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Grian was trying to wrangle in the chaos that was his and Scar's three children. It was far too early for chaos. At least by Grian’s standards. But apparently, the universe, and their offspring, disagreed. The kitchen was loud with the clatter of cutlery, the sizzle that accompanied Scar's amazing cooking skills, and the not-so-dulcet tones of children in varying stages of disarray.
“Sunny! No! No, don’t eat that!” Grian lunged toward Sunny, who was determined to stuff a crayon into his mouth like it was a chewy slice of bacon. The toddler squealed in delight, as he darted under the table with the squishy blue crayon clutched in one fist.
"Mama!" Poppy called for the umpteenth time.
“Poppy, sweetheart, you can tell me in a minute, okay?” Grian called over his shoulder as he crawled after Sunny. "Scar! He's making a break for it!"
Grian watched as Scar pivoted around and grabbed Sunny by the back of his shirt collar and gently guided the toddler back under the table towards Grian's outstretched arms.
“But Mama! We need to get...” Poppy started again.
“I know, baby bird, just, hold that thought.” He grabbed Sunny with one arm and tried not to bang his head on the table on the way back out. The two-year-old giggled, wriggling like a fish.
Scar, over by the stove flipped a pancake high in the air and earned a delighted “Yaaaay, Daddy!” from Lilac. She clapped her little hands, wings fluttering with excitement, only to burst into tears the very next second when that very same pancake was placed in front of her dripping with syrup.
“Oh no,” Grian muttered, holding Sunny like a squirmy sack of potatos and reaching for the plate with his other hand. “Scar! You put syrup on Lilac's pancakes again."
"I thought she liked syrup?"
"That was last week!" Grian almost shouted over his daughters cries.
“Don’t worry, Bubba!” Scar called, turning from the stove, and dramatically raising the spatula like a lightsaber. “Daddy is here to avenge your breakfast!”
“It’s touching my food!” Lilac wailed.
Sunny laughed at his sister’s despair and tried to climb up Grian’s shoulder, using his curls as leverage. Grian hissed and set the toddler down in his booster seat before he lost a chunk of hair.
“Stay. Sit. No crayons.” He gave Sunny a very serious look. Sunny grinned and licked the high chair tray in response.
“Mama! We're forgetting Echo! Mama!” Poppy shouted from where she stood next to her chair.
“Just a minute, Poppy.” Grian knelt down in front of Lilac, wiping her chin and trying to coax a smile through the tears. “It’s okay, Li. We'll get you a new pancake, alright? No syrup this time. Just for you.”
Lilac hiccupped miserably and held up sticky fingers.
"MAY-PUH SYOOOOP!" Sunny screamed as Grian pushed the syrup covered pancake in front of him.
Once Lilac was settled with a perfectly plain pancake and Grian had given her curls a ruffle, he stood up straight and finally turned toward his eldest.
Poppy was still standing primly next to her seat. She gave Grian a look that was far too serious for a six-year-old wearing mismatched socks.
“Okay, Poppy,” Grian said, “You have my full attention. What did you want to say about Echo?”
Poppy leaned forward slightly and placed her hands on the table to make her ultimatum, “Echo needs a place to sit.”
Grian sighed, “A place to sit?”
She nodded firmly. “At the table. Next to me.”
Grian offered her a gentle smile. “Sweetheart, remember how we talked about Echo not needing food? Or chairs?”
“But it’s polite to give guests a seat,” Poppy argued, like a tiny diplomat. “They don’t have to eat. They just want to sit. They said so.”
Grian pinched the bridge of his nose. The crayon-syrup saga had not prepared him for morning debates about the needs of invisible companions.
“Well...” He looked at the chair beside her and made a show of turning to it. “Echo, do you want to sit here?”
He waited a beat, then turned back to Poppy with a bright expression. “Echo says they’re quite happy standing, actually.”
Poppy’s face scrunched into a frown, wings giving an irritable flick. “You can’t ask Echo,” she huffed. “You can’t hear them, Mama.”
“Right,” Grian said slowly. “I forgot you’re the only one who can.”
She crossed her arms. “They don’t like when people pretend.”
Just then, Scar arrived with a pile of golden pancakes in one hand and the pitcher of maple syrup in the other. “Who else is ready for pancakes?" He grinned as he looked between them. "What do you want on yours, Peanut?" Then he gasped excitedly, "We could do peanut butter!"
