"Of course," he said easily, smiling as her delight in receiving the compliment became obvious. He was happy to pay her as many as she wanted, because as surely as she enjoyed receiving them he enjoyed giving them to her. But he felt no need to rush. Being here again with Winter, with Zelly, with the whole group... it felt natural and right. It felt very much like home.

"Oh, I'd never say we should stand back and let things happen," he waved his hand quickly in a "no, no," motion. "Everything I've read about the Gods has said things go according to their plans more often than not, and fighting fate has the opposite effect we often intend. Slowly the hand dropped, and slowly a wry grin replaced his look of panic. "Although come to think of it, if we participate or not--it should all fit into destiny anyway."
"But," and his voice took a more serious tone as he met her eyes, "I would never forgive myself for standing aside as atrocities like this one occur. And I know you wouldn't either."

"Isn't that true for all of us?" he joked. "But thank you. That means a lot to me. Sometimes I still feel like all I'm good for is little parlor tricks and turning invisible at the right time and place." He shrugged. "I guess what I'm doing now isn't all that different from playing tricks on people, actually. Just much, much bigger in scale."

"Do tell," Gareth grinned as he leaned back against the wall. "What would a rampaging Red Dragon say if he wanted to insult the Church?"