Another Way

Chapter 13: Bloom

Astra and Joy's appearance brought Sue a great deal of relief and happiness alike- both at knowing they were doing well after their sudden separation yesterday, and at the fact that Comet would have someone to play with besides just her. With that heartwarming revelation came another that was less reassuring if similarly good at the face value- the bandages wrapped around Joy's maw were gone, a couple cuts that were previously hidden only barely visible anymore, the intimidating back mouth now able to move around freely, left slightly agape as the girl herself looked up at her tall friend from her hug.

That smile was really good at melting through Sue's worries, she had to give Joy that.

Once the two mouthed girl had detached herself from the Forest Guardian's legs, she ran back into the sand pit, Astra passing Sue a wave as she sat down and got comfortable herself, Comet's squeaks and wriggling making it very clear he wanted to join them all in there, and thankfully for him, so did the adult holding him. Thankfully, the dragon got the cue that Sue would need help with actually sitting down herself, helping Comet down into the play area before providing support for the once human as she lowered herself down, Sue's seat in the sand not exactly the most comfortable, but she had more than enough distractions around her to keep that fact from becoming too annoying.

One of said distractions could hardly contain himself after finally being released onto his own legs, a clumsy waddle leading him first back up to Sue, and then over towards Joy, her maw opening a bit more as she scrambled a bit closer to her guardian at the sight, Sue's careful pets helping her keep her composure.

"Don't worry sweetie, he just wants to shay hi."

Sue's words were appreciated a lot, if not for their contents then for their tone, Joy reaching up to hold the Forest Guardian's hand close to her front for a moment before finally daring a step forward towards Comet- a step that the littlest one himself responded to with a gleeful squeak and an excited scramble, pulling most of Joy's body into a clumsy, but very heartfelt hug.

A couple stammered, incomprehensible words that followed from her, responded to with a quiet mumble from Comet, made Sue want to link up with her and hopefully provide some understanding the girl lacked much of the time, the Forest Guardian beginning to go through the motions before her attention was yanked away by Spark's glorious return right onto her lap, wonderfully warm presence accompanied with a couple woofs that caught the other two's attention.

Fine, fine, Spark's been waiting for her chance to speak for longer, teehee.

Joy watched the following display of weird gestures from the friendly Forest Guardian with confusion in her little mind, arms holding Comet all the while until he decided to waddle away and sit down, Sue speaking back up interrupting her in trying to follow the baby Forest Guardian's lead-

"Hey Sparkie, yes you can hear me now~"

The lil' vixen was thankfully not discouraged one bit by having to piece some of Sue's sentences together, woofing back with enthusiasm shortly afterwards-

"Yay yay! How do? Thought you not do."

Sue had to think back to the cover-up story Solstice had disseminated around, hoping Spark wouldn't know enough to start potentially poking holes in it-

"Solstice taught me sweetie, I'm really thankful to her."

Spark's excited head nods in response were adorable, the little one seeming to think for a moment before responding-

"Can teach me she?"

"Why not your mom?"

Sue felt a bit of a sting inside her at seeing the firefox deflate at her question, worrying briefly she'd accidentally misspoke- though thankfully, that wasn't the issue.