The sky shines differently today than it did yesterday

[employeeoftheyear]

[Perhaps to the surprise of no one, there is no after party after that trial. Two children were dead. Two children were dead over a simple accident and the Wizard cared more about himself than anyone else. But they won't give up, they can't give up. They had to keep fighting until everything's been set right.

At the Lobby ofrenda later that night, there are six origami pieces accoupling the other memorials. A penguin, a rose, an octopus man, computer, a music note, and the last one are of a boy and girl holding hands. Along with that there is a plate of strawberry cupcakes with blueberry icing and a note that reads:]

There is still hope and love in the world

Never let The Wizard make you think otherwise 💗

Comments

[feudalladyshandmaid]

Nothing yet. He might be scared. [Even with Owl watching from overhead, it's a lot of woods to cover.] Ruddiger! Please, this is important... It's about Varian!

[She turns, watching and waiting. Nothing just ye- Wait. Was that movement in a tree over there?]

[comeandfindme]

[ Oh thank god. Movement in the forest, for once, can only mean something good. ]

Ruddiger? [ Peregrine gets an apple ready, as she too spies a stripe in the undergrowth. ]

[feudalladyshandmaid]

Ruddiger?

[Cassandra gets down into a crouch, quietly approaching the undergrowth that continued to rustle in front of her.

She waits. The rustling stops... but only because a small, furry head is poking out past the leaves - it's Ruddiger! Sniffling at the two of them like nothing is even wrong.]

[comeandfindme]

[ Peregrine feels her legs start to shake in relief. They've been looking for awhile, and finally. ]

Hey, boy... Oh thank god. Oh, you must've been so scared.

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[Cassandra sighs with audible relief watching the portly little guy waddle out to meet them, looking around them.]

Out here all by himself... It must have been hard.

[But not as hard as what's coming next. Because Ruddiger's still looking about as he approaches Peregrine. But not just at them. He chitters anxiously.

He's looking for Varian.]

[comeandfindme]

[ Oh. Oh no.

Peregrine kneels down, offering out an apple so she can scoop him up into her arms. ]

Ruddiger... We're gonna take you back to the school, okay? Get you somewhere dry...and warm...

[ She wonders how much he can understand. She wonders, if she says it, if he'll know. ]

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[Apples are his favorite. How can he ignore a juicy Red Delicious! It's all too simple for Peregrine to scoop him up.

He chitters at her again. It almost sounds inquisitive.]

...We have to tell him about Varian. [Cass wasn't a fan of letting things drag on.] It's not going to get easier.

[comeandfindme]

[ It's like he can tell they're talking about Varian. He probably can. He's looking at them expectantly and rabies be damned, Peregrine just presses her face into Ruddiger's soft fur. ]

I know. I know, it. Ruddiger, I'm sorry. I'm so...so sorry, he's... He's not...coming back.

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[Even in the murky warmth of a summer evening, Ruddiger's fur is soft and... fresh. He's a clean little guy. Has to be if he hangs around Varian.

He chitters quietly, imploringly. In as much as he can, he seems to understand, and curls into Peregrine's embrace.]

...Hey. [Cass doesn't want to disturb this moment. She really, really doesn't.] We should head back inside.

[comeandfindme]

I know.

[ For a moment it just seems like she's repeating it again. But— ]

...I gotta— Farrah'll wanna see him.

[feudalladyshandmaid]

...Right. He'll want to see her too. He can stay over there too, if Farrah wants.

[Cassandra can't claim ownership of Ruddiger. Not right now. She doesn't believe she deserves him.]

[comeandfindme]

[ But Peregrine hesitates for a moment. Ruddiger's secure in her arms, nibbling on that apple but also just...kind of clinging to her.

She steps closer to Cassandra. So, if she wants, she can touch him. ]

...I'm sorry.