charcoalfeather | Post-Trustfell Catchall

It wasn't easy when Rakka returned to Glie, though it wasn't like she could expect anything less then that.

But Rakka was happy to have come back home at all. Rick had done that much for them, after who knows how long they searched. But finally, she was back in Old Home, she had never been happier to see it's worn stone walls. The worst of her return comes with the rest of the older Haibane freaking out when they see her-- turns out that they'd all assumed she'd taken the Day of Flight weeks ago.... Which meant all her stuff was divided up among the other residents. Whoops. Besides that, everyone else seemed just fine.

She works hard to return to the life she had, the one she can remember. The reconnecting is slow and mired by tearful reunions, most of her friends can hardly believe what she's been through... but to some degree, they're eager to hear her stories of an outside world, no matter the world's current state. Rakka makes sure to leave out some the more violent parts of her time at Graceside, but they're just glad to see her safe and sound.

The mildly isolated building made a perfect home to the strange creatures that she had brought back with her; a bird made of clouds went over great with the rest of the residents... the 'dragon' slightly less so, but they would both always have plenty of space to spread their wings. That was important to Rakka.

Old Home was Rakka's home again, and other survivors dropping by for a visit would always make her happy... But, being the former school it was, you might need to look around for her.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Rakka had wanted to visit Mars multiple times after the events at Graceside, she wanted to visit all the other worlds at least one, take in the sights in them. But among them, Mordecai was one of the most vehement deniers of this request. "It was just too unsafe" it seemed. Come on, she'd learned how to use a knife!

Bleh. Okay. She'd stay away, for his sake. But visits were always nice!

Old Home is definitely nice, as far as places for the Haibane went. Still, if he looked out among the plains he'd be able to spot the main town within walking distance.

Moreover, Humans aren't seen often at Old Home, which makes several of the Youngfeathers (think children with wings and halos, Barkeep) come up to look at him. But still no sign of-oh, there she is.]

Mordecai! [Rakka jogs over, a broom in hand, dust staining her dress.] I'm glad you made it!

[Children. Usually adorable but weird to to deal with. Mordecai smiles at the children, out of the whole "being polite" principle, but he makes no other gesture towards them. It's probably for the best he and Harriet never had children. Or the lack of their own children caused his kid skills to get rusty. Who knows.

They stare at his scar on his forehead, he stares at their halos. He doesn't get why these amnesiacs had to look like the angels he sees on Space Christmas card. Evolution must have had fun in this universe.

The pondering is cut off with Rakka showing up. He steps away from the crowd of young Haibane and waves at her.]

Rakka! Did I come too early? [Eyeing the broom.] I don't mind headin' over already if you're still cleanin' up.

[They notices the scars, but most of them know better then to ask about them. Most. They were just kids, of course, full of wonder at the unknown and this strange man that happened to grace their doorway.

Thankfully, they're quickly ushered away by a few, older Haibane, Rakka's age again with the standard wings and halos. It's something she really had to explain to the rest of her friends sometime. Though, did she even full understand it?]

No, not at all! [She waves the broom lightly in her hands.] We're just wrapping up our summer cleaning. It's an important to the Haibane here that everything's clean for winter.

[..ah] I-I'm actually finishing up, if you want to wait a little longer?

Sure, wait out here, wait inside, inside's preferable. [There's chairs and things to look at and stuff.] I got you a present.

[Indeed, there is a small package under his arm. It's wrapped in plain green paper with a stick-on bow, but the intention is what counts.]

[There are definitely so many things to look at! But yes, there are plenty of places for Mordecai to sit if he so pleases.

But as Rakka registers what the Barkeep has said, she's suddenly deeming the whole cleaning thing kind of silly to be working on right now, right?]

Really? [A spark of curiosity registers in her eyes. A dilemma forms.] I... I mean, I can take a break right now, since you came so far just to say hello?

[and bring her a gift apparently. awww]

[Bringing gifts is one of the key rules of visitation politeness. Unless you were at the friendship stage of dunking on each other every minute, you had to bring something.

Plus there was extra wrapping paper had had to be used up.]

Can't say no to that. Why not reward yourself a bit with a good friend? [Meaning him. He's a good friend.] It ain't, like, a mess or anythin'?

[Clearly it shall be a few more visits yet before they have reached that stage of their friendship. And Barkeep surely has the advantage on Rakka in terms of dunking skills.

Wrapping paper is such a rarity in the Haibane area, given how it can hardly be given out used. Rakka's delighted even seeing it.]

Not, not really. [She beckons him inside to the main room of the large home. It's pretty roomy in here, with a large dining table and many chairs set out for the occupants. Old Home is always sort of messy. It's like living with a bunch of birds.] So, what is it? The gift?

[He grins, setting the present on a clean part of the table and taking a seat.] Why don't you open it and see? That's the point of wrappin' it up.

[Pushes it closer to her.]

[Rakka makes sure to pull of a seat near to him.

Real close to him. And that present.

He really just has to say that she can open it before Rakka's digging into the wrapping paper. He's got her really curious. Whatever could it be?]

[Underneath is a paperback book, the cover painted with the colors of a red desert and a dark cloud of space dust. Once the paper is completely off, the writing on the front is revealed:

Under the Milky Sky by Rebecca Rose Rushmore.]

She's one of the best western sector novelist in my time. This one's a favorite of mine, don't worry, it's age-appropriate.

[Some of her later stories contain...rather salacious scenes. There's kissing in this one, but nothing that he would keep away from an innocent young person.]

'S about a former space marine retirin' to her home planet after a war and findin' love. I took a lotta inspiration from the settin' descriptions in my own writin'.

Aaah....

[The wrappings are brushed away, tossed and forgotten immediately. She'll have time to clean everything up late, right now was special.

And nothing was as special as a gift from a dear friend, like... other-universe literature!! He'll be able to spot Rakka's face filling with joy as his explanations go on.]

Wow! It's really thoughtful of you, Mordecai, thank you! [She'll definitely read it when she gets the chance.] Now I'm kind of sad I don't have anything to give to you.

No need to worry. [He holds us a hand.] The host don't give the guest a gift, that's how it works where I'm from. Once you come to Mars, then you gotta think about givin' me something' small.

[And she's going to come never. No one in their right mind visits Mars for fun.]

Post-Trustfell Catchall

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