***
“What did you do?” Jimmy asked, “Did you convince her that he didn’t need a seat?”
“They,” Grian corrected automatically, then sighed as he leaned back in his chair. “And no. Scar stood the entire breakfast.”
Jimmy snorted. “You’re joking.”
“I wish I was. He said he didn’t want to offend Echo. I tried to argue that he was indulging bad behavior and he told me not to worry about it. I don't know what I'm going to do Timmy!"
From a few feet away, a tiny shriek of laughter rang out as Sunny and Ember took turns spinning each other in dizzy circles while Phoenix ran around them. Grian watched them for a moment with a fond shake of his head.
Jimmy smiled softly, “Scar is always like that with them."
“Meanwhile," Grian muttered, "I’m trying to figure out how to convince Poppy that her imaginary friend doesn’t need a physical place in our home.”
Jimmy gave him a look. “It's just phase.”
Grian smiled despite himself. “Yeah, yeah. I know.”
He reached down beside him to the ground and grabbed a blade of grass.Grian started twirling it absently between his fingers. “It’s not just that, though. Lilac’s been upset about it, because Poppy won't play with her as much anymore. She keeps trying to play with Poppy, but Poppy’s too busy with Echo. Scar tried to make it better by suggesting she get an imaginary friend too.”
Jimmy raised an eyebrow. “And?”
“She struggled with the idea actually. It wasn't fun having to pretend by herself.’” Grian grimaced. “So Scar naturally became her imaginary friend.”
Jimmy burst out laughing. “No way.”
"He brought back Hotguy!" Grian said looking scandalized.
“No he didn't!”
Grian nodded solemnly.
"If it bothers you that much, just tell Scar to stop indulging them. As long as you're both on the same page it will go a lot smoother."
Peals of laughter rang out from the kids as they climbed on the yard toys that had been set out for them. Jimmy reached over and gave Grian's arm a squeeze. "Grian, we have everything we always wanted and more. If this is the only trouble your dealing with right now, then try not to stress about it too much. You still worry to much for your own good."
Grian grabbed Jimmy's arm and smiled, "Your right Tim."
"Besides, Hotguy's on the case!" Grian gave him smack. "Oi!"
***
Grian had just settled Lilac and Sunny down for their afternoon naps and the house was quiet in the midst of the golden hour where two-thirds of the children were asleep.
He walked softly down the hall and made his way to the playroom. Scar had built it for the kids at the start of the new season and Grian had to pull him away from the project just to get the rest of their base done.
Grian paused outside the half-open door. Inside, Poppy sat cross-legged on the floor, her back to him. Her wings were slightly fluffed, twitching now and then as she built with her blocks and bits of wool. Grian started to call out to her, but stopped.
She was speaking.
“No, we can't put that one there," she said matter-of-factly, arranging a blue block on the top of a tower. “That one’s for the flying platform. You said you wanted to fly.”
A pause.
“I think your wings are pretty. Do you like mine?.”
Another pause.
Grian leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, brows pinching just a little. Her tone was so mature.
“You said I couldn’t show Mama,” Poppy continued, gently spinning one of the blocks inbetween her fingers. “Because then it wouldn’t work.”
Grian’s stomach gave a small, uncomfortable flip. She was just playing. Kids talk to their imaginary friends all the time, didn’t they?
Still...
“No,” she said again, this time quieter. “No, I won’t tell them that. That’s not a nice thing to say.”
Grian stepped into the room then, slow and careful.
Poppy looked up instantly, the little build forgotten. “Hi, Mama.”
He smiled, “Hey, baby bird. Who were you talking to?”
“Echo,” she said, as if it was obvious. “We were playing a game. They don’t like to build things, but they like when I do.”
Grian walked over and crouched beside her, studying the build she’d made. It was a castle, he guessed, like father like daughter. Grian didn't think he'd ever seen her build something with such intricate care before.
“That’s pretty,” he said quietly, brushing her hair out of her face. “Very detailed.”
She beamed. “Echo says I’m good.’”
Grian’s fingers stilled and he looked back at Poppy again. "Poppy, baby bird, look at Mama for a moment." She turned. "You know you can tell me anything, right? Even if someone tells you not to. You will never get in trouble for telling me something. Do you understand?"
Poppy's brow furrowed just a little, like she was trying to puzzle something out. “I know,” she said after a moment, voice quiet. “But Echo says you wouldn’t believe me anyway.”
