Maximus's promise toppled over a larger weight than either of them could bare. Relief flooded Khavur's system; although like any anxiety it was prone to reappear, this would be a lasting solace that Khavur would not forget. It felt strange to think that hating Khavur would be out of place, especially for someone like Maximus. Perhaps they did not deserve each other, perhaps caring for each other as they did was not their intended purpose, and perhaps it would take a long, long time to fully comprehend that love does not care for things such as "deserving" and "purpose". Like a form of energy, it has no design beyond the act of being.

Here, they too could ignore designs. Let them burn, be lost to time. Khavur nodded along with Maximus's suggestions. To make peace... to wrestle with the feeling until she could take the suitable action. Khavur was not entirely sure if Maximus still intended to keep her chaotic impulses from surging, if that intention was still driving their words and meddling with the meanings. She decided to interpret it as... not to think of the chaotic beast within as something that took over, but rather a part of her that she could, could... it wasn't control either. All the parts of her could reconcile, that was the word Maximus had used. She could come to an agreement. A compromise that benefitted herself and others. Diplomacy! That sounded like what Maximus had meant. She had done no reinterpreting at all. Diplomacy and communication!

The words of teaching made sense too. The layers sunk into her skin. It made her realize that... she should not have left the zoisite and the labradorite out in the storm. She couldn't have-- well, she should not have put them in a situation where all they did was hurt. Perhaps she could have been kinder, or less forward... She certainly hadn't needed to find more reasons to be angry.

Jealousy, disappointment, wrath... these were emotions that both monsters and people had to reconcile with before acting. Being a (failed) Valkhound did not make her exempt. That explained the guilt.

They were with her, the absolute genius. "What Master of this Nest designed it that way? To have a genius like you stand with and shepherd a..." How to describe herself? She looked down at her claws, flexed them. "...a holder like me?" The identity felt safe, felt meaningful and true, like any name should. Khavur, Holder of Butterflies, was not defined by some abstract action of stealing darkness or stealing from darkness (something they had never done), but rather by a true deed: creating peace with burning branches.

"The next time it happens," Khavur wanted a plan, "I will wrestle it down until we agree. I will not be rash or hypocritical... if I can, I may wander, take the danger away from our siblings. When it is safe, we will grow." This was the process of creation for butterflies.

"Maximus." Both sets of eyes fell on them and a million transmissions of gratitude and love were sent to tackle them like a league of football players. Brutal. "I have one question left." And here, a dramatic pause to build up the tension... "Are you curious about mangoes?"


She offered a hand, preparing to walk somewhere new. To walk to the future. If Maximus wished to come, Khavur would await, and eventually decide to leave a message phrased like a postscript. "I am with you as well. Through mangoes, mysteries, meltdowns... all things. I am your sister." The funniest part was the reason Khavur could even say that. They were bound not by stone, or by magic... what had connected them cerebrally, historically, was Vargas, the very force that threatened to separate them. In every other way, they were siblings by the power of choice, and by promise, which transcended all things.

@Maximus

"Not a Master we follow," Maximus answered, pleased to be thought of as a shepherd. A guiding force that promised safety and reassurance.

They were butterflies, fluttering from thought to thought, growing and learning as sporadically as the flittering insects flew. Each day was new, each thought different, each experience granting them an insight they couldn't learn otherwise.

Maximus was bombarded by love and affection, the wave of emotions making them gasp and burst out giggling, stumbling for a moment as they tried to parse through it. It was overwhelming, and they struggled to surface, but Khavur's lovely voice brought them out of the cascade safely.

"Mangoes?", they asked, breathless, "I don't know what mangoes are... I would love to learn of them with you. I would love to do anything and everything with you, my sister."

They didn't hesitate. Even before Khavur spoke they took her hand, clutching it tightly. The image of a much smaller hand resting within the massive palm appeared for just a moment, the image of a smaller, cuter Maximus appearing. A grin spread across their face and their lamb tail shook with glee, eyes crinkling.

"Through all things," they agreed, "You are my sister, and I am your sibling. Forever and always."

Maximus glowed with a sudden rush of giddiness, a bleat leaving their mouth as they threw themselves forward to hug Khavur, nestling into the other's necks. Their arms were wrapped around them both and their tail wagged happily, happiness and content radiating off of them like they were the son.

"I love you, Khavur," they said softly, eyes squeezed shut.

@Khavur

Khavur remembered a time when everything was small except for her own self. Even she, back then, had felt smaller and larger simultaneously somehow. She had not changed in size, but she had changed in understanding, and the world had grown without her realizing it. Back then, Maximus's tiny paw met her own for comfort, two little fish schooling together in their peaceful pond. It had been the lamb's comfort, to always have one monolith on their side. Even now, Maximus's hand fit in Khavur's like some precious gift to be cherished.

They embraced, and Khavur was back in Pegasus for the first time, having its breath stolen by gusts and flowers. For once in... a long time, Khavur was happy that Vargas had not created her fully. That she could appreciate such things without seeking to smother them completely. There was freedom in this, a freedom that ironically only unmade creatures could appreciate. The freedom to be ruined by simplicity, by a dandelion, a hug, an apple.

Or a mango.

'I love you Maximus.' How they had fought fiercely for those words, and how they would fight for them still.

Khavur released, and pointed towards the general direction she figured they should go in. "Onward, then. To mangoes!"

- exit -

@Maximus

Maximus remembered an outline. A general sense of shape and body, of mass and weight. Khavur had seemed so much bigger then, and the protection she brought had been a lifesaver when they were fighting to survive, fighting to live another day.

Their hand fit in Khavur's like a glove, like they were made to fit, destiny made manifest.

They felt like a kid again as they grinned and hopped a few steps towards where Khavur pointed, laughing gleefully. "Onward!!", they cried, flinging their arms up into the air.

The lamb (for they were one, again) dashed forward with a merry bleat, leaping into the air and bucking before landing and taking off, so excited they had to run to get the energy off. As they turned to look back at Khavur they slowed, gazing upon their sister with such love and adoration their heart felt near to bursting.

This wasn't just a Mango Quest. This was a Quest of hearts! Of love and siblinghood and kindness! This was an adventure of two souls destined for greatness!

Exit Maximus @Khavur