PENUMBRA (how the flowers grow)

16. Chrysanthemum

"You're a wonderful friend, joy, rest"

Tuluvey and Sabina leave the town of Argen early in the morning, spirits high. Tuluvey had a strong morning drink (Blue Bliss is a truly magical concoction) and he got just a touch tipsy, just slightly. He already wore it off and had a great time talking to everyone (everyone) in the tavern and Sabina had a great time laughing at him making a fool out of himself.

Tuluvey trips over a stone and nearly falls on his face and Sabina catches him, stifling laughs in her sleeve. He mock glares at her and they head out on the dirt road to the next city.

They get over a few hills before they start hearing voices chatting ahead of them. The terrain flattens out and Tuluvey spots two familiar blurs of orange walking up the path. His heart races and a wide grin nearly splits his face in two.

"Xaniphe! Jitho!" he yells.

Both of the girls turn away from each other and look forward, cheers erupting as they dash towards him and nearly knock him over as they tackle him in a hug.

"We missed you!" Xaniphe shouts into his ear. She presses her face into his neck and he gets a mouthful of lemon yellow hair. Jitho responds in the affirmative, squeezing him half to death with her surprisingly strong arms.

"You're getting beefy!" he exclaims and Jitho grins, letting him feel her newly forming muscles. Her tail thwacks him on the leg and he beams. He's missed her.

"L'gaoia's teaching me to use her poleaxe. I'm getting pretty good at it. We even got matching tattoos!"

"What?!"

Jitho proudly holds out her wrist to show him the black snake biting its tail that wraps around it. She gives him a positively beatific smile before turning toward Sabina saying, "Who're you? I'm Jitho!"

Sabina smiles awkwardly and gives an endearing little wave. "Sabina."

"That's a pretty name," Xaniphe says, stepping forward to hug her. "I'm Xaniphe. I bet Tulu's told you sooo much about me!" Tuluvey grabs the soft fabric of her flowy aqua dress and pulls her back next to him.

"No hugs yet," he tells her. "Maybe later."

Sabina shoots him a grateful look, fingers hiding themselves away in the pockets of her coat. Tuluvey moves to stand next to her. Jitho bounces where she stands, brown leather dress fluttering around her knees. Her eyes glint, which rarely ends up with peace.

"Let's go tell the others the good news!" she cheers and runs back down the path, tail whipping behind her. Xaniphe kisses Tuluvey's cheek enthusiastically before going after her.

Tuluvey laughs, grinning. "What a stroke of good luck we've had."

Sabina smiles nervously. She puts her gloves on, but Tuluvey doesn't comment on it even though it bothers him. She needs her comforts.

"The rest of them aren't as full of energy," he promises her and gently nudges her side. "No worries, my darling."

"No worries," she echoes.

They catch the rest of the Goldhands a little more down the path, pulling the horses and wagon behind them. Tuluvey's greeted with a plethora of cheers and welcome backs. L'gaoia is the first to reach him and she pats him on the back and he wraps his arms around her broad waist. He only reaches about that high as she towers over everyone she meets in this part of the world- half-giant perks, she calls it. She pats him on the back with a huge hand, smiling so her fangs just slightly poke out.