DEAD FESTUS POV

Losing Festus hit hard on Leo. Festus had been there for him, been his quickest and most beautiful work. But he had been so so much more... Leo felt tears threatening to choke him again, a painful lump in his throat. He felt a small soft hand on his shoulder. Harley... Don't cry, Leo. You are the comedic relief, You don't cry, You are happy, always happy. Silly, happy, annoying Leo...Leo, who can't even look after a metal dragon let alone another living thing...Remember Madre? Harley: Leo, are you crying? Such innocence...Leo's heart ached, physically hurt. His childhood, snatched from him by the only thing that made him useful...He would never be able to ask a question like that...Not with Rosa..., Harley was still tugging on his shoulder, Leo too numb to think, followed. He entered the Hephaestus cabin workshop, to see Nyssa, hands slick with oil, standing in the doorway, grinning. Leo longed to be able to smile like that... Nyssa: I have something to show you... She stepped to one side. There you were, freshly polished till your golden scales gleamed to perfection. Your eyes, two fully functioning rubies, observed him serenely. You beat your freshly oiled bronze wings, light shimmering and sparkling off of the sheets of shiny metal. Your teeth, freshly scrubbed, pulled into a smile, showing razor sharp spikes. A new Festus. A new friend. Leo's eyes were astral, and shimmering from the wetness that had disappeared rapidly. Leo reached out his hand almost desperately for you.