crescentview | FALL CATCH-ALL

Hm? [Syrlya lifts his head, and as it dawns on him he leans forward curiously.] You've discussed things?

[His tone lifts, a clear lead-on to keep going. He wants to hear details, given he was the one pushing Mishka about it.]

[ Ugh...don't look at him like that. Adelis goes quiet for a moment, but as the tea is steeping, he can't really do anything else...finally, he sighs. ]

We did. At the resort.

[ Yes, the resort they were all at. The nightmare resort. That one. ]

We...came to an agreement of sorts.

[ Of sorts, he says. He's still trying to detangle that mess himself, nevermind explaining it to someone else quite yet. ]

I'm happy to hear it. [He smiles. Perhaps it's still settling in for Adelis, nevermind everything else that day. But he isn't going on another Mishka dragging so Syrlya takes that as a good thing.] I hope this is a step to repairing your bond. He apologized?

[ Adelis is, notably, not looking at that smile. No sir. He's just going to look raptly at this tea kettle instead, willing it to steep faster as he pulls the mugs closer absentmindedly. ]

...In a sense.

[ Kind of? He apologized for something, not everything. And he's still pissed off about that...as well as other aspects of that conversation that he's trying to not think too deeply about. ]

The conversation lost track eventually, but I'm not going to shank him in the street anymore, if that's what you're worried about.

Not worried, exactly, but I am pleased to hear it. [He smiles warmly. He's happy their relationship didn't blow up completely, given how much they mean to each other. And see? Things went better than Mishka feared.]

[ Don't...Don't look at him like that. Adelis turns around and finally taps both cups on the table, although he is definitely not making eye contact just yet as he finally sits. ]

I suppose somebody has to be. [ It's a grumble, as he wraps a hand around the handle. ] I've little idea what to do now, frankly, but I suppose I'll figure it out. Sooner, rather than later.

[ There isn't much time left, as he's come to learn, and that idea still makes his brows furrow before he takes a sip. Well, no need to think about that now. ]

[Adelis is at least momentarily spared Syrlya's smiling as he brings the mug to his lips to blow gently before taking a sip.

Though the future is--right. Syrlya pauses, expression slipping a little as he regards Adelis.] Has he... did he tell you anything about his about his curse?

[Please let him have told Adelis. Syrlya isn't sure they'll make the day without a murder if he didn't.]

[ A moment of reprieve...although it doesn't last, as the question has his fingers halting mid-lift, before he slowly taps the cup back on the table. ]

He did. [ His tone is unreadable. ] Rather, he told me everything.

[ Luckily, there won't be a murder today! But that question makes his gaze level on Syrlya, unblinkingly. ]

I'm going to guess he's discussed it with you, then.

[Syrlya hums.] Not all at once, but I am persistent when I want to be. [cornetimg Mishka in conversations that are hard to get out of. Though he suspects being Adelis' friend face him an edge.]

I know it's preparing for the worst while trying for the best. You're his reason not to give up.

[ That makes him pause for a few moments, eyes widening somewhat before he flickers his gaze down to the liquid in his cup. Hm. ]

Well. Would that he had bothered to say it before.

[ Rather than...everything that had happened, really. ]

But I've already accepted it, so there's little I can do now. [ He could try to sound happier about it, but also, Adelis, ] I'm surprised your needling managed to wrest anything out of him, knowing him.

[Syrlya huffs out a breath.] He should have been honest from the start, but I am relieved he's come clean about everything or I might have had to twist his arm worse.

[But just as Syrlya honored Adelis' privacy even when the topic of discussion, he won't go deep into how Mishka opened up to him.]

But things now are less hopeless than they were weeks ago. I think there is a real chance to at least preserve his mind.

I would have advised against it. He listens to it from me, but had you pushed him too far, he might have taken it very wrong. He's not fond of disrespect.

[ Really. He's not concerned, definitely not.

His grip around the cup tightens in the slightest, gaze a bit far off. ]

...At least. [ So there's a chance they could do better. To be honest, he hasn't heard anything of the fine details, so he doesn't know what to expect, but he would prefer a Mishka whole in every way. ] He said it would be easier, if I was there.

[Well maybe he should learn he has to earn respect!! Is what Syrlya thinks but doesn't say. He's already toed the line and if Mishka wants a fight he'll get one.

But Syrlya just sips his tea.] I believe that. You are... indescribably important to him in a way I do not think even he knows how to handle.

[ He knows what you're thinking, plant-boy. He's known you for too long to not. Still, if Syrlya won't comment, neither will Adelis, and he'll take a tentative sip of his own drink in turn.

Although, his face twitches at that. ]

...Mm. [ He. Doesn't really know how to handle that. ] I can't say I've been that important to anyone in a way that wasn't padding their pockets in quite some time, so I still can't fathom it. Then again, he's always been cracked in the head.

Don't sell it too short. Love that blooms in a place like Ostoya is a precious thing.

[It's less of a question to him that he could find Adelis important (surely he knows?). But Mishka comes from the same place. And in that place cared so much about Adelis he was willing to give up the most precious thing, his survival--because Adelis mattered more.

He thinks that speaks a lot to its genuineness and intensity. And he thinks, just the same, Adelis can now be the reason he survives.]

FALL CATCH-ALL

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