The front door glows white as it opens, Daniel stepping through. Before he closes it, anyone paying attention could see a snowy forest with a starry night sky behind it.
"Hey. Is Oleander around? I was told he was here."
Cole stares at the front door as he mutters, "White....." Cole then clears his throat as he nods, "Yeah, he's here. Why?"
"Where's he at? Gotta talk to him about something."
"Might be in the kitchen or the guest bedroom," Cole shrugs.
"Right. Thanks." Daniel dissipates into shadows.
"The door was white....." Cole stares at the floor while thinking.
"The what now?" Isaac looks over at Cole.
"The door was white....Claire's eyes were white..." Cole mumbles while staring at the floor.
Luna walks in hearing a familiar voice, "Um, what did I miss? Sounded familiar."
Cole continues to mumble about the door being white, mostly ignoring Luna.
"Cole, can you explain to the rest of the class?" Isaac asks.
"Seriously." Luna grumbles.
Cole stops mumbling as he continues staring at the ground and speaks somewhat quickly, "I had an hallucination where Claire was in the hallway and her eyes were white and the front door glowed white when that guy was here, what if he's the one doing it??"
"Who was that guy anyways?"
"I don't remember, but his voice definitely is familiar. Hang on lemme check my notes real quick." Luna says.
"What guy?" Spider asks, appearing.
"...I knew it. He was the one that saved me from Abaddon a few months ago. Daniel, Claire's father." Luna says. "Not entirely sure I understand why he would do the white glow stuff, but it's likely him."
"...maybe he's trying to warn me, maybe he knows something I don't," Cole still speaks quickly as he returns to staring at the floor and thinking.
"Warn you of what though?" Isaac asks.
"Something, if I knew that why would he do that, unless he's fucking with me at which point I have wasted time and energy over nothing......"
"Maybe ask him about it"
"No, too risky I could look like an idiot," Cole grumbles.
"If Daniel's the same person from before, he wouldn't think you're an idiot for asking a question. Who knows, maybe it's something super important?"
Lock returns and sits by the wall. Cole drums his fingers against the floor as he thinks, "Could be worth it...could also not be him....could give me valuable information...."
---
The corner of the room is engulfed in shadows as Daniel steps out.
"Hey kid."
Oleander looks up, blinking in surprise before getting up and rushing to Daniel, enveloping him in a hug. "Youre here!" There's definitely some new eyes and mouths under Daniel's hoodie. Must've gotten really roughed up. He jumps slightly at the sudden touch, but quickly leans down to hug Oleander.
"Hey, champ. Glad you were able to make it here okay."
Oleander hugs him tightly, afraid to let go. "Are you okay?? I thought it mightve killed you for a moment-" He explains, voice shaking slightly. "Do you know where Ava and Scab are??"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm good." Daniel chuckles, pulling off his mask. Eyes cloudy as ever. "Not sure where either of them are, but some group's been tracking 'the goatman' around recently. Ava's always getting into some sort of trouble it seems," he smiles.
Oleander chuckles. "Thats our Ava-" He says, letting go of the hug. "Where have you been? Oh also I got a couple things I need to show you-"
"Sin needed me for a bit, then I had to do some stuff with Clockwork." Daniel sighs. "Then Apostle finally printed those files, which I need to show all of you when we get together. Whaddya need to show me, bud?"
Oleander nods, listening before going ro his bag. He pulls out the map of thhe Path and the book he stole from Stolas.
"Okay so this book- it has a symbol of Sorath on it but i cant read it. And then a dromen gave me a map to the path for some reason- But im not complaining." He explains, handing both to Daniel.
"...Hm. I could tryyyy to get someone to translate," he takes the book, looking it over and recognizing some of the characters in the text. "Yggdrasic, okay. Yeah I could get Raphael to translate this, probably. As for the map, that's good. We'll need that soon."
Oleander nods. "I see- and what's Yggdrasic?" He asks, tilting his head. He felt excited to see his dad again
"Language of Raphael's Children. The main one they use, not the only one." He puts a hand on Oleander's head, ruffling his hair. "I can probably get you a completely translated version at some point within the next month or so."
"Really?? Thank you!" He exclaims happily. "It's not bad here- not as peaceful as it was at home but I've made friends and the others are nice-" He explains
"Yeah I stayed here for a bit, left before you made it here, though." He sighs. "Glad you were able to make some friends, though."
Oleander nods. "I know- when I first came I asked about you and they told me. I figured staying here was my best bet and that you'd find me when you could." They say, looking up into his eyes. Theyd almost forgotten how they felt around him. They didnt feel like the weight of the world was on their shoulders when he wss around. They just felt like a kid. "Are you going to make a new house?" He asks
"Apostle and I are working something out. Don't worry, things will be back to normal soon."
Oleander nods. "Im glad... I like it here but I think id prefer to visit." They say with a chuckle. They look away. "The Anti have been increasing. Getting more comfortable."
"And they'll continue growing more comfortable unless we do something, which is why I need to reunite our family. Apostle's working on getting his legions to form into one collective group, but infighting's a bitch." Daniel chuckles, muttering the last bit.
Oleander nods. "Makes sense. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Keep living. Keep surviving. Stay with the family."
Oleander nods, pausing. "How long can you stay?"
"Not long. I have to bring Spider somewhere, then I have to try and locate Scarlett." He lets out a deep breath, a hand on Oleander's back. "I'll come and get you when it's time to go. This place is safer than anywhere else for now."
Oleander nods again, pausing before hugging Daniel again. "Where are you taking Spider?" They asks curiously
"When I was visiting Clockwork, she told me she needed Spider to go see the Moon. So I'm taking her there."
Oleander nods. "Ah, I see." He holds on to Daniel for a bit, his lip quivering. "I... I wish you didnt have to go. "
A chill goes down what remains of Daniel's spine. He exhales deeply from his nose, holding Oleander closer. "Same here, kid. Same here."
Oleander stays like that for a bit, hokding back tears as he just tries to enjoy it while he can. He had a lot of things he wanted to say but they felt like tangled jewelry. They couldn't figure out how to say it.
After a bit, Daniel lets go of Oleander. "..I've gotta go get Spider now, but I'll be back." He says, putting the book in his bag and putting his mask back on. He looks to Oleander. "I promise."
Oleander nods. "I know you will... be safe." He says, holding back the tears that try to craw their way out of him.
"You too, kid." Daniel exits the room.
---
The hallway becomes dark as Daniel walks out from it, looking to Spider.
"You ready to go on a trip?"
They over at Daniel, "That depends where."
"We tell them Clockwork sent us. Remember?"
"Ah that thing, then sure though I don't see why she sent you." They shrug and get up.
"She didn't. I just took notice of you not doing it, so I'm giving you a push." He steps closer, shadows drifting off of his clothes. "Ready when you are."
"In my defense it's been a shit few weeks so you'll forgive me if it slipped my mind," Spider grumbles lightly, "So you teleporting us or...?"
"Take care Spider and be safe out there. Oh and nice seeing ya again Daniel," Luna smiles.
"Nice seeing you as well, Lunes." Daniel looks to Luna, then back to Spider, holding out a hand that seems to be covered in shadows. They hesitate for a minute before taking it.
"I'll try, Luna."
The lights in the room flicker, complete darkness taking over, and the next second, Spider and Daniel are gone.