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

[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.