#earthrunes

"I'm sorry"

The tears are slowing to a trickle, possibly because even in endless grief and loss the tear ducts can only hold so much before they must physically refill. Something inside him weeps still.

She says "If I could take even a fraction of your pain into myself I would"

Adam says nothing.

It is possible his sorrow has robbed him of the power to speak, albeit temporary. Or not.

And his mom just waits. "Would you like Alanza to visit? "

A shrug. No.

"Okay. Lily has been asking. I don't know how long I can keep her out"

Nothing.

"Okay. " His mother looks to his hand, the one that's been clenching

-Maybe- there's something red in there?

She gently touches that hand, hoping he'll let more be seen

If anything, he closes it tighter.

She leaves it be- for now. And rises "I'll be back, or someone else will. Don't close the world away. It won't help. I know"

He curls up, still facing the wall.

And she hears him take a deep breath.

"Your family is here, Adam. Even Bondraste"

He exhales, but doesn't use if for speech.

"I'll give you some time alone before I let another in"

He doesn't move, or speak.

His breathing becomes soft and even, not quite as tortured.

Time was given. He's alone still

No change, except that his door is locked again.

And an hour later, a knock at his door. "Adam. It's your grandmother"

Nada.

"Adam, would you like me to leave you alone for another hour?"

No response.

"I'll take that as a no then" The door opens

He is still cocooned in his bedclothes, up over his head, motionless.

Bondraste moves to him and gives him a hug, "Adam. my poor boy"

No change.

"Adam, say something" She asks "Please"

He shifts; he lives! But no words.

"Adam" A breath "I know it's unfair. I know you need time to grieve- but you don't have it. You are sidhe now. You need saining soon to be sure your soul is safe for one."

He shifts slightly away. No.

"Yes. Adam." SHe kenns him..more concerneed for Banalty and imbalance than glamour itself

He seems about right for being in the Freehold.

She looks him over "I could dictum you to answer questions, you know this yes?"

The lump doesn't respond.

"Just so you know I will rather than lose you. Fine. But you will eat" She snaps her fingers and servants bring in some food, light soup, smells good

Adam doesn't stir.

Bondraste takes his hand and leads it to the spoon

He won't allow that hand out of his control. He clenches it in a tight fist. After a moment, his other hand crawls out of the blankets; she can have that one.

"Adam, what do you have in this grip?" She looks at it "Show it to me. " She does not take that hand, but she does say "Show it to me" in a firm tone

He does not offer his right hand.

This time her voice pops with command "By blood of mortal flesh and fae alike i do abjure thee, show me what is in your hands" Glamour flows

He grunts, token resistance but he's in no shape to put up a fight; his arm jerks out and his hand pops open. A swatch of red fabric pops out and onto the blanket. He immediately snatches and scrabbles to regain it, frantic.

She doesn't take it but she does get a good look at it so she can telll what it is

He sits up, disheveled, and clutches the wrinkled thing again like he needs it to breathe, and drops back into the bed.

"Adam, that was hers, wasn't it?"