...in my years of having this rabbit in my OC roster, I can't believe that not once have I thought to involve her in an Easter pic. Well, I might as well do that now!
Plus, it's April Fool's Day, might as well stick her in an outfit she'd hate.
Bita was made for @inali-of-winterfell's AO3 fic, while the second was I think my first ever attempt at this particular style of LoZ character sheet ref? It was good practice, though I've never used her.
Tand and the kids were escorted at sword point by elf guards. Their hands were bound, and mouths muzzled to prevent them from biting. They huddled together, Bita in the middle, sandwiched by their older siblings. Tand gave anyone and everyone nasty looks as they passed through the elf city towards the gates. Onlookers watched in fear, curiosity, and disgust.
Korsy and Dusty were waiting by the gates. The demon had reinitiated his flirting with the guards Bjarne and Marbjörn again, but he brushed them off now and a look of concern returned as he saw how uncomfortably the little group approaching looked, gagged like animals. He wanted to run up and hug the kids, but he knew they might take it as aggression so he stayed still in his place.
“Is that finally it?” Dusty asked. “We can just go with them?”
“One more,” Korsy said, looking past the group.
A moment later, Asger marched up, not bound or anything, but still led at sword point. He kept his head held high, unconcerned by his criminal handling, but when he saw Tand and Co., he couldn’t help breaking form a little to smile.
“You’re alright!” he said, looking between the kids then looking Tand in the face. “By the gods, I thought they might… I’m so sorry.”
“You lied,” Tand growled through their muzzle, their tail thrashing behind them.
“I should’ve known this would happen, that is true. But I never meant to deceive you,” Asger said. “But now, I can be sure you will be safe and get the care you need. My cousin knows how to handle these things.”
Tand just turned away and ignored him, choosing to fix their gaze on a rock by their feet.
“You really give me too much credit…” Korsy sighed, before inquiring: “Uncle Folke’s not going to see us out?”
Asger shook his head. “No, my father would rather anything else but to look upon me now…”
Korsy exhaled and gave him a couple slaps on the back. “You’re doing a good thing. I’m sorry it had to go this way.”
Asger shook his head. “It’s fine. If being exiled from my home is the only way to ensure the safety of these folks, then it is a small price to pay.”
“At least you have your mother’s place to live, eh?” Korsy said.
Asger shook his head. “No, the dark elves claim all of Scandinavia as under their watch. I cannot return to Sweden.”
Korsy blinked a few times, then rubbed his neck. “Shit. I didn’t know it was that extreme… I guess you’re coming with us, then. Do you have your passport up to date?”
Asger shrugged. “I assume not.”
“Ah, okay… Uh, APID can handle that, no worries,” Korsy assured. “Come on, let’s get the fuck out of here.”
Dusty turned to his guard friends. “Marbjörn, if you will…”
“You're going now?” the guard answered looking distraught.
“You'll text us, ja?” Bjarne insisted, equally distraught.
Dusty gave them a smile and a pat on the cheeks. “Of course. But I have to get back to work, boys. I'll speak to you soon.”
Bjarne nodded, dragging his companion back to the guard house where they could activate the gates. They opened a crack for them and Korsy waved Tand and kids through first then Dusty and Asger. As soon as they were all on the other side, the gates were closed behind them, and they were left to themselves at the docks.
“Let’s get these off first, yeah?” Korsy went behind Tand and undid the muzzle. Asger quickly followed suit, removing the children’s muzzles, and then removing their wrist bindings.
Unbound, Tand quickly moved to hide the children behind them and bared their teeth again. “Why release us?”
“Because that was the whole plan?” Korsy crossed his arms. “You folks are free now; however, we recommend you come with us. You need food, shelter, and medical attention. We can provide that to you.”
“No. Send us back to our home,” Tand demanded. “This was a mistake. A lie!”
“There’s no back,” Korsy said. He pointed to the gates. “‘Back’ is through the rift in there and you’re definitely not allowed back in there.”
