Nightmare was having a silent staredown with Kin across the pavilion, said skeleton staring back without moving so much an inch. Error was idly watching the strange interaction in amusement, Dream sighing into his hands, leaves fluttering in mild annoyance.

The crowd around them went largely unnoticed by the pair, though most of everyone had their eyes and lights upon them.
They likely would have gone on for an hour or more if it weren't for a sudden interruption.
"What are you doing to him?"

Nightmare blinked, both breaking out of their respective trance as he turned to the one that spoke. "Hmm?"
Omega was glaring suspiciously, tense. "What were you doing?"
"Staring." The Guardian of Negativity deadpanned, no longer interested in the conversation as he glanced at the entrance.

He was distracted by a sudden poke to his legs, glancing behind himself as Omega gasped, blinking at the form of a small child taking off.
Dream snorted slightly nearby.
"Did he just poke me?" He questioned rhetorically.
"Yes." Error replied bluntly.

Nightmare just sighed, waving him off as he turned to follow the child. "Someone explain what I was 'doing to him'." He ordered vaguely to the others while Omega scoffed at being cast aside.

He managed to make his way through the crowd easily, finding the corner where the children were playing.
There wasn't really any reason why he followed the youngling, he just did. Now that he'd found them, he wasn't sure what he wanted to do next.
The boy from before spotted him and squeaked, hiding behind an older child. He felt his face twitch in amusement before noticing a piercing gaze upon him.

Nightmare glanced over, seeing Dance a few meters away stare intensely at him. Was he worried for the children?
Human children?
Odd. Typically Sanses were more distant and apathetic to human kids because of the genocides.

Either way, he didn't get much longer to ponder this, as the entrance to the tent opened, revealing Eragon and Nasuada. All activity stopped so that the boy's village could shout "Surprise!"

He couldn't stop his grin as Eragon stood there, dumbfounded. A good chunk of the village was there, as well as pretty much all of the Wyrdaí Islingrya, Angela and Sinead, Jeod and his wife, and several sailors that had helped Carvahall sail to Surda. All the kids had stopped in their activities to gape at the arrivals.

Then Angela raised her mug and announced. "Well, don't just stand there gaping! Come in, sit down. I'm hungry!"
Everyone laughed, Nasuada tugging the Rider towards the table.

Nightmare grinned, peering back down at a young boy who was poking his kneecap. "What are you doing?" He asked in the softest tone he could muster.
"Are you a swamp monster?" The child asked ignorantly, rubbing his finger in the dark, viscous tar.

Nightmare chuckled, squatting to the child's level. "I'm afraid not. I stay away from swamps."
"Do you come from the Spine?"
"No, I come from worlds far away."
"What does that mean?"
"Something you'll know when you're older."

The boy scowled, before jumping forward and grabbing one of Nightmare's branches. "I know! You're a night tree spirit!"
The Guardian of Negativity hesitated, Dream hurrying over.

"You're half right." He murmured, picking the child up with the same tendril, much to the boy's surprise.
The kid lay limp for a moment, then kicked in the air. "Put me down! I can walk."

Nightmare shrugged, sitting down and letting the boy go as well. The child immediately grabbed his retreating tendril to study it. He chuckled, letting Dream sit close by, just as intrigued by the conversation.

"Do you have tree parents? What's it like? Are they oak or beeches?" Nightmare paused, the questions bringing back a few old, old memories. The kid continued his barrage, unaware of the intrusiveness of his questions.
"I heard that trees can live to be two centuries old. Are you really old too? Older than Galbatorix? What was Alagaësia like before Galbatorix?"

"We can't answer your questions if you keep asking more." Dream spoke up, drawing the youth's attention.
"Are you another tree spirit? Wait, you look like a skeleton."
"We both do." The lighter gestured to the darker.
The boy glanced between both.
"But why is he covered in tar?"

"I'm the darker one." Nightmare leaned forward, studying the child. The bold kid peered at him as well.
"Are you evil?"
"...Not anymore."
"You used to be evil? Evil doesn't change."
"Indeed it can."
"Even the worst person is capable of change. Even Galbatorix."
"The problem isn't always killing because someone is evil, but because it's better to kill them rather than to spend centuries changing them instead."

"That's silly." The boy concluded.
"So is unreasoned wickedness." Nightmare replied easily. No one could get another word in as suddenly everything shook in a small earthquake, the back of the tent bursting to reveal Saphira sniffing eagerly.
Meat! I smell meat!

Most of the Wyrdaí Islingrya laughed at this before everyone relaxed. Nightmare was slightly nervous himself, given that the boy had decided to dive into him out of fear of the dragon.

