Is Late Worse Than Never?

Lily Vale Cemetery. That's where the leads kept pointing.
Ravi had been trying to track down a man she once new long ago. It was a longshot in every sense of the word. It had been more than seventy (70) years. While she had longevity to spare, Humans, like the man she was trying to find would be nearing their end.
The whole journey so far could be summed up by 'Too Late'.

Returning to the sand-soaked nation of Covania had not been so simple. The Nation and its neighbours seem to all be in some sort of strife. Rumours of the Lord Queen of Oxtrad say she has gone missing, Reton is dealing with more potential civil war over the independence of Greyhawk and Covania itself was having no calm with minor events happening all throughout its borders.
Borders had become more tightly guarded. Fees had been put in place at some of the major international ports. Though it was sure to be only temporary, Once the dust settled things would go back to somewhat normalcy.

The warm glow of orange sunlight bathed the small hills and vales. Looking back towards the city, Ferrabreeze was mostly a silhouette as the sun had begun dipping behind the horizon. It was a sight to be able to still see the large port city still so far away, ode to the relatively flat landscape and sparce vegetation. Save for here. Where the land rises in few gentle hills, were a cemetery run by an old coroner is located.
Looking up the sky was blanketed by a thin layer of cloud, dimpled and wave showing deep shadows along the surface due to the sunset rays. Wind was picking up, Blowing through Ravi's mass of long blazing crimson hair, picking it up and swirling it with the gust's direction, The howling of the wind in her large ears, causing the to twitch and tilt to avoid the brunt of it.
Remington her companion, a Singora Eagle snuggled tight against Ravi's head, floofing his feathers and crouching down to avoid the wind. Resting on Ravi's solder as a normal sized bird.

The hill was not a difficult climb despite Ravi's last few years of calm her new work has kept her somewhat fighting fit. Oddly the hills here were covered in thin grass, and other vegetation grew noticeably denser here.
As she climbed the road up the hill against this deeply calm scenery, Ravi's mind and heart were racing. Anticipation, fear, was this all for nothing?.
“Oh jeeze oh gods, he's goanna be ancient! if he's not dead already!! ohhhh whyy did it take so long to realise?!”
Ravi was constantly in her own head about the time, Several justifications would flow in and out of her head, perhaps Exilis had given him longer life, perhaps he got a moment of grace from his god. But equally Sinicism would flow, He is already passed o or he is so ancient he won't recognise her. what if he never made it out of Exilis?!
The torrent of ideas coupled with a flood of practicing greetings. A simple ‘hey’ does she start with an apology?
Mubling to herself as she goes through scenarios in her head. Putting on a voice to play Robert’s responses, if anyone was nearby they would surely think this bumbling red head had lost her mind.
Although age does not grip Ravi she had still physically changed quite a bit. Monstrously tall over 8ft, and far more hefty that she once was it was certainly a change from there last meeting where she was just an overly chubby short woman. She wouldn't blame Robert if he saw her approach as his place coming under attack from a monster.

Needless to say, everything was stacked against her, Ravi’s anxiety running rampart she didn’t even notice the cemetery coming into view.

Another quiet afternoon quickly fading as Robert wrapped up the chores for the evening. Some new weeds had sprouted along the graves and he was quick to deal with them.
A swing from a water skin half cut with wine letting the pains and worries become a haze to push away for another few hours.
Walking through the graves there were people he didn’t know, people he did, loved ones, family. Strangers, Heroes and people he hated.
In a world full of diversity Robert was a regular human man. Around eighty (80) years old in appearance his brown hair and beard had become mostly grey. His eyes were tired but his face was firm and stoic. Despite his age Robert was still in average-good shape, years of work in the cemetery had not let his body wither away just yet but his speed and reflexes were certainly showing the years.
Dressed in simple workers clothes rather unkept, possibly the 3rd day in a row they had been worn without a good wash.
ever at his side a well decorated hand axe, it has not seen battle for decades yet its always at the ready. Its mostly used as a spell focus as Robert offers some small aid to the occasional wanderer or visitor as well as used in burial rituals.

The Cemetery itself was larger than you would expect. a large graveyard that had been expanded many times over the years with a old stone work house that was showing its age when Robert first arrived, yet it still holds strong against wind, rain and time.
Slightly separated from the Graveyard was an old home of wood and stone, Stone that had darkened with age and wood that had started to grow new life within it yet it was still well maintained and would not be faltering any time soon.

