Henry nods. "I'd want you to get the best kill, though," Henry replies. "If the male is considered the better kill, then let's do that."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Now Josh is all conflicted. He resists the urge to flail and bites his lip. The healer offer a nod to what Henry says and then just waits to see what Ava says.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Looking to Josh, Avalon affects a gentle expression and moves over to take the bigger boy's hand. "This is hard forgot, I know. You live to preserve and protect life and here we are talking about taking one. Even that prospect for me is hard, I do not like to kill no matter how necessary. You do not have to go with us, Starhaven's rituals are not your own and it will not upset me if this is asking too much of you."

He glances to Henry but doesn't say what he is thinking aloud - Henry needs to go, though the reasons are different and far too complex for Avalon to want to explain right this instant.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

He looks to Josh. "You don't have to come. I understand if you don't, and whatever decision you come to, you've got my respect." Then he looks to Avalon.

"But I'm in," Henry replies. "What you need to go through is what I need to go through. We're partners, right?"

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Josh squeezes Ava's hand and shakes his head. "No..." he trails off. "I'm coming too. You guys are gonna need me," he says, smiling. "I love you guys and I'm not gonna let you get hurt out there. Besides...I heard what your dad called us," he says, looking at Ava. He then looks to Henry. "It's just gonna be hard."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Drawing in a deep breath, Ava offers Josh a smile and then wraps himself around the other boy's neck, giving him a big feathery hug. To be honest, he wants Josh to go - although it's purely for a selfish reason. Avalon wants his lovers to be viewed as adults by the other planet is is from. It's never been easy being a child of two (now three) worlds, but it's become important to him that he honor all of those traditions.

"Yea.. It's supposed to be hard." says Avalon softly. "You either come back victorious, of you don't come back at all. They've found many Starhavenite bones bleached by the sun and picked clean by the Feartail that the poor soul was hunting. We are lucky though.. we have you. We will not see this fate."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Henry grins. "Sounds like we've got ourselves a plan." He slaps both of them on the back and draws them in towards him. "I'll talk to Din, let my dad knows where I'm spending my summer vacation, and then we can get going."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Josh shivers as Ava describes the failed hunts, holding him close. He reaches over to pull Henry in too once he's close enough. "Alright. Is there anything we should bring with us?" he asks. "Or do before we go?"

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

"Do whatever you feel you need to do and bring, though once we leave the settlement on Starhaven we will be expected to survive on our own with minimal supplies. We're allowed to take things like a fire starter and some dry rations but not much.. Really it's going to be just us and our weapons." says Avalon. He nestles in against Henry as well, drawing strength from the closeness of his lovers. He's nervous, though he's trying to not let it show. This is a Big Deal. He has faith that all will be well.. but.. he still has to fight worry.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Henry nods. It's not so much that he doesn't understand that it's a Big Deal -- he does. He just has never been one to worry.

"Seriously, it should be fun," Henry admits, then heads off to make a couple phone calls.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Josh nods. "Alright," he says, stretching a little. He looks out the window and then leans in to kiss the tip of Avalon's nose. "Don't worry. All will be well," he says softly. "I'll be back in a bit. Gotta take care of a thing or two," he says with a smile, giving Avalon one more kiss before heading out of the room and towards the one he shares with the Blue Lantern.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)