

There must be a reason the Earth is called mother after all.