man

[crittersheep]

WHO: lily
WHERE: lily
WHEN: day 63-64 catchall post

[MAN]

Comments

[endsjustified]

...yes, well. We're both alive for now.

[shakes himself out of it slightly]

All's normal with you?

[spinebuddyandme]

All is as normal as it was prior to our temporary separation.

[ It seems like he might have more to say, but he frowns again, taking a moment to mull over his word choice ]

However: Clarification: While I do prefer your continued alive status, I meant that I do not desire this experience for you. If it causes displeasure, then it is troubling to me.

[endsjustified]

That is fortunate.

[the clarification takes him by surprise, though, understated as it is; his hands clench on the edge of the table he had them planted on, and he takes an ever-so-slightly shaky breath]

...I'll be all right, Scarab, Ananke. I just don't like losing people, and it's been two in five days. One always wonders if one could have done more.

[spinebuddyandme]

[ Politely pretends not to see that, casting his eyes further down ]

That is something I have begun learning to understand. The fear of...insufficiency is a heavy presence in these pastures.

[endsjustified]

It's because of the...metaphysical aspect of things, as it were, also. Herd mentality.

If Styx had been more involved, would his soul have come untethered? If Perci and I did not quarrel, would his collar have shifted?

Impossible to confirm; plausible enough to fear.

[spinebuddyandme]

[ Glances back up, attentive at the mention of Perci in particular ]

Plausible: Perhaps, however: Not greatly. Ananke and Styx had extensive quarrels that did not drive any change to his collar. I would consider it an anomaly if a quarrel between you and Perci had a different outcome.

[endsjustified]

We ended our relationship, which is the other reason I count it as a potential anomaly. Proving the hypothesis would be...

[waves a hand in the air]

Chancy and unpleasant, though.

[spinebuddyandme]

[ There's an almost imperceptible widening of his eyes, followed by a more perceptible glance to the side while he focuses on an inner discussion for a moment ]

... Agreed. It would be strategically unwise to attempt testing.

Additionally: Ananke has asked that I convey his condolences for the ending of your relationship.

[endsjustified]

[...bows his head to both of them, looking a little more troubled than usual]

Thank you for the sympathy. I have not been entirely sure how to deal with it, even if it was amicably done.

[spinebuddyandme]

[ Tips his head curiously ]

Query: Have you made any attempts to "deal" yet?

[endsjustified]

I have made an attempt at drowning my sorrows that was frankly ill-advised, considering how much alcohol it actually requires.