Back to Vane

[chime_ra_tilt]

Damon's Spire held many books containing much knowledge, captivating Zelgadiss for many days of study.

None of them held the information he sought.

It was, perhaps, to be expected, but he had had such hopes of finding a way to return to his human shape, here. If his own world did not have a way to do it, certainly some other world out there would.

He would find a way, eventually. He would not stop until he did. There were, after all, many worlds that led to that strange bar.

* * *

It was a dirty and weary Zelgadiss that wandered back into Vane one evening. He had taken his time on the return journey, stopping for a few days' rest at Althena's Spring, where he had taken some much-needed baths, and for a night in Reza. But Reza and the Nanza Pass were over a week behind him, now, and it showed. And smelled.

He kept his hood up as he made his way through Vane, back the way he remembers coming.

Comments

[gorgonfondness]

Mia was just finishing up her paperwork for the night and going to the Guild kitchen for tea.

She likely would have seen the familiar hooded figure if the Guild had any windows in that hallway.

D=

[chime_ra_tilt]

Zel puts down his hood as he enters the hallway, smiling slightly at Mia. "I'm back," he says, unnecessarily. She can probably assume by his form that he didn't find the information he sought.

[gorgonfondness]

"Welcome back," she says, smiling softly.

Though it's clear from her eyes that she's sad it didn't work out for him.

"Would you like some tea? I was about to go for some myself and it's been a long way for you."

[chime_ra_tilt]

His smile gains a bit more solid hold as he nods. "Yes, please. Plain water loses its charm after the third week or so."

The disappointment doesn't weigh too heavily on him, it seems. He learned a lot during his time in the spire, even if he did not find what he specifically wanted to learn. The travel gave him time to think, and there was always some thrill to exploring new lands.

[gorgonfondness]

"You mean you didn't care to sample the alcohol that flows like a river in Nanza?" she asks.

When Mia gets the teapot, her left hand....

Well, her left hand just got a whole lot more noticeable.

[chime_ra_tilt]

"I did not think it prudent to tarry too long there."

Which isn't a no, but one wants a clear head when fighting monsters.

"That is new," he comments, a smirk forming on his face as he raises an eyebrow.

[gorgonfondness]

She smiles down at the ring as she hands him his tea.

"Since you've been gone, Draco has proposed to me. You have good timing, getting your traveling done before the word has spread. Once that happens, there will be a lot of engagement parties around here."

That's what happens when a public figure gets married.

[chime_ra_tilt]

He smiles. "Congratulations, Mia. I hope you and he are happy together."

[gorgonfondness]

"It will take some work, he still has nightmares, but I think we will."

She bounces a little.

"It wasn't long ago that we saw the rain together. It was the first time I ever saw the rain."

[chime_ra_tilt]

"You had never seen rain before?" Zelgadiss looks slightly surprised. Even if Vane was a floating city before, Mia had mentioned her travels. He had not thought of the possibility of not seeing rain when trekking cross-country.

It always seems to rain when he's traveling, to him. Just to annoy him. Bleh.

[gorgonfondness]

"No, not really. It's been a dry year pretty much everywhere, like even the weather was against us during the war."

She wonders if any of that was Ghaleon's doing.

Unintentionally, that is, but he did have Althena's power, and that did do a lot to the nature of the world.

"This was the first time Vane had really seen a true rain, and the first time I really saw one. Not just a fairy rain."

[chime_ra_tilt]

"Fairy rain?" he asks, curious.

[gorgonfondness]

"Well, that was just the name of it from the song. My song, really. It's kind of hard to explain why it's my song, but it is. I would see the rain on my window and I thought it was the fairies doing it. I guess I kind of deluded myself into think of it. I never really understood until now that the rain was really my tears."

[chime_ra_tilt]

"Ah," he says, quietly awkward and slightly embarassed.

"I'm sorry."

[gorgonfondness]

She gives a little laugh.

"Don't worry about it. If you keep talking like that, you'll start to sound like Draco."

Neither of them seem to be terribly certain.

"I'm certainly not as confined or lonely as I was then, so it's not really a problem anymore."

She sips her tea.

[chime_ra_tilt]

"That's good," he says, grateful for the tea so that he has something to do with his hands. It's warmth is appreciated.

That it tastes good doesn't hurt, either.

"You and Draco met in Milliways, you mentioned?" The idea of leaving one world to create a life in another had not occured to him.

[gorgonfondness]

She nods.

"Under some of the worst possible circumstances. I had every reason to hate him, but I can't find it in me to."

[chime_ra_tilt]

He smiles, covering it by sipping his tea. "Such relationships do change over time, even drastically."

Zel barely dares to hope, thinking of another.

[gorgonfondness]

"That is true, and he has certainly changed drastically himself. Draco was raised with a lot of prejudices about magic pedigree. In fact, his parents have told him that he isn't allowed back home unless he leaves me and permits them to choose a pureblood witch for him. That's part of his nightmares, being estranged from the only family that he ever really cared about."

[chime_ra_tilt]

"He'll have to choose, then. Or help them change as he has changed," he says, sipping his tea again.

"Your world is a quite interesting, Mia. Thanks for letting me visit."

[gorgonfondness]

"I think he has," she says, though not without sadness. "He did sort of tell his parents he never wanted to see them again. But then, he can be very stubborn."

Her own sip of tea and then a smile at his words.

"You're welcome to visit anytime you like, Zelgadiss. Who knows? Perhaps there will be some ingenious Magic Guild student who will be able to find a way to help you. And naturally, I don't mind if you want to take advantage of the city's hospitality when I finally do end up married."

[chime_ra_tilt]

His smile, though easier than it had been when he first arrived in Vane those weeks ago, still falls on the propriatary side, the slightly standoffish side of friendly.

It's just his way. It's been his way for a long time now. He keeps a certain distance. For his sake as well as those he would be close to.

"Thank you," he says. "I probably should get back and see if my door will work yet."

[gorgonfondness]

Well, standoffish, yes, but come on. This is Mia. If that fazed her, then she wouldn't try to invite Draco's parents to the wedding.

Which she is planning to do, even if she's not terribly hopeful that it'll work out.

She nods and says, "That sounds like a good idea. I hope you will be able to get back to yours soon."

[chime_ra_tilt]

"As do I," he says.

"Thank you again, Mia, for your help and hospitality. All possible happiness to you and your Draco."

And with a nod, he takes his leave, heading back the way he remembers coming.