'cause you know I'm coming home

[mistyday]

Somehow, at this point, a magic doorway leading to yet another world doesn't surprise her at all. As soon as she sees the sun and the waves and the green where her quarters should be, she doesn't hesitate to step through. It's not just the warm draw of nature either, so refreshing after the cold darkness of space - there's something else drawing her as well. Or rather, someone else. She follows that sense down the beach, through the town, and to another door.

Knock, knock.

And there she stands on his front step, beaming. "Hey, stranger."

Comments

[stefanged]

“He's told you about his home?” Stefan glances over with genuine surprise. “I don't know much myself, but... yeah, he would be happy here. I know in some world, he gets reincarnated and becomes my godfather. But that's... that's not guaranteed, you know?”

Even if he and Maglor aren't on the greatest of terms, Stefan wishes the entire world for him. After all, some version had helped raise him.

[mistyday]

"He only told me a little bit," she hedges. That's not her story to tell and... She doesn't want to ruin Stefan's view of Maglor. It's honestly a truth she struggles with all the time. "Most of his family is gone."

[stefanged]

Understanding washes over him. This isn't something to pry - and Stefan can respect that.

"He'll get a son," Stefan says quietly, managing a faint smile. "Liam. Cocky brat, but... overall a good kid. And a wife who loves him more than I thought humanly possible, and - well, my parents are his best friends."

There's hope for Maglor, in some universe, even if he doesn't end up here in this resort town.

[mistyday]

"Oh, I'm glad! He'd be such a good daddy! Probably spoil 'em rotten though."

[stefanged]

“I did just say his kid's cocky,” Stefan says with a laugh. “Pretty sure he's well loved.”

And a little too spoiled, though he leaves that unsaid.

[mistyday]

"How old is he?"

[stefanged]

“27? 28? He was older than me, but not as old as Damon...” Stefan shrugs. “But he's an elf like his dad, so he's gonna live for a long time.”

[mistyday]

"That's true. I guess 27 is only a baby in their view."

[stefanged]

"Can't imagine what that's like," he admits, fully aware that he's far older than he appears. "But then again, we had actual kids hanging around with us."

[mistyday]

"You mean like... little vampire kids?"

[stefanged]

“No.” He furrows his brow at the thought. “I mean like... like on the Fleet, how kids were kidnapped too. They should've been in school but instead, they're fighting for their lives.”

[mistyday]

"Oh..." Her expression falls. "Yeah. Like Takashi. You ever meet him?"

[stefanged]

"Once. He drew me a picture of Vima."

A picture that didn't make it with him to Itinere, but Stefan doesn't dwell on that now.

"He shouldn't have been there, you know."

[mistyday]

"No he shouldn't. Ain't right at all, to take kids like that. He was a tough little thing though."

[stefanged]

"You'd have to be, to make it out of there alive."

As peaceful as the Fleet had been, Stefan can't help thinking back to the horrors they'd witnessed. Itinere, with all of its seaside appearances, was far more benevolent.

He forces a smile, partially so he won't dwell on it any longer, "But we made it, right? Better here than there?"

[mistyday]

"Right! Every step I take is better than the last!"

[stefanged]

"Especially if we're in front of your new favorite store," he teases, stopping right in front of a local nursery.

Stefan doesn't know enough about plants, and certainly not enough to know if this place is exactly what Misty needs - but he knows her love for the great outdoors, and well? This is certainly a way to bring more of it to her.

[mistyday]

"Oh!" Misty hugs him from the side. "Thank you, this is perfect! I can't wait to get a garden going again!"