(no subject)

[twicebonded]

WHAT In person or texting, I don't know, I'm not your boss
WHERE Wherever you'd be at night
WHEN Day 1, night
NOTES aj said i was allowed to make a new post

[So, you've survived your first—or fiftieth, or five-hundredth—day in Quiet Mounds. Tonight, it's raining—or, it's not. Maybe you're trying to get used to your new, quiet apartment. The electricity is buzzing in that way that's hard to ignore, a silence so loud it's deafening, in that poetic sort of way.]

[Or maybe you're one of the sad sacks still working at the 24/7 joints. Or their why-am-I-even-up-this-late customers. You're the reason why capitalism does this to people, you know.]

[☽ ☽ ☽]

Comments

[chasethedragon]

[ OH GOD gently: ] ... Vanyel.

[twicebonded]

[shaking his head, rubbing at his face with his hands, taking deep gulps of air]

I'm sorry—I'm sorry, I should leave, this is . . .

[chasethedragon]

[ he's clearly feeling-- baffled, his usual irritation, though it's not at all directed at vanyel so much as some weird, deep hurt that he's forcing down. ] I'm not asking you to leave. You are welcome to talk or cry as much as you need.

[twicebonded]

[managing to get his shit together, possibly at least in response to those feelings, rubbing his cheek with one sleeve]

. . . I'm—. . .

. . .

I'm not used to being—apart from someone. Our souls are bound together. Being here alone . . .

[chasethedragon]

[ he manages to get it under control quickly enough. now it's just bafflement and vague concern. ]

Ah. That sort of tie.

... I'm very sorry. My abilities do not allow me to ease that hurt.

[twicebonded]

I—hadn't expected anything.

Nobody . . . can touch that.

[chasethedragon]

I know you hadn't. I simply felt it would be prudent to offer, if I was able. [ sits back in his chair a bit. ] In lieu of that... You are welcome here any time.

[twicebonded]

. . .

You're—too kind. I'm sorry. I know this must be troublesome. I don't know what's come over me . . .

[chasethedragon]

Child. If you were troublesome I would have long gotten rid of you.

I do not mind. It is a god's duty to listen, once in a while.

[twicebonded]

. . . I'm not a child.

[sullenly, though his own tone makes him sit up a little]

I'm a Herald, and I should remember to act like one.

[chasethedragon]

You are very young, regardless of what you are. I don't suppose you're required to act like anything, here.

It is not as if anybody will know, if you do not tell them. Correct?

[twicebonded]

I know what I am.

[firmly]

[chasethedragon]

And what is a Herald, how should he act?

[twicebonded]

I should be helping others, not . . . falling apart.

[chasethedragon]

Under the circumstances I'd say it is understandable.

It won't be very helpful to others if you haven't sorted yourself out a bit, first.

[twicebonded]

I know that.

[chasethedragon]

Give yourself some time. You're not going anywhere.

[twicebonded]

Is that—meant to be reassuring?

[chasethedragon]

[ pauses ]

Perhaps the intention did not properly come across.

[twicebonded]

What was meant, then?

[chasethedragon]

I only meant you need not rush easing your hurts.

[twicebonded]

I just need them to . . . not interfere. That's all.

[chasethedragon]

That sounds suspiciously like pretending they aren't a problem.

[twicebonded]

I'm not pretending anything to myself.

[chasethedragon]

What kind of help do you expect to give?