pyrighteous | [OOC] Folkmore IC Inbox

[Rue just needs to test the waters first.]

If your Uncle arrived right now and wished to take you back with him, would you prefer to stay here with Casey and I in Folkmore or to return with him?

[ That's one HECK of a question. Hunter freezes - and the fact that he can't answer right away is an answer all by itself. ]

I - I - if he came here I wouldn't have a choice. I'd HAVE to go back with him.

[For all of the pause that Hunter gives, Rue's answer is immediate.]

We would protect you.

[Though their voice stays soft as ever, there is a curl of authority around every word, a promise in what they are saying. Whatever it took, Rue would keep him safe away from Belos.]

You wouldn't have to return with him unless you wanted to. But if you allowed us, dearest, we would keep you safely here with us. We would give you the choice to choose what you wanted to do.

-- You can't!

[ Hunter's head snaps up in alarm. ]

You don't understand. He's the strongest witch in the Isles and it's not even close. He'd kill you if you got in his way.

Hunter -

[The arm around him slips away so that Rue can sweep up one of his hands into their paw again, the other paw dropping tenderly over it. Just cocooned in a bed of soft feathers.]

I swear to you, we would not let him touch you. We can and will keep you safe.

[ They're such nice feathers. So soft as Hunter shakes under them. ]

I - but - how do you know that for sure?

[For all of his shaking, Rue's touch is strong and steady.]

Because we both care about you. And we would do anything to see you happy.

[the power of love, hunter]

I do not know how much Casey has told you of the rest of our family, but they are quite the formidable team. And more than even them, I know any of our friends here in this realm would step in to help too. All of us could keep you safe. If that is what you want, Hunter, we would make sure you never have to return to that man again.

[ What a thought that is. Never go back, never talk to his uncle again. There's a flicker of hope in his face, covered up swiftly by guilt. ]

He's dead anyway.

[oh thank god]

I did not realize. I'm very sorry for your loss, dear.

[A squeeze of their paws over his hand.]

Forgive me for getting so impassioned. I was just struck by the idea of you being taken against your will back to a life you were not ready to return to. But you are still here with us, and the promise to keep you safe remains. You are one of ours now.

[ Hunter just nods, slumping over a bit. He feels so bad for being this relieved, but ... Rue is right. He can't be dragged back to Belos, at least. And he's finally realized he doesn't want to go back at all.

He stifles a sniffle. ]

Just like that?

Just like that.

[It is a promise. Folkmore has been kind to them so far, but if the trials become as difficult as Rue has heard they can be, Hunter always has a safe space with Rue.]

Would you like a hug, little one?

[ Hunter nods at that; he can't talk or he'll wind up sobbing a little. ]

[Rue is just going to release his hand so they can rise and move to kneel by his chair instead, which puts Hunter at the perfect hugging height for one giant owlbear. It's no surprise that their wings just fully envelop him in that embrace, blocking out the rest of the world with their soft feathers.

They can stay for this as long as Hunter needs to be held. It sounds like he really needs it.]

[ That's it, he's totally ruined for hugs forever. NOTHING is going to compare after this perfect fluffy embrace.

Hunter winds up clinging to them and letting out a soft, tearful noise. Just burying his face in their feathers. ]

[Poor darling. Well, this just won't do.

Rue is just going to heft him up with them, not daring to jostle from where he's clinging, and take him to the couch. That way Hunter can cry and cling as much as he needs with their absolute full attention. A little repositioning so their wings can fall lightly over his back, like a perfect feathery blanket.]

I have you, Hunter. You do not need to hold back. I'm right here.

[ WHOOPS he's being hefted! Lots of new things today. He squirms a bit and clings to their shoulders until they get to the catch.

He winds up scrubbing at his eyes with his hand. ]

I'm - I'm okay. I even don't know why I'm crying.

[Not letting him go quite yet.]

Trust me when I say that I am quite familiar with that feeling. But it's just fine. There is nothing wrong with crying, I promise. More often than not, it means that your body was just too stressed and needed a quick way to relieve it. So take your time, anything else can wait.

[ Hunter nods at that. And just. Finally lets it all out. Big wet sobs, like he's letting out years of trauma all at once.

Good thing he has such a soft feather bed to soak them up. ]

[let that trauma out!!!!

However long it takes, Rue is right there as promised, eventually shifting just enough to press a giant paw to his back and run soothing circles there while he sobs, maybe doing a little covert texting over his head, just to let Casey know where his roomie is. It is heartbreaking to watch sweet Hunter unravel like this, but more than anything, Rue can not forget the fear in his face talking about his uncle.

They would give anything to raise the man from the dead just put him back in the grave again, but Rue can save that bubbling anger for later. Right now, Hunter needs healing hugs and the owlbear is happy to provide them.]

There, there, darling.

[They give him five, ten, however many minutes he needs, and once it feels like his skinny frame isn't sobbing quite so violently, they wrap their arms around him again for a full-body super-tight hug.]

When you feel up for it, we're going to get you some water, some cocoa, and we'll put on a movie. Something light and fun.

[ The best healing hugs. Sorry, Casey, Hunter's going to be back later than he thought. He's barely even given Rue any details about Belos, and yet ...

Well. The shape is obvious even blurred, and it's not a pretty one. His uncle was never subtle. Hunter just needed time and space to realize it.

Eventually, the sobs die down to sniffles, and those reduce to thick breathing instead. He's getting there. It's passing. ]

Wh-what about Casey's party?

[Having a breakdown in Rue's arms and the boy is still worried about his friend.]

What are you doing the day after tomorrow? I could come into town this time, so you won't have to travel so far, and we could go out for brunch and to start shopping for supplies.

[ LOOK. look. Casey is Important and Hunter has a lot of feelings about him. ]

Oh. That - that'd be nice, yeah. I'm still getting used to shopping.

Then it's a date. So today can be spent just relaxing instead.

[And then more gently,]

Do you mind if I get up for cocoa? I'll be right back and you can rest against me as much as you like.

--oh! Yeah! I - I'll be fine. Promise.

[ He swipes at his face one more time and moves away a bit to give them room. ]

[one more little affectionate pat on the head before Rue slips away to the kitchen to get them some refreshments. And to panic text at Casey a little more.

But within a few moments, they return with an ornate serving tray, two huge mugs of cocoa topped with whipped cream and marshmallows. And a pitcher of water with glasses, for rehydrating after all of those tears. They settle back in next to the teen, but not before pulling the blanket from the back of their couch and laying it over Hunter's legs.

Be cozy, be warm, feel safe. All will be well.]

Do you have any movies you prefer from watching with Casey?

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