#odyssey

"Well, coach sucks. Dad doesn't even spring for First Class that often..."

"Frankly it seems cruel to parade us past folks there in such small seats"

"Feh! Live a little, Buttercup! Plus, there's snacks."

"Should we text The Boss?"

Wonder of wonders! SIGNAL!

The little bars on each phone light up.

"Oh happy day"

Art is gazing out the window. “I’ll report in person, my news.”

"We'll keep it mum, then."

"Too late already texted it"

then a grin "Just kidding"

"You wait, the Baron and Baroness will be cool. They gotta."

"You earned this. And it looks good on you. You think you'll get, like, a mentor? An internship type deal?"

"Technically he could be assigned as my squire" Gladiola snirks

A BLINK.

"oh come on they wouldn't do that" She says

”Ah. Well. I like you, Gwen, and all, but… I don’t think that’s the path I’m meant to tread.” He grins. “I’m no good with dogs, after all.”

Shrug. "Seems a blessing - you can focus on research and learning and whatever else, instead of politics."

"And you're in no way a rival or a threat to the B&B."

"Does mean you won't be heir" A shrug "Sorry?"

“Beaumayn are one of the least politically minded houses, next to Scathach. My house…”

He pauses, tasting how that sounds. “My house is filled with prophets and warriors, visionaries and those who fight against the Elder Dark… we are not welcomed by many, due to ancient misdeeds- mostly forgotten, but there are some with long memories… even Liam are more accepted in many courts than the Dark Star.”

His gaze is distant, not Seeing, but remembering.

“Or so it was, once.”

Not sure what to say to that, Gwen offers "Peanut?"

He laughs! “did you see, in our carryon?” Someone has packed cake for the trip!

"Ha!"

"Mine is full of coffee" A blush

"Coffee is good with cake..." A wave for the flight attendant!

She attends! Far more attentively than coach.

Limitless snacks and drinks, pillows, a meal, hot towels, fresh cookies…

Gwen texts "We're on our way home."

And she smiles as she looks out the window. Much as she loved their visit, and is glad the baby was returned to her parents, she's felt increasingly worried they were gone far too long

"Winter is gonna go quick. Right? Right. Super quick."

"You know it will" SHe says

She's not sure it will FEEL Super quick though

Art is gazing out the window. "Look, it looks like we could reach out and touch the clouds..." as they smoothly navigate through fluffy banks in the air.

"It does . they kind of look like little ice bergs below when we get higher still"

"Ohhh, you know what this means we can do now!"

"What would that be? Oh, order more snacks?"

"Do you think they have ice cream?"

"Worth asking!"

"But no - aerocopters! Zeppelins!"

"Oh, you mean now, not now!"

"You know, I'm learning to appreciate olde Mother Earth, solid and sure"

"Spaceships." A grin.

"Grass and trees"

"You know, the Earth is 71% water." Art says, with a grin.

Grunt

"Star-trods."

"....Star-trods." He whispers, eyes wide. Then, looking out the window once more, as though he might see one. The sun is still out... barely, but the sky is far from dark enough for stars.

"We got lots to do ahead."