Snippet #2173359

Shade sits dumbly next to Rivers' body as the light creatures and the crow woman do their work. When Rivers finally sits up, his smile is wan but as incorrigible as ever, and the sheer volume of sincere and uncharacteristic gratitude towards the world that seems to well up in Shade's chest almost hurts. The potato is the last straw, though, and as the tuber rolls away on the floor, she can't help herself; she smiles back, then leans forward and hugs him. "Rain is right, you're a horrible person. But I'm glad you're not dead," she says before releasing him and standing up.

She rolls her shoulders, slightly discomfited by his scrutinization. "I look like hell? Pot, kettle - you're the one who just died." There is a hint of lingering anger there, but for the most part, Shade is far too relieved and glad to be her usual wrathful self. "I did run into some trouble, although apparently his name is actually Ral." She gestures at the other man. "We had a bit of a miscommunication, but I think we're okay now." The look she gives Ral dares him to contradict her.