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“What's on your mind, old man?”
That was part of Warriors’s usual routine by this point in the journey; coaxing Time to talk it out whenever he noticed a thoughtful frown on his face.
“You carry food for fairies,” Time states.
It had been long enough that Time knew he couldn't hide from the Captain. Conversely, Warriors can also never lie to Time.
“Well, yeah, for my fairy friend.”
Time perks up at that. His heart still beats faster at every mention of a fairy companion, just on the off chance that-
He wills his body to calm.
“Is she here? May I see?”
Warriors turns both ways to check that the campsite is empty, and pulls a jar from his bag.
“Okay, but keep her a secret. It's dangerous for her and I don't know what I would do without her.”
It's not like any jar Time has seen before. It's like a garden in a bottle, with dirt, gravel, moss, a small plant with variegated leaves shaped like hammocks, perfect for a fairy to rest her wings. A tiny glowing mushroom emits a faint light in the sunset.
“This is Proxi,” Warriors announces, opening the jar. “Proxi, this is Time. He's old and moody, so play nice.”
Time doesn't even acknowledge the jab but Proxi does, tinkling with laughter as she flies over. It's clear to her that this man is a friend. She watches his face light up, senses some lingering anxious sadness briefly retreating to the back of his consciousness.
“She's my world,” Warriors is explaining. “She was my voice before.”
“And now you don't shut up,” Proxi banters from Time's shoulder.
Time sighs, taking in the sparkling warmth of a friendly fairy by his side, a long forgotten feeling for him.
“Take good care of her, Wars.”