IC contact for wethelost

[devoutish]

Solomons & Melborn
1108 Sweet Cream Street

[Feel free to use this space for letter/package deliveries as well as visits/knocks on the front door!]

Comments

[bywolves]

I know. [ He shifts, uncomfortably. ] Monty is - he's more reasonable when it comes to discussing. Or at least, he's been trying to be. We had a long talk, and it was productive.

But Renart, she - one wrong step and she takes off running. [ Then, almost embarrassed: ] I'm sorry. I never realized how irritating it is when I do it until someone did it to me.

[devoutish]

You've gotten better.

[He pauses.]

You might get after her about it, like I've done with you.

[bywolves]

I didn't get on her about it, but the last time we spoke, I told her if she ran away again, if she left me to fix things on my own - that'd be the dealbreaker. Not her mind control, or the fact that she's only sleeping with Monty.

[devoutish]

And was it?

[bywolves]

I think it might be. [ He breathes out, almost guiltily. ] I don't know.

She understands a lot about me. But I'm not sure I'm willing to walk on a tightrope, and never deal with anything bad that comes our way. She can't, or won't, change, because of what she is.

[devoutish]

I still think that's a poor excuse.

[bywolves]

I understand what she is, and that she can't change her fundamental personality, but it doesn't make it less exhausting for me to deal with.

I can't change who I am, either, but I can stop running.

[devoutish]

Well, that's it exactly, isn't it; the whys of it all don't make the reality of what it's like to deal with it go away.

You're a wiser person than she is, Royce, and you're braver, as well.

[bywolves]

And you're biased and flattering me. [ Royce says, but he's only teasing. ]

I don't know. I'm not going to go to her. I meant it when I said she needed to meet me halfway.

[devoutish]

I just want you to be happy, mate.

[bywolves]

I know. [ He lets Alfie feel the rush of gratitude, appreciation. ] I want to be happy, too.

[devoutish]

And you know they're not your only chance at happiness or friendship, yeah?

[bywolves]

Yes. I know. They can be part of it without being all of it.

[devoutish]

Mm. Yeah. I'm just remembering what you've said in the past, about giving up on friendship.

[And he's glad he's not going back to that.]

[bywolves]

I have other people. [ Royce pulls him closer. ] Gabriel, and you. Emily. Connor's not so bad.

[devoutish]

Mmmm. I haven't met him yet.

[bywolves]

Little strange, but most people here are. He's a robot, apparently.

[devoutish]

I don't trust those much.

[bywolves]

Mm. [ Don't diss his one chance at friends outside the snowbos, Alfie!! ]

[devoutish]

Mm.

[Alfie echoes, nudging him.]

But I do trust your judgement.

[bywolves]

He's interesting. [ Royce shifts, and carefully sits up. He wants a better look at the crystals, mostly. He stays close to Alfie, though, still leaning close. ]

Anyway. It's good to be away from the snow.

[devoutish]

We could come out here more often, if you like.

[bywolves]

Just during the winter, maybe. I'm fine when the ground is clear.

[devoutish]

I've never been out here at night, myself. Never seen--

[He gestures at the crystals, brightly glowing blue in the moonlight.]

[bywolves]

I saw them from the beach. [ Royce says, almost absently. ] I've never actually been here.

You have, though.