Another Way

Chapter 37: Phantasm

Even when abbreviated, the recollection of everything that had happened within just the past few days was enough to make Daystar's eyes go wide.

There was, of course, the sheer quantity of the events, the confrontations against the most rotten individuals Sue had the misfortune of encountering in this world. But perhaps even more impressive was the clear emotional impact it all had left on the Forest Guardian. Even the stuff she'd avoided digging into too much had obviously affected her. Taking in a little one as your own was already taxing enough—triply so in such uncertain times.

The mentions of the ghostly child drew gasps and 'aww's from the rest of their little group, especially Snowdrop. Which then became gasps at the revelation that they were a ghost of sorts, and then fiercely held-in sobs as Sue described more of who they were. The icy performer's partner took the news in with a bit more distance, but not even she could resist the sadness at finding out about Twinkle's past. Especially with her own past having likely contributed to at least a few stories like that.

Sue was uncertain what would Snowdrop's reaction be to her bringing up Lilly, what with her having clearly tried to hit on her earlier. To her relief, it was nothing but positive. And incredibly amusing, but that was more so for Daystar. She snickered, "Wouldya look at that Snowy—who knows, maybe your attempts with them tied their fates together~?"

The suggestion was clearly said in jest, but it burned Snowdrop's cheeks no less intensely, melting the thin layer of frost built up on her face. "I—why—Daystar!" she accused, too flustered to continue.

"Present~!" the weasel giggled back as she leaned in, arm wrapped tight around her girlfriend.

Solstice's attempts to subdue her amusement at the pair's antics were going much better than Sue's, that's for sure. The latter's soft, hiccupy laugh was enough to redirect the couple's attention back onto herself. "Oh-uh, sorry—"

"You have nothing to be sorry about, Sue!" Snowdrop reassured, yellow-blue eyes more lit up than the Forest Guardian had ever seen them before.

And right beside her, the stretched weasel grew curious about one part of Sue's recollection in particular. "Now I'm wonderin' what kinda 'argument' ya got into when checking up on Sunny," she remarked—before hiding her smirk at seeing the Forest Guardian's eyes go wide at that. "You ain't striking me as an argumentative type, is all—was it Willow? Figured they'd blurt out something nasty for the occasion..."

Guess their beliefs aren't a secret for anyone but myself...

Hearing the pink healer be so offhandedly accused with something like that stung, especially when only the green and cream snake still curled up nearby was as much as taken aback at the idea. It stung to feel like a dumbass, like she was the exact last person to realize the character of the person who had likely saved her life—the character she was still so incredibly conflicted on. As was the healer themselves, to the best of her ability to piece together.

Ultimately, whether there was something more to them like she hoped for or not, it didn't matter—because they weren't the culprit here. And the actual answer was, somehow, even more uncomfortable to talk about. She almost didn't want to discuss the topic at all, especially not with Solstice within earshot. But, she also felt like she had to, specifically because Solstice was around. After all, if she got her undue affection and—and love earlier from her, got more goodness than she'd ever expected or deserved, wouldn't it only be fair to her mentor to know the full extent of just who she was, for good or ill?

It made all the sense in the world to her self-loathing, at least. Said emotion wasn't missed out on others, either. Even beyond its intensity being almost physical for the older Forest Guardian, the couple they were talking to picked up on her faltering expression. Daystar had almost found it within herself to go against her teasing nature and nudge Sue away from pursuing the topic further—but she was just slightly too late. "It's..." Sue began, her gaze sinking to the grassy dirt beneath her. "Northeast. I'm not sure if you've met her, Daystar—"