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Efficient, huh? And what's that supposed to mean?
[Also amused, curious, not annoyed.]
This "baby" might very well be bigger than they are. The eggs were...
[He gestures with his hands a size bigger than a basketball.]
And heavy.
[Also amused, curious, not annoyed.]
This "baby" might very well be bigger than they are. The eggs were...
[He gestures with his hands a size bigger than a basketball.]
And heavy.
Nothing. You'll be a spectacular dragon father.
[But wait, what is a basketball. That is just a large shape Felix is suggesting, and they do not have a very big house... the nest will be necessary, just in case. Maybe for dragon time out.]
Cats can be quite forceful, you know. Really, though, that large already?
[But wait, what is a basketball. That is just a large shape Felix is suggesting, and they do not have a very big house... the nest will be necessary, just in case. Maybe for dragon time out.]
Cats can be quite forceful, you know. Really, though, that large already?
Spectacular? Seriously?
[That doesn't make sense either. What about Felix screams great dragon dad?]
It's a dragon. Have you seen a dragon? They're giant. My academy that blew up- it was actually a dragon that damaged it.
[Felix steps off the airship as they come to the docks and steers them toward the tamer.]
[That doesn't make sense either. What about Felix screams great dragon dad?]
It's a dragon. Have you seen a dragon? They're giant. My academy that blew up- it was actually a dragon that damaged it.
[Felix steps off the airship as they come to the docks and steers them toward the tamer.]
[A shrug!] You could give yourself some credit. You handle the cats well.
[And don't say "blah blah dragons aren't cats blah," that's not the point. He's following Felix, off they go to the tamer.]
But no, I'm not that familiar with dragons, really. A dragon really destroyed your academy?
[And don't say "blah blah dragons aren't cats blah," that's not the point. He's following Felix, off they go to the tamer.]
But no, I'm not that familiar with dragons, really. A dragon really destroyed your academy?
Credit, yes, but you have no evidence for spectacular. Don't butter me up.
[And yes, he will be a spectacular dragon dad, but no one has to know that. Yet.]
They're exceedingly rare in our world, too. But yes, I saw it myself. People said the Archbishop transformed into one to protect the Monastery, which we were trying to capture at the start of the war.
[And yes, he will be a spectacular dragon dad, but no one has to know that. Yet.]
They're exceedingly rare in our world, too. But yes, I saw it myself. People said the Archbishop transformed into one to protect the Monastery, which we were trying to capture at the start of the war.
Yeah, right.
[Not convinced.
He can't help but give a small snort of laughter to that idea.]
Me too. She was a pain in the ass.
[Soon enough, they reach something of a small dragon ranch. They're clearly more common in Caldera than either of their worlds. Felix asks the tamer how the eggs are doing, trying to make it seem like he's just checking in. The tamer gives him a knowing smile and says they have hatched, and offers to show them. Felix nods, still trying to seem emotionless about the whole thing. The tamer leads them to a series of small rooms where the eggs had been incubating. He opens a door to one of the rooms, and inside there is a small (for a dragon) crystalline creature. It chitters in response to their entrance, a sound like glass wind chimes.
Felix's jaw drops. He gives Adrian a quick glance.]
[Not convinced.
He can't help but give a small snort of laughter to that idea.]
Me too. She was a pain in the ass.
[Soon enough, they reach something of a small dragon ranch. They're clearly more common in Caldera than either of their worlds. Felix asks the tamer how the eggs are doing, trying to make it seem like he's just checking in. The tamer gives him a knowing smile and says they have hatched, and offers to show them. Felix nods, still trying to seem emotionless about the whole thing. The tamer leads them to a series of small rooms where the eggs had been incubating. He opens a door to one of the rooms, and inside there is a small (for a dragon) crystalline creature. It chitters in response to their entrance, a sound like glass wind chimes.
Felix's jaw drops. He gives Adrian a quick glance.]
