#elsewhere

Soon, Art is settled into the front seat and chatting with Thistle, but before Gwen can slip into the back with Ivan, a figure lingering in the parking lot catches her eye.

Mato stands apart, his broad shoulders outlined in the amber glow of the setting sun. Though in the mortal world he appears only as a strong-featured Native man, there is something solid about him, in a way. The light catches in the sharp planes of his face, hinting at the other side of him she had seen in the Upper Lands, the flint-armored giant. Yet, in this moment, he seems less like an unyielding boulder and more like a stone weathered by time, standing alone as the world shifts around him.

Gwen says "Wait a sec" And moves towards Mato, feeling surprisingly self concious. Mato only traveled with her for a bit yet he saw her at her best and pettiest, her bravest and most shaken. She may have rock skin, but it is no protection against that

"Hau kola" she says hello in Lakota Sioux, it's the only Lakota she knows and she's worried she's butchered the pronunciation

Mato watches her approach, his stance solid as ever, arms crossed over his chest. The last light of day casts deep shadows across his features.

"You are leaving." His voice is steady, firm. He does not ask, nor does he try to stop her. His dark eyes flick over her, taking her in as if committing her to memory.

"My mother needs me, and the help I bring," She gazes into his eyes, also memorizing him in turn, "The help WE found. I can not thank you enough for that." She fights a blush and is glad for her skin complexion mitigating it

"I did want to say..." she catches herself, "No, that would not be true. I did not want to say good bye to you. I would prefer 'until we meet again', but that is presumptive of me"

Mato watches her for a moment longer before giving a small, almost imperceptible nod.

"Our paths may cross again?" His tone is even, but there is a weight to the words, a question beneath the surface.

"Indeed," She says "I live in Silverwolf Barony, in the Duchy of the Golden Sigil" A toss of her hair "I work as a knight and kennel mistress there. I do go far from it normally. Should you ever find yourself in the area, I would ask my liege to give you haven for a three day. I know Nunnehi gain no power from the fire but it is still a pleasant place in its way. And it is my home." numerous thoughts come to her mind, to challenge him to come, to ask him to come, to let him just decide if he wants to. THen again, she just offered haven, didn't she?

Instead she smiles, "At the least, my mother could make a meal that might even sate you."

A gleam of pleasure in his eyes. "Yes." He says, simply. "I would like to visit your home." A nod of his head, and raises a hand in - not goodbye,. but Fare well.

She looks pleased herself "my phone number and contact info .. .would you like it?"

A slow blink, considering, and then he says, "Yes. I could find you, I believe... but that would make it easier."

Her eyes dance with amusement "Well, seeing as you're already a proven hunter, I suppose..." But she gives him her phone number, email, and yes, the mortal address.

He accepts it, and passes on his own phone number as well. Then, Gwen and crew are on their way!

As she rides, Gwen can't help but glance back as covertly as she can to see his diminishing figure

A slight sound, that on any other kith might be an admiring sigh

He remains, one hand upraised, at least until they turn a corner and break the line of sight.

She strokes Ivan once Mato's gone. Wistful but smiling. And as the speed limit IS broken, she doesn't even comment.

-------------

The boy looks to be eight or nine. He wears a green denim jacket over a t shirt and blue jeans. People look amused as the boy talks to himself.

"I know it's a really old ad, Monobrow, but maybe the job is still open? And we'll be safe there.Dragons and Falcons do NOT get along."

An older woman looks from a bench, sees the boy and inquires "Did you call me Monobrow?" She touches at the top of her face annoyed and feeling sensitive.

The boy shakes his head, "No. I wasn't talking to you or about you. You have a nice day" He waves, and keeps up the pace.

The Unicorn next to the boy fusses at him, "You gotta be careful, Noínín. You gotta obey the Escheat. They can't see me, but they can see and hear you."

"When you're right, you're right" He tells his friend, "Sorry" he says in quieter tones, "So stupd they can't see you."

While his friend, Monobrow, is more of foal than a colt, if Unicorns use that term. It wouldn't really fit ,Unicorns ain't horses. For one thing, Monobrow is slender and graceful beyond any horse. Also, he's got a leonine white tail instead of a horse tail, and lastly, his hooves are far more delicate

"They can't help it," Monobrow insists

"They could try," Noínín huffs "Stupid shattering and sundering and banality"

Monobrow lets his eyes shine in a way that means a smile among unicorns, "Sorry I couldn't heal your injuries more."

"It's okay, you're not full grown yet. Why in a hundred years, I bet you'll regrow ARMS or something" Noínín pats his friend. Not many get to touch a unicorn, but he and Monobrow have an understanding. "Can unicorns heal lost arms?"

"Only a 7th level grand master purity herdlord or better would have a chance, and those are SUPER rare" Monobrow says "Mostly I heal bruises or maybe stop you from ..." Monobrow stops talking there, realizing this will bring up bad memories.

Too late, "From dying, yeah," Noínín sighs.

In his fae form, the Clurichaun's green denim jacket looks more like a duster or trench coat, emerald, of course. His blonde hair is now strawberry blonde, and his ears slightly pointed. His eyes in EITHER guys are an unusual captivating green. As it is, he still feels cold. The Duchy of the Golden Sigil isn't known for warmth.

"Sorry," Monobrow hangs his head

"Don't be, I'd be a lot worse off if not for you" he says

"Well, yes, but it was because of me you got hurt" Monobrow reminds

"I think I had something to do with that" The boy asserts, "It's no nevermind. Come on"

The two make their way as the cold continues "maybe we can find some place warm for a while?"

Noínín sees a laundry mat, and slips in.

Monobrow comes with him but both are wary of cold of another kind. Banality is a B word

It's not very crowded, but the boy warms his hands near a dryer that is running, then looks about . Not very crowded, but maybe enough for music?

He breaks out his harmonica and almost regrets he did . IT is still cold. He lays it on the dryer and gives it a moment

A tired looking woman gives him a wary look. “Don’t be touchin’ my dryers.” She warns.

"Okay" he takes the harmonica back and steps away a notch

She has a baby in a carrier sitting on the floor near her, apparently no childcare available for chores. The little girl gurgles up at the lad.

Or maybe she sees his friend?

"Oh my gosh, a baby, how CUTE!" Monobrow waves his horn back and forth

Pudgy hands flail up at the unicorn and she squeals happily.

"Who's pure and innocent, " Monobrow says "YOU are, yes you are!"

A few moments pass, then the tired woman softens a bit. "Watch my dryer for a few minutes while I take her for a diaper change, and I'll give you a few quarters for the vending machine."