Among the trees

[onceaviking]

Eric seems to have a very specific tree in mind, steering Athelstan down paths invisible to the human eye.

The tree turns out to be an oak, widespread and solid.

Comments

[onceaviking]

"It is. Very much so even. I'm sure she'll enjoy that too."

[athelstanthescribe]

"It would be like a bathing pool, but completely natural."

[onceaviking]

"And classy. She likes that."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes, nothing less than elegance for Pam."

[onceaviking]

"I think it'll be a good trip," Eric says, sounding quite pleased with himself.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods. "And I'm sure both of you would welcome some time away."

[onceaviking]

"Yes. We both need that," Eric agrees.
"And with Sookie's house off the market and The Authority off my back, we ought to be able to enjoy it."

[athelstanthescribe]

"What's happening with Sookie's house?" he asks, confused.

[onceaviking]

"Her idiot brother out it up for sale. So I bought it," Eric says, matter of factly.

[athelstanthescribe]

"But isn't she living in it?"

[onceaviking]

He looks away.

"She's gone missing," he says.
Casually.

.... well, not really.

[athelstanthescribe]

"And her brother... decided to sell her house?"

[onceaviking]

"She's been gone for a while. And - as I said - he is an idiot."

Eric shrugs.

Then he adds, "I can't feel her. Anywhere."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Is there a limit to that connection? Of distance?"

[onceaviking]

"Yes. She's either very far away or in another place entirely."

Or dead. But he is not going to say that.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Are there - other places she could be? Places like Milliways?"

Clearly she's not actually in Milliways.

[onceaviking]

"She's part fairy."

That explains everything.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Ah. So she might have gone to their country."

[onceaviking]

He nods.

She'll come back.





She has to.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Could her brother not go to look for her there? Or does he not have the fairy blood?"

[onceaviking]

Eric shakes his head.
"He doesn't," he says with absolute certainty.

[athelstanthescribe]

Well, Eric would know.

"Still. Without proof she's never coming back, to sell her home..." He shakes his head.

[onceaviking]

"As I said, he is an idiot," Eric says with a sniff.
"But now it'll be waiting for her. For when she returns."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods.

"And will be safe for - well, certainly for her possible lifespan."

Probably longer.

[onceaviking]

Eric nods.
"Yes. It will stand as she left it."

Then he smiles a little.
"And seeing as it is now my house, I won't need an invitation once she returns."