❝I, too, remember that feeling. You are caught between all that was and all that must be. You feel lost.❞
Renatta nodded her consent, trusting Wayra. Doing her part with the others to help clean about the bungalow.
While waiting for the speedboat to be trashed, Junior would take in the scenery of the Caribbean. Not having had a whole lot of time to fully enjoy it. Wondering when might be the next time he'll see it. Renatta had her own mind buzzing and preoccupied of all that she'll have to accomplish by the time she was home. Gustav, ready to get out of this climate, was standing under the shade with his arms crossed. Peering through the palms to the skies. The cicadas starting up their songs in the distance, more inland.
They went and tumbled through the tree. It was, despite Wayra's help, uncomfortable and claustrophobic for Gustav. Gasping for air when it was his turn to tumble out. Surely won't be doing that again, he thought. When another heavy feel came over him. Raising his head, he shifted out of the way for the others to tumble out. Taking in the haunted gloom that was the Silver Mask.
A chill ran through Gustav's spine. Letting the strict contrasting difference from here, and the sunny warm Caribbean, soak in. His brows furrowed together, giving a distracted nod of thanks to Zoja for the help up. He just couldn't understand. Placing an arm over Zoja's shoulder, who shivered. He said just above a whisper, "
Something happened while we were away. Something…" a theory came to mind, but Gustav couldn't bring himself to say it aloud, "
…I dare not say." Hoping he was wrong. It felt like they were on hollowed ground. Like they shouldn't speak, or their voices would disturb the dust and gloom gathered there.
Renatta nodded her thanks to Wayra, before frowning at the old castle. Depressing was the only word for it. Junior brushed his knees off, muttering a 'thanks'. He turned to Renatta and said, "
Is it possible it looks even sad-er than when we were last here?" Renatta lowered her eyes, not sure how to respond. Or if it was even wise to comment on such things while under the dryad's tree.
"Wayra's right we should head inside." she sniffed the air, wiggling her nose, glancing at the heavy clouded sky, "
It might just flood with how much rain those clouds are packing." she added, stroking her drake, while heading inside.
Junior stepped back some, eyes widening as the house spirits roused and set to work. "
They're not ghosts..not the way you're probably thinking, that is." explained Gustav softly. Junior muttered something under his breath, jerking a nod. Too quiet was right, it made Gustav feel unsteady. Thinking, perhaps his theory wasn't so far fetched. It was clear something did indeed happen here.
With the door slam, and the yelp from an already spooked Junior, Gustav tightened his arm around Zoja some -if up until now she still wanted his arm over her shoulder-. Renatta pivoted with the rest. Junior was at a loss for words at the elegant sight of her, Renatta as well, more for the shock of seeing her in such an older state than the childlike one she and Junior had seen before. True, it was explained to the both of them that Danu hid her true age and form, but it took time to get used to seeing. A siren's daughter indeed, thought Junior. He quickly furrowed his brows causing the crease of his forehead to deepen. Strangely enough, Renatta felt embarrassed. Especially when she remembered all the cracks she thought of when having seen Danu as a child.
Gustav stepped forward and gave a gracious bow, "
Hullo again, madam. We're sorry to disturb you Miss Danu. I hope our coming here isn't too much of an inconvenience for you. You see, we came here for various reasons. All simple really, in fact the majority of us will be out of your hair soon enough." Gustav didn't feel it was right to outright say her tree was being used as a shortcut for the majority of them. That they'd all be leaving such an already empty house so soon. It felt rude. Tactically, he then gave a hard pat on Junior's back, who took a few steps forward blinking. "
With your permission, we'd like to have a look around to see if we missed any clues involving our mother's," a motion to himself and Renatta, "
demon. Re-stock in supplies. As well as to stay a while, and catch up. Most importantly to see how you're doing." he added kindly. Sincere to his word. "
We won't be too much of a bother, and I promise we won't sing." a wink to Zoja in his attempt to lighten up the air between the group and dryad.
Renatta's eyes widened looking at her brother, thinking something deranged his mind. Having planned on leaving sooner. Manners or not. But to Gustav's reasoning, now that they were here it made no sense to separate abruptly, and under such poor weather conditions. Something about it didn't feel right to the root of his feathers. Especially upon seeing Danu the way she was, and the castle the way it was. His big heart couldn't over look it, couldn't just ignore it and push on.
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