OOM: Elysium or Shephard's quest for an arm.

[brave_kreyu]

Even before the Combine came, Shephard's world had few places left that had never known the touch of men. This forest has no name, for no tribe of wanderers has ever dared to settle here, to harvest the mighty oaks that tower far above his head.

It is nearly noon on Midsummer's day, but little light reaches Shephard and Kreyu down here on the forest floor. The only thing of note in the clearing is a large ring of mushrooms, a formation sometimes called a faerie ring.

Comments

[hecu_marine]

He's sweating, and he's got a lot of it in his eyes, so he's not going to look at first. He's just going to lift it out and wriggle the fingers a little while he blinks the sweat away.

And then, because even he is entitled to a pun or two once in a while, he's going to throw up the horns with it... it is, after all, metal.

[brave_kreyu]

Shephard, you have two fey and a dragon looking at you with faintly confused expressions.

"It seems to work well," Kreyu finally says with a smile. "Is this so?"

[hecu_marine]

He hastily straightens out all the fingers.

"Yeah," he says a little hoarsely as he spits out the belt and catches it in his lap. "Yeah- it works just fine. Y'all did some damn fine work, here."

[brave_kreyu]

Both of the fey brothers look pleased at that pronouncement.

"It is yours for as long as you live," the Smith begins, "but upon your death to Elysium it must return."

[hecu_marine]

Shephard nods. "I'll find somebody to do it for me," he says. "One way or another."

He'll probably make a point of getting some ink to that effect on the part of the arm that's still meat, below the Corps bulldog. Just in case.

[brave_kreyu]

"I will make that journey if need be, when the time comes," Kreyu promises.

Kreyu glances at the sunlight visible through the doorway. "We've light enough to make it back home, unless I miss my guess."

Somehow, she doubts Shephard wants to spend another night in Faerie.

The Physician smiles. "You need not worry about what light remains, I expect the smithy door will lead you where you wish to go now that your business here is concluded."

[hecu_marine]

"If that's the case," Shephard says, "I won't waste no more of your time, sirs. Thank you all again."

It's a bit of a relief to be able to salute properly once more.

[brave_kreyu]

The two fae nod in acknowledgement of the gesture. "Fare you well, warrior," the Smith states. "Fare you well, warrior," says the Physician.

Through the smithy door lies Milliways with its usual sights and sounds...