He reached out, cupping her cheek gently and brushing his thumb along the soft skin under her eye. “Even if it’s something really strange or silly or hard to explain, I’ll believe you. Okay? I’m your Mama. That’s my job.”
Poppy looked at him for a long moment, then leaned into his hand with a small sigh.
“Okay,” she whispered.
"Can you tell me what you and Echo were talking about?" She look away from him and then shook her head.
Grian's stomach flipped again and he felt Scar now, pushing on the bond, responding to his state of worry. Grian pushed back some calm reassurance.
He reached out and gently took the block from Poppy's hand, offering a soft smile. “I think maybe it’s time for a snack. What do you say?”
Poppy smiled, “Okay." she looked back at the wall, "Echo says they're leaving for a bit.
“Good,” Grian murmured, rising to his feet. “Because I'm only making enough for two.”
***
That night, after the kids had been put in bed, Grian was getting comfortable while Scar finished up in the shower. Grian pulled the blanket over his legs and waited for his mate so that he could talk to him.
When Scar came in, still toweling his damp hair, Grian didn't have to say a word. Scar took one look at him and tossing the towel in the hamper, came to the bed. Concern flickered through the bond.
Grian reached up and pulled Scar down onto the bed with him.
Scar’s voice was soft, “You were worried earlier. More than usual.” He paused. “Was it about Peanut, again?”
Grian hesitated, then gave a small nod, curling a bit closer. “Yeah. I found her talking to Echo again. Just... the things she was saying. They were strange. She said she couldn't tell me what they were talking about.”
Scar shifted so he could wrap an arm around Grian’s waist, his fingers brushing lazy circles against his side.
Comfort. Love.
“Echo’s not real, Gri. She’s got a big imagination. Kids say strange things sometimes. Doesn’t mean anything’s wrong.”
“I know.” Grian sighed. “But she said something about how something wouldn't work if I knew about it? I don't want our babys keeping secrets from us.” He stared at the ceiling. “She wouldn't talk to me, even after I told her she could tell me anything."
Scar was quiet for a moment. Grian felt a small ripple of concern flicker through the bond, but then it settled.
“Maybe there isn't anything to tell. She just wants to make sense of her world,” Scar murmured. “Maybe Echo’s part of how she plays through big feelings.”
Grian didn’t answer right away. He was listening, but he also let himself feel the comfort Scar was trying to provide. Still, his own thoughts pulled tight around him.
“I just... I don’t want to miss something,” he said quietly. “I don’t want to brush it off and later wish I hadn’t.”
Scar leaned in and kissed Grian’s temple, then let his chin rest against his mate’s hair. “You won’t miss it. You and I, we will always protect them."
A beat of quiet.
Then, humor.
“Oh, speaking of protecting ” Scar said, his voice lifting with mischief, “Li made me come to a tea party as Hotguy today.”
Grian snorted, just a little. “Of course she did.”
“I took some paper straws and shot them like arrows."
“Scar, that's wasteful.”
“Oh, it wasn't that many. Bubba had fun." Scar learned closer.
“And you know,” Scar said slowly, drawing the words out, “we could have some fun too. I still have that Cuteguy costume tucked away in the closet. Hot pink, all sparkles… I bet it still fits.”
Desire.
Grian rolled his eyes. “Scar, I'm not wearing it.”
Scar waggled his eyebrows. “You'd only be in costume for, five minutes. Tops.”
Lust.
Without a word, Grian reached for his pillow and smacked Scar over the head.
***
It was coloring time in the Goodtimes house and Poppy, Lilac, and Sunny were seated at the little oak table in their play room. It hadn't taken long to get them all seated, but at one point Sunny did wedge himself beneath the couch in the living area, clutching a red marker that Grian was positive he hadn't left in the crayon box.
Sunny was scribbling aggressively, his paper an enthusiastic storm of blue and green. Every now and then Grian would have to rescue a crayon before it disappeared into his mouth, but they were the edible now, so Grian was less concerned.
Lilac was sitting with her tongue stuck out in intense concentration, carefully drawing something with wings and about seventeen legs. Grian had counted them. He was pretty sure it was a dragon but he thought it looked more like breakfast scone. With legs.
Poppy was coloring with a small frown of focus, but her arm was above the drawing, so Grian couldn't see exactly what she was putting here artistic skills to work on.