Nightmare stared at the kid as he peered cautiously at Saphira from his lap.
"Why me?"
The boy glanced at him. "What?"
The Guardian of Negativity hesitated. "Why did you turn to me?"

Blushing slightly, the child backed away. "I did nothing. I was just.. looking for something to hold onto in the shaking. I could have fallen. I'm not scared of you or a dragon."
Nightmare glanced at Dream in a silent cry for help, the lighter hesitating.

It was the kid that saved them from the tension, moving on already.
"Do you have to grow up wild because of tree parents? I mean, if you actually had tree parents."

"We only had our mother." Dream finally explained, a little tense. "We're twins."
"You don't look alike."
"We're not that identical." Nightmare explained.
"Was your mother a beech, then?"
"No, she was a very special kind of apple tree. We were originally born as her protectors." Dream explained with bittersweet fondness and sadness.

"How was she special?"
"..."
"She was a part of something vital to existence. When we were created, we became Guardians of both aspects of what she carried and bearers of those aspects ourselves." Nightmare explained quietly.
Dream nudged him softly, drawing his attention to the small group of children gathered around them.
They'd slipped his awareness in the distracting conversation.

"What azpex were they?"
"Aspects." Nightmare corrected. "And they were vague and broad. In short, they were emotions. Every living being feels emotion to some extent, even the animals and plants around you. We encompass Positivity," He gestured to Dream. "And Negativity." He indicated himself. "We are a balance. You can't properly feel happy without having suffered beforehand and vice versa."

"So your job is to protect your tree mom?" The kid asked, not really understanding.
Both twins hesitated.
"It was." Nightmare explained quietly.
"What happened then?"

Nightmare hesitated, glancing around at those surrounding him. Humans from a village.
A village.

"What happened is a story from a long, long time ago." He said slowly, somewhat distant as he turned to face the boy.
"What you ask is for an ancient story that has been told for eons, albeit twisted by others' words over the countless generations. Are you sure you want to hear it from the two of us ourselves?"

The boy shrugged, getting comfortable. "It's not a bedtime story, I won't be falling asleep."
Other kids started scooting closer, many of which were holding snacks taken from the table, a few skeletons creeping closer in curiosity.

Dream shot him a slight smile, the darker starting off reciting a tale once told frequently to the point of mindlessness in ancient times, now brought back to life with great nostalgia and memories, both good and bad..

"Once there was a lone tree on a hill, standing over a river as clear as glass and guarded by it's own spirit. This spirit was part of the tree, taken form to care for herself because of her own importance to the fabric of existence, for she bore apples of two kinds…."

. • ° . • °

"And in spite of everything, Alagaësia has changed us; it has brought us together once again after eons of opposing one another so violently." Dream finished, smiling despite the faint trail of tears on his face.

There was a minute or two of silence, filled with awe, reflection, or merely thought. Then out of nowhere, someone hugged Nightmare from behind, maneuvering around the plantlike tentacles. He tensed up, turning to see the childlike Beats embracing him tightly.
"You really need a hug."

He froze, unsure how to respond. Then Killer appeared, lightly tugging Beats away. "I get to hug him, not you." He grumbled, then promptly threw his arms around Nightmare and grinned at their confusion. Nightmare scoffed. "Why are you-"
Blue suddenly barreled into him, yanking Dream over to hug them both in an almost crushing grip.
"Ack- no!" The Guardian of Positivity cried, fighting back as his vines got tangled in the group.

"It's too late, you must endure our affection." Horror grinned while draping himself over them, a few grey spirits following with more eagerness. Cross sighed and joined in, making a face like he didn't want to despite it clearly being the one thing he desired. Beats returned, giggling before Dust dove in and knocked the group to the side.

"Dust what have you done-" Dream was cut off as a bunch of giggling children started crawling on top of the pile.
"Shit-" Killer swore as he started getting smushed under the weight.
"Language!" Blue corrected sharply, shooting him a look as others in the pavilion started laughing.

"Don't just stand there, do something!" Nightmare begged of the nearest person not trapped by multiple bodies. Dance just shrugged, pretending not to find this incredibly funny.

"Is there anyone not pinned?" Nightmare growled, struggling to move beneath the bodies, a five year old hugging his skull and wiping their hands on the goop.
"If a child licks me, they might get sick." He added, trying to ignore the hot breath on his skull.

Suddenly, the child was lifted away with a squeal. The one holding them was a trembling, weak vine.
At this moment, Error decided to step in, blue strings appearing to lift all the children at most risk away from the pile of tangled limbs, moving them over to set them on top of a large, squishy, hexapedal doglike creature, the white amalgam snuffling at them as they slid off.

