Chapter Text
The overwhelming scent of lavender is what hits him first - calming to the frazzled mind and frayed nerves - as Ash's boots sink into the soft grass of Prawdziwa Polska 2. Whirls of purple particles from the waystone flutter around him, scattering from his vision, until only his own glitches remain in their place. Soon after, the whoosh of teleportation fades from his ears to reveal the gentle sound of birdsong, the rustle of wind through the trees and grass, and the distant rumble of an enormous beast deep in slumber.
Taking a moment to glance around and get his bearings, he soon sets off to where the inhabitants of the little island lay. His strides are long and confident, a man on a mission, but he easily navigates through the flowers so as not to crush a single stem. He knows how much this land means, how precious it is, how each blade of grass damaged is an offence to the one who owns it.
And speaking of, as he crests the hill and looks down towards the fields, he spots the exact man he was looking for in coming here.
A dot of bright white and red against a backdrop of purple.
Ewron.
His blade nestled amongst his favourite colour.
Huffing to himself at the sentiment, he descends from the hill and approaches the man quietly from behind. Ewron sits near Puszek, facing the giant beast as he fiddles with something in his lap, seemingly engrossed and unaware of Ash's presence.
Slowing upon nearing the other, Ash takes a moment to stop and tilt his head, simply observing. Though quiet, he can hear Ewron singing to himself in Polish, oddly soft and high for the usually grating man. It's a whimsical tune, though it does get interrupted by the now increasingly loud snoring of Princess and Puszek. His communicator pings once or twice, barely able to pick up the words. Out of curiosity, Ash checks to see if the lyrics are anything interesting, only to huff in exasperation and mild amusement at the words presented on his screen. Something about bread, enjoying bread, eating bread. Of course.
Putting the device away, Ash refocuses, about to take a step towards Ewron - but pauses. Ewron's jacket is off. His hood is down, his hair free, and his ears on display.
His elven ears.
It's not the first time he's seen them - far from it. Ewron's many outfit changes involved a lot of instances where the man was without hat or hood. But this is the first time Ash has really been able to take notice, with Ewron sat calm and still.
It's easy to forget Ewron isn't actually a red panda hybrid. That the man is simply able to just… change.
The thought settles into place as Ash steps forward, watching those long ears twitch as Ewron registers the noise of his boots in the grass before his head even turns to face him.
Ewron's calm expression splits wide into an enthusiastic grin upon seeing him, eyes squinted by his cheeks. It's charming, his smile, like many aspects about him. A useful tool of manipulation for a cockroach. In regards to Ash though? He hasn't felt like that smile has been deceitful towards himself for quite some time.
"Ash, Ash, Ash! Cześć! How's it going, my man?" Ewron greets, raising a hand briefly, before returning to fiddle with the bundle of fabric held in his lap.
"Going good, um, what are you doing exactly?" Ash responds, lowering himself into the grass beside Ewron, pointing at the jacket held between his hands.
Ewron hums distractedly, his tongue poking from between his lips for a moment. "Hm? Oh, fixing this. It got a little torn up when I was exploring, you know?"
Nodding in acknowledgement, Ash looks down, watching Ewron sew with surprising deftness. Quick and clever fingers move in practised motions, making easy work of the remaining tears in the fabric - Ewron must fix his own clothes a lot then, he reasons.
Looking closer, it seems the hood of the jacket has holes, carefully cut and embroidered at the edges to fit animal ears through. A lot of care and effort clearly had been put into the ease of comfort of the design.
That fact gives Ash pause, his gaze once more focusing on Ewron's long pointed ears. His burning curiosity soon wins out, and he clears his throat with a low cough before speaking.
"Those holes in your hood…" he starts, careful not to sound too concerned, too interested.
"Mhm, yeah?" Ewron replies absent-mindedly.
"They're for your ears, I get that, um… I've never actually bothered to ask, but like… you're some kinda elf, right?"
Ewron pauses his motions, blinking. He finally looks at Ash once more, raising a brow at him. "Yes?" he says, an edge of a 'no shit Sherlock' tone to his voice, but not quite mocking just yet.
Ash ignores it, as he so often has to with Ewron. "So, how come most of the time you have panda ears n' shit?"
"I am a dark elf, Ashswag. I have magics. I just change, y'know?" Ewron laughs then, like the answer is obvious; natural. "Besides, being a panda is comfortable…" he adds, softer, shrugging.
