your friendly neighborhood tree has returned

[whatdeheckisdat]

Castle Perrault is much like Luceti in that its residents can be sent home without any warning, it seems. But the fact that he actually gets to retain his memory this time is a welcome change, and when Dhaos is pulled back it's with rather less consternation than he'd felt when the same thing happened before.

This is his life now. Getting pulled in and out of jamjars. At least he's not being experimented upon.

Anyway, since he never really got the hang of the area, he'll be just kind of. Wandering around looking for peoWHERE DID ALL THESE SMALL CHILDREN COME FROM

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[lostinmyway]

She smiles against him at the feeling of his lips in her hair. She had missed that so much, too.

After a moment of savouring their closeness, she looks up at him again. "Oh, no, everything is just fine." She thinks for a bit. "A lot of children have come to visit. They're all so sweet!"

[whatdeheckisdat]

...Well, again, no experiments, so getting yanked out of one's world and into this one as a child was perhaps not quite as traumatizing. Grune seems to think they're doing well, but he'll prod a little further just in case.

"Oh? That sounds like quite a handful."

[lostinmyway]

She shakes her head; her smile quiets. "Oh, no. They aren't any trouble at all."

Some of them are so silent that, well...she's worried.

[whatdeheckisdat]

Her expression doesn't tell him any specifics, but at least he know now to keep an eye out. Grune is generally better at comforting others than he is, but...

He takes her hand. "Well, a little assistance can never go amiss when it comes to children."

[lostinmyway]

Grune delightedly gives his hand a squeeze. She's so happy Dhaos likes holding her hand!

"Oh, are you going to help, Dhaos?"

[whatdeheckisdat]

♥

"I shall make my best attempt, at least." It's been a while, but at least he's not entirely clueless in the art of looking after children.

[lostinmyway]

"Thank you, dear!"

She stretches up to kiss his cheek. "I just know you're going to be a big help!"

[whatdeheckisdat]

Dhaos is definitely too used to Grune's affection to blush, but apparently the resistance fades with time spent away. So, er, he blushes a little. Come on Dhaos you just kissed her like ten seconds ago.

"Your faith in me is flattering, as always." And perhaps only slightly misplaced this time. "Would you like to introduce us, or go for a stroll first?"

[lostinmyway]

"Hmm...." She thinks about that for a moment. "Why don't we see if we can find anyone on our walk?"

Then they can do both things!

[whatdeheckisdat]

"A sound plan." Then he can brace himself for new acquaintances and also go on a walk with Grune. It's perfect.

"I seem to have forgotten my way around. I don't suppose you've been keeping a garden?"

[lostinmyway]

"Oh yes," she says as she starts strolling along. "And Tauriel and Asriel and Kubo and Batman have been helping. They're so kind."

[whatdeheckisdat]

Dhaos frowns. He thinks he's met Tauriel, but the other names sound unfamiliar. And...

"...Batman."

I'm like 60% sure there was a Batman in Luceti while Dhaos was there because I have a fic about it but Dhaos never interacted with them LMFAO

Brains fail, news at 11.

[lostinmyway]

"Yes, that's right." She nods. "He looks like a big bat, but like a person, too."

A thoughtful look up at Dhaos, and she adds, "I think he's even taller than you."

boy don't i know that feeling

[whatdeheckisdat]

...Both of those traits would definitely have stood out in Dhaos's memory if they'd met before. He briefly thinks back to try and remember the most... unique person he's met in Luceti, and if a bat that looks like a person tops that.

"With such help, your garden must be growing impressive."