#odyssey

"Any of you remember where you came from? It's... uh.. fall of '24, if that helps."

HER EYES WIDEN

GOldy cries all over again "I've been gone for 28 years"

not quite true, but the trauma is real "My parents will have replaced me"

Derva looks relieved, then guilty for being relieved

"Your parents will be so relieved to have you home."

She rubs her temples. "Yeah, okay. Okay, I think this is very much an Anne-Marie and Jonas problem."

Gutter tuts "Kids a threat to the Escheatn ow though right? Can't go home, they'll wonder why she's the same age"

Beldame hisses at Gutter, "they will make up their own reasons, aliens abducted or whatever... ignorance is one thing, but this child deserves her folks if we have to chicanery them to accept it"

"Easy easy, we'll find away with help" PUdge says ignoring how long HE has been gone

Gutter snorts "Fine"

"The rest of you - hopefully you'll be able to slot back, somewhere."

Nods

Mutters

Pudge speaks for them "Don't you worry, Dame Dagmar, we got it from here"

"indeed," Beldame whispers "You've done your parts. And have other matter to tend to"

"I know that my home can at least be a waypoint. You can find rest and help there."

"At least a homier welcome than, say, Firnost. Even if all trods lead to Kansas City."

Pudge chuckles "That place still standing? My word"

Snort. "That place is immortal."

"Delightfully unseemly at times" Beldame whispers to GOldy "See, if Firnost stands, then anything is possible"

The pooka perks up then looks at Dagmar "You have a pup squire ?"

She nods. "His name's Connor. He's a few years older than you."

"Connor. When he makes Knight, I shall seek him out and Awoo him" Goldy says happily

almost dreamily

Derva makes a face "You're going to woo him?"

Goldy nods, then goes "AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"

The sluaughs wince

Goldy giggles

Tears are still in the pooka girl's eyes, but she managed a joke, get it?

Dagmar chuckles.

Pudge gives the girl a hug "It's good to have you back to yourself, Goldy. We missed you"

Goldy nods "I missed me too."

The Eshu looks tempted to say more but leaves be