Hope Burns Bright - After the rescue....
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04:04 pm
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After the rescue....
After getting back home to Earth, things were touch and go fro Avalon. For the first week or so he had trouble sleeping - he was afraid to sleep, and would often end up crawling into bed with Josh or Henry in the middle of the night. Only then would he sleep, if at all. There were other signs of trauma that were hard to see with the naked eye - small enclosed spaces like the bathroom or even a car would cause him anxiety. He took to showering when no one else was about so that he could leave the door open. He also seemed quite unwilling to let his wings out, and actually had to be convinced it was okay to bring them out of the pocket realm he kept them in. Only Henry and Josh were allowed to see or touch them, and even then he was anxious and twitchy.
As June passed into July though, things have started to slow down, and Avalon seems to be adjusting better. About a week or so ago, he started flying again, although he wouldn't admit that he was afraid to before. Not because he didn't trust Josh's healing abilities, but because he was just that frightened of.. something he couldn't name. All of the fear and anxiety though were weathered through with a certain grimness that neither boy has seen in Avalon before. It's probably been easy for them to imagine that this is who Avalon was, long ago, when he was leading armies. He's been serious to a fault and quiet and observant. It's only at night when forced to be alone that his anxiety has come out. There have been few tears, few fits of worry. Just grim quiet that is in some ways harder to see the usually gregarious alien exhibit.
Now that July is in it's second week though, things seem.. almost normal. Avalon's trauma is all but gone, and he's actually taken to letting his wings out for short amounts of time. hes' very protective of them, and seems to almost obsessively groom the feathers, plucking any that are anything but perfect out in an old habit that comes from war. He's still on edge most of the time, but at least he's started to smile more and sleep better. He's not ended up in someone else's bed every night of the week, and he's managed to go flying almost every day for a short amount of time. He's getting better and that's the important thing.
It's Friday, and the boys have had a lazy day to themselves - Hal is off saving the universe again, leaving them to be alone and to not worry about appearances. Avalon actually sits in the middle of Henry's bed, a picture book of Earthling animals in his lap as he suns himself through one of the last afternoon sunbeams coming in Henry's window. he even has his wings out, the silvery feathers carefully arraigned around himself.
Tags: avalon, henry jordan, josh casey
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Henry himself didn't sleep well for a few weeks, either. The torture affected him more than he'd ever admit. He'd wake up in the middle of the night if he was sleeping alone, then try to find space in Kat, Josh, or Ava's bed.
He recovered sooner than Avalon, at least to all appearances. He returned to his usual behavior as quickly as possible -- to prove to himself that he was fine if for no other reason. But he was careful around Avalon: he was certain to stick close to him, but also wanted to give him his space simultaneously. He was near in case Avalon needed comfort; he was just far enough away to give the Naltorian his space.
Henry sits at his computer, playing a game while Avalon rests on his bed behind him.
Josh has been a worried and nervous little healer the whole time. He's been close but giving space to both Lanterns. They were welcomed into his bed and clung to as if afraid he'd lose them again. The healer hated Malicor now more than ever, seeing what was happening to Henry and Avalon. The healer continued to do anything he could to help them as the time passed.
Today, Josh is just laying on the floor next to Henry's bed. He's studying a book on biology at the moment, just seeking to improve his knowledge.
Looking up, Ava cocks his head to the side and then starts to frown some. He's feeling something he's not felt in a long time, an he wants to make sure he's not losing his head. Looking down to Josh he shifts forward to the edge of the bed and asks "Hey Josh.. Do you sense anything alien? I.. Think I'm feeling my father but I can't be sure."
That said he sits up an moves to the window, looking out towards te sky, trying to see if he can spy anything.
Henry nods. "We talking... great white shark of the air, here?"
Josh frowns and goes quiet. "I'm not gonna let it kill anyone," he says firmly.
"Well, there aren't any healers like you on Starhaven, which is why Father said that having you along will even things out. The only bad part is.. Without you guys being able to fly, we're going to have a harder time taking one down." He draws in a breath, then says "Feartails are called such because they have a highly venomous spike on their tail.. and they often use it to strike and cause paralysis before they attack with their claws."
It takes a bit of time for everything to get into line. Avalon is ready long before the other boys are, but then again it doesn't take much for him. He's taking surprisingly little - not even a change of clothing. All he takes is himself.. and his ring.
He waits for the other boys downstairs, nervously pacing back and forth as he tries to put everything in line within his mind. It's not that he's worried, he's just more highly strung and feeling twitchy. It's hard for him to not slip back towards hold habits that have kept him alive for a long time. When Josh and Henry are ready, he will take them into space and on to Starhaven.
Henry noticed that Avalon didn't pack much, and did the same. In fact, he didn't pack anything.
"Razor will be one more thing to carry," he admits. "Changes of clothing are too much to carry, too. And I figure Josh can help us to replace a need to brush our teeth, so we don't need to pack a toothbrush, either." He grins. "I've talked to Din and my Dad. Ready when you are. Let's go make you a man." He leans in and gives Avalon a flirtatious kiss along his jaw, near his ear, and breathes softly, "Again, anyway..."
