avalononline | Video; un: akashicknight

The name's Morgan, and something on that anon post caught my eye. A question about staying here, rather than going home. If it's possible. If it's okay.

I don't know about Avalon. It's possible when all this ends, Avalon won't exist any more, because its purpose was served. But I can say this: if anyone doesn't want to go home, I will find a place for you. No one should have to go back to a world where they'll be mistreated, or miserable, or end up dying in days, or whatever your circumstance that means you're happier being here than there.

I live on a nexus world, a place where a lot of worlds and universes overlap and connect. Sort of like Avalon itself. It's not a paradise, it's far from perfect, but it's somewhere you can go if you want. I'll find a way to make that happen for damn sure. A ritual performed here, I hope, at the end of the last day. And if that doesn't work... I have some friends and family to whom nothing is a barrier that can't be overcome, and we will find a way to get you away. There or elsewhere.

It isn't fair that anyone should be drawn here to save everything, then sent back home without a second thought to what might happen. And if your response to that is, 'well, life's not fair', I'll make it fair.

Don't be afraid to relax, to hope, to enjoy yourself here. Life's too short for that. But... I'll also take any help anyone's offering to make this vow of mine come true.

[Morgan chuckles a little awkwardly, before shrugging and ending the message.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Around 5?

[ This is Entirely Normal behavior. ]

...I may have to adjust my schedule slightly to properly take on Making Sure Steph Takes Care duties.

[ She groans loudly. ]

I already have one babysitter, I really don't need a second one!

As true as that might be, you can never have too many friends, right?

You're both awful.

[ Trying to sweet-talk your way into being a babysitter. Awful. ]

Did I ever pretend otherwise? If it helps, MY familiar is totally harmless and helpful!

Thanks, that doesn't help at all.

You say that, but he's adorable, so you can borrow him as a therapy pet.

[ ...Okay, tempting. ]

How adorable are we talking?

Behold!

[Morgan reaches into his coat with his free hand, digs into an inner pocket, then comes out with a mini-hydra on his palm. As the creature comes into the light, nine pairs of eyes blink sleepily at the lens.]

[ Steph blinks right back at it. The snake-like bits are definitely not cute. But it is very small. It's maybe a little cute. She has no desire to snuggle it, though. ]

I think our definitions of 'cute' might be a little different.

[Morgan actually looks faintly crestfallen. Then a thought occurs to him: he grabs a piece of jerky he keeps in a different pocket for just such occasions, and offers it to Typhon.]

[Three of the hydra's heads immediately start devouring it from three different angles. Two other heads begin play-fighting, three more keep watching the screen curiously, and the last one goes right back to sleep.]

[ It's very strange to watch one creature do 9 different things at once, which is perhaps why she can't seem to look away. It's like a trainwreck. Is it watching her? What does it see with 9 sets of eyes all pointed in different directions? Is it like 9 different animals that have to share a body? ]

Uh... hi?

[ Apparently Cassie was listening while she napped, because she pokes her head out of Steph's hair to see the hydra herself. ]

[The three observing heads promptly drop open their jaws in a reptilian equivalent of a smile. One of them goes 'hiss!']

[Seriously how can anyone not think this is adorable?]

[ Steph flinches, taking that reaction as aggression. She doesn't know reptiles. She doesn't really like reptiles. She doesn't hate them like she hates bugs, but there aren't any warm, fuzzy feelings there.

The bat, on the other hand, is unbothered. She squeaks a greeting. ]

Uhh?

[The two play-fighting heads get distracted by this whole scenario in turn, and five heads altogether do this little complicated weave around each other.]

He's only a danger to my fingers. And even then not much.

Right...

[ Sounds like something someone who owns snakes would say. She's betting it still hurts. ]

You are literally the first person who has not adored him on sight.

[Morgan won't hold that against her, though. Honestly it's almost a relief to find something they didn't connect on, they'd gotten along so well up to this point.]

Really? He's got snake heads.

[ She's genuinely surprised, but immediately realizes that she definitely just insulted the hydra to his face...faces. ]

I mean, not that there's anything wrong with that! But plenty of people are scared of bats. A guy even screamed once when Cassie popped out of my hair.

Eh, people are reflexively inclined to fear things flapping around near them, it's in the genes. Plus there's all sorts of misinformation about bats like them getting stuck in your hair or all of them drinking your blood.

Right, but nobody's afraid of fangs or hissing.

[ You have to know that hydras are less than kid-friendly. ]

[Typhon would never hurt a kid!]

But he's so teeny! Look at how teeny he is!

Is this really a point worth arguing? I'm sure he's lovely, I'll just pass on the cuddles.

Well, if that's so, I'll put in extra effort to make up for his share.

[ And there's another sweet statement that makes her blush. How the tables have turned since their last quest! ]

Alright, look. I promise I will give you the opportunity if I'm even the slightest bit weepy tomorrow.

But seriously, I'm fine. I'm emotional because I'm happy.

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