"You can just do that? Doesn't it hurt?" Ash asks, focusing in on what had really been bothering him. "What with your, uh, flesh- body, and…"
Ewron's laughter increases, giggling delightedly at Ash's confusion.
"No, it's magic, Ash. Easy!"
"Huh…"
The answer isn't too satisfying, nor does it explain much, which is hardly new when speaking with Ewron. But, it does make Ash ponder about his own shapeshifting. The difference between his inorganic body glitching to take on the appearance of others - how artificial it feels - versus the realism of Ewron's ever-moving ears and tail.
He wonders about if they're real or not; if they're an illusion just like his own shapeshifting…
He wonders if they're warm, if they're soft…
He's pulled out of his strange thoughts as Ewron begins to put his jacket back on, his panda ears appearing once more through the holes in the hood, his tail slinking out from beneath the jacket.
It really is magic. No effect, no dramatics; they just appear as if they were there from the start.
"So, those are like, real, then?"
"What?" Ewron squints at him, tugging his hood into place, apparently having lost the conversation thread during Ash's brief silence.
"Your ears and stuff,"
"No, they're kurwa fucking, headband and belt. Yes, they're real," Ewron scoffs, to Ash's annoyance.
"Okay, jeez, can't a guy be curious?" He frowns, raising his palms in a 'you caught me' gesture. Squinting at him, Ewron shifts in the grass, turning to face him fully.
"Why though? Why do you ask?" he questions, tilting his head. "What's the sudden interest?"
"I dunno, I just…" Ash pauses, watching the panda ears twitch in response to his voice. "Can I touch them?" he blurts, and regrets. Pressing his lips together, he holds his breath, his entire body freezing as he awaits questioning and derision.
But Ewron's expression seems only confused and amused. Teasing.
"You want to-?"
"Forget it, that was weird, ignore it-" Ash cuts him off, waving his hands in a dismissive gesture.
"Nie nie nie, Ash, it's fine," Ewron says, laughter in his voice. "Sure! Why not? You can touch. Because you asked so nicely, and because you are you," he shrugs, easy. As if the request is so, so easy. As if his reasoning isn't… insane.
"… You're sure?" Ash asks, just to be certain, and watches as Ewron leans forwards a little, his tail swishing in the grass behind him.
"Of course!"
"… Alright, man. Then…" he says as he peels off a glove, wiping his clammy palm against his leg. Reaching for Ewron, he notices the slight tremor in his fingers, and briefly squeezes his hand closed, taking a steadying breath. Ewron bows his head before him, eyes closing, hands folded politely in his lap, though his fingertips fidget and pick at his jacket sleeves. Again, it's odd to see the man so still, so at rest, but there's something relieving about the lack of eye contact.
A little more sure, he finally extends his hand, pressing a single fingertip against an ear. It twitches beneath his touch, soft fur flicking against his knuckles. His lips part on a breath, and if he had eyes they'd surely have widened in wonder. Braver now, curious, he curls his remaining fingers around the ear, marvelling at the sheer warmth and softness; the life and energy he can feel thrumming just beneath the surface.
Odd flickers of emotion and memory come to him as he pets his thumb in small circles through the fur. Memories of cold walls and floors, starchy sheets, chemical clean smells, and uncomfortable hospital gowns. Nothing like… this. Comfort and warmth, softness and vulnerability. Nothing to have, nothing to hold. No plushes, no pets, no clothes to call his own.
He may not remember much of what happened to him, but he certainly remembers the spaces between. The lack of things that many would deem as… human.
Unthinkingly, he bites into his other glove and tugs it off, letting it drop into his lap. Then, greedy, searching for more, he reaches for Ewron's other ear. He buries his fingers into the soft fur, thumbs pressing in firm circles.
"Your magic… it makes like, nerves and blood vessels and everything?" he asks as he glances down at Ewron, though the man's face is hidden beneath his hood. It takes Ewron a moment to respond, swaying into Ash's touch before jolting suddenly, nodding as much as he can without knocking Ash's hands loose.
"Y… Yeah. Yeah, it does," he says, quiet and breathy; relaxed. "They're like, my real ears, you know? Like, my other ears become these ones," he gestures briefly, vaguely, to where his ears should usually be.
