faderift | [open] well we could be friends, we could shake hands

WHO: Mado and you
WHAT: he's back
WHEN: early Kingsway
WHERE: the Gallows
NOTES: man dog dog man bird

I. I keep 'em close (for Ellie)

Maker only knows how long he's been flying, or if he spent the whole time as a pigeon, but when Mado returns to the Gallows it's in this form, late at night, and he makes a beeline for a familiar window of the tower.
Fluttering onto the sill, he nudges the glass open with his beak, and, seeing that (I'm taking a liberty here) she's still awake, pecks lightly on the windowframe to alert her of his presence.

II. I keep 'em real close (OTA)

After a two-month absence, it feels strange to simply come strolling back into work and wave hello to everyone who may or may not have missed or even noticed he was gone, so Mado opts to ease back into his presence in the Gallows by spending most of his time in canine form. Those who greet him are bound to see a quick transformation and receive a hug (or a handshake, or simply a hello, whatever they prefer), but to all other parties there simply is a little brown and white dog where there wasn't before, trotting about the courtyard, sleeping by fireplaces and under carts, and occasionally sitting perfectly still to watch the passersby with an uncanny awareness in his canine face.

III. So no one can take them from me (OTA)

There's still one realm where his human senses outperform his canine ones, and that's up in the Scouting office, where Mado sits placid and cross-legged as he leans over what, at first glance, might appear to be paperwork: and on a closer look, one might identify it as the Trade alphabet, dutifully written over and over, with each iteration finding new clarity.

There is a separate parchment with very simple words copied from a book, and also his name in both its forms, Amador and Mado, written in careful columns to practice the shape of the words.

He seems quite serene as he works, but is never one to turn away an interruption.

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Rather than step onto her hand, Mado flutters off the windowsill and takes the opportunity to become human, his arms outstretched and a wide grin on his clearly sun-kissed face.

"Rialto," he replies easily enough, "I stayed behind to take care of some things! See some people. But it's good to be back."

Ellie remembers the group he went to see off the boat- nods, finally.

"I thought you'd decided to stay." It had been a while. Long enough that she'd wondered, enough that she'd tried to put him out of her mind, just in case.

Until now, she hadn't realized just how much she'd worried about him, and not let herself think about it. She gives in, responding to the silent offer of a hug, lightly punches her fist against the back of his good shoulder.

"You've gotta learn to write, buddy."

"Sorry, amica," Mado says gently, bringing her in for a hug, "I'm working on it!"

Being accountable to anyone, for anything, isn't a feeling he's used to-- but now that it's been called out, it isn't a mistake he'll make again.

"How have you been?" He pulls away to look her over, smiling.

Ellie gives him a lopsided smile. She used to fucking hate when Joel would fuss over her safety when she had everything well in hand, but- well. Some things bind you tight. After seeing him so close to death, Ellie doesn't think she'll ever be unaffected.

"Okay?" she says, and makes it a question. "Not bad, just a lot of stuff going on. Nobody can sleep, still, and the weird politics are still happening."

Perching against the windowsill, Mado nods, his brow furrowing in genuine concern. "Oh, the sleep, the dreams," he remarks, "still so bad? I'll be sure to spend lots of time as a bird, I'm not sure there's room in its head."

He grins, clearly attempting to make light of the situation. "Which weird politics?"

Ellie has to laugh; it's a good way to put it, and a good solution, actually. Makes her wish that she could turn into a bird.

"Must be nice, thinking nothing but bird thoughts."

But she shrugs again, shakes her head helplessly.

"The loyalist mages in Cumberland were gonna send out a proposal to the Divine. To start up the mage Circles again. We got tipped off here at Riftwatch, so we put a stop to that. They shouldn't be deciding anything without everyone getting a say."

"Circles," Mado gasps, with the same air as one might see in a small child who's just been reminded of the ghosts in his closet. "I'm glad you put a stop to it. I imagine Kostos was involved?"
His expression shifts abruptly to a knowing smile, perhaps a bit proud. "...if Circles come back it'll be all bird thoughts from then on, I should think."

"He was. He's the one who brought us word. And I rode with him to get Grand Enchanter Fiona on board."

It's not a brag, just the truth, but Mado's smile makes her break into one her own, though it's more measured.

"Loads of her people showed up, and most of Riftwatch, too."

"Good." The word sighs out of him with a smile of relief, and Mado gives his heels a little kick against the wall under the window, as if he's only just now been allowed to move.

"I won't keep you longer, amica, I know it's late. I'm just glad to see you're still you."

Big ouch. There's a lot of things going on there that Ellie can't see, and she knows from experience that it takes a lot to get Mado to act like this.

She wants to do something, but. Instead she just- awkwardly reaches out, kinda pats his arm.

"Who else would I be?"

He laughs, at that-- because when she asks, he realizes he doesn't entirely know.

"People will go off on missions and come back different," he reasons after a moment's thought, "like they've changed color slightly. Like leaves."

Ellie's expression sobers, a darkness in her eyes as she nods.

Yeah. She's seen that. What the weight of years and memories dumped suddenly will do to a person.

"Nah," she says. "Still me."

"Glad to hear it." And he means it, by the warmth in his eyes.

"I'll leave you now," he continues, checking over his shoulder out the window-- yes, he's about to do something insane-- but I'll see you around and about, yes?"

Ellie has a feeling that she knows exactly what insane thing he's about to do.

She grins, nods, and leans in for the best view, readying to rush the window after him to see.

A goofy, excited smile follows, and Mado tips himself backwards out the window, neatly somersaulting in the air before becoming a pigeon once more. He flies past, as if to wave goodbye to Ellie, and then vanishes into the night.

"Oh, fuck you!" Ellie calls gleefully out her window, laughing aloud before she gives a wave and shuts it with a snap.

... it's good. Seeing him again.

[open] well we could be friends, we could shake hands

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