Awkward Return | Llama Day 1 | Open

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin suddenly found himself inside a large trunk in the Luggage Carriage. It was a little deeper than a coffin but not as long, so his legs were cramped. "WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING IN HERE???" he yelled, loud enough to be heard outside the trunk.

It was a claustrophobic situation, and he glared up through the dimness at the lid of the trunk. For some reason, it didn't occur to him that the thing probably wasn't locked. Suddenly there was a BANG, Curufin's fist bashing into the underside of the lid, and then a CRASH, Curufin's boot following up with an even harder blow.

Both the fist and the foot left holes in the lid, which popped open and fell against the back of the trunk. Curufin sat up and stared around the luggage car. "What the fuck?" he swore. And then he saw whoever else was in the car and quickly replaced the scowl with a very puzzled smile.

"Hello?" he said. He scratched his head. "Have I been gone from the train?"

Comments

[runicfeathers]

Her return of the hug is enthusiastic, yet gentle, taking care not to be too rough despite her relief. She knows Eva had much work to do without him around, and is glad for them both that their workload would hopefully equalise.

But the question of how she is perks her up even more, having not had the best of times when he'd disappeared and clearly now in far better spirits.

"I too am glad to be able to resume that, you have been missed by all. But I have been well," A short pause, collecting her words so that she doesn't babble, "I have been helping more in medical and on missions. Others now know what I am, but... I am more okay with this now. I can help others better this way."

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin wouldn't be concerned even if Willow positively crushed him with a hug! He'd just laugh and be pleased with the sentiment. He's glad to be back to take up his old position of co-leader of Orange Team, and he'll take on whatever part of the workload Eva wants to share.

He's pleased to see Willow looking so perky. He smiles down at her.

"I'm glad you've been well. And that's good you've found such useful ways to help out. I always did have faith in your abilities and your intentions. And it seems others now have the same faith. How did what you are become known? Did you tell people?

[runicfeathers]

There's a nervous laugh at his question, and then a nod with more laughing.

"They do, and none so far have tried to attack me over being what I am. It's... strange, I'm used to being hunted down, but I've been accepted. And.. yes I did, there was an incident some time ago where most people were turned into children, myself included, and I ran around showing everyone my wings."

She's still embarrassed about this, but has let it go due to how helpful she's been able to be since then, even if she was quite the hyper child about it.

[so_dark_a_road]

He smiles at that nervous laugh.

"I think train culture is different than that of your world. People here are willing to accept a person for what they are, and they form their opinions about that person based on how they act rather than anything else. I wouldn't think anybody would attack you for being a phoenix. Hey, I remember that event, where we were changed back into our childhood selves! I think it's adorable that you showed everyone your wings!" He was a hyper child, too, and that makes him admire others who were hyper children.

[runicfeathers]

There's a bright nod, agreeing with him. So many people have openly accepted her, and A-Qing even got mad at her for not saying anything, something that took her by surprise. But her bright nod turns into a blush, more embarrassed as she laughs.

"I am learning this, yes! It has been surprising to know I'm so accepted for being what I am, and not hunted for it. This... this is such a difference than back home. Ah-ah-- I was quite the child, wasn't I..?"

Pure embarrassment on her cheeks.

[so_dark_a_road]

He laughs softly, too. She's adorable when she blushes.

"I can't imagine anybody not accepting you for who and what you are, though obviously, there were some in your world who could not or would not. I am happy for you that you are now in a place where you don't need to worry about that, and so many are so friendly to you."

He smiles. "The kind of child you were during that event is something like the kind of child I was." No embarrassment necessary!

[runicfeathers]

More embarrassed flushing, she knows the words are true but it still feels so strange to be a reality for her. It's not normal for her, not at home, but this place has become her new home now.

"Mm! You are right! Ah-- you were a child full of energy too?"

That's hard for her to imagine, not with how he is now.

[so_dark_a_road]

"I was indeed a child full of energy. I flung myself out of bed each day and threw myself into whatever activity I had dedided on." He chuckles. "When we turned into our childhood selves on the train, I went to the Dining Car and jumped from one table to another until I ran out of tables, and then I started all over again. And again! And I swiped somebody's colored pencils and ripped out a page of my journal and drew a picture of a mad train-face and taped it on that impenitrable wall that prevents us from getting into the driver's compartment. Sort of a friendly insult."

Curufin can't help laughing at his young self, and how others had reacted.