"Huh… and your tail?" Ash asks, looking down at where the limb twitches in the grass. Ewron shakes beneath his hands with restrained laughter, his words laced with a teasing edge that doesn't quite cut as sharp as usual.
"Ah, hah… You want to touch that too?"
"Can I?" Ash says, eager and oblivious, or simply uncaring.
"Uh, yeah…"
"You sure?"
"Mhm, just, be careful, because it's like, part of my spine," Ewron emphasises, jabbing a finger into Ash's chest, who nods quickly.
"Oh, totally. I'll be careful, promise,"
His words must carry how serious he is, or perhaps Ewron truly does just trust him that much, because it takes no time at all for the limb to curl into his lap. The weight is warm across his thighs, and he gives one last stroke to Ewron's ears to instead curl his fingers into its fur.
"Huh…" he breathes, digging his fingers in and marvelling at how soft it is. He tries to wrack his brain for something to compare it to, but finds himself lacking, devoid of experience or reference point. Avoiding the depressing thought, he lets go to instead smooth his palms over the length of it. It moves in response to his touch, tensing and relaxing as he squeezes. He can feel the delicate bones beneath the skin. Vertebrae? Ewron did say it's part of his spine…
"So, this helps you balance and stuff…?" he asks, glancing at Ewron, who he catches peering at him with wide eyes from beneath the rim of his hood.
"Mn… more or less. It helps for when I'm sneaking," Ewron says in his usual mischievous tone, though there's a slight waver to his voice before he giggles out his little gremlin laugh. The noise makes Ash huff in amusement, shaking his head fondly. Then he pauses, tilting his head at Ewron for a long moment in thought.
"Can you turn fully into a red panda?"
Ewron seems to consider the question, then shakes his head, hissing through his teeth in disappointment.
"Ah, no, that would be awesome, you know? But that's a little outside my skill level,"
"Oh, but resurrecting the dead isn’t?"
Ash receives a simple shrug in response, to his mild annoyance.
"Okay, well… can you do other animals then? Or is it just the red panda?"
"Hm, a couple of others, but I prefer the panda most,"
That actually surprises Ash. He'd only asked for the sake of asking, but to hear Ewron was actually capable of more animal forms was a shock. How many was he hiding? For how long?
"… Can I see them?"
"The others? Sure, but why?"
"Just 'cause. It's… interesting,"
"Oh, I'm interesting, am I?" Ewron teases, then speaks over Ash's stuttered protest. "Hm, okay, but listen listen listen-"
"I'm listening-"
"This one… Maybe it will be kinda gross?" Ewron shrugs, looking oddly unsure of himself for once. "Kinda scary, I dunno. You are Supreme Leader so I don't think you will be scared, but-"
"Whatever it is, just show me. I promise, I'll be fine," Ash says, as gentle as he is direct in his reassurance. It has the intended effect as Ewron nods to himself with renewed confidence.
"Sure, sure… Okay then, look,"
The shift is sudden. Ash lets out a soft 'aw' of disappointment as the tail beneath his palms disappears from his grasp, but his attention is quickly stolen by Ewron's new appearance. Shifting from side to side, Ewron stares at him, awaiting judgement as his new features emerge. Antennae poking through the holes in the hood of his jacket; chitin covering his fingers like claws; and mandibles now curling from beneath his lips.
A cockroach. Of fucking course.
"Ta-da?"
"Of course you'd be a fucking cockroach, dude," Ash laughs, but continues before Ewron can take true offence. "That's so cool. Do you have like, an exoskeleton now?" he reaches out, snatching Ewron's hands into his own, to the other's surprise. Twisting and turning his palms over, Ash moves Ewron's fingers to watch the plating bend and separate along each joint, fascinated with the intricate movement.
"Uh- not everywhere," Ewron says, his voice backed by a faint buzzing. As he speaks, something shifts and flickers behind his back, which quickly catches Ash's attention.
"What's that?"
"Oh, um… wings," Ewron says, casual.
"You can grow wings!?"
"Well, yeah! But I cannot fly, I am too fat,"
"Don't say that," Ash 'tsk's, dropping Ewron's hands to move over, looking at the wings fluttering beneath his cloak. Scared to touch the delicate membrane, Ash simply observes, watching the way the light catches and bounces across them. The iridescence is like a oil spill… Strangely beautiful, for such a commonly hated creature.