Grian leaned over the three of them and admired the drawings. “Very nice, Li,” he said, “Is that a dragon?”
“It's a butterfly, Mama!” Lilac corrected, looking up at him with a pout.
“Of course it is.” Grian couldn't see it.
He looked to Sunny, who offered a red-streaked grin, two crayon nubs clenched proudly in each fist. Grian pushed the rest of the crayons away in alarm. “Beautiful, Sunshine.” Sunny roared in response.
Then Grian looked at Poppy’s paper and he found himself staring at in alarm. It was a drawing of tall figure, drawn in long strokes of gray crayon. It was wearing what looked like a robe that flowed out. Two broad wings were placed in either side. But it was the face that gave Grian pause, it looked like it was surrounded by something, a hood maybe, and beneath it was a smiling face with two eyes drawn in a deep purple.
He crouched beside her, voice as steady as he could manage. “Poppy, baby bird… who’s this?”
She looked up at him with a proud little grin. “That’s Echo!”
Grian tried to swallow around the tightness in his throat.
Why did it look one of them? Why purple?
He forced a smile, placing a hand in the small of her back. “You did a really good job. Could I… could mama keep this one? Just for me?”
Poppy nodded happily. “Uh-huh! I’ll make a new one later.”
Grian took the paper with careful hands. "Thanks, baby bird,” he whispered, kissing the top of her head. He kept his eyes on her as he continued speaking. “Mama’s going to keep this one safe.”
***
Grian was trying to focus. Really, he was. But every few blocks, his mind wandered back to Poppy and everything going on with her imaginary friend.
Behind him, Pearl huffed. “Ay! That’s the fourth time you’ve misaligned that stair, mate.”
Grian blinked down at the block in question, which was, indeed, upside down and facing entirely the wrong direction. Again.
“Oh,” he said, voice distant. "Sorry.”
She smacked her pickaxe against the edge of the platform for emphasis. “You’re building as if you left your braincells with Mumbo. No wonder he seemed more coherent today. What’s going on?”
“I’m fine,” Grian muttered, placing a slab.
“You’re not fine, I could get better results letting a cow build this.”
He placed another stair wrong. Pearl let out an exaggerated groan. “I swear, if you misplace one more block, I'm gonna go find that cow."
Grian sighed.
She put her pick away and stepped closer. “Hey.” Her voice softened and dropped its teasing edge, "Griba. What’s wrong?”
Grian sighed again, he placed another block. Of course it was in the wrong spot, again. He didn’t bother to fix it.
“It’s Poppy,” he said finally. “She’s been… talking to someone. An imaginary friend named Echo.”
Pearl raised a brow, folding her arms and leaning her hip against the edge of their half-finished platform. “Kids do that, don’t they? She’s what, six now?”
“Yeah,” Grian said, “I know. I know it’s supposed to be normal. And Scar’s not worried, of course he’s not worried, he thinks it’s cute. And it is cute. Sometimes.”
“But not always?" Pearl asked.
He gave a humorless laugh. “Not always. She’s… she’s talking to Echo a lot. Ignoring Lilac sometimes, or stopping games because ‘Echo doesn’t like that one’. And she’s always so serious when she talks about them. Not silly or make-believe. It’s like she really thinks they’re there.”
Pearl watched him quietly, her brows drawing together.
“I dunno.” Grian sighed. “Did you ever have an imaginary friend growing up?”
Pearl tilted her head, thinking. “Maybe? Could’ve. I Don’t remember any names, though.”
Pearl didn’t say anything more, but the way she was looking at him made it clear she wasn’t buying the casual tone he was trying to use. She stepped closer, bumping her shoulder lightly against his. “You’re really worried."
Grian hesitated, then reached into his inventory and pulled out a piece of paper. The picture of echo.
He held it out with a faint tremble in his hand. "It’s just…” he said softly, “it kind of makes me think of a Watcher.”
Pearl took the paper carefully from Grian’s hand and looked at it in silence. “It could just be an angel.”
Grian crossed his arms and stared out at the horizon, jaw tight. "Did you ever see one?” he asked.
Pearl gave a half-shrug. “No, but I remember the feeling.”
“Yeah.” Grian’s voice was flat. “That’s what this gave me. That same feeling. Just for a second.”
Pearl turned the paper over and then back again. “It’s been what? Three, four years since the last Life game?”
