Otter Creek it was alright just to be alive

brilliant ibis of course understands, identifying the closest cluster of stars as her drake, which brings a giddy smile to his face. where she trails off sleepily he leans over to groom her cheek briefly, nosing against her. his heart is so full it could burst.

"the lover lives on the ground still," he murmurs, filling in the rest, "he didn't win immortality like she did -- but in every reincarnation, he comes looking for her, until he'll finally be worthy to get past the drake." pause. "then they can be reunited in the stars," he adds, wanting the story to have a happy ending, or happier, anyway (still feeling a sting of embarrassment over his behavior toward tristan, after all.) laying his head across ibis's shoulders, finally, he mumbles, "g'night, ibby," and lets his own eyes shut, surrending to his own fatigue.