The Causeway: Thursday morning, pre-classes

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal tripped coming through the portal from Valdemar and nearly went nose over tail, but it couldn't make him stop grinning. Neither could Altra, laughing in his head as he bounded through after Karal, and then they both got out of the way for Gavin to come through.

Comments

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

Gavin managed not to trip for the first time in his life but did shake his head and blink a few times to clear the fuzziness that the portal seemed to give him.

"Looks like we're back," he said.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"We are, and it is not winter here, and I do not have to be the envoy any more!" He wasn't going to be letting go of that any time soon. "And Altra is back, and you got to meet the Queen and nothing went wrong!"

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"You're very excited," Gavin laughed, rubbing a hand over his eyes. "Looks like things don't always have to go wrong."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"No, no they don't." He smiled up at the sun. "I think that I forgot that for awhile," he admitted, then glanced at Gavin. "The dorms? I must get ready for a class, after which I intend to fall on my face for some time, and you will likely be tired, seeing as we just missed a night."

Altra was already trotting off, heading for the dorms.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"I'm going right to class," Gavin said and rubbed his eyes. "It's Master Skywalker's. I shouldn't miss it."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal may have blanched, just a little. "Definitely not!" he said as he started to follow the 'cat. "We'd best hurry. Glory, I do not want to be responsible for you being late to his class."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Relax," Gavin said and followed Karal. "No need to run. I'll get there. I've been without sleep before. Will you have to go back to Valdemar at all anymore?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He slowed, dropping back to walk beside Gavin. "I am, but I'm not certain when. Altra?"

:In a few days, to welcome Solaris to Valdemar, and probably a few times again after that, but he lost his job.: Altra sent an amused look back at Gavin. :So no more regular visits.:

Karal just sighed in deep and heartfelt relief.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"If you need to go with you, just let me know," Gavin said. "I will."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," he said quietly, sincerely, then grinned. "I could present you to Solaris, and then you would have met both a Queen and the Son of the Sun!"

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"You're pretty brave letting me meet all these important people," Gavin laughed.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"You did very well with Queen Selenay," Karal told him, laughing himself. "And I know that Solaris would be kindly disposed towards you, and forgive any lapses of protocol."

Altra snickered. :Probably.:

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"If you say so," Gavin said, not quite believing that. "Thanks for letting me come. I liked seeing your home."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal just smiled, knowing he was right. "Someday I will take you to my true home, to the Temple at Sunhame in Karse itself, if you wish, and it is you have my thanks, Gavin. Neither of us knew what was waiting on the other side of the portal, and still you came with me."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"And I'd do it again," Gavin said with a nod. "After class, I'm taking a nap."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"So am I. Possibly several," he decided. "I will have Altra wake me just so I can go to sleep again."

Altra rolled his eyes at both of them as they approached the school gates.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

Gavin laughed and that laugh turned into a yawn. "Maybe I'll get a chance to cuddle too," he said sleepily. "That always helps me sleep better."

He paused.

"Not cuddle you."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal made a very sad face at Gavin. "I do not get cuddles?" he teased.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Sorry, I like her better than you," Gavin teased. "She cuddles better."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

His sad face dissolved into a smile. "Please say hello for me, and tell her that everything went well?"

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"I will," he promised. "See you later?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He nodded. "It is even likely I will be on your floor," he said with a small grin, following Altra as the cat headed for the dorms.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

Gavin grinned after him before veering off towards the school.