The sea of orange and black surrounded Jemma, coming in all sorts of shapes and sizes. [b]“Dove! It really IS you!”[/b] They looked upon her with wide-eyes and wider smiles. The monkey-man Koba barreled into her with a hug.

[b]“You look… different,”[/b] The heavyset woman pondered and clasped her cheeks beneath dangling drill-curls. Jemma remembered her name. Margot. [b]“Did you get a haircut?”[/b] Koba let Jemma go, stepped back, and signed, his human-like eyes gleaming with attention. [b](“Where have you been? Everyone thought you were dead!”)[/b]

Graham folded his arms. His furrowed brows and the thick curtain of fiery-red beard framed a sour glare… which gave way to a sniffle. [b]“Do you know how much crap we have in our backlog? I had to pick up after all these chucklefucks!"[/b]

[b]"Oh, come off it, Graham. We know you missed your favourite apprentice!"[/b] One of the mechanics teased.

Laughter filled the air. Laughter and warmth. Ako watched this all, standing beside Alex on the sidelines. [b][color=#ffb561]"Wow… they really miss her."[/color][/b] She smiled. A tinge of bitterness pricked her chest. The Black Iron Workshop had seen many apprentices come and go, but few left as many questions and blue feelings as Dove. [b][color=#ffb561]“Imagine bein’ that important to so many people…”[/color][/b] She glanced and noticed Alex beside her, then chuckled. [b][color=#ffb561]“Guess [i]you[/i] don’t really have to imagine.”[/color][/b]

Koba looked at the others and spoke in sign. [b](“We should send a message to Riko.”)[/b] They cringed at the thought. [b]“Are you kidding? The Old Woman’s hanging with her grandkids in Alaska. She’ll give us an earful for bothering her!”[/b]

Koba stared at them. Then gestured towards Jemma. [b](“But it’s Dove!”)[/b]

The chatters calmed into whispers as Koba’s point was considered. Margot stood on her toes. [b]“Oh, I know!”[/b] She pointed behind Jemma’s back. [b]“You got wings now!” [/b]

Graham cleared his throat. [b]“...Yeah, why d’you have wings, Jemma?”[/b]