Thread:ThisIsXenon/@comment-32273133-20190626233759

////i'm ignoring timelines for the moment bc i need this to be done, so bear with me

She’s very impatient, tapping her foot, arms crossed, under a willow tree on the outskirts of a village that may be familiar to some. Instead of her usual, non threatening attire, she’s wearing armour with long spikes on the joints, too sharp and used to just be decorative.

She stands there for a couple minutes, mumbling to herself, when whatever she’s waiting for arrives. A streak of black and purple crashes in the tree, making the branches wave furiously.

Micah jumps down. “Sorry,” His voice is hoarse. “Something came up on the way,” He’s holding something in both hands, and when he gently sets it on his shoulder, all that’s visible is a ball of feathers and two beady eyes.

“A baby bird,” Delphi says flatly. “That’s what held you up.”

“Look at him and me you’d leave him sitting in a mud puddle where you found him,” Micah protests. The bird gives Delphi a pitiful peep. “Besides, ravens look out for each other,” Micah smiles at the bird. “His nest was destroyed in a storm and his mother and nestmates thought him dead. I couldn’t leave him there.”

The bird peeps again.

“You are a sucker for birds,” Delphi shakes her head. “And you’re dating a snake. How does that work?”

Micah shrugs one shoulder, keeping the other steady for the baby raven.

“Anyway, now that you’re here, I can give you this,” Delphi holds out a star-shaped pendant. “Travel medallion. To where I live. Clay’s there now, and Calidi. Damian is welcome if you want to drag him—“

“Damian’s dead,” Micah interrupts, taking the pendant. The baby raven bites a strand of his hair. He either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care.

Delphi frowns.

“Right. Never mind. But when you’re ready to continue what we started last year, let me know.”

“Thanks,” Micah replies. “I’ve got a couple more things to do, but I will,” His eyes are cold now. “I’m gonna need all the knowledge I can get my hands on.”

“Slow down there,” Delphi holds up a hand. “Sword first, then vengeance.”

“No,” Micah snaps. “Vengeance.”

“You are a lot more angry than you were when we met here before,” Delphi says. “Which is saying a lot.”

“Things have changed. I was kidnapped and tortured and brainwashed for a year. My boyfriend is dead. The rest of the people I thought I knew have disappeared. How else should I be feeling?”

“I don’t know,” Delphi throws her hands in the air. “I’m sorry, I guess? I know you don’t want my pity. The only other thing I can say is ‘suck it up and move on.’”

Micah flinches.

“What,” Delphi snaps.

“You sound like her,” Micah murmurs.

“Who?” Delphi says. Then her eyes widen. “Oh. Sorry. I mean, she had a point—“

“No,” Micah’s eyes flash. “You have no context for anything she said. If you agree with anything she said, you’re agreeing with everything she’s done.”

“There’s not space for you to stay long-term,” Delphi changes the subject. “I assume Mocking-Jay is letting you hang around Fireon with the rest of your menagerie?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Come find us. Soon. I’m not waiting for you much longer.”

Micah blinks. “Waiting? Did you—“ He gasps. “You know another way to decorrupt him.”

“I do,” Delphi nods slowly. “You won’t like it.”

“Anything is better than corruption, right?”

“What’s your opinion on death?”

“Oh.”

“It would destroy Oganesson and kill Xenon in the process,” Delphi’s voice was emotionless. “I don’t personally care, but I know you do.”

“When did you find out about this?”

“I’ve been talking with—“ Delphi pauses. “With Nova. We’ve been divining, looking through time threads....it’s the only other option. And the longer we wait, the more time Oganesson has to get his act together. Make a decision soon, or I’ll make it for you.”

With that, she snaps her fingers and disappears in a puff of green smoke. Micah curses and sits under the tree, moving the bird from his shoulder back to his hands.

“How’s your wing?”

The bird caws and ruffles his feathers.

“Better? Good. Guess it was only dislocated,” Micah smiles. He looks out at the village. “I met her here, you know. Delphi. She was....different then. I guess everyone has changed over the past year.”

The bird nuzzles his hand, and Micah sighs.

“Thanks, bud.” He closes his eyes and rests his head on the trunk of the tree. “Me too.”

What do you do? 