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Time drew into a crawl as the commotion reached his ears. The empty bento box clattered to the floor, its contents having been inhaled seconds before. After having the words repeat in his head a few times to mack sure he had heard correctly, Alex's eyes grew wide. [i]Dove.[/i] They were alive. [i]DOVE IS BACK.[/i] 

Boot prints were indented into the floor on takeoff as a quarter of a ton of super powered muscle dashed frantically to the workshop. He had enough sense to slam his helmet back on before nearly bowling over everyone trying to get to the front of the shop. Part of Alex that had lost hope long ago was nagging at him now. That someone was playing a sick joke. That people don't just show back up alive and well after being missing for this long. That-

[i]There she was.[/i]

Standing over the back of the crowd. He could see Dove clear as day. Being hugged and welcomed. God he wanted to run out there and hug her, to trust something other then his eyes that she was real. Alex had few people he had considered trusted friends, even among the rogues. And here was one back from the dead for all intents and purposes. With the passing seconds an overwhelming sense of relief washed over him. The armored rogue continued to hang back and wipe away tears best he could without taking off his helmet fully. Shit was she gonna recognize him in his new armor? No, not gonna worry about that. just be happy that she's back and wait your turn. And for god's sake don't accidentally crush her when you go for a hug. 

[b][color=deepskyblue]"If we had to go through that scream to get her back, then I wont complain too much about the interesting times we live in."[/color][/b] He let out a shaky chuckle mostly to himself. not really aware that he was glowing again.[hr]Back at home. Dean was actively ignoring a few unopened messages from Wolf while digging through some of his old family books he hadn't thought to touch in years. new notes and scribbling had begun to pile up on his desk and over some of the walls now too. Active attempts to try and figure out what the hell was wrong with his friend while keeping within his vowed limitations was . . . tricky. he was starting to regret making that lazy and somewhat spiteful decision when he was a kid. 

At the time he had been taking a break from his serious business[s]Dicking around watching cat videos[/s] when he was startled by Golem popped out of the ground and slapped the hedge mage's leg. [color=8dc73f][b]"OW! What the fuck man?![/b][/color] Some pappers were knocked around as he glared daggers at his diminutive partner.

He was met with a serious look etched in stone. [b]"THE THING YOU AND ARTEMIS SAW IS BACK."[/b]

[color=8dc73f][b]" . . . Oh. Yeah that is important. I'll look into it. But first, owwWWWWWWW!!!"[/b][/color] He then proceeded to dramatically rub and whine over his shin while the spirit of earth sank back into the ground.