IC Contact [ryslig]

[catphishing]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, OLIVER. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 142.58.303.67 *** oliver has joined 142.58.303.67 <oliver> So this is my private channel. <oliver> Talk to me?

Current Usernames

<trashpanda>
<mothman>
<oliver>
<deBricassart> (anon)

Former Usernames

<creepypasta>

Throwaways

<zx01r3z>
<tfk>

Changeling Throwaways

Comments

[catphishing]

I'm not going anywhere. I promise.

[It might be a promise he can't keep, but he won't abandon Jade willingly. His grip on Jade tightens. He needs to leave soon to find Soeki, but he's just as worried about her disappearing as she is him.]

[fourthsaken]

[Jade desperately wants to believe him. She doubts he'd be able to make that promise if he was a faerie right now, and she's almost grateful that he can lie. Jade will never be an optimist, but she needs the sliver of hope that Oliver's promise provides right now.]

... Okay. I'm not either. I-I promise.

[catphishing]

I know.

[He doesn't. Not really. But Jade's the most stable connection he has here, even more so than Soeki. She's been here the entire time he's been in Ryslig, and she's always been there for him. It's nearly impossible to imagine being in this place without her. He rubs her arm as he embraces her, preparing himself to reluctantly pull away from her.]

You ready to eat breakfast?

[Then they can go and find Soeki, and bring their family back together.]

[fourthsaken]

[She nods, untangling herself from Oliver's hug with the same reluctance. She's still not that hungry, is honestly unsure if she'll physically be able to eat much, but the faster they have breakfast, the faster they can be out looking for Soeki.]

The, uh, eggs might be kinda burnt.

[catphishing]

[Oliver laughs, just a little, leaning away from her and over to turn off the stove.]

That's okay. I don't think either of care how it tastes right now.

[fourthsaken]

[Jade just shakes her head and grabs their plates. She eyes her gun that's still on the counter as she starts to serve up the food.]

... You really don't want me taking my gun?

[catphishing]

I really, really don't.

[It's enough of a task for him not to confiscate it, but he's pretty sure she wouldn't let him get away with that.]

[fourthsaken]

Why not? I know how to use it. It's not like I don't know what I'm doing...

[catphishing]

That's not the point. They're dangerous, Jade. What if it ends up just making things worse?

[He takes his own plate, trying not to dwell on how often Jade might have gone out with it without him knowing]

[fourthsaken]

[The tendrils on Jade's back flare with agitation, an obvious sign of her frustration. It's not the first time Oliver doesn't seem to understand her, but it never gets less frustrating.]

Oliver, you get that I'd probably be dead if I didn't know how to use a gun, right? Irina was gonna shoot Ike, and probably me right after, but I stopped her. I had a gun and I was able to distract her enough that the stupid school security could find us before she could do anything. She thought I'd missed, but I didn't. I wasn't gonna really shoot her. I missed on purpose.

[catphishing]

You get that there are plenty of times when it's the opposite? It's not just about whether or not you know how to use it.

[He's evidently frustrated himself. He looks grumpy as he eats his eggs, the effect not helped by how tired he is.]

[fourthsaken]

[Jade sighs, stabbing a piece of banana with her fork. She's not trying to make Oliver more upset. They're both upset enough already.]

I won't take it with me today, but I'm not getting rid of it. It was a gift.

[catphishing]

I'm not going to make you get rid of it.

[He's resigned to that even though he wants her to.]

[fourthsaken]

... Thanks.

[She continues to pick at her food, mostly just moving it around on her plate and hoping Oliver won't notice.]

[catphishing]

[He chews in silence for a while, but doesn't miss that she's not doing the same. After a minute he points his fork at her.]

Eat. I'm not going to feel right about you going unless you do.

[fourthsaken]

[Jade picks up piece of toast, breaking off a bit of crust, but still not eating it.]

I'm... I'm not sure I can.

[It's hard to admit. She knows Oliver's impressed with how much control she has over her solid form, but when she gets upset and her focus wavers, eating is one of the first thing she struggles with.]

[catphishing]

Oh.

[Jade's so good at staying solid, it's strange to think of her having the same problems he had. But that's not her fault. Forcing her will only cause more problems. He puts his plate on the counter. They can wash up later.]

Okay. Let's go then. I'll see you back here later?

[fourthsaken]

[Jade nods, setting her plate aside. She's more than ready to get out there and start her search.]

Okay. Good luck. We... We have to find him.

[catphishing]

We will.

[He's trying to sound reassuring, but he's anxious himself. Finally being ready to leave again has only amplified that. He glances over at Jade even as he starts for the door.]

Don't stay out late, okay? Make sure you stay safe.

[He couldn't stand to lose Jade too. Not now.]

[fourthsaken]

Okay. I'll be okay. Promise. [Jade can understand how Oliver's feeling. She's reluctant to let him out of her sight, but she knows that neither of them will give up trying to find Soeki.]

[catphishing]

[He nods, holding the door open for her. They might be splitting up, but they might as well leave together.]

I know you will.