Reality Check - A Huntric/Goldric Based Fic

Safeword (CHP 30)

Ed and Hunter followed alongside her, each hand in hand. 

"How did you even find out about this thing?" Edric turned to Willow, who was still reading over the map.

"Raine. They bring home pamphlets from some of the places they take Gus, and they just so happened to take this one! I thought it might be a good idea to start learning more about demon culture... we have been here a while."

She wasn't wrong.

Everyone could feel the time pressing down on them, pushing them over the edge.

Time was apparent in the length of their hair, the bags under their eyes.

Edric ran one of hands through his hair a bit awkwardly, feeling the ends. It had grown quite freely and brushed just above his shoulders. At this point, he would be able to put it back in a short ponytail, similar to what Luz had at the end of the summer... maybe a bit longer, though.

It was quite the lengthy walk to the actual garden, but each teen handled it fine. They'd been walking around ever since summer began. Though Eda insisted on Hunter learning how to use Flapjack as a staff as well, it wasn't something he wanted to think about...

"Is this the gardens?" Ed exclaimed looking at the wonderous plants before them.

The entry way was a large, iron gate twisted and distorted into images of several types of flowers and even a few common species of animals from around the Boiling Isles. The inside from what they could see was just as magical. Plants of every color blossomed around, some with snapping teeth and other with delicate petals. Many had caution symbols around them, which only added into the dangerous beauty.

Willow grabbed each of their arms, dragging them both up to the gate. There, a older witch with hair of what looked to be thick strands of moss with a lotus on the top greeted the three.

"Welcome to the Bonesborough Community Demons Garden, my name is Terra Snapdragon, head keeper... you three rosebuds here for the day?" She smiled widely, looking at the trio.

"Yes! Yes, we are... just one moment, and I can pay." Willow smiled kindly, digging into her bag to find her small coin purse.

"Did I not mention the 'Community' part of the garden? It's completely free, sprout.. no day-pass necessary." She shook her head as she spoke, gesturing to the sign.

"Oh, I know, trust me. I want to donate for all your hard work, keeping such a lovely place for the public!" She placed a handful of snails into her hand, tucking the rest of her coin purse back in the bag.

"Thank you, sprouts.. please, enjoy your visits! If you have a question, let one of the other keepers know!" Terra smiled, letting them into the garden.

Willow and the boys waved, following each other into the garden.

"Hm.. I knew you loved your plants, but I hadn't realized you were passionate enough to donate!" Edric teased her, with a slight chuckle.

"If I don't stand for something, I'll fall for anything. I think plants are a good thing to stand for." She responded simply and calmly, twirling around as she gazed about the garden. "You guys can do whatever you want, just meet me at the fountains for the show, 'kay? Have fun!!"

She waved, before walking off to a different section to go look at some plants.

"...Willow's a philosopher?" Hunter tilted his head, watching her walk off.

"I guess so, but she's got a point." Edric shrugged, grabbing onto Hunter's hand and beginning to lead him away. "C'mon, I wanna go see the ponds! I'm pretty sure they got some kind of fish.."