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]

[ Royce doesn't pull away - he stays where he is, eyes closed. ]

I think you might be right. He understands. [ A pause. ] This is so strange for me.

[devoutish]

Me, too.

[He says, a sigh exhaled against Royce's cheek.]

I'm sorry I made you nervous.

[He's just a bit nervous himself, that's all.]

[bywolves]

It's okay. [ Royce mumbles, squeezing Alfie's hand. ] I don't know how to deal with people even wanting me around, much less wanting to be with me. It all makes me nervous.

[devoutish]

Nearly everybody in this village wants you around, Royce, and I don't blame them for it.

[bywolves]

[ He wrinkles his nose. ]

I don't understand why. It doesn't make sense to me. Forty something years of being hated or ignored, and now suddenly I can't keep up.

[devoutish]

[Alfie gives a little sniff. It sounds exactly like one of Royce's.]

People on your world have got terrible taste, mate.

[bywolves]

[ Oh, but that's - cute, and nice, and something pleased twists in Royce's chest. It comes out as relief that he lets curl out of him, his connection hesitantly open. ]

No, I think it's the Meadous that has terrible taste. But I appreciate it.

[devoutish]

Stubborn.

[He says, affection in his voice - and then, reluctantly, he pulls back a little.]

I need to lie down again.

[His ribs.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce pulls back as well, near immediately. He's frowning a bit, hand on Alfie's ribs, gentle. ]

Do you want anything for it? [ Like pain pills, or ice, or heat... ] Lay down.

[devoutish]

Nah. They're fine; I'm taking it easy, that's all.

[Just like you keep telling him to!!]

[bywolves]

Okay. [ Hffff. ] If you need anything, tell me.

[ This time he scoots under Alfie so Alfie can rest his head in Royce's lap. On a pillow, obviously. ]

Is this okay? Doesn't hurt?

[devoutish]

It doesn't hurt.

[He closes his eyes for a moment, letting out a sigh that's long and contented.]

No matter what you decide, we should have K over for dinner this week, if he'll come.

[bywolves]

[ Good. Royce strokes Alfie's hair off his forehead, settling in. ]

Yeah. I think that's a good idea. I don't want him to be alone the whole week. [ As much as he'd wanted it, when Gwen had died, he knows being alone had done him next to no good. K needs someone to reach out to. ]

I can invite him when I see him next.

[devoutish]

[Yes, good, more of that, please. Alfie arches his head into Royce's touch, like a cat.]

Good. Has he told any others about Connor, do you think?

[bywolves]

[ Well, okay. He can keep petting. ]

He didn't tell Gabriel at the meeting we had. I imagine he figured I'd tell you.

[devoutish]

Shall I bring him a bread basket?

[bywolves]

I think he'd probably like that. [ Pet, pet. ] Maybe some sweets, too.

[devoutish]

Yeah. I'll bake something fresh.

[He's pretty sure he can stand long enough for that. He fumbles for Royce's free hand, sandwiching it in both of his own.]

[bywolves]

I can help. [ Royce murmurs. He settles his hand between Alfie's, content to leave it there. ] He told me he's been sleeping a lot. I worry.

[devoutish]

What if robots need to sleep more than people? It might be normal.

[It might also be massive depression, but considering all possibilities is a good thing.]

[bywolves]

It isn't. I asked. But I don't know how to help - between the headaches and the heartaches, it seems difficult to fix.

[devoutish]

[Yeah. That guess was a long shot, anyway.]

You can't fix. You can only help, mate. That's all that any of us can do.

Has he thought about asking Zephyr if Connor can be contacted?

[bywolves]

I'm sure. I'd think that'd be the first thing anybody would do. [ Sigh. ]

[devoutish]

Yeah.

[Alfie closes his eyes again, leaning up to press his forehead into Royce's side.]

It's the first thing I would do.

[bywolves]

[ Royce smooths Alfie's hair back, expression softer, a little sadder. ]

I don't want to think about what it'd do to either of us.