✨✨✨ please give me some spoilery dialogue :D
OKAY BUT SERIOUSLY SPOILER WARNING. Anyone who is waiting on the first book of Foxes and Fate in the hopes that I ever finish it, this chunk talks about some literal world altering events that happen AFTER that. As a reward/safeguard, I’m post a LARGE chuck (and also you gave me three emojis so I assume you want more than one line lol) so like, THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD (though admittedly they probably won’t make ANY SENSE)
“Does everyone in your court sleep in one puppy pile?” Rhia wondered at the brush of his leg. If he usually slept with many, then touch would be expected. Was he testing her or merely as tired?
“Often,” Tybee said lightly, aware of the dangerous ground. “Though usually just for sleep. We’re a rowdy bunch, but believe it or not, not everyone is actually sleeping with everyone else. Just most of us.”
No point in trying to hide it. If she was serious in her petition to join their court—and he was certain she was—then she’d find out about their arrangements sooner or later.
“Most of you.” She mused, wondering just how large the foundling court was. “So it isn’t a court made for your personal orgies and collection of mortals?”
“From, yes. For?” He squirmed for a moment, trying to get comfortable.
“I’m still not entirely sure what this Court is for, to be honest. Or even how it came to be, really.”
She half laughed. “There’s rumors and theories amongst the courtlings that range from ‘spite of your father’ to ‘spite of Fate itself’ to talk of rifts and the Wall fall opening a way for new power. But I think the more important factor is simply what you meantto do when the magic listened.”
He tried to laugh. “I didn’t realize we were being talked about.”
“Of course you’re being talked about.”
He sighed, dropping his head back heavily into the pillow. “I know. I know. I just...” He blew out a tired breath. “I didn’t think anyone really cared what me and my little family got up to. But it’s been one thing after another and I just--” He stopped abruptly, closing his eyes against the flood of words.
“I just want the strength to do what’s right. To protect people who can’t protect themselves, and to the see the Rifts have the room to settle into what they’re meant to be naturally. We can’t seal them up, we can’t keep ripping open new ones wherever we please--the fabric of The In Between is delicate, and it’s healing. It needs the time and space to do that.”
Rhia made a considering sound. “No one speaks of The In Between like that. Like it a delicate ecosystem that needs protecting.”
Tybee snorted. “That’s because no one’s bothered to look. I spent five years on the road with the caravan. They see. They know. Their livelihoods depends on its stable instability. If anyone should be in charge of the Rifts, it’s them.”
“But the caravans don’t have the power or stability themselves to hold that sort of claim.” She answered softly.
“Or any interest,” he said tiredly. “I thought you wanted to sleep.”
“I do.” She conceded, shifting position into something more conducive to sleeping. “I just can’t help but poke at things sometimes.”