Josh frowns as he joins the others, only packing a utility knife. "I'm ready to go when you guys are," he says. "Please say we're warping?" he asks, still nervous about space travel.
Unable to really say anything to that, Ava just huffs out a breath and settles down, closing his eyes as the other boys stroke and pet him. He fluffs his feathers a bit, trying to settle his heart and not worry.. quite so much.
A bit later - after some relaxing and a short snooze by Avalon, the three find their way back out to the main living area as Sunsinger announces that dinner is ready. Avalon's mother is out - and it's quite apparent who he favors the most strongly.
She stands and goes to meet them, wrapping her arms around her winged son and gives him a tight hug. Without even blinking an eye, she looks to Henry and then Josh, and says "You will all do well - I know this to be true. You must simply go and do the rite." Pulling back, she takes a hard look at Avalon, then says softly "All will be well. Do not fear will cause you pain."
"I'll make sure he makes it," Henry promises her.
Josh nods firmly. "I won't let them get hurt," he adds. "And we'll do it."
The next morning is a whirl of activity and it leaves Avalon with little time to work his nerves up or even worry. They are awoken at dawn, and spend the first couple hours as the sun rises in a sweat lodge being purified. Then it's back to the family home to eat breakfast, and while there Sunsinger awards the boys with several weapons that he has made just for this occasion. Each teen is given a spear and a knife, and once he learns that Josh is proficient with a bow, Josh is given a quiver of arrows and a quite powerful long bow.
And then.. it's time to go. Sunsinger leaves with the boys to escort them out into the wilderness - mainly because if they are left to walk on their own it will take half a day to reach. They are allowed to use their rings.. at least until then.. but by now Avalon has taken his off and left it with his father, who wears it on a bit of necklace chain around his neck. He trusts that it will be safe.
Henry glides along in the air, in silent anticipation as they fly, carrying Josh with them.
Josh holds tight to Henry, looking over his knife and spear a few times. He's just nervous. Keeping quiet, the healer lets his senses stretch out and take in everything he can about the land around them.
The night fades into day with little to call eventful, the boys curled up together around the fire. The next day is just more of the same.. Avalon scouts ahead now and again but generally sticks close to the others.
Another night and another sunrise, and Avalon is trying to keep from getting discouraged. He knows that this is just part of the test - that if he gets upset or overly discouraged that he will loose the challenge. Faith is something he must hold onto, and Avalon tries to find that faith deep within the well of Hope that flows through him.
The sun is rising on the third day, and it's getting time to wake the others. Quietly he goes to Henry's side, pressing a hand to the other teen's shoulder and says softly "Henry.."
Henry opens his eyes with a sharp inhale of breath. "Morning, Blue," he greets. He stretches out before sitting up and scratching at his now-scruffy face. "Ready to go find and kill a Feartail today?" It's what he's said the last two days, of course.
Henry's been unwavering in his intention to succeed on this mission, suggesting strategy options, and generally taking a leadership role during the search.
Josh seems to already be awake...and no where to be found. Searching finds him about five feet away from the others with his eyes closed. "Guys...I'm getting a read on something big..." he trails off softly. He's been unusually quiet for the past few days. Sure he's his usual self at night when they're resting or when a question is asked and he's just as affectionate as usual but otherwise he's quiet. The healer's confident as well that they'll succeed, he's just keeping watch for any signs of trouble.
The one thing about Lantern flight is that it doesn't follow the laws of physics. Off above the trees, Avalon is locked in battle with the Feartail, though it's a wheeling, careening dance between himself and the other winged creature. Not for the first time in his life, he is thankful for the way he is built - small and light with angled wings, Avalon is more maneuverable than the bigger beast.
The feartail is stronger though, and he finds himself struggling to keep away from it. Suddenly the creature feints and then strikes out with it's talons, catching Avalon's flesh and rips him from waist to collar. The impact dents him cartwheeling into the trees, where he crashes into the canopy of leaves. He's hurt though not as badly as it looks. The Feartail screams in her victory, thinking him dead.
Henry passes back out from the pain, letting his body heal.
Once he finishes healing Henry, Josh moves to pick Henry up and carry him on his back. He senses Ava's injuries and hears the FearTail. He's trying not to panic or anything but it's hard. Once he's sure Henry is going to be safe and secure, Josh takes off for where he senses Avalon as fast as he can.
A little while later, Henry opens his eyes.
"...hey..." he says softly to Josh.
Josh, covered in both red blood from humans and lavender blood from Ava, jumps when Henry wakes up. Seems he's been crying. "Henry," he greets, still holding the lantern close.
Henry slowly wraps his arms around Josh. "Hey," he says, still gently. "What's wrong? Where's Blue?"
A little while later, there is a flash of blue light outside of the cave, and Avalon steps in to the shallow cave wearing his ring-generated Blue Lantern uniform. "Guys?" he calls out softly, not seeing them at first. |
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