#prodegression

“Once we’re there I’ll give you further instructions.”

For the first time in a long while the blonde walked briskly, with purpose. The former leader of his Grand Cardinals dutifully trailed behind him, ready and awaiting his commands. Her presence returned a semblance of responsibility to the boy, the sense that he was still a leader, even in death.  He couldn’t back down or step off, even now.

She didn’t need a leader. 

She didn’t need his guidance, or to take orders from him any longer.

Perhaps it was that she had returned at all that--that she still wanted to follow him even after everything--that prompted him to play this game of make believe.  She gave him a reason to pick himself back up, even if it was only by sheer force of will. Even if they had no goal, no plan, no support or acceptance from even the sister he tried so hard to save.

He was running on nothing and he had no idea how long it would take for him to get tired of the game of pretend; but at least responsibility forced him to do that.

THe half-elf glanced over his shoulder back at Pronyma, ready to give her a brief idea of what he had in mind, but before he was even able to open his mouth another figure caught the corner of his eye.

He turned, clearly taken aback by her presence, and instinctively cringed when he noticed the look in her eye. It seemed they were both back in this city.

----[♕] He really should be looking for his brothers, shouldn’t he? But the snow is so pretty that he can’t resist watching as it flutters to the ground, accumulating in fluffy white piles that glisten beneath the streetlights. It’s a little cold, sure, but there are always shops he could run into if he starts shivering too terribly. 

As he stands fascinated by the snow, he wishes his brothers were here with him. He and Hakuren would probably have a lot of fun playing in the snow together, but Hakuyuu might tell the both of them to stop messing around and get inside. But they could always throw a snowball at him to get him to join in, too. Gosh, where are they? They’re missing out!

He sees another boy who looks at the snow with a similar look in his eye. Hey, maybe Hakuryuu can say hi, and this boy can help him look for his brothers! It’s a lot more fun to do something you need to do if you’ve got company, after all. They can play in the snow and drink hot cocoa while they ask around about two really strong, really amazing men who look a little like Hakuryuu. 

“Hey, there! Isn’t the snow great? It’s so pretty, how it falls! I wish it weren’t so cold, though.”

A quiet man who’s been deeply hurt, and one she wants desperately to learn to be kind to himself.

The traitorous angel who broke her out of the ranch; a person she didn’t understand for a long time, and now someone she tries to carry at least a little of his heavy burden for.

Her best friend and close companion, the father of her child. The love of her life, though in a quiet way that they sort of stumbled into, not a sweeping, passionate romance. Someone she loves to tease, just to see his awkward responses.

@highbornoflittlegarden

The vestiges of time and space were never very important after you’ve lived for hundreds of thousands of years, especially as a Summon Spirit. There were times when it was twisted and messed with, but usually not ones noticed until much later- such as the split of alternate universes. 

However, this was something Ratatosk didn’t pay a lot of attention to until being dropped in this city and meeting people who were from the past, present, AND future.

But then this event that destroyed those very ‘sensitive’ points of the time-space continuum, such as what could be seen right now. Yes, for the longest time he knew that their age gap was....questionable as he looked like he was a 18 year old, red eyed version of Aster Laker, but now-

----[♕] He’s a little lonely, walking by himself, but he reminds himself that he has to get a little stronger because that’s what Hakuren and Hakuyuu would want. He hopes they’re all right and that he’ll get to see them soon. 

Before long, though, he realizes that he’s... really lost. Did he pass by that bookstore already? Or is this a different one? The boy rubs his forehead with his palm and tries to think of what his brothers would do. They might ask for directions, right? Most of the adults seem too intimidating, though. Someone his age might work better.

He scans his surroundings and notices a child with fluffy white hair. Maybe he knows something! The boy looks a little angry, but Hakuryuu thinks they can be friends.

----[♕] This place is kind of scary. The buildings are so tall, and big metal creatures make strange rumbling noises as they zoom past. And people just push past the child as if he’s not there. He falls to the pavement, skins his knee against concrete, and blinks back tears. Where are his brothers? Surely, they would keep him safe from the crowds and rescue him from this place.

His lower lip trembles, and all he wants is to sit down in the middle of the sidewalk and cry until someone comes and makes everything okay. He hugs himself and keeps walking because Hakuyuu and Hakuren would tell him to be brave and strong, but he doesn’t feel like he is either of those things at all.

Then, he sees her robes. He’s not alone! The boy darts across the busy street, launching his small frame at her legs.