(no subject)

[bigarmy_strangepants]

[[OOM: Diaval goes spying, and brings back the dog.]]

The door opens on a farm-yard with goats in it, and in strides Ragnar Lothbrok, a raven on his shoulder.

"We are back, my friend!" he says as the bird flies off. "And now, to find Athelstan!"

He looks around -- no Athelstan. He goes upstairs, and returns without him. He goes outside, to look in the church -- no Athelstan. Worried, he looks in the infirmary -- no Athelstan.

There had been traces of recent occupation in their room, so most likely, Athelstan has been here and gone again, or is in a place where Ragnar didn't think to look.

He returns to the main bar and sits, glumly, in a place where he can see the door.



[[OOC: Not exactly a two-pup post with three-way threads -- but you can tag Diaval here!]]

Comments

[onceholyknight]

"Something wrong, son?" comes as a gentle question from the big man with the enormous dog, sitting not far away where he can stretch out his bad leg.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Who on earth calls Ragnar Lothbrok 'son'?

"Yes," Ragnar says, letting it go. "I was hoping to meet a friend here who isn't there."

[onceholyknight]

Someone both bigger and older than him who treats just about everyone as family.

"You know where he'll be?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I looked in all the usual places, and some unusual ones," Ragnar says. "He seems to have been here. I hope. There was somebody in the rooms we share with yet another friend."

It could always have been Sinric, a mean, nagging little voice in the back of Ragnar's mind tells him. He's not yet desperate enough to think of smelling at pillows.

[onceholyknight]

Michael nods. "Then maybe he won't be gone long, if he's left through the door. I'm Michael, by the way."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I am Ragnar Lothbrok," Ragnar says. "And my friend's name is Athelstan -- perhaps you have met him?"

[onceholyknight]

"I don't think so", he says after a moment's thought. "But I might have seen him without knowing his name."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"He's..."

Pause, while Ragnar tries to think of harmless terms to describe Athelstan.

"Small, pale, dark-haired, and was recently injured. He used to be a monk."

[onceholyknight]

"Ah." He nods. "I've seen him at Mass, but we've never spoken."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric comes down from a different stair, having been to seek the good doctor.

He sees Ragnar and runs to him, light and easy even though his ankle is still strapped and mottled with bruises. He looks much better otherwise, the marks on his face healed and gone.

"Ragnar!" He calls, throwing his arms wide and very glad to see him.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Sinric!" Ragnar calls out, opening his arms wide and hugging him close.

[thewidewideworld]

He throws his arms around Ragnar's neck, his feet nearly coming off the ground as he hugs the taller man tight. "You just missed him." He doesn't wait to give Ragnar the news knowing it is what he needs to know. "He is well and healing but the need to get back to you and home pulls at him so. He couldn't bear the stillness of time here. He loves you, with all his heart."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Oh!" Ragnar says. "I'm sorry that I missed him, but glad that he's better, because I love him very much as well, and I want him to be well, even if he's not here."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric keeps hugging him, for he knows for all of Ragnar's words, he's still bereft without Athelstan.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I miss him so very much," Ragnar says, in a whisper. "I love him so very much. But I'm glad he's alive, and getting better."

[thewidewideworld]

"He said that he is safe, and will keep himself with all the strength he has. For you, Ragnar. For you."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"And I will go and get him as soon as I can," Ragnar says. "But before that, I do hope to see him here."

He's still holding Sinric in his arms, though.

[intoaman]

Diaval caws and flies off into the rafters to fetch his coat and pants before coming down as man and ordering a great meal to sit by the fire and eat. Helping is hungry work, after all.

He's botherable if anyone wants to.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"The food is on me," Ragnar declares. "I am very grateful for your help, and for bringing the dog."

[intoaman]

Diaval smiles between bites. "I am glad to be of help. All creatures should help each other. Even dogs." He cocks his head. "Your mate is not here?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"No," Ragnar says. "It seems he's been here and left not long ago."

[intoaman]

"Oh, I am sorry." He frowns, looking at the floor and not sure what else to say.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I'll find people who talked to him," Ragnar says. "Eat and drink as much as you want, it's all on me."

[intoaman]

"Thank you. And when you do find him, tell him he raised an uncommonly smart dog." High praise indeed from Diaval.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Thank you," Ragnar says. "I will."

He walks away and goes to look for Athelstan some more.-