(no subject)

[gorlim.livejournal.com]

Outside by the lake is a man and a child.

The man, dressed in a faded kilt and boots, shirtless, is supporting the baby by her hands as she takes wobbling steps and swings her feet, kicking the shallow water at the very edge of the lake. She's not ready to walk on her own yet, but she can do it with her papa's help.

And on his back, there are no scars.

Things have found their way from start to end, and to a beginning. It's time to move on.

It's not his first time here. It's not his last. But he's someone who's never quite seen this world with these eyes before.

Come say hello.

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[not-one-drop.livejournal.com]

There's a cat, black, medium-sized, wandering over to say hello.

His human is just visible, deep beneath the lake, on her back and staring up at the world through the water.

[gorlim.livejournal.com]

The kid likes cats. Gorlim likes cats. They have one, straight from Amber, too.

Gorlim lets go of one of the child's hands so she can wave at the kitty.

[not-one-drop.livejournal.com]

The kitty wanders over, purring already, to carefully and curiously sniff the child's hand.

And Gorlim too, of course.

[gorlim.livejournal.com]

Gorlim eases the kid into a sitting position and guides her hand to gently pet the kitty.

"Hello, then," he greets the furry one. "You look a lot like Scampi, don't you. You wouldn't be one of his, I wonder...?"

[not-one-drop.livejournal.com]

That gets an annoyed mrowl. Orion is not fond of Scampi. Or at least, sometimes.

But he sits still under the child's petting hands, pausing to glance toward the lake and wonder when his human will resurface.

[gorlim.livejournal.com]

Gorlim follows the cat's gaze, sees nothing, and raises a brow, allowing Kelly to keep petting the cat on her own as she gets the hang of it again. She has to be reminded every time. The lesson should sink in quite soon.

"Not his, then. Aye, my Ailbhe would be annoyed at such an accusation, also. You've not met my Ailbhe, have you?" Gorlim assumes the cat would know by smell if not by name.

Assuming the cat can understand the gist of his words to begin with.

[not-one-drop.livejournal.com]

[ooc: Damn, I have to go for dinner. Back soon! Promise!]

[gorlim.livejournal.com]

[ooc: No problem!]

[wheels-spun.livejournal.com]

The newness in Gorlim has not gone unnoticed.

On the opposite bank is what appears to be a white horse.

Shining in the night.

Staring at the man with the child.

As was intended, the wheel has turned full circle.

[gorlim.livejournal.com]

Gorlim is a little more cautious of this being than he was with the cat -- because horses are Very Big and can sometimes be jumpy. But he himself is calm, and watches.

[wheels-spun.livejournal.com]

And the animal realises it's being watched, and, with a flick of an ear, canters easily over to the other side of the lake, barely making a sound at all.

Turns out it's not a horse but a unicorn.

Greetings Gorlim. And my congratulations as well.

[gorlim.livejournal.com]

Gorlim's never seen a unicorn not counting that one time in MESPT when he was turned INTO one. He thinks it looks a little silly.

"I thank you," he answers politely. "I know you, don't I? Which one are you?"

[eight_or_eleven]

It's not the unicorn that speaks next, but someone else.

A low rumble from behind. The lion is here. And so is the woman.

"You mean to tell me you don't recognise Wheel?" she says on a laugh. "Well it is."

She smiles as she comes around to face him.

"Do you recognise me?"

[gorlim.livejournal.com]

"I do, Lady. I do."

Gorlim stands and goves a reverent bow. Kelly, left in the grass, rolls into a crawl and heads a little ways towards the lion, studying it with wide grey eyes.

[namo]

Námo stands in the tree-lined darkness of the forest, watching Man and child.

He's protective of something precious: two lives barely begun.

So he is silent, tall, and dark as he guards.

[gorlim.livejournal.com]

A furtive glance, a secretive smile.

A welcome.

[namo]

I do not wish to disturb a father's time with his daughter, dove.

But there is a small ache to be a part of such a scene.

[gorlim.livejournal.com]

Gorlim flips over onto his back, tugging Kelly onto his stomach and turning her to look in Namo's direction. She seems momentarily startled, then spots the Vala and stretches her hands towards him.

"Da! Dadadadadadadada!!!"

[namo]

If she has a temper like her father...

He slowly approaches, then squats near.

"Hello, princess," he says with a chuckle. "Your Ada stop letting you play in the water?"

[gorlim.livejournal.com]

Kelly tumbles off Gorlim's belly and wobble-crawls into Namo's arms.

The water can bloody well wait.

[song_tra_bong]

Wandering outside is a woman, barefoot and dressed in a 1930s-style blue evening gown. She's riding a faint buzz from the combination of tequila and a lingering adrenaline high.

She walks with a sway in her step that's no product of the alcohol, just excitement and satisfaction and freedom. Her weaving line brings her to the lake's edge and the father (dove) and daughter.

[gorlim.livejournal.com]

Gorlim looks at her.

She's beautiful.

He lifts Kelly into a flying swing. She squeals and splashes back down and giggles towards Mary Anne.

"Hello, wren."

[song_tra_bong]

She smiles at the pair of them.

"Hey there, dove. Hi, Kelly."

She moves closer to him, unconcerned about the dress getting wet. "You two having fun?"

[gorlim.livejournal.com]

"Uh-huh. Care to join us?" he asks.

Kelly, by the looks of it, is giving a vote of approval.

[song_tra_bong]

"Absolutely."

She hitches a corner of the dress up with one hand, then reaches for Kelly's hand with the other.

"So, what's the game of the evening?"