Inbox - Fade Rift

[nonvenomous]

Book/crystal/correspondence/action/whatever you desire.

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[heorte]

There is nothing to say. Thot's claws prick lightly at his knuckles. The tankard makes a heavy, hollow sound upon being returned to the table. A trio of youths are arguing over the lyrics of a song a few tables away.

What Richard offers is not a reassurance, but a kind of confirmation. Months ago Ellis had said something without thinking, and now they are here, having this conversation. If he'd chosen his words with more care, then perhaps—

"Please consider, you are good for more than this," is a last appeal, less than half of what Ellis means to say. The rest doesn't resolve into any kind of easily vocalized sentiment, catches in his throat and stays there. "And I need to go."

His hands are very gentle as he lifts Thot from his lap, meaning to deposit her back into Richard's care.

[nonvenomous]

She begins to purr as soon as she’s lifted, gravel rattling in the loose weight of her in his grasp -- pleased with this latest development until she’s placed down.

“I know what I’m useful for.”

Richard is less enamored in the moment, relentless from within the exoskeleton of his manners. Polite as he is persistent with his parries. He follows Ellis with his eyes, resigned to having sullied whatever this was meant to be. Reconciliation.

“It is possible to prepare for the worst while hoping for the a positive outcome," he says, in the off chance nobody's ever though to inform him. "Please don't make yourself miserable.”

[heorte]

Anger is far off, slow-gathering but catching at Richard's assertion. The opposite effect than intended, surely. Another man might have argued. Ellis knows his responses, feels the pressure of them behind his teeth.

Richard is many things, capable of so much, and someday after all of this he might yet have a life here in this place if he remains.

Richard cannot ask this of him and expect him to take it in stride.

But Ellis is not given to argument, even less so in this moment. He inhales very deeply as he rises, fishes a few coins from his pocket to set on the table. He chucks Thot under the chin.

"I'll let you know what I find out," is not a response to any of what Richard's said, not really. But there is finality to it. An ending, as Ellis reclaims his satchel, departs the table rather than say anything further.

[nonvenomous]

Alright, then.

Sensing that he’s plucked the wrong chord, Richard remains seated while Ellis departs, turning late to watch him bump out through the door. Thot croaks where she’s retreated under the table and he sighs, left with a scattering of coins and half an ale he might as well finish while he waits to be sure they don’t wind up cramped together on the same ferry home.