GRIMFANG

“I wish I could stop moving. If I don’t pace I feel like I’m gonna explode or something, this is way too weird.”

He gave a shrug with a faint smile, though neither the nonchalance of his movements nor the attempt at levity really reached his eyes. “At least it wasn’t permanent. There were no pearly gates or man in the sky though. In case you were wondering.” 

“Doesn’t make it mean any less,” Rahne smiled softly in return, although the expression just as quickly dropped, “--cannae say that’s what I expected.”

Rahne. She was fairly certain that was the girls name. People continued to approach her with well wishes and Wanda had just taken to smiling and thanking them genuinely. “Honestly? I’m okay. It’s just another thing. I’m glad we weren’t gone long. I’m also sorry to cause others pain.”

“No, but that’s when it’s even more important to keep trying. It’s tiring though, isn’t it?” Some days she felt the loss of those who hadn’t returned to her life all the more intensely. Today was one of those days. Her highs and lows had sharp peaks and valleys and it had been hard to get out of bed but she was there, present and flashing a tired smile. “How are you, Rahne?”

Rahne’s thoughts were currently trying to untangle themselves, a mess of emotions and memories, and worries and fears. How are you, Rahne? Did she even have an answer?

“Well. I’m well.”

“From your fancy little Island paradise? Sorry, princess, but we don’t need useless.”

“Eh, I was going to blow them up anyway.” Tabitha shrugged off her coat and kicked it back against the wall. “Feel like I’m gonna explode myself. Apparently, some don’t like my new form of coping but I don’t think I care as of now.”

Rahne’s eyes widened before she moved to gesture to the still standing dummies, eager to see someone else unleash a bit of destruction - show her this wasn’t all a behavior she needed to quit, feelings she needed to squash.

“You know that I love being gassed up, Rahne. Don’t be shy.” Vain Tabitha. She always had been, to an extent. “Not like I’m able to get any beauty sleep anymore.”