As soon as enough kids were off,the rest of them flopped apart as much as they were able, a few still tangled in vines and dark branches. It was then that the Twins realized how their limbs had become hopelessly entangled, many having merged together, caging a helpless Blue.

Said skeleton peered at them in concern, working an arm free. "I seem to be stuck." He stated awkwardly.
Lust stepped forth, starting to calmly work apart the plantlike limbs as the pair sat up. The merged sections thankfully came apart with gentle tugging.

"Sorry." Dream apologized shyly.
"It's nothing." Both Blue and Lust said at once, before snorting at their synchrony.
The energetic skeleton decided to help undo the knots and tied up boughs as soon as he was able, both twins doing what they could to speed it up.

During all of this, everyone else formerly part of the dog pile had wandered off to other conversations or drinks, children starting to mess with Saphira as she tolerated them tugging on her edges.
Eragon was even retelling his misadventures with Saphira from back when he still lived in Palancar Valley.

The Twins parted as soon as their limbs were untangled, grumbling and laughing awkwardly alternatively. They moved on, eager to enjoy the night.

And thus, time passed, everyone chatting idly in the pleasant atmosphere.

Jeod decided to sing a song he'd learned from his vast library of books, leading to Killer bringing out a ukulele he'd somehow had this entire time, playing a simple, pleasant tune to fill the pavilion, laughter and conversations rolling around them.

A few even asked him what instrument he carried, albeit somewhat tense near him. Killer replied simply, before a few minutes passed and he started singing at random, making up a story as he went along. His music seemed to give the pavilion a wonderful atmosphere, Reaper appearing in a corner beside Geno, who took it upon himself to drink wine and chat quietly, giving the god of death a cup as well as they slowly got drunk.

Blue tried to start a drinking contest, but no one was in the competitive mood, much to his disappointment.
GB, on the other hand, was left to talk to other skeletons due to the language barrier between himself and the humans.

Unfortunately, because of all the alcohol, many started to actually get drunk. Red was soon passed out from drinking way too much too fast, snoring in a chair as Cross started shoving anything with chocolate in his face and inventory. Horror was chuckling at him while eating venison steak, having drunk only a little.

Blue took to letting out his little miniature skeledragon, the small thing prancing around the pavilion with flashing yellow eyelights, surprising most of everyone present.
It was here that those who hadn't known him in Ellesméra discovered how Blue was not the Blueberry they knew.
His odd slightly sharp toothed smile, his vaguely off behavior, something wasn't entirely normal.

...Aside from Blue's strangeness, there was much else to distract them all from woe.
Such as Abyss and Mecha meeting the newcomers Color and Ganz, having all met each other previously.
Somehow this lead to a strange challenge where Abyss and Ganz were trying to see who was the floofiest, much to everyone else's amusement.

They all laughed until Error surprised them all by wrapping both his arms around Abyss and practically collapsing onto the other that barely even came up to his waist, dragging the small one to a beanbag and just holding him.

This was shocking for so many reasons.
Error had haphephobia, and barely knew Abyss, and was in a public place.
Even Geno dared approach in baffled curiosity.
The glitch merely shrugged, nuzzling Abyss's fluffy scarves, said skeleton frozen and bewildered.

This was one of many antics that occurred as the candles burned in the night, filling the tent with pale, misty wreaths of smoke.
The first to finally leave for the night was the heavily pregnant woman, Elain. Baldor, one of her sons, left with her.

Soon after, Alter decided to retire for the night, and after him Nasuada regretfully parted as well, explaining that her position required her attention- though she did pull Eragon aside briefly to address him before vanishing into the night.

Nearly thirty minutes later, Geno sighed and got up from the corner, Reaper in tow. They excused themselves, then the god scooped up the undead and teleported away.

Lust, having been making friends with Blue- something that arose purely because both had decided to wear dresses that evening- chose to sit upright, thoughtfully swinging his flagon in his borderline drunkenness.
"I'vveee had quite the niigghhht." He drawled, leaning on Blue, who snickered, entirely sober and knowing the other was pretending to be more drunk than he really was.

"I need a strong, sturdy man to help me home.~" Lust giggled, a slight lavender dusting upon his cheekbones.
"Why don't I help you home?~" Blue teased, grinning. Lust blinked at him in surprise, blushing for real.
Then they both disappeared in a flash of blue, said skeleton having decided to teleport- an event that was a rarity.

After that odd moment, the night continued until the candles had burnt down to their bases, with which everyone slowly began to make their way out. Error, despite not having had a drop of alcohol, stumbled slightly before teleporting off with a loud, glitching grunt.
He left his beanbag behind.

Nightmare was worried, having sensed a chaotic disarray of emotions from the destroyer when he'd left. He shared a look with Dream before noticing Roran take Eragon by the arm and drag him to the back of the tent.