Looking out to the sunset, the orange glow was beginning to fade behind the horizon. He threw the weeds into a compost bin and stretched the stiffness of the day away. “That's enough for today it seems, best find dinner before it gets too dark.”
Robert lit a few lantern on the graveyard entrance as well as his personal one. Yet as he did The flame flickered in a strange gust of wind.
He paused for a moment letting out a concerned grumble. Robert had been up here for many years and he knew when the wind changes that means something was coming.

He herd her first, distant ramblings of a paranoid woman.
a Visitor perhaps? its a cemetery, of course people come to visit at all times of the day, noon or night. But something told him this wasn't just a visit.
He tensed up, became more alert, the tiredness of the day seem to vanish as adrenaline replaced it.
The ramblings got louder as the mystery made their way up the hill. Robert's mind lit up, that voice. like digging up a grave it was tearing through his memories trying to find where he knew it before.
How could he forget? perhaps not forgotten, but repressed, locked away.

This was no visitor, He found his hand falling to his belt, at the ready to grip his axe. e remembered where the voice was from, long ago in his past. But denial crept in, Why now? surely its not her?
But Robert's denials were quickly slain as a familiar figure came into view, silhouetted against the setting sun but some part of Robert already knew who it was.

It seems she had not noticed him right away, having some sort of convocation with herself but soon after reaching the top of the hill she stopped suddenly, just as the sunset light ceased its rays upon the land putting Ravi into full view.
She was certainly different but the same. That same blazing crimson hair, those large pointed fox-like ears, those dark demonic eyes. But she was far…larger than before. Robert remembers she was barely up to his chest in height (Not including her ears) when they first met. Now she was far taller than most goliaths, easily 8ft or more, And not just her height. The sharpness of her bringing up old memories was somewhat dulled by her overly gracious proportions.
Half drunk, high on adrenaline with a whirlwind of emotions swirling in his mind. Attack, flee, offer her a drink, hide, shout, ask her out. Despite everything Robert was still a humble man at heart.
His virtue would overcome and bring focus to his mind. Shaking his head free of the confusion. He stared at her unblinking as memories of Exilis played out in his mind. before he said anything she spoke first.
“heyyyyyyy….Robert….uh, um how ya been?”

Ravi was already at the top of the hill, lost in her own scenarios to notice she had arrived. with the man she was looking for starring right at her, a Look of fear, anger, confusion and even a bit of awkwardness crossed his face, perhaps even a blush?
in her own mind she was caught off guard. “Oh shit! he is right there! okay okay okay calm, breathed, O jeeze he looks mighty pissed at me.”
She straightened herself and brushed her wind swept hair back, her tail flicked around in her nervousness.
“heyyyyyyy….Robert….uh, um how ya been?”

The words seemed to help Robert focus as any evidence of confusion left his face and was replaced by anger, but only for a moment before fear and nervousness took hold. “After all these years? that's how it starts….Why are you here Ravi?”
is voice seemed sad, defeated. but that air of nostalgia was hard to shake.

Ravi's smile faded slightly. Perhaps it had been too long. “I..uh. well I made a promise too you all that time ago….I intend to fulfil it.”
There was a pause between them, the wind picked up as the light of the day slowly faded from the sky giving way to the stars. The air was tense with the unknown. neither of them sure what the other wants.
Ravi's large ears lowered as she took a few steps forward. “Look Robert…i know what i must represent to you…it was no picknick for me eiher…and I would be fine if you blamed me for everything but i am not a lady to let things fade away. I will dig up the oldest promises for closure if i can.”
Ravi Sigs, looking up at the sky, watching the stars slowly fade into existence. “I guess that's pretty selfish of me…digging up the past that everyone else prefers to leave forgotten. But i would rather be called selfish than let a promise I made be left forgotten. Even if you send me away…at least i tried.”

Robert found his body relaxing a bit as a wave of lethargy crossed his body, the adrenaline fading.
“Hmph…yea opening up old wounds, to fulfil some personal desire for closure…that is pretty selfish.”
He looks her over properly, without the lens of fear. “I see you did bring something to share at least, Food and Drink….well i cannot be a rude host.” Robert opened the door to his home. “Common inside we can talk more over wine.”

Robert stood back. Realising a small issue, Looking up at Ravi's face she seemed very embarrassed but also accepting. She was indeed over 8ft tall and such a large woman would have difficulty with most doorways.
“Do not worry…my place has high ceilings, just be carful upon entry…” Robert said holding back the awkwardness of the situation.
Inside, the air was warm, a fire place bathed the house in comforting heat. the smell of spices, bread and wine whispered in the room, following those smells would surly lead you to the kitchen. High ceilings, cobblestone walls, light wooden floor and high quality furniture. You would be surprised to learn there was a cemetery outside such a refined cosy home.
Ravi managed, relying on her flexibility and the sturdiness of the house to squeeze her way inside. Luckily, nothing broken, only embarrassment. The floors creaked and Robert let out a sigh of relief that nothing ad fallen over.

