6/5/2025, 11:58 PM
Skill:
Feel free to end here if you'd like!
![[Image: dg0rdbk-27b1f87f-08bc-4a0a-9af6-c9bf7c6c...QjlKzVQY-0]](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/b6bd577f-dd3d-47c7-bbef-8edd89e3b07f/dg0rdbk-27b1f87f-08bc-4a0a-9af6-c9bf7c6c8a9f.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2I2YmQ1NzdmLWRkM2QtNDdjNy1iYmVmLThlZGQ4OWUzYjA3ZlwvZGcwcmRiay0yN2IxZjg3Zi0wOGJjLTRhMGEtOWFmNi1jOWJmN2M2YzhhOWYucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.uJQpTWpmZ8aDQRVTuh2Lo2gBt5LNgneF4QjlKzVQY-0)
The shock of his realization had rattled him, startling him beyond what was comprehensible. And for a while, that shock was a numbing mask over the other emotions that welled within his chest. It had effectively created a wall, guarding Torben from the inevitable thing that would come next:
The starkness of his loss.
His safety. His family. Everything.
He remembered when Foxglove had gone missing and he recalled the emotional toll it had taken on those left behind. No one had even been able to say goodbye — it had been a hurt so cavernous. So painful. It had left a hole in all of their hearts. And now ... now he was doing the same thing to them. And it hurt even more than when he had felt loss himself, for he knew how his family would suffer without him there.
Outwardly, Torben would slowly deflate.
The pink stranger — Fable of Avon — would continue to speak, but Torben's cinnamon eyes were glassy, staring dissonantly into the distance. "But ye shouldn't be out here alone." Alone. The word resonated, stronger than Fable would realize.
Right,he added, his voice a soft huff of useless air. Slowly, his gaze would find the warmth of those emeralds, but he could not find it within himself to smile. He could not find any other words.
But she was right about one thing.
He didn't want to be alone.
Alright,he'd concede to her offer, trying to stiffen his very visible frown.
Lead the way,he'd add, flicking his tail lowly behind him. He knew absolutely nothing about this place, and at least Fable seemed to have her wits about her. She seemed to at least understand some of the nonsense of whatever the fuck was going on.
So for now, he would bind to her, hoping he could catch his own bearings and find a way to get home.