#kc_necropolis

"Darn?"

"Well. I have to get to Chloe's house. Closest trod I know of is from here, at Firnost's Garden, to EarthRunes...."

"Right, sure."

"I have to get through the Rath." Frowning, thinking.

"Right? You've been there before, haven't you?"

"Only as far as the Rath. Oh, once, the first time. It was... the usual."

Her feathers flatten and she nods. "Right."

"So.... " He thinks, shakes his head. "I'll text her."

"She could meet you there, sure."

"Right. Or even just leave word that I'm allowed through, maybe. Or something."

She nods again, her wings pulling up higher around her shoulders like a blanket.

"Probably best, all considered."

"What is?"

"That I can't go."

"No, Sparrow. Honestly, I wish you could come. And I know she does too; she asked for your, and for Magnus, specifically. Friends, right?"

"I'm a wet blanket at parties. And it's more of a couple thing, right?"

"No, it.... " He pauses. "Oh. Ah. No, I mean, it's not a party. Just pizza and a movie. I'm bringing A Knight's Tale and Holy Grail." There's a bit of distance in his tone, as if he's thinking of something else.

"They sound medievalish. Right?"

"You haven't seem them either?" Surprise.

"No?"

"Awww...." Real disappointment. "Man, I really do wish you could come, then. Tell you what, I can drop them by here on my way back to Apples."

She turns her face away and shrugs again. "If you want."

"Sparrow? Sparrow, whatever I did, I'd like you to know I'm sorry." Quietly. "I'd undo it if I could. If you don't want me to bother you anymore, I won't. Can't speak for Coradel, though."

"What? You didn't do anything. What are you sorry for?"

"I don't know. I usually don't." A bit glumly. "But we're Liam, and you don't seem to like me very much and I wish it were different. It hurts that we aren't closer. I know you don't want a family, maybe that's it. Anyway. If I could fix it, I would. Just tell me what to do." He peeks out at her from under his dark lashes.

She shrinks further into the shelter of her wings. "I like you. I'm sorry."

"Maybe it's better if you just... maybe it's better if you went home. I'm sorry I upset you."

He stands, nodding, and sets his glass down. He is clearly saddened. "Ok." A pause. "Thank you for letting me visit. Good bye, Derynwydd." He offers her what is probably supposed to be smile, and heads for the door.

She hides her face in her folded arms, allowing him to leave.

He lets himself out.