“Fuck, I’m sorry, E.W. That came out way snarkier than intended. I understand. I only meant to ask if it was the type of thing where I should fork and come by right away.”
“Please,” End Waking said, sounding relieved. “There is nothing to be done, but I am very impatient to speak with someone.”
“You? Impatient?” Debarre laughed. “I’ll be right over.”
-He forked off Debarre#RelEW and watched him step from the sim, then spent another few seconds looking out into the yard, trying to remember the last time anything had been so important that it had required him leaving immediately Something other than a tree falling on his boyfriend, that was.
-“Well, shit,” he mumbled turning to head back inside. “This is gonna be a mess.”
+He forked off Debarre#RelEW and watched him step from the sim, then spent another few seconds looking out into the yard, trying to remember the last time anything had been so important that it had required him leaving immediately. Something other than a tree falling on his boyfriend, that is.
+“Well, shit,” he muttered, turning to head back inside. “This is gonna be a mess.”
Debarre#RelEW was greeted by the sight of End Waking kneeling in the clearing across from May Then My Name.
“Oh, company,” he said, frowning. “Wasn’t expecting two of you.”
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@“It does, yes.”
“I never knew you had it in you,” she said, sounding proud. To Debarre, she said, “Did this asshole tell you why I am here?”
He gave her a hug before sitting down with them. “He said it had something to do with you, Ioan, and True Name, and that he needed to talk to a non-Odist. That’s why I was surprised.”
-She grinned. “You will have your chance, my dear. I will not be here long. I needed to step out for a moment, and figured I would catch End Waking up. I am happy to see you, as well, though.”
+She grinned. “You will have your chance, my dear. I will not be here long. I needed to step out for a moment, and figured I would catch End Waking up. I am happy to see you as well, though.”
“Happy to see you too. You’re always welcome over to my place, too.”
“Of course, yes. This did involve End Waking, though, so alas, I could not go make you uncomfortable with my flirting.”
He shoved at the skunk, who giggled.
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@He shook his head. He could already feel his hackles up, and this wasn’t helping. “Can’t fucking believe it.”
May Then My Name frowned, leaned over to hug him around the shoulders, and whispered, “I am going to leave you to it, but first, remember who you were, who you are, and imagine who you will become. Let go, have fun, but above all, remember that you love him and that he loves you. Those are the rules of engagement.”
After a moment’s hesitation, he returned the hug. Had she said it in anything less than her most earnest voice, he might have scoffed, but as it was, he could see himself falling for the gentle manipulation as though from a meter above. He could resent her, but she had said exactly what it was that he needed to hear.
-Because of course she had. She was May Then My Name Die With Me. She knew just how to. She was built to
+Because of course she had. She was May Then My Name Die With Me. She knew just how to. She was built to.
“You’re such an asshole,” he whispered back, then kissed her cheek to take the sting out of the words. “I’ll do my best. Now, shoo.”
She laughed and licked at one of his whiskerpads. “Yes, yes.”
After she leaned over to pat End Waking on the knee, she stood up and stepped out of the sim.
@@ -84,14 +84,14 @@“Yeah, but–“
“I think about you a lot, Debarre. Certainly more than anyone else I think about. I have pieced together enough.”
He growled. “Well, shit. I mean, I guess I’m an obvious enough choice for it.”
-“You are, yes, and doubtless the powers that be have been keeping their eye on you since the dissolution of the Council. I do not know the specifics, nor do I want to. As I said, I will not betray you.” End Waking smiled wryly, adding, “And I do not think I am of much interest to any of them, anyway. I rarely leave, and I never enter a building when I do. I am more focused on my next meal that anything else.”
+“You are, yes, and doubtless the powers that be have been keeping their eye on you since the dissolution of the Council. I do not know the specifics, nor do I want to. As I said, I will not betray you.” End Waking smiled wryly, adding, “And I do not think I am of much interest to any of them, anyway. I rarely leave, and I never enter a building when I do. I am more focused on my next meal than anything else.”
“Skunks just wanna get fat.”
End Waking grinned toothily. “It is not not true.”
“Well, anyway. Fair enough. I don’t imagine you’ll be ratting us out, and you’re right that they probably already know. I’m just glad that you’ve been sweeping the place.”
“I have never caught anyone hitchhiking on you, though I have on May Then My Name and Ioan.” He shrugged, gathered up the line of fish. “But speaking of fat, can we go back to cook these? I am not ready for you to stay over, but I would like to eat dinner with you, if you are up for it.”