So he let Dream go off to find and tell Geno about their concerns as he started listening to the human's conversation, staring at Horror as the other appeared to have a mental conversation with Endogeny and a few ghostly dogs.

"I have another question." Roran's voice reached him.
"Oh?"
"It is a boon… a favor I seek of you. I never thought I would speak to you of this. You're younger than I, you've barely reached your manhood, and you're my cousin to boot."
"Speak of what? Stop beating around the bush." Eragon replied impatiently.

"Of marriage. Will you marry Katrina and me? It would please me if you would, and while I have refrained from mentioning it to her until I had your answer, I know Katrina would be honored and delighted if you would consent to join us as man and wife."

Nightmare dared to glance over, curious of Eragon as the Rider blinked in shock. He turned back as Horror cast a look in his direction, expressing worry.

"Me?" Eragon finally questioned. "I would be happy to do it, of course, but… me? Is that really what you want? I'm sure one of the gods or Nasuada would agree to marry the two of you…. You could have King Orrin, a real king! A god from worlds away! I know Orrin would leap at the chance to preside over the ceremony if it would help him earn my favor. Dream would as well, I'm sure he's presided over many important ceremonies."

"I want you, Eragon. You are a Rider, and you are the only other living person who shares my blood; Murtagh does not count. I cannot think of anyone else I would rather have tie the knot around my wrist and hers."
"..Then I shall."

There was a moment as Horror approached Nightmare, standing beside him as he understood the other was listening to the conversation.
They both glanced at the humans as Eragon asked his cousin another question.
"When? Nasuada has a mission planned for me. I don't know what it is yet, but I'm guessing it will keep me busy for some time. So… maybe early next month, if events allow?"

Roran shook his head. "What about the day after tomorrow?"
"So soon? Isn't that rushing it a bit? There would hardly be any time to prepare. People will think it's unseemly."
Roran clenched his fists momentarily.
"It can't wait. If we're not married and quick, the old women will have something far more interesting to gossip about than my impatience. Do you understand?"

Horror flushed, a few grey spirits backing away from the human pair, guilty of listening in as the skeleton coughed into his hand awkwardly, taking a step back as well. Nightmare shot him a look, warning him not to draw attention to their eavesdropping.

"I think so." Eragon finally answered. "The day after tomorrow it is."
He grunted as the man enveloped him in a hug, pounding his back.

When they parted, Roran bore a huge grin. "I'm in your debt. Thank you. Now I must go share the news with Katrina, and we must do what we can to ready a wedding feast. I will let you know the exact hour once we decide on it."
"That sounds fine."

With that, Roran left through the flap Saphira had parted with her head, passing out of view before his voice reached them again, this time raised.
"Eragon, I'm going to be married!"
Said human laughed, waving him off. "Go on, you fool. She's waiting for you."
With that, he and Saphira left, the flap swinging shut, leaving them in silence.

After a few moments, the telltale noise of Saphira's departure sounded, and all that was left were a few passed out skeletons, Endogeny, a groggy Dust, a barely conscious Killer, Nightmare, Horror and his spirits like Ghost appearing beside him.

"So Error's got a kid." Ghost confirmed awkwardly.
"Yes, Fresh. Is that what you were asking the dogs?" Nightmare asked.
"No, they wanted to say that he's pretty far along and.. smells kind of like a spider?" Horror explained with a shrug, said amalgam plodding closer.

"Do you think he may have complications?" Nightmare quested seriously, looking between all of them. Endogeny just shrugged, a bit of froth seeping out of their face hole as Horror grunted. "I figured you'd be able to guess."

"Not without more details." He explained, stiffening as Dream contacted him suddenly.
"Wait." Ghost snapped his phalanges in an echoey click before turning towards Endogeny, who seemed to squint at him.
"Could you have smelled something spidery because of strings? He has string magic."

They whuffed, giving a mute response in thought as Nightmare took a step back, looking almost frightened- which did not escape Horror.
"Boss?"

"The issue is that After has been in Alagaësia this entire time, and is hurt."
"What."
Even Dust perked up from his seat, paying closer attention to the conversation he wasn't a part of.

Horror grabbed Nightmare's arm. "After is here?" He questioned harshly. "And injured? Is Geno okay?" He questioned severely, knowing how dangerous such a situation was for the bloody glitch.

Nightmare turned towards the entrance, tense. "Not well, it would seem. He seems to feel pain in his ribcage."

On that note, he teleported away. Horror hesitated, glancing at a now wide-socketed Dust.
"Shit." The both said at once.

They ignored both their ghostly Papyruses as they chided their language.