“But as we are now, I can fulfil my promise to you,” Asger said, stepping in front of Korsy to speak to Tand. “I offered you my home and protection. You can be safe with me.”
“You do not have a home,” Tand said. “You just said.”
Asger sheepishly scratched the back of his head. “Ah, right… Well, in broader terms, this realm is my home. If you stay with me, I will protect you.”
“You do not have a home. You did not protect us from that…that terrible place!” Tand said pointing back to the city. “I cannot trust you!”
“But you can trust me, can’t you?” Korsy said. “I said we’d get you out and I followed through. That must be worth something.”
Tand just looked at him, a wrinkle to their nose.
Just then, Soppa stepped forward. “You said I can get soup.”
Dusty lit up. “Yes! If you come with us, we can get you soup, and any other food you like.”
“Crackers,” Sten piped in.
“We can certainly find crackers too,” Dusty assured. “Please, I know you're all hungry. And we can get you some new clothes and somewhere to sleep. Just come with us.”
Tand shook their head. “No.”
Soppa pouted, pulling at Tand's arm. “Please? I like Asger.”
Tand whirled around, flashing Soppa a stern look. “If you want to go, then go! I want to go home!”
“Tand, hold on a minute,” Asger said. “The last thing we want is division.”
Regardless, Tand said nothing as Soppa picked up Bita and carried them over by Asger, Sten following behind. The kids all kept their eyes down, feeling the anger radiating towards them from Tand.
“Kids, I...” Asger faltered, looking down at the little group by him. “I'm not going to take you away from your parent. This isn't how this is meant to go.”
“Hungry,” Bita said, looking up at Asger.
Dusty and Korsy stood by, not really sure what to do. Technically, the whole group was released to their custody, but based on their treatment already, they didn't want to force anyone into anything.
“Listen, this is a small island, all of which is owned by the dark elves,” Korsy said. “We have a boat to take you to the mainland. From there, you can do whatever you want. I'm not going to stop you.”
“You would have us free in your world?” Tand said.
“I mean, it would be grossly irresponsible on my part and likely put you in danger because you don't know this world, but if you absolutely refuse to come with us, I am not going to stop you,” Korsy said.
Tand looked at the children, hesitated a moment, but nodded. “Your boat.”
Korsy perked up and motioned to a medium sized craft tied at the docks. “This way.”
Tand just started walking towards the boat.
Asger tapped Soppa's shoulder and pointed, motioning the kids to follow along. They shuffled after them, mindful not to get underfoot. Korsy jogged up ahead so he could help everyone get on safely while Dusty and Asger climbed in last. The kids and Tand were startled by the swaying of the craft beneath their feet, but Asger helped them sit and get comfortable. Dusty handed out life vests which Asger also helped put on their guests. Once everyone was secure, Korsy undid the line, started up the engine and left the dock.
On the ride, Dusty remembered some snacks Karla had giving them for the trip which he'd stashed away on the boat. Retrieving them, he gave each of the kids a cookie, and offered one to Tand, but they refused it.
Soppa took all the kids’ cookies first, sniffed them, and then handed them back once they were sure they were safe to eat. The kids started a round of ‘thank you’s and ‘you’re welcome’s like they had when Asger had given them crackers. Tand continued to ignore them.
It was still dark out, just before dawn, so despite the summer, a cold breeze was made worse by the speed of the boat. Tand and family wore almost nothing, save for some shorts and shirts made from an unknown fibre. Dusty was worried they'd catch a cold, so he found two blankets in the boat storage and handed them out.
The kids all huddled up under one, but Tand refused the other.
“Come on, it's really cold,” Dusty insisted. “I'm just giving you a blanket to warm up. I don't want you to get sick.”
Tand still didn't move to take it, and just shut their eyes, attempting to shut everyone out. They already looked a bit pale, and after a moment, they pursed their lips, a sound like a hiccup escaping them.
Dusty blinked and then patted Korsy's shoulder while he drove the boat. “Can you slow down a bit?”
“Hm? Why?”
“I think they're a bit seasick,” Dusty said.
