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At the appointed time, Devon sits outside the Summer Crown's cabin in the Freehold Hollow. There's a stone big enough for one person to sit on, which he probably Hedgespun into place for himself, and he's just... sitting still. Waiting. Paused, perhaps. He's wearing a well-worn and stained set of fitted coveralls, short-sleeved and with the sleeves rolled up. One sharp blue eye watches the Freehold grounds, the only hint that the Helldiver is anything other than in a state of paused animation.
Lif arrives in dark-wash bootcut jeans and a tank top, their hair back in a braid and a black cowboy hat on their head. As usual, they're leaking water from eyes and throat, and they're carrying a backpack with some gardening tools poking out of pockets. Their attention lingers on the Summer King thoughtfully.
The Fae-Touched has dressed as you would for a business meeting, cause really he has no idea how else to present himself--freshly pressed tucked in button up shirt into nice slacks, hair neat and tidy. He looks a little overwhelmed as he looks around at the Hedge after being brought in, lips parted. His eyes soak everything in intently, before focusing on Devon as he follows Lif and Drake over to him.
Drake has dressed up for the occasion - in this case, that means layering on necklace upon necklace, bracelet on bracelet, almost in an armor of wealth to go with the piercings. The bits of clothing that do show visibly are the beginnings of a power suit - armor of another kind. The dragon man controls his normal scuttle to keep pace with the Avowed. Talons unadorned as if to provide clarity in motion. "Crown Devon," says Drake as he signs along. "I introduce Fae-Touched," sign for knight, "Rocco." With name sign. "And also Lif, but you may already know them," adds the dragon with a nod towards them.
"I do," agrees the Summer King, rising to his feet with an inhumanly liquid grace. Helldivers don't always look terribly inhuman, even at high Wyrd, and this is definitely true of Devon the Black. His arms hang loosely at his sides, and his singular blue gaze sweeps over the trio. "Lif," and his amiable smile doesn't change. "Drake." And then lastly that gaze settles on Rocco. Devon's Mantle is subtle, for all it's present, because it blends in with the Summer weather near-perfectly at the moment: the smell of ozone, the threat of thunder distant on the horizon. "So."
"Tell me your story, kid."
Lif steps up to Rocco's side, and offers him a reassuring smile. "You're up."
Rocco considers Devon as he speaks, focusing on his mouth, but when he finishes speaking he gives the Crown a thoughtful look over. Then he clears his throat, glancing uncertainly between Lif and Drake, before focusing back on the King. Like Drake, he signs along as he speaks.
"I was childhood friends with Drake. I promised him I would protect him, when we were young. Over the years we lost touch, but several years ago I started to have strange dreams. I know now that it was dreams of him, while he was in the Fairy place. A few years ago I felt that he was in danger and needed my help, and I tried to go to him, but..." Rocco hesitates, then continues signing and speaking. "I was stopped. I thought he was dead and I had failed him. Until a few weeks ago, when I felt the call again, and knew he was in danger. I went through a door into this place, and saved him from a giant wolf that was trying to eat him. Now I am Avowed, and learning what I can. It's very confusing."
Drake made a reassuring gesture at the beginning, but otherwise stayed quiet with that unblinking stare as Rocco recounted his tale. "He is very brave," states Drake with emphatic motion to go with the words.
That same amiable, resting-animation smile remains on Devon's face, and his single eye slides its gaze back and forth between Rocco and Drake. "Hunh." A beat's pause, and then he gestures between Rocco and Drake. "You saved him?" There's not disbelief, per se, just as if asking clarification.
"Yeah, it's confusing." Simple statement of fact, as if he's saying 'yes, the sky is blue today and it is hot.' And then to Lif: "You said you explained the rules and regulations to Rocco, here?"
Scene Faded.
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