#earthrunes

Tylar knocks on Adam's door

It is locked, and there is no answer.

"Shit" Tylar says, then unlocks the door. Seems easy to do these days

Adam is in bed, lying on his back and staring at the ceiling. He appears to be fully clothed. There are dark circles under his eyes, and his eyes are bloodshot.

Tylar is worried. If what he's heard right, Adam has been barely responsive for two weeks... htanks to Chronos

"Adam, it's me. tylar. this.. this isn't healthy"

It looks like someone brought a tray of food to the room, but no food or drink remains on or in the dishes.

"Well, that's a good sign" he sighs

It takes a moment, but the Sidhe's eyes eventually move listlessly to find Tylar.

Tylar inclines his head in a half bow "I am sorry to intrude on your sorrow, but you have others who love you, and you are causing them distress. You must go on living."

His gaze returns to the ceiling.

Tylar says "Let's take a walk in the garden at leas. Fresh air"

"Spar a bit? Might work out some frustration?"

Another negative gesture.

"Do you want to be left alone again?"

A small nod.

"Okay. I'm sorry, Adam. Get well soon" and he ..respects Adam's wishes

Even locking the door after he leaves

Adam doesn't move. At some point, if it isn't when T ylar leaves, Adam's door is locked again.

Some time after Tyler leaves, the door knob rattles.

No response.

A click, and it opens, smooth as butter, and Vince steps in. "D'artagnon, I have need of thee."

Fully, Adam turns his head to look. His expression is blank.

He strides over to his bed, and holds out a hand to Adam. "Arise, lad."

Adam curls up instead, slowly rolling to face the wall. No.

He leans over and easily hoists the boy off the bed. If he will not stand on his own two feet, he will be slung over a shoulder. "It is time to talk, and the king of beasts may deign to speak to crawling slugs, but thou art one he knows is more, masquerading in clever metamorphosis. Shall you not have paws of thine own, mine will suffice."

The time has come it seems, to talk of many things. Of Coifs and Manes and tails of flax, and how well a roaring lion sings. And why the sidhe look smoking hot, even when they don't have wings! Caloo caloo, the boy's taken away, to some local pool which from the river springs

Slung it is. Adam doesn't resist, but doesn't aid.

Vince strides out with purpose, with a smile to anyone he passes and a small wave, but he does not pause or tarry. And coming upon the pretty little pool, icy blue and rippling slightly under the brisk winter breeze, Adam is unceremoniously tossed within.

SPLOOSH

This being winter, even pools in the south are on the chilly side

Adam reacts predictably, instinctively, gasping and clawing to the surface, flailing to stay there. Lions falling into their enclosure's moat have more grace.

Vince crouches by the side of the pool. "Willst thou speak to me? Or desirest another dip instead?" Not unkindly.

He offers his arm out to the flailing lad.

Adam pulls himself ashore with by that arm and lays on the bank gasping and shivering but doesn't speak. His teeth chatter.

Vince pulls off his cloak and wraps it around Adam... rather, around both of them, a companionable arm also sharing warmth.

"Tell me what happened. You know I do so hate gossip." His voice gentle, coaxing, even as he offers him a drink from a metal flask. "Just a nip mind you, no one could begrudge you after that dip."

Adam pauses, hesitates a moment, then takes the flask and drinks. Like...not just a nip.

Vince watches, and only reaches out a hand after a couple swigs to lower it.

Adam holds on for just a moment, then lets it go. He shivers still, and huddles in the cloak for warmth.

And if that happens to be huddling with/against Vince too, so be it.

There's a cold, empty place inside that the pooka's warmth can't reach, the cloak can't help, the alcohol can't touch.

He welcomes Adam to curl against him, sharing his warmth, and companionship. "Tell me of Nabuni. I wish to know what happened. There is no one left to rend and tear, willst though let me suffer in ignorance? A Royal Feline, denied?"

Adam's eyes well up, tears overflowing.

He lets them fall, even if they threaten to stain his silk sleeve.

"I love her so much." His voice is rusty and choked. "I miss her."

"I know. And she loved thou. My own self, a true master of Love, could see it plain as the whiskers upon my face. She loved you, and you her. And your love for her remains."

"She still lives on..." He touches gently on Adam's chest, and his forehead. "Here, and here. That is why you must live for her."

"She screamed." a horrified whisper.

"Aye. If you wish, that memory can fade - can be faded. And yet... wouldst thou give up even a moment of her? The terrible and wrenching, may be, in time, tempered by the beautiful and just."

"I don't want any messing with my mind. My memories. They're.... all I have. No more." And there's a hint there he suspects there's been tampering.