theshimmer | CAVERN.

[Another encounter with the Shimmer, another round of confusion, frustration and exhaustion. It's probably going to be a fairly unanimous opinion, but Page much preferred the circle of peaceful corpses over the tree of suffering.

She emerged from the river just in time to hear what the Shimmer had to say, and it leaves a bad taste in her mouth. But regardless of feelings, it's probably wise that they don't move away from this cavern for the time being; the fire, remnants of that horrible tree, is providing light and warmth. They couldn't really ask for much more, especially after spending the past week in darkness.

So Page will swim back to the fire, placing herself in front of it and unwinding her headpiece, letting her locs fall free around her face. She's soaked, miserable and cold. As awful as the source of the heat is, she needs to dry off. The last thing she wants is to fall ill.

Not that it would mean much - sounds like a problem for her body. Wherever that is.

You're free to join her, or do what you will; time to rest, before the new week begins.]

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Indeed.

[ A pause for as much the affirmation to her question as it is for her response which he blinks once at. The answer isn't expected but it's not unexpected either, and he finds himself in some strange sort of free fall that's fuzzy with static. He's played too bold, likely because of the Shimmer, but he's not one to go back a page.

The only direction is forward. ]

...if that's how you feel, then- [ He takes off his left glove with his right hand and offers his now bare hand to her. It's an expression he's made to Felicia before, but this time she's able to see the crawling tattoo of a flower and vines. ]

This is me. This is the only part of me, that always remains true.

[You know, of all of the things Felicia expected, Hugh being honest with her was not one of them. She pauses a bit, watching as he takes off his glove and--

Her first thought shouldn't be "it's so pretty", but that's what it is. Felicia looks at it, blinking once, twice with wide eyes. Is he something like the Shimmer? Or maybe something else? Perhaps he's associated with nature--those are her first thoughts, anyway.

...Still, Felicia finds her hand going towards his, stopping short of touching the tattoo with a jolt.]

Ah--sorry.

[...]

...I wasn't expecting you to do that, you know. [Felicia finds herself smiling a bit.] But I think it's really pretty, you know. This part of you, and...you showing me this. I'm surprised you'd trust me with it, too.

...But thank you.

[ His eyes go wide at all of this really, and he's taking her hands in his own, finishing the movement she abated. ]

Pretty...is that what it is? [ He laughs and if you listen hard enough it might sounds just the slightest bit flustered, a lone raindrop hidden in snowfall. ]

This isn't the only thing pretty here, you know. [ ... ] Few ask. And even fewer look beyond what they see.

But—you really aren't like most others, Felicia.

[...Oh no. Felicia listens while he talks, and he seems almost...flustered? Maybe that's just her imagination. But Felicia does listen, for what it's worth, and tilts her head a bit as she does.]

Yes, that is what I think. I've always liked those who are honest, you know. That's really all it is; people should be able to live true to themselves, don't you think?

[Not that Felicia has missed the comment there, and it does get her to flush lightly.]

Maybe I'm not like them, but I'd rather be me than anyone else. And I'd rather you be you than anyone else too--even if you do embarrass me a bit sometimes...

Living as true to yourself... [ It's not a new concept, but with the way he says it, something about it is fresh and light. He does laugh a bit at her last comment, because well, that's true too. ]

Then allow me to confide in you more, as recompense. I can fly because I can assume many shapes, whatever shape is needed for the part I play. But long, long, ago I was a hawk. Some of those times have stuck with me, even if they really shouldn't have but—that is the effect of nostalgia and memories, I suppose.

[...For what it's worth, Felicia doesn't seem too thrown at that. If anything she doesn't seem really phased at all, because--]

A shapeshifter... [Felicia pauses briefly, before smiling.] That's not a bad thing at all, you know? To be nostalgic for those things--I can only imagine just how much time you spent soaring the skies freely, being able to live peacefully like that.

But you're you, at the end of the day. That's what matters most. [Felicia giggles, just a bit.] I've met someone who does something rather similar, back home. Though he could only go between two forms, but he was one of the kindest people I'd met.

It seems unfitting for someone like me, someone who observes and records tales rather than act in them. [ His words aren't really timid, but there is some kind of reservation in them though it peters out the more he speaks. ]

I spent most of my time as a witch's familiar, actually. [ A small smile. ]

But to be myself...I'm not sure if that's kind. I've never though about it, come to think of it.

[Felicia's grip tightens slightly on his hand.]

Being yourself isn't something to think about. It's just...about being--about deciding what you want for yourself. About the decisions you make when you aren't trying to please someone, I guess!

[That's what she believes, anyway. Her cheeks puff a bit, though, circling around back to that first bit.]

So what if it's unfitting? Even if you do observe and record tales...you're still a person! And anything else about you doesn't take that away from you in the slightest!

That's what I believe, anyway.

[ Well he's speechless for several seconds, though eventually he does squeeze her hand back belatedly. ]

A person... [ For some reason he laughs a little. It's not a bad laugh, but an astonished one. ]

I am Hugh, Haku, the old peddler, the grey...but to be a person, I wonder. I might be more than that? [ A chuckle and a wink. ]

...but I suppose that doesn't stop me from being a person. Of being Ash.

Is that right?

[Felicia smiles brightly at that.]

You're right, it doesn't. It never has, and it never will...Ash.

[If that's who he chooses to be at the end of all of this...well, Felicia supports him entirely.]

...I'm happy for you, you know.

Yes, I like the sound of that.

[ He curls his fingers against hers, in a playful gesture. ]

...and I like the sound of that too. But why are you happy for me?

[Felicia doesn't mind, but she does tilt her head a bit.]

...I'm not sure if this was even something you were looking for an answer to, or...if I did anything to help...but you seem almost...

Happy, I suppose. And why wouldn't I be happy that you're happy?

[...Ah--]

U-Unless I have the wrong impression! Which, um. I'm very sorry if so!

[Ah, there's the awkwardness back in tow, and she promptly looks away with a bit of flush on her face.]

[ This probably doesn't help much at first, but he laughs. It's a gentle one, though it might still seem slightly out of place. ]

I've never been happy before. I don't usually feel emotions, actually. So it's a bit strange to have someone feel them for me, too. [ He tugs on her hand gently, he doesn't want her to hide her face. ]

[Fiiine, fiiine, she'll let go of her face you silly, silly man--]

I-I suppose it is a bit silly, then. I'm sorry for being so strange!

[...]

But...do you feel anything right now, Ash?

Mn, I have an idea of what I'm feeling right now. [ Teasing, because he winks. ]

Smitten.

CAVERN.

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