( KENOS ) COMMUNION.

[appeale]

come on, wake up.	you have to be careful.
don't make mistakes.	you know how quickly kindness can turn into violence.

( CODE BY WHAMBAM )

Comments

[hauntedking]

[ Oh. Perhaps not quite the reaction he expected, but maybe he should have. There's a response that comes with a sense of surprise - and guilt. The fear makes him flinch. Is that what he's become? ]

...that isn't what I wanted to discuss. I... wanted to offer my own apology. I was not in my right mind and... turning to murder is an extreme and heartless reaction.

[ He's genuine enough, at least. ]

I do not wish to punish you. Simply... apologize.

[appeale]

[ it isn't even close to the first time she's had to graciously "forgive" someone for something like this – though it's almost unheard of for her to actually receive an apology at all, in those situations – and so the words come easily to her, Ruby strangling her true feelings with her own hands before they can brush up against the Communion. all that remains is her usual air of anxiety and something soft, placid, docile. ]

I think it was incredibly difficult for all of us down there. And you were trying to protect your home.

[ As if any of that is my fault. ]

I was very afraid, of course, but... I don't blame you for what happened.

[hauntedking]

Don't you?

[ He's... a little surprised by that. But it feels easy. There's a swirl of mild confusion. ]

If you had no wish to ever speak to me again, I'd understand completely.

[appeale]

[ if there is anything she could confidently say she's good at, it's playing dead. even in the face of someone's doubt or confusion, against all scrutiny, she can hold her position until either they are satisfied or they lose interest in her. it's not as if she can lose her footing so long as she stays on her knees. ]

No, I truly was in the wrong. It was my weakness that led to that situation. [ Just accept it already. I'm letting you off the hook. ] Besides, I remember you, signore, from the Masquerade. You were a kind person. I'm sure you wouldn't have done something like that if you were thinking clearly.

[hauntedking]

I... don't think that's true. But... I won't argue the point with you.

[ He sighs. Or does it mentally, anyway. ]

Thank you for hearing me out. I won't bother you any further.