It's a giggle that guides him, a little fey-light lilt that darts ahead, dancing in the darkness as deep as Nothing, as dark as Beyond. There are things in the darkness, in the space between the worlds sometimes, and it's better to be wary.
But there are good things to be found as well, and the tiny light that dances on invisible wings waits, chimes a little wave when it finds the lost dreamer in its realm. Starshine dusts its blurry outline, and the voice echoes in the stillness, chirps of a sound as it sways and weaves close to the visitor. Paper wishes dangle from odd spaces, and there is warmth to be found as it lays a tiny limb-- hand?-- against an arm.
There's a vague sense of joy, of wonder and of excitement that slips through, before eyes are opened and the dream fades.
*~*~*
This is not home.
Esteban knows it as soon as he opens his eyes again, deep breath settled at the bottom of his lungs. This is not home, not without Eriat's deep glow overhead. The sun is dipping below the horizon, in oranges and reds as deep as the flames he wields, and the sound of crashing waves below him gets carried by the harsh wind that surges against the cliffs.
Trees are clumped together some distance away, sheltered in an outcrop rock and dirt that climbs higher along the flank of the mountain, their late fall leaves loose brightly coloured. The grass surrounding him is dry, and brittle, and dips a short distance away, indicating something must have crossed the grass there.
Esteban is careful to check himself first. Each limb stings a bit, but doesn't protest when he moves, just like after a long and contented nap. It feels just a little too close to a dream at first, but a pinch stings and burns enough that he no longer fears it. Something sweet-sounding rises from a nearby bush, a gentle echo of music, like a violin as Esteban glances through his bag.
His normal supplies. An extra change of clothes, he's surprised to note, but the rest is normal. Only the pages of his now all-important journal contain a slip of paper he hadn't seen before, peeking over the rim. He'll check it later. Food and water are safe, so his urgency for either is severely diminished; but he'll need to set a campfire soon.
He pushes back his immediate questions, figuring he's not quite ready to address them, and stands, watching the untamed wilderness surrounding him. There's skittering things between the trees; little creatures that got frightened, and ran, but he doesn't know if there might be something more dangerous lingering nearby. By the trace in the grass- and here he pauses, surprised to find something white cradled in the dry beds.
It takes him a moment to recognize the coat, before what he's seeing smacks him in the face.
"Seto?" He blinks, surprised, but joy soon shimmers as he takes the few steps between them, reaching for his friend's shoulder. It doesn't vanish when Esteban grips at the white fabric, and he has to fight the urge to pinch himself again. 'Dians, it's his friend! It's his friend, and he's missed Kaiba's taciturn presence in the last few months!
"Seto, hey! Good morning!" he calls out-- a little more softly than his usual tone-- with a gentle shake. This requires a proper hug, and he can't get that while Seto is asleep after all.
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But there are good things to be found as well, and the tiny light that dances on invisible wings waits, chimes a little wave when it finds the lost dreamer in its realm. Starshine dusts its blurry outline, and the voice echoes in the stillness, chirps of a sound as it sways and weaves close to the visitor. Paper wishes dangle from odd spaces, and there is warmth to be found as it lays a tiny limb-- hand?-- against an arm.
There's a vague sense of joy, of wonder and of excitement that slips through, before eyes are opened and the dream fades.
*~*~*
This is not home.
Esteban knows it as soon as he opens his eyes again, deep breath settled at the bottom of his lungs. This is not home, not without Eriat's deep glow overhead. The sun is dipping below the horizon, in oranges and reds as deep as the flames he wields, and the sound of crashing waves below him gets carried by the harsh wind that surges against the cliffs.
Trees are clumped together some distance away, sheltered in an outcrop rock and dirt that climbs higher along the flank of the mountain, their late fall leaves loose brightly coloured. The grass surrounding him is dry, and brittle, and dips a short distance away, indicating something must have crossed the grass there.
Esteban is careful to check himself first. Each limb stings a bit, but doesn't protest when he moves, just like after a long and contented nap. It feels just a little too close to a dream at first, but a pinch stings and burns enough that he no longer fears it. Something sweet-sounding rises from a nearby bush, a gentle echo of music, like a violin as Esteban glances through his bag.
His normal supplies. An extra change of clothes, he's surprised to note, but the rest is normal. Only the pages of his now all-important journal contain a slip of paper he hadn't seen before, peeking over the rim. He'll check it later. Food and water are safe, so his urgency for either is severely diminished; but he'll need to set a campfire soon.
He pushes back his immediate questions, figuring he's not quite ready to address them, and stands, watching the untamed wilderness surrounding him. There's skittering things between the trees; little creatures that got frightened, and ran, but he doesn't know if there might be something more dangerous lingering nearby. By the trace in the grass- and here he pauses, surprised to find something white cradled in the dry beds.
It takes him a moment to recognize the coat, before what he's seeing smacks him in the face.
"Seto?" He blinks, surprised, but joy soon shimmers as he takes the few steps between them, reaching for his friend's shoulder. It doesn't vanish when Esteban grips at the white fabric, and he has to fight the urge to pinch himself again. 'Dians, it's his friend! It's his friend, and he's missed Kaiba's taciturn presence in the last few months!
"Seto, hey! Good morning!" he calls out-- a little more softly than his usual tone-- with a gentle shake. This requires a proper hug, and he can't get that while Seto is asleep after all.