“Four,” Grian said quietly. “I don't know what happened, but they finally just left us alone. Stopped contacting me. I haven’t heard from them since.”
Pearl looked at him carefully. “And you’re sure? You haven’t seen anything else?”
Grian shook his head. “Nothing. Not until now. And why like this, Pearl? Why would they want Poppy again? She's still just a child? ”
Pearl didn’t have an answer. She handed the drawing back with a sigh and a frown. “It doesn’t make sense. Maybe it’s nothing. Just coincidence. Kid heard you talk about things in your sleep, maybe. Picks up stuff from somewhere.”
“Yeah,” Grian said, tucking the paper away again. “Maybe.”
Pearl gave him a sideways glance and smirked. "You’re just going a bit soft, Mama Bird.”
Grian snorted. “Don’t you start calling me that. I've already got four people that do."
“Four?" Pearl asked, confused.
"Scar. When he talks to the kids."
She glanced down at his midsection.
"I'm not hiding another one Pearl!"
***
It took Grian a while to fall asleep that night, but once he did it was bliss. Scar’s soft breathing was a steady rhythm beside him, and Grian was half-lost in a dream, when the scream tore through the night.
“MAMA!”
Grian bolted upright in a panic. That was his baby! Scar jerked awake beside him with a startled gasp. Grian felt his feelings doubled by those of Scar.
Fear. Panic. Protect.
Grian was already on his feet, tripping on the blankets when Poppy screamed again. Scar was only a beat behind him, his feet hitting the floor as Grian threw their bedroom door open.
Another scream. "MAMA! DADDY!"
Grian’s wings nearly knocked a painting off the wall as he tore down the hall and into the kids’ room, where soft glow stone lights lit the scene inside.
Poppy was sitting upright in her bed, her small frame shaking, crying so hard Grian wondered how she was breathing. Her wings were curled around her and puffed up in a state of disarray, probably because she had been thrashing about.
“Poppy!” Grian rushed to her, scooping her up into his lap with shaking arms. “Baby bird, I’m here, Mama’s here, shhh, it’s okay!”
But she was inconsolable. Her little cries continued as she buried her face in his chest, tiny hands fisting in his nightshirt.
Behind him he heard the sound of Lilac beginning to cry and then Sunny added his sleepy, confused wail to the cacophony. Scar stood frozen in the doorway.
Fear. Confusion. Helplessness.
Grian held her close, one hand protectively curled around the back of her head, the other stroking one of her wings in slow, careful sweeps. Her wings were trembling more then the rest of her and he was going to have to preen them in the morning. Or tonight.
“Poppy, sweetheart,” he murmured, trying to keep his voice gentle despite his own fear. “You’re okay. You’re safe. It was just a nightmare, yeah? Just a dream. You’re not hurt?”
She didn’t answer and only cried harder as she curled into him. Grian leaned down and pressed a kiss to her hair, rocking her gently in his arms. He started to close his wings around them.
“Shhh, Mama’s got you. I’ve got you.”
Lilac’s crying had grown more distressed now, and Sunny was whining, his voice high and confused. Grian winced as the noise swelled again, pressing Poppy’s head to his chest. She gasped for breath between sobs, “Mama… Mama… Mama…”
“Scar,” Grian said over the noise, not looking away from Poppy, “can you take Li and Sunny out please? Take them while I calm her down?”
There was a beat of silence, then Scar nodded, "Yes. Yes, of course.”
He moved toward the younger kids, scooping Sunny up with practiced ease and reaching for Lilac with his other hand. “Come on, little Berry, Bubba. I'll make us some warm milk. It's time for cuddles with Daddy.” Lilac sniffled as her tiny hand disappeared into her Daddy's, and Scar took them both out the room, casting a glance back at Grian.
Concern. Love. Trust.
Scar eased the door closed behind them.
Grian kept holding Poppy, her weight curled in his lap. He rocked her gently until her sobs finally faded to small, wet sniffles and she pulled away to look at him. "There we go,” he whispered, smoothing her tangled curls back from her face. “That’s better, baby bird. You’re okay. You’re safe. Mama’s here.”
Poppy sniffed again, her voice small “Mama…”
“I’m here,” Grian said softly, pressing his cheek to her temple. “Can you tell Mama what happened?” Poppy didn't respond and he switched to rubbing between her wing blades in slow, small circles. “Poppy, I want to know what scared you. Was it… was it Echo?”