"What? It's true!" Ewron laughs. "The wings cannot carry me, they would have to be like, bwoom! Huge, y'know?"
"That's a shame… Still, cool though,"
"Thank you, Ash," Ewron says, not at all hiding how he preens at the small amount of praise. However, the smug smile is soon wiped from his face, his eyes flying wide as Ash leans in close, his featureless face staring intently. "Woah, uh-!"
"And these? How are these connected?" Ash muses, looking at where the mandibles emerge from Ewron's mouth. Then, unthinkingly, he cups Ewron's cheek in his palm, holding the other man's head in place.
"Th… they are, ah, from my teeth…"
Ash hums in interest, watching as the mandibles move with Ewron's words. Brushing his thumb to the corner of Ewron's mouth, he pushes at his lip to see where they connect better. "Freaky… uh, not in a bad way though! It's cool," he mutters, genuinely fascinated. Marvelling at the intricate mouth parts, he feels a distracted hum through Ewron's cheek vibrate against his palm.
Ewron's magic is powerful in a way he hadn't considered before. The concentration needed to create muscle, bone, nerves, blood vessels… The attention to detail needed to effectively mimic and reconstruct the anatomy of other living things. He knew from Ghosty's resurrection that Ewron is capable, but perhaps he's still underestimating just how much he can do.
"And these?" Ash asks, reaching up with his other hand, fingers hovering near the swaying antennae atop Ewron's head. Before he can make contact though, Ewron jerks his face out of his grip. The antennae twitch away, but almost immediately he tilts his head back into Ash's range. His bows his head again, as if in apology. Or perhaps forgiveness.
"Be careful, please… Sensitive…" he murmurs. Ash glances down, worried that he's pushed too far. The only feature visible under Ewron's hood is his mouth, pressed into a thin line.
"Yeah, of course," Ash assures softly, instantly. He knows what it's like to be poked, prodded, and observed without care. Without consent. He would never want to do the same to anybody. To Ewron.
With renewed permission, his fingers graze the stems gently, cautiously, tracing up the length in fascination as they waver and twitch.
"Do you smell stuff with these?"
"Mn…" Ewron nods; a high, muffled noise. "And, ah… feel, and taste? It's hard to describe,"
"That's interesting… like, synaesthesia? Kinda?"
"Syna-what? What is that?"
"Oh the like, seeing things you smell, and seeing colours in music thing,"
"Oh, um… Hrm, kinda? I guess?" Ewron shrugs. "It's just a lot of information at once, you know,"
Nodding in understanding, Ash curls his fingers around one. He holds the stem gently, running his thumb pad over the ridges and admiring the smooth texture. "Sorry, my hands probably, uh, 'taste' weird, huh?" he cringes, at the thought and at his own words.
"Um…" Ewron breathes, and pauses. "N-no… No, mostly just, a lot of leather,"
"Leather? Oh, my gloves,"
"Mhm," he hums, soft and high. Ash sees him shift back and forth in place, the grass rustling with his movement. Somehow, he never moves out of range though. Quiet falls over them for a moment. It's not exactly uncomfortable, but an odd tension saturates the air. Ash is so used to Ewron's usual chatter, that having him subdued and silent beneath his hands is… strange. He feels the need to fill the void left without Ewron's voice, and thankfully has further questions to prompt him with.
"Any other forms you can do, or no?" he asks eventually. He lets go of Ewron's antennae slowly, wary of pulling or tugging on it accidentally.
"One more, for now," Ewrons replies, quiet. His antennae flick and twitch in response to being freed, a shiver running through his frame.
"And what's that?"
There is a noticeable pause.
"Ah, this one is… maybe a little embarrassing. Maybe a little cringe for you, I don't know," Ewron says, trailing off into a mutter.
"What?" Ash asks, suddenly worried Ewron will refuse to indulge him anymore. "No, c'mon, show me. Show me, show me, I wanna see, c'mon," he pleads, pressing his palms together and leaning into Ewron's space.
"Alright, alright!" Ewron caves, running his hands over his face. "Just… kurwa mać, I had reasons to learn this form, okay?" he sighs into his palms, muffled.
"Okay…?"
There one second, changed the next. The antennae disappear, replaced by pointed, furry ears. The wings shrink, and out emerges a long, waving tail from behind his back. Armoured, chitinous claws retract, and as Ewron pulls his hands away from his face, long whiskers spring out from his cheeks.
