contact part deux

[bouchonne]

if this were modern times byerly would probably make you listen to total eclipse of the heart before you were able to leave a message

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[bouchonne]

[ Bluntly: ]

That's not a good thing, Vanadi.

[highborn]

Ah, but just wait for the best part -- [ He dredges up a wry smile aimed for the edge of his bowl. ] I don't want to be alone. That's the motivation behind going with her.

[bouchonne]

You - wouldn't be alone.

[ He hates that guilty little hitch in his voice. Fuck's sake, when did he get so soft and mealy? ]

[highborn]

No, you're right, I wouldn't be literally alone, there's an entire Gallowsfull of people about. [ He shrugs faintly. ] You must know what I mean.

[bouchonne]

[ He does. And that's what makes him feel guilty. He's still got that itch of discomfort over the fact that - well, that Vanadi loved him. Or says he did. And for Byerly, it had been just a pleasant little fling.

(And so what? How many relationships have been like that in the past? Maker.) ]

It could be a fine opportunity to meet more people. You don't want your only friend to be the person you're screwing. It makes things extra miserable if something goes wrong.

[highborn]

[ With a huff of offense, only half in play: ] Byerly, please. I have friends -- you're a friend. That isn't the issue.

[bouchonne]

[ A little gesture of his hand. Go on, then. ]

[highborn]

[ He takes a breath to explain, but no words suggest themselves. The silence draws out, and he brushes a nervous hand through his hair with a glance away.

Finally: ] I -- would be alone if she left, that's all. No need to tell me that's not a good thing, as you'll notice I'm not exactly proclaiming all of this from the rooftops.

[bouchonne]

A situation that is unlikely to change if you follow her everywhere. One does not learn independence through interdependence.

[highborn]

Certainly, yes, I've no doubt that you're right. [ He wilts just a little more, shoulders curving in on himself. ] Unfortunately, I find I am not quite ready to return to independence.

[bouchonne]

No one wants to be independent. It -

[ He sighs, rubbing at his face. ]

Maker. So I must sign off on this deeply flawed decision of yours.

[highborn]

[ He glances up, quietly surprised, certain that all of this had been driving toward a resounding no. ]

Would you?

[bouchonne]

What else can I do?

[ He seems rather peeved about it. ]

Stand in your way?

[highborn]

Well, that's typically how my flawed decisions are received. [ He considers, thoughtful. ] I'm hoping my matters are too far down the scale of your concerns to bother with the effort of it. You are a rather busy man.

[bouchonne]

Save that in this case, helping you, in truth, is more effort than preventing this.

[highborn]

Then I suppose there's always the third option, to ignore this venture entirely. [ His brows knit. ] Are you offering help? Despite-- [ He waves a hand, meant to indicate the fairly pathetic show he's made of himself. ]

[bouchonne]

[ By gives a heavy sigh. ]

Am I enabling your decisions, you mean?

[highborn]

To be perfectly clear-- [ With a slight lean in: ] While I would certainly appreciate your assistance, this decision is well decided with or without it.

[bouchonne]

[ His lips press together a moment. Then, finally: ]

Fine. I've something I can have you do.

[highborn]

[ Tension drains out of his shoulders with a breath of relief, even his ears sink a little lower. ]

Thank you. Really. I appreciate it.