She stiffened, just slightly. Her fingers clenched the fabric of his shirt, again.
“Poppy,” Grian whispered, tilting her face gently so he could meet her watery eyes. “Baby bird, please. You can tell Mama anything.”
She was silent for a long time. Her lip trembled.
“I didn’t want to,” she finally whispered, voice shaking.
Grian’s brow furrowed. “Didn’t want to what, baby bird?”
“Do what Echo said,” she murmured, eyes dropping to her lap. “They got mad. I didn’t want to play that game. It was too scary.”
Grian’s heart dropped. “Poppy…” he said slowly and firmly, “What does Echo want you to do?”
She shook her head hard, “I can’t say. I can’t talk about it.” she started to cry again. "Mama!"
Grian pulled her close quickly, "Oh, baby bird." He said, his own eyes welling with tears.
She curled tighter against him, voice muffled. “I want Echo to go away.”
A deep, primal anger surged through Grian. His protective instincts, already screaming at him, roared to life anew as cold fury crawled up his spine. He wrapped his wings even more tightly around them. When he spoke his voice came out in a low growl, “Then I’m going to make Echo leave you alone. I promise. Mama’s going to fix it.”
Grian pulled Poppy even closer, so that he could pick her up and hold her against his chest. It didn't matter how big she was now, he was strong enough to keep her close, no matter what. Grian rose to his feet. His arms holding her steady as his wings slowly began to unfurl.
“You leave her alone!” he snarled.
His wings opened further to make him look larger then he was.
“You leave my family alone!” he growled.
Grian wings flared out to their full, imposing span. His shadow stretched across the room, looming, vast, full of wrath.
“She’s six!" He yelled into the air. "She’s just a little girl! If you so much as show yourself to her again I will find a way to stop you! I don’t care who or what you are! I don’t care if you’re a watcher or a listener or some other being! If you want something, then YOU BRING IT TO ME! AND YOU LEAVE MY CHILDREN ALONE!"
***
Grian didn’t let Poppy out of his sight for a full week.
She didn’t go anywhere without him or Scar for almost a month, which Grian insisted upon. But Poppy didn’t mention Echo again.
Two months passed.
Things went back to normal and Grian stopped worrying. There were no more nightmares. No arguments or quiet conversations from Poppy. Poppy remained her usual self and started playing with her siblings again.
They were safe. She was safe.
It was late in the evening and Grian had just finished settling Sunny back down after the boy had woken. Grian tucked him in again. Tiptoeing from the room and back to his own the moment the little boys breathing evened out.
Scar was already under the covers, one arm tossed over Grian’s empty side of the bed. Grian smiled tiredly, placing a kiss on Scar’s shoulder as he moved the alpha's arm out of the way. He stripped off his sweater, and quietly unstrapped his comm to set it on the table beside his pillow.
When Grian settled in bed sleep found him quickly. He seemed to fall into a dream that was dark and decidedly free of color. He tried to move, but couldn't.
Somewhere beside him he could hear something. Small bare footsteps and shuffling. The sound moved closer as if it were next to his bed.
Grian tried to turn, but when he did it was only in the dream and he suddenly felt as thought he was trapped in a glass box. Clear and cold, it enveloped him. He pounded against it getting ready to scream.
An alarm blared from Scar’s comm.
Grian shot upright with a gasp and almost tumbled to the floor in his panic to get up. He shoved the blanket away. He knew something was wrong.
"Scar!” Grian croaked out. Scar groaned, starting to stir. “What? Grian?" But Grian was out the room and unable to respond to his mates question. He flung open the kids’ door and peered into the dim room. Lilac and Sunny were sleeping soundly. But Poppy’s bed was empty.
Grian felt cold. He wanted to scream. Then a fresh wave of panic and dread, not his own, overwhelmed him. It was followed shortly by a horrific terror that Grian hadn't felt from Scar in years.
“Grian!” Scar shouted. Footsteps slammed behind him. “Grian!" Grian turned to see Scar holding his comm and looking at the device in a way that mirrored what he felt. Grian pulled at Scar's hands desperately so he could see the screen.
The first thing he saw was Xisuma's emergency message calling every one to attention. His eyes flicked up one line higher... Grian’s knees buckle, his white knuckled grip on Scar's arm the only thing that kept him from falling to the ground.
"Poppy."
[Poppy_Goodtimes has left the game]