Ash stares.
Then bursts out into delighted laughter.
"Oh my god, you learned how to be a fucking cat boy-!"
"I had reasons, kurwa, I said-!"
"You learned how to be a fucking cat boy for the trial, didn't you!? Oh my god-"
"Kurwa Ashswag, it was the perfect manipulation, okay!? How can I hate cats if I am one, you know?"
"That's so fucking ridiculous, dude. You're fucking insane, oh my god. What is wrong with you? What is wrong with this guy?" Ash laughs, to himself and no one. He chokes on his own breath as Ewron flails at him, desperate to explain himself and be understood.
"I didn't want to go to jail! But, besides, listen listen listen-"
"I'm listening, bro, oh my god-" Ash struggles out past exhausted breaths, trying to reign his humour in.
"I didn't manage to learn the transformation in time, so I didn't get to use it during the trial,"
"But you still learned it afterwards anyway!?" Ash exclaims in disbelief, hopes dashed of calming down as another wave of laughter hits him.
"Well, fucking, of course!" Ewron protests, smiling. "What was I going to do, just waste all the time I spent? I may as well have gotten something out of it,"
"Oh my god, a fucking cat boy form, I can't with you man…" Ash wheezes, curling over his stomach in pain. Ewron can't help the snicker that escapes him as he listens to Ash laugh, and unsuccessfully tries to school his expression into one of scolding. Amusement still tugs at his lips as he speaks.
"Kurwa fucking Ashswag, do you still want to look at this or no? Because if not I am changing back," he threatens, which quickly gets Ash to shoot up, sitting as politely as can be.
"No no no, wait, no, I'm still looking, I promise," he coughs, then takes deep breaths to calm himself down.
"Hm… okay," Ewron frowns at him, crossing his arms. "Fine, get on with it then," he sighs, very obviously faking impatience. It's a little hard to to take a scowling cat boy seriously though.
"Damn, alright, my bad," Ash snickers to himself, laughter shaking him one last time before he gets ahold of himself properly.
There's no hesitation as he reaches out for Ewron now. His fingers meet Ewron's ears with eager, gentle pressure, and almost immediately it becomes apparent the difference between cat and panda. Whereas the panda form was thick and fluffy, the cat ears feel almost like velvet beneath his fingertips. Even that small difference fascinates him. The ears are much thinner too, bending easily beneath his touch as he rubs circles over the fur.
As focused as he is on his observations, it takes him a moment to register a change in the noise surrounding them.
A low, rolling rumble.
He looks down as his ears pick up on it, wondering if Ewron has noticed it too. Wondering if it's something to be concerned about. Only to realise the noise is coming from Ewron himself.
It feels like his thoughts lag, trying to make sense of it. He watches Ewron's tail swish lazily through the grass as the truth settles into place, trickling like syrup through his brain. As soon as the dots connect, his mouth drops open in astonishment.
"Are you fucking purring?"
Ewron goes eerily still.
"Wh- no!" he denies, shoulders hunching. Shaking off Ash's hands, he sits up straight to meet his gaze defiantly. Almost immediately though, he caves. "Maybe? So what if I am?" he huffs, folding his arms.
Though his embarrassment is amusing, that's not what Ash is concerned about.
"You can do that? You changed your vocal chords too?" he asks, leaning in to look at Ewron's throat, as if somehow he can see the change through the skin if he just focuses hard enough.
"I mean, yeah…?" Ewron says, tilting his head up and away. "I also do it to, uh, like- you know when I am a priest? To amplify my voice, for rituals,"
"That's so interesting dude…" Ash murmurs.
Then, without thinking, he reaches out.
And palms Ewron's throat.
"Uh-?"
His voice vibrates, tickling his skin. He can feel the rumble of purring through his fingers, up his wrist, into the bones of his arm. Warmth seeps into his skin from the contact, the heat trapped from between Ewron's hair and hood curling over his knuckles. It makes him realise just how cold his own body runs in comparison. Makes him realise why.
Warmth. Life. Blood.
He can feel Ewron's pulse. A thrumming rhythm beneath his fingertips, pattering rabbit-quick beneath Ewron's skin. It's hypnotic, pulling his focus until almost everything else fades into the background. The rhythm skips a step as he feels Ewron swallow beneath his palm.
