Spring at White Valley

Willoh has been through a lot. That much, no one could deny.

Travelling almost the breadth of Woodveil and back would be a challenge for anyone alone, but to have done so while hunting one of the most elusive and dangerous people Elstren has ever seen might have earned Willoh quite the reputation. In the end, though, everyone involved—from the government of the town in which he was finally stopped to Sunder and Willoh themselves—deemed it best if no one learned of what happened. Unleashed back onto the world, long lost from their original path with the Lantern Bearers and with no more shadows to chase, Willoh is left wondering what comes next.

In all of what happened, Willoh hadn't really found a new way to go. There was little heroism left in them, they felt like they'd done their part and more or less just wanted to be left alone. In the weeks that follow, they come to a realization, however.

A realization that leads them here. At the top of White Valley, as the sun hangs warm and high over a mid-Spring day casting long rays through the thick canopy of brilliant willow trees lining the mouth of the valley, Willoh is setting up a surprise. They drop a basket near the cliff face, digging through it and withdrawing a cloth that they unfurl and lay over the soft grass in a well-shaded spot. They also draw out two tall vacuum flasks, two teacups and dishes for them, and four bowls, two of which are empty, one containing a couple of apples and the last a heap of strawberries, laying everything out.

And just quickly enough, as Merle crests the hill behind Willoh.

"Ah, there you are! I was beginning to wonder where you went..." they say with a little laugh, but then turn their gaze onto the little picnic that Willoh laid out. "Oh! Willoh... so this is what you wanted, huh?"

They smile meekly, their cheeks tinting with embarrassment, or at least so they would if they still could. They nod.

"I thought this might be ah... r-romantic?" Willoh says, almost hesitating for a moment as if they're worried about being sappy, but the notion seems to bring a smile to Merle's face as well and they happily wander over and plop themselves down criss-cross applesauce on the blanket, and Willoh quickly sits down by them.

"Oh, you were right... what a view. You came here as a child, you said?" Merle asks, looking over the spread.

"A long time ago, yeah. This place is important to the Lantern. It's... well." Willoh pops open one of the vacuum flasks, decanting a thick and chunky stew of beef and varietal vegetables into each of the two empty bowls, a solid effort at a tasty stew for someone who doesn't know much about cooking. As they do so, they point down into the valley, at the stark and imposing pedestal of marble occupying its very center. "Don't feel too judged up here, but that's where we would go to get... judged by the Architect. It's a beautiful place, otherwise, really."

Merle quirks a brow, pondering the Pedestal for a moment as Willoh moves on to filling the teacups with warm and faintly honeyed black tea. "It's gorgeous, but... I admit, I'm a little surprised that you would want to come back here...?"

"...I guess I am too," Willoh says quietly, staring down into the valley before turning their gaze back to Merle. "But you know... this place is really pretty, and my parents named me after these willows. I guess I have a special connection to this place, Architect or not, and... I feel like I'm starting to make some peace with the Architect, anyway."

Merle nods thoughtfully. "Ah... I don't want to be too dour. That's good to hear, though." They scoop up one of the bowls of soup, giving it a taste and perking up a touch. "Oh, this is nice for someone who doesn't eat anymore..." they say with titter.

"Psh..." Willoh waves a hand, picking up their own. "I can eat, you know... anyway. I ah... I guess it's just too big to see me, no matter what I do. I try to think of it that way, like it's not... intentionally forsaking me, personally." They shrug with an awkward smile.

"It's likely the truth," insists Merle, taking a sip of the tea and laying a hand over Willoh's for a moment, easing them up a bit.

"Y'know, people came out here looking for guidance. A lot of them got it, I guess. Some people talk about wild visions standing on the Pedestal, things that give them 'shocks of divine inspiration' or... whatever. I was thinking that maybe coming out here would give me some clarity, too, even if not in the same way." Willoh drums their fingers on their thighs, conspicuously too distracted by the conversation and the valley below to touch their food, as Merle is putting some work in on theirs as politely as they can.

"Do you feel like it has...?"

Willoh stops for a moment, before looking back to Merle and nodding. "...Yeah. I think so."

"That's good, at least! Clarity isn't an easy thing to come by, these days..." Merle affirms, prompting Willoh to scoot over, leaning their shoulder into Merle's and briefly squeezing their free hand.

"I don't know what I want to do, Merle. Maybe I just want to... rest, forever. Linger around, look at stuff. Eat, occasionally. Sleep a lot. But... I know that I want to do it by your side, whatever it is." Willoh says, faintly straining to get the words out--this sort of sentimentality is still unusual for them.

Merle grins, tugging Willoh close and wrapping an arm tight around them. "You're too sweet." They brush a hand through Willoh's hair, and Willoh melts against them, head lying on their shoulder.

"I love you, Merle."

"I love you too, Willoh."

As the two share a quiet moment listening to the breeze wash through the willows, something breaks them out of it... a mallard! It comes plodding right onto the picnic blanket, boldly shoving its face directly into the bowl of strawberries as if the two picnickers aren't right there. Willoh is immediately starstruck, squeezing Merle emphatically and pointing with a shocked face, while Merle giggles sweetly and as quietly as they can. The duck slaps its face around in the strawberries.

"I didn't realize you'd brought a friend, Willoh..."

"I can't help having a good eye for strawberries... I don't blame him, I'd do the same thing." Willoh snickers, just watching rapt as the duck, having finished the strawberries and with a thoroughly red-stained bill, starts to wander off as abruptly as it had showed up. It toddles off into the treeline. "Do you think that was a sign...?"

"I'm certainly feeling blessed, either way. Look at him go."

"Truly one of the Architect's finest."