The Warlord was coated in dirt by the time the soil was ripe for what he wished. He pulled the plants off the cart. Bright, colourful things that Halo assured him would manage in the brisk temperature this high up the mountain - with a little care, and a windbreaker. He was part way through planting the fifth plant when his surprise was spoiled, and Andy appeared on the high point of the trek up to First Light Point. He gave her a smile, caught in the act, and dusted off his legs. "Andy, a moment?" He said, not wishing her to vanish into her observation post immediately. 


He had noticed a change in the girl recently. A gloom across her bright and sunny personality. It had stated about the time she had requested her visit to the Hallow, and he found himself uncertain what was bothering the girl - but he was sure it must be connected. He leaned on the empty plant pot and waited for her to close the distance between them. "Andy… is there something going on with you? I hope you know you can talk to me about anything." He said softly, opening up a paw in an invitation for a hug.

Andy had been pulling into herself more, the usually quiet girl growing even sullen as the days get closer to their departure. Anxiety is her constant friend and it is slowly burning a hole in her stomach. Food isn’t appealing but the girl forces herself to eat in an attempt to appear as normal as possible. The observation post that she and her father had built is her only escape and the girl spends as much time as she can up there, by herself. At least, in the mostly glass building, she can let her walls down and dwell on the fear of what is to come, in peace.

Paws easily trace the path that leads to the peak of First Point Light, her body running on autopilot as her head hangs low. Thoughts and worries bombard her mind as she slowly works her way up the trail, the familiar nagging dread tugging her head down. Andy is so lost in her troubles that, as she crests the path at the top, she misses the fact that her father is there. Head snaps up as he calls to her and a sheepish look pulls at her features as she nods to him.

Picking up the pace, the girl carefully slips her walls back into place while her pale blue eyes spy the flowers her father has been planting for her. Despite all the worry and fear surrounding her, Andy cannot help but be buoyed by the love her father has for her and she moves to push herself into his chest. As she approaches, he questions if there is something wrong and her façade slips but she is quick to shove her face into her father’s broad chest.

She still worries that he will hate her after all of this but the girl refuses to voice the plan that Kite has cooked up, to him. But she needs him to hold her right now, so she shuffles closer, seeking to tuck herself into the crook of one of his legs. Andy stays there for a moment before she releases the words she had practiced for a time when this may come up, “I know dad. It’s just… the trip is starting to bring back memories of the last time we were there. I want to see Briar but… I miss… her.”

They say every great lie has a kernel of truth in it and what Andy had just said was mostly true.


"Andromeda Fatalis"