"Ash, uh," Ewron's voice floats past him. Glancing up briefly, he tries to listen to what he's saying. His focus is caught as Ewron wets his lips, his gaze narrowing in on the peek of fangs as he speaks. "You might want to, y'know, back off a little, yeah?"
"Huh?" he responds numbly, his own voice faint to his ears.
Ewron's voice rumbles against his palm, the man's mouth moving as he says something, rambling, but it falls on deaf ears.
He has the sudden urge to choke him.
His fingers twitch, a flash of worry shooting through his body at the thought. What is wrong with him? Why would he think that? He doesn't want that - to hurt Ewron. Not in such a way, at least. Not like how he used to be.
Strangely though, he also doesn't want to let go.
Slowly, as if on their own, his fingers begin to curl, pressing firmer to the delicate line of Ewron's throat. He hears the man's breath hitch; watches in curiosity as Ewron's eyes flutter in response.
His blade.
His loyal blade.
A man that would do anything for him. Would let him do anything to him…
"Ash!"
His world snaps into focus.
Finally, he notices the state Ewron is in. Face flushed; cat-like pupils blown wide; breaths puffing fast and shallow against the skin of his wrist.
He notices his own position, looming over Ewron; crowding him in, almost pushing him flat into the grass. Only Ewron's elbows keep himself up, supporting him beneath the pressure of Ash's presence.
Ash freezes.
And comes to a horrifying conclusion.
"Oh, shoot, fuck, I'm sorry man," he stutters, snatching his hands away from Ewron. "I didn't mean to- to scare you, I-" he backs off, hands hovering, wanting to help sit him up again, but not wanting to cause more harm.
"It's fine! It's fine, just-" Ewron bursts out, voice high and shaking. He pushes himself to a sitting position, avoiding Ash's gaze. Fumbling, he then pulls the half-cloak of his jacket over his body, hunching as he does so. Making himself smaller. His ears and tail then disappear, as sudden as they had appeared in the first place. The odd tuft of hair peaks through the holes in his hood in their absence.
Did he really scare Ewron so bad that he needs to shield himself? To revert back, to hide his most vulnerable parts?
"I… I'm sorry. Truly, I'm so sorry-"
"Kurwa, Ash, it's fine," Ewron cuts him off, sighing through his teeth.
Ash doesn't feel like it is. He feels the tone of his voice hit his gut, sinking in like a stone. The next words Ewron speaks, Ash feels that stone tighten into an aching knot.
"Anyway, I think it is time to liege wie, don't you?"
The words are rushed; dismissive. Ash feels anxiety spike through his limbs like lightning.
"But-"
"Liege wie, Ashswag," Ewron insists, finally looking at him. His eyes scream desperation. Pleading. "I will talk to you tomorrow, okay?" he adds, a little more gentle at least.
Swallowing, Ash nods. After all, it's the least he can do. To give Ewron his space, and to respect his wishes.
"… Okay. Goodnight, Ewron," he says, picking up his gloves as he stands. He brushes stray blades of grass from his uniform, and receives a hushed farewell.
"Goodnight, Ash. Au revoir,"
"… Au revoir," he replies, backing up. Then, he turns, striding back the same way he came from. The grass swishes gently around his legs, and once more, he takes the care to avoid crushing a single flower as he ascends to the hilltop. Gradually, he slows as he reaches the peak. Coming to a standstill, he turns back to gaze down into the fields, watching the dot of red and white that makes up Ewron begin to set up a bedroll for the night. He observes for a moment through the dim twilight. Watches until Ewron climbs beneath the covers, curled up under the emerging stars.
He can still feel the phantom sensation of Ewron's pulse beneath his fingers. The cool night air whisks the residual warmth from his skin.
And he finds himself wanting. Longing.
There's an ache in his gut, and an itch between his teeth. His hands grasp slowly at the air, wanting to dig his fingers in to something.
What exactly… does he want from Ewron? To hurt him? No, never. They argue sometimes- they play fight, sure. But he'd never want to hurt him; not like that.
To go back to how he was… The thought scares him.
"Fuck… I'll make it up to him," he sighs, pulling his gloves back on. Clenching his fists, he tries to dispel the phantom feeling of fur beneath his palms. Then, he strides up to the waystone, reaching out to return home.
To his cold, empty, marble room.