Small Knick knacks were displayed on many shelves, Wooden and metal sculptures, Story books as well as Research Books. Empty bottles of wine, shoes, tools and a few portraits of people. Some were a magical capture, photorealistic and seemed to move ever so slightly with blinking and breath, while others were traditionally painted. You would notice some of the smaller older pictures had one of the people's faces roughly cut out as if done in a rush or anger.
Ravi didn't recognize anyone in the pictures, aside from Robert. She assumed the one cut out was his brother, the one he was chasing all those years ago, the one he killed.

Ravi dare not move too much, despite the rather spacious home the last thing she wanted was to cause issues. Scanning the room looking for a space of floor to sit. Robert noticed her 'Umming' and 'ahhing', knowing what she was looking for. He started to move some of the chairs aside tipping Ravi to do the same. Opening up a big enough spot Ravi sat down cross legged seeming quite proud that now she was less of a danger to the house.
Even sitting the Crimson haired woman was taller than Robert. he couldn't help but scratch his head in bewilderment, until eventually. “How in the hells did you end up like this?” Robert blurted out. “You were only chest highest last time I saw you, I know for a fact people tend to stop growing after they reach adult hood….but you,, didn't seem to get that memo!?”
Robert's emotions running high, the down of the adrenaline now letting him take in the situation a bit better, the ridiculousness and oddity of the evening.
Ravi was caught off guard by the sudden outburst. staring wide eyed at Robert blinking, Unsure if he was about to attack or tell her off.
“uhhh…i mean, its a bit of a story but i can give you the cliff notes?…if you really want to know?” Ravi spoke, unsure of her words, unsure if Robert was being genuine about his question.
“YES!….please…Ah Gods. Its just alot, ALOT to handle. Here you show up after decades, I didn't even know you were alive, Some days i question if those events in Exilis even took place, But my axe…its all the proof i need.” Robert took the bottle of wine Ravi had brought and popped the cork effortlessly, as if he had done in 100 times before, taking a swig straight from the bottle.
“After all these years, after what we…what i endured….i had expected those that i had been with to be dead or in a sorry state like i am…You killed Zonotar….Venium we lost…Lekgolo vanished into the mist…” Robert took another swing before turning to face Ravi, a bit more bite in his voice.
“Then you show up, Even brighter than usual….and monstrously proportioned…” He took a quick instinctive glance at Ravi's body, her curves, hips, chest before adverting his gaze again.“ Its ridiculous isn't it?….at least i think it is. Me becoming an old, drunk grave keeper while you became some monstrous bimbo beast!”

Ravi raised her hand to debate his simi-harsh words, but paused, he wasn't wrong…maybe he could have been a bit nicer saying it though. She paused for a while, the crackly of the fire place filling the silence between them.
“ I'm sorry Ravi, that was uncalled for” Robert spoke without looking, taking another swing of wine
“ no no no” Ravi cut back. “You are right, i, i mean we have changed….and i got….an end of the deal. i wouldn't say its 'good' but it certainly is fun.”
There was another long pause before Ravi broke the silence again.
“Robert…i am more than happy to tell you what's been going on in my life. if you tell me whats been going on with you…I brough a few more bottles of wine so we can recall long into the night….if your willing to share a drink with a bimbo like me?” Ravi let loose a soft smile.
Robert chuckled, turning to Ravi. “Hey, some of my best friends are mistresses of the night…But i would be happy to share a drink with an old comrade”

The two did just that.
Ravi told robert of her adventured through the Promised Archapeligo, the treasure store she opened i covania, how she got roped into a Lich cult and paid wit herself to try and rescue people she once considered friends. She told him of the months working for the lich and what a nerd he was.
Of her escape and of her new job in Uthasil. she then became more personally telling Robert about her family. the less than loyal choices she has made and te children that have come of it, and er children's children, Officially a grand-parent.

Robert spoke of his story in a different tone. His time right after Exilis, searching for the others, loosing hope and his faith. taking the position of Grave keeper. and seeing the faces of those coming and going.
ut this changed when he mentioned something unexpected.
“You see her? the young girl in my pictures. her name is Talia the 2nd, my daughter”