An Icy Reckoning Blackhats Epilogue

Rose peered over the edge of the pit that had managed to only briefly contain Sorbet. There, at the bottom, was a twisted purple shape, and black wide-brimmed hat lay next to it, crushed flat. A cold deeper and more paralyzing than any Sorbet could summon gripped Rose's heart, until the shape at the bottom spoke. "Mornin', sweetheart."

Rose burst out laughing at the sheer implausibility of it all. Her tears of sadness became tears of joy, and flowed freely from her eyes while she laughed. After sniffing a bit and composing herself, she managed a reply. "Mornin', sugah."

Jolinaxas smiled slightly. He was far too tired to do much else. "Yer really pretty. With the sunlight all framin'  yer face like that." Rose laughed out loud, sniffling the last of her tears away. "Wish ah could say tha same foh you, sugah. Lyin' at the bottom of a hole isn't really youh look." Rose tilted her head lovingly. "How about we go tah town an' get some breakfast?"

Jolinaxas moved, a little bit, but then decided he'd be better off lying still. "I think ah'd like that. Five more minutes, Rosie?" Rose shook her head lazily. "Nuh-uh, bed head. Mornin' sun is up." Jolinaxas nodded, very slightly. "All right. Ah'll be up." Rose blinked sleepily. "When's that gonna be?"

"Eventually."