crescentview | FALL CATCH-ALL

[ When the door swings open, Trahearne is holding the pet food bowls in one hand, food for the pets in the other, and has a can opener under his arm. He seems a bit harried, but that eases, and he smiles when he sees who it is. ]

Oh, hello, Syrlya.

[ Kiss on the lips for greeting is normal now? Yes it is! Trahearne does just that, though it's brief. ]

I'm sorry, my hands are full. But come in.

[ He doesn't really need to knock anymore, does he. Trahearne steps back from the door, keeping it open with his foot. ]

Oh--[Trahearne is more occupied than he expected. But he comes in, reaching for the door so he can close it.] I wasn't in a rush if you need to feed your pets first.

If you don't mind. [ He tilts his head towards the dining table. ] Make yourself comfortable. This won't take long.

[ Don't mind him as he goes about feeding Phantom and Delle, who wait patiently at the end of the counter for their food. Also don't mind the way he coos and talks to both of them like people. Where that habit came from, it's hard to tell.

Anyway, once he's washing up in the sink, he peers over his shoulder at Syrlya. ]

It's good to see you. To what do I owe this visit?

[Syrlya slides into a chair at the kitchen table, since that's the room Trahearne is occupied in anyway. He threads his fingers to create a perch for his chin to rest on.]

Since things are quite serious between us... there was something I wanted to explain to you. About Adelis. Have you seen him since the start of the season?

[ Oh, it's serious. That tickles him.

But Adelis's name is unexpected. Trahearne dries his hands and approaches the table, eyeing the other curiously as he sits down opposite him. ]

No, I've not. [ The image of them holding hands flashes in his mind, but he doesn't dwell on that. Instead, he frowns. ] Is he all right?

Mm... [Syrlya purses his lips.] Yes and... no. It isn't an immediate issue so much as--a perpetual state which is troubling of him.

It seems in some way he's experienced an... acceleration of time, to a point that more closely aligned with Mishka. It's changed in a way that... he needs to consume more than just regular food. Specifically, he needs to train life force via emotion.

[There's a pause, Syrlya letting Trahearne soak that information up first.]

[ Genuine worry crosses Trahearne's face and settles on his chest at mention of Mishka's curse. He knows about that, viscerally, in a way. He blinks a couple of times, at once disheartened that something similar has overcome the other Ostoyan.

His hands fold over the table, his eyes, filled with concern, remain on Syrlya. ]

All right. [ He says slowly. Food and emotion for sustenance? Sounds...complicated. But he's listening. ] Go on.

Obviously, you can't carve emotions off a creature like you would its meat. Adelis instead needs to drain life force through--essentially a kiss. ["direct mouth contact". It's just a kiss.]

He can, and does, moderate himself so that he doesn't take near enough to kill. Just enough to satiate the urge. And it's healthier for him, I think.

[Which comes to why Syrlya needs to tell Trahearne about this:] I have already promised him that he may come to me any time he needs to feed. I don't intend to go back on my word, but I wanted you to know that should he do so it is not a kiss out of... intimacy, or intent to betray you. It is not something he has a choice in, and he is not someone who trusts easily.

[ Ah ha. Trahearne blinks a couple of times as the information processes in his mind. That's...well, it's unfortunate for Adelis, most of all. From what little he knows of him, he is bristly and prickly, and not very affectionate. That Syrlya is good enough friends with him to help him is a good thing.

He trusts Syrlya unconditionally. He believes him. ]

If he trusts you and needs you to do this, then you're doing a good thing. I understand, and I am thankful you told me.

[ Just so there aren't any misunderstandings... Looks at the green line.

There's a moment where he purses his lips, before continuing. ]

Does Mishka know about this? [ Considering. Multiple factors. He quickly adds: ] I understand it is not my place to say he does need to know, however. You don't have to answer that.

[ And it's not like he'd blab, anyway. ]

[Syrlya blinks rapidly, a little surprised when Trahearne asks after Mishka.]

Well, he is aware of what has become of Adelis, yes. It was something he witnessed in Ostoya. But Adelis has not wanted to share his current business, so we have not discussed that Adelis has not really been starving himself.

So, of course, I ask you not to share any of this, out of respect for Adelis. Not even what his condition requires of him, as I don't believe he is sharing that openly.

Of course not. This is a private matter and I intend to keep it that way.

[ And it really isn't his--it just so happens that he's in a relationship with the one Adelis is feeding from, so. ]

All right. [ He eases back into his chair for a bit, letting the situation settle in his mind. ] Thank you for telling me. Is there anything else you'd like to talk about?

No, that was it. [He intends to take his crush to his grave, this is just Helping A Friend.] I wanted to make sure you were aware of the circumstance and there were no misunderstandings, should it come up elsewhere.

[ UNTIL KARAOKE-- ]

And I understand. [ He gives a definitive nod. ] Just please don't hurt yourself in the process. I know Adelis must care for you if he's trusting you with this, but don't forget to take care of yourself as well.

[Syrlya pouts a little.] I have no intention of letting Adelis overfeed for both our sakes. He never wanted to end up like this, but starving himself completely is surely worse.

All right. I'm just making sure. [ No need to pout! He knows how Syrlya can get.

He offers a little smile, and his hand over the table. ]

I hope he's doing all right, regardless. You should say hello to him for me next time you see him.

Oh, sure. [Syrlya doesn't presume any closeness between them, so he figures it's a fair guess Syrlya will see Adelis sooner and more frequently than Trahearne will. Their farms are closer, anyway.

He moves to stand.] Then I'll stop distracting you from your work.

[ Trahearne stands too. ]

You don't have to go yet. I'm not that busy. [ His smile widens as he slips an arm around Syrlya's waist. ] Now that you're here, we should take a little walk around the farm.

[ And he doesn't want to be left with the image in his head of Syrlya and Adelis kissing. ]

Oh? [Syrlya is suitably distracted.] Want to show off all your work, then?

I do.

[ Not like Syrlya hasn't seen all he's been working on, anyway... Maybe he'll tease him by showing him the horses again. ]

Or perhaps I simply would like to steal a few more moments of your company.

[ moving towards the door... come look at the horses... ]

[Oh he doesn't like the horses.]

I think I could find that agreeable. [He leans his weight a bit towards Trahearne as they leave, his hand settling over the one on his waist.]

[ it's the goat he should be really worried about...

Trahearne grips his waist tighter in turn, leading them down the path. It's a lot cooler today. ]

How have you been, otherwise? Since the resort, I suppose. I hope you've caught up on your sleep since then.

[How about he avoids both of them.]

Yes, it's been an easy improvement when I'm not experiencing mine and everyone else's worst memories. [Seriously there was, like, one good one? It was Trahearne's? And even that was bittersweet to Syrlya.] For a resort, it wasn't very relaxing at all.

No, it wasn't.

[ That he can attest to.

They pass through the gate leading into the proper farm portion. It's so peaceful in comparison to the memories that flash through his mind. ]

I saw yours. [ He doesn't look at him. ] Of Palawa Joko.

Oh, did you? [He remembers that memory, but like many he could not tell who was receiving in. Just that they were tremendously clumsy.]

Don't worry, Joko isn't a problem anymore. Aurene and Braham were right--eating him was a sure way to kill him.

[ Trahearne gives a little smile at that. Of course he's not a problem anymore.

His gaze lingers a bit before he starts slowly guiding them to the barn. ]

But I could sense your pain and...desperation. He may be gone now, but I hope his image does not linger with you.

[ He squeezes a little more tightly. ]

You have been through a lot. If you ever need an ear...I'm here.

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