Morning Ritual

[Hawkeye]

I open my eyes and groan, knowing I must leave the warm embrace of sleep for another day. Slowly sitting up and throwing off my covers I slide from my bed and to my feet.
Without conscious thought I find myself in front of my wash basin, staring into the mirror hanging on the wall and thinking about the previous day...

Everything started out for me the same as every other day, until I found the figurine. A serpent carved from wood laying among the trees only can mean one thing,
my former apprentice has returned. I am glad that she is safe and relieved deep down she does not seem to need me.

I blink my eyes as I continue to stare into the mirror, my thoughts drifting to all the people I have lost and things I have done.
I no longer recognize the man in these memories. Picking up the razor sitting by the basin I bring it to my neck under my chin, and like every day I just think "cut" but I can not and drop the blade back to the table.

After getting dressed I step outside and take a deep breath, scratching at my rough beard. My fate is sealed.
Time to begin another day...

I am Dras Modan, the failure, and this is home.

[Hawkeye]

I open my eyes and stretch, eagerly getting out of bed to live another day. I quickly move to in front of my wash basin, gazing into the mirror hanging on the wall and thinking about the previous day...

It was another dreary day for me until I wandered to the grove and found Ruden waiting for me there. We discussed the state of the world and I was invited to rejoin the "living". I was of course difficult, though he found a way to make me think.

I blink my eyes as I continue to look into the mirror, my thoughts drifting to all the people and things I have cared about. I no longer recognize the man in this mirror. Picking up the razor sitting by the basin I bring it to my neck under my chin, and like every day I just think "cut" and I finally do....

After putting on my old gear I step outside and take a deep breath, rubbing at my now smooth skin. My future is open.
Time to begin another day...

I am Hawkeye, the ranger, and I am coming home.