At that very moment, Tand could hold it, and a little bit of sick dribbled from their mouth. Korsy saw this and slowed down. “Whoa, okay. Over the edge, over edge, please. This is a rental!”
Asger rushed over to their side in aid, helping them turn around and lean their head over the edge. They didn't have much to bring up however and just retched dryly.
“Were there any water bottles with those snacks?” Korsy asked. “They need something for their stomach.”
While Dusty got the water, Asger had Tand close their eyes and breathe deeply. “Just relax,” he said. “Concentrate on your breathing. It'll help steady you.”
“Sit them in the middle,” Korsy said. “Less motion there.”
Tand let Asger sit them in the centre of the boat and even let him wrap the blanket Dusty offered around his shoulders. Their stomach seemed to have already settled, though they were still pale.
Tand spoke suddenly. “Why do you call me that?”
“Call you what?” Asger asked.
“You call me Tand. But you also call me ‘Them’. And ‘They’.”
“Oh, uh. Well, I gave you a name since you don't seem to have one. Of course, if you don't like it, we can change it,” Asger explained.
Tand just shrugged at that.
“And we call you them because, well, we don't know your gender and it's just polite,” Asger said.
Tand looked at him. “My gender?”
“Yes. I am a male elf, so my pronouns are he/him,” Asger said.
“Oh, are we sharing gender identity and pronouns?” Dusty said excitedly. “Succubus. He/him. Mostly...”
“Man. He/him,” Korsy added.
Asger looked worriedly at Korsy for that but didn't say anything.
Tand knit their brow. “You are all he/him. Then I am too, no?”
“I mean, if you want to be, we can do that. You don't have to,” Asger said. “There are other pronouns like she/her, or they/them, or a combination.”
“Or neo pronouns,” Dusty added. “Like ze/zir.”
Tand frowned, not fully understanding. “I am like you. He and him.”
“He and him it is then,” Asger said. “We'll make sure to pay attention to that.”
“Do we get those too?” Soppa asked.
“Of course,” Asger said. “Did you hear something you like?”
Soppa thought about it. “I like he/him too. Like Asger.”
“Alright.” Asger smiled. “And the others?”
Sten titled their head. “What were the other choices?”
“I think we've listed he/him, she/her, they/them, and ze/zir?” Asger retold.
“What’s the difference?” Soppa asked.
“Well, to be very general,” Dusty started to explain, “Usually, but not always, he/him is used for boys, while she/her is for girls. They/them is often used by people who aren't a boy or a girl, or are both, or sometimes one and sometimes the other... Sometimes they use a combination of the other ones. Or something else entirely, like ze/zir.”
Sten just said. “Oh... I don't know.”
“How about they/them, then?” Dusty asked. “For now.”
Sten just nodded.
“She,” Bita piped up.
“Is that what you like?” Dusty asked.
Bita nodded.
“Alright, I think we figured it out then,” Asger said.
“In that case, Tand if you want he/him, then you would be the kids' father,” Asger said.
“Only if you like that term,” Dusty said. “I know a he/him who goes by mom.”
“I don't care,” Tand said. “Whatever's usual is fine. Talking is too much...”
“Well, if we go by the norms, then that would make Soppa a son and brother, Sten still a child and sibling, and Bita a daughter and sister,” Dusty said.
“Sister!” Bita sounded excited saying it back.
“That’s right, you’re Soppa and Sten’s little sister.” Dusty smiled. “Glad we’re in a better mood. A cookie can go a long way.”
“An identity can go a long way too,” Korsy said. “A sense of self is very inspiring.”
Tand still didn’t seem to be doing so hot and had his head down between his knees, trying to keep from getting sick again. Asger offered him a bottle of water, but he passed on it.
Instead, Asger turned back to see the island he’d called home drift further and further away. It wasn’t long before a thick mist obscured his view and the island appeared to vanish. He let out a deep sigh and turned back. Soppa was watching him, so he smiled to the child and leaned back. He wanted to be brave for them. It was all he could do for now.