[Another mysterious pin for the lore board, dragon Archbishop, alright--
The dragon ranch is a welcome distraction from all that, though Adrian is content to just sort of follow Felix around as he does the inquiring about the eggs. Did he even know this was here? Probably not! But good to know that he should be anticipating more dragons around town in the future.
The dragon itself is a lovely creature, scales catching the light beautifully as it moves. Adrian looks at Felix-- and can't help but laugh at how awestruck he is, reaching over to give him a little push to go and greet the baby already.]
What are you looking at me for? Go on.
The dragon ranch is a welcome distraction from all that, though Adrian is content to just sort of follow Felix around as he does the inquiring about the eggs. Did he even know this was here? Probably not! But good to know that he should be anticipating more dragons around town in the future.
The dragon itself is a lovely creature, scales catching the light beautifully as it moves. Adrian looks at Felix-- and can't help but laugh at how awestruck he is, reaching over to give him a little push to go and greet the baby already.]
What are you looking at me for? Go on.
[Felix approaches the dragon, slowly, cautiously. It looks at him with curiosity and timidness. He sits cross-legged on the floor near it, holding out a hand for it to sniff, regarding it with wide eyes.
She's a little shy, but she warms up in no time, the tamer says. So it's a girl. She's a beautiful creature. He's seen and cared for wyverns before, but this is really something else.
She tilts her head to look at Felix. A word comes into his mind: who?
Wh- what. Is this that telepathic thing they were talking about?]
I'm Felix.
[He's unsure if she can hear his thoughts, so says it aloud.
She seems to sense through his thoughts and actions that he's friendly, and allows him to pet her cool, scaly head.]
She's a little shy, but she warms up in no time, the tamer says. So it's a girl. She's a beautiful creature. He's seen and cared for wyverns before, but this is really something else.
She tilts her head to look at Felix. A word comes into his mind: who?
Wh- what. Is this that telepathic thing they were talking about?]
I'm Felix.
[He's unsure if she can hear his thoughts, so says it aloud.
She seems to sense through his thoughts and actions that he's friendly, and allows him to pet her cool, scaly head.]
[Adrian remains content to stand back and watch this; he'll meet the dragon himself in due time, but Felix is the one who's really responsible for this hatchling, so-- he can wait his turn. Felix can have his very sweet dragon meeting time, while Adrian gets the tamer's attention to consult about, like, logistics?
He's still thinking about building a shelter, so allow him to mumble a quiet aside, not interrupting Felix-and-dragon...
The tamer chuckles at him and tells him, Well, she's going to be much bigger than a sitting room.
So they're going to need a bigger shelter than previously envisioned. Oh boy. They'll get there.
Ah, right,] Felix, don't forget her name.
He's still thinking about building a shelter, so allow him to mumble a quiet aside, not interrupting Felix-and-dragon...
The tamer chuckles at him and tells him, Well, she's going to be much bigger than a sitting room.
So they're going to need a bigger shelter than previously envisioned. Oh boy. They'll get there.
Ah, right,] Felix, don't forget her name.
[Distantly, Felix hears the tamer confirm that this dragon will get fucking huge, but it doesn't matter, because right now the little thing is nudging into his hand, and he's enamoured. He suddenly feels immensely glad he went through all of that bullshit to get sheep wool and gems. It was all worth it to see something so amazing, and get to actually touch it, too.
There's a vibe of friendliness coming from the creature, and it's more than just its body language. There is something warm coming into his mind, and he knows it must be from the dragon, because Felix's thoughts are scarcely ever warm.
Adrian reminds him that the dragon needs a name. Since she's smart enough to ask for his name, he wonders whether the dragon might want to name herself.]
What's your name?
[It can't hurt to ask, right?
Name? The dragon looks curiously at Felix with iridescent eyes, then at the tamer for a long moment. He say me, 'Little One.']
Is that what you want to be called? You'll be big someday, you know.
[... Don't know! Said with the carelessness of a small child, the dragon rolls over, and Felix, well, has to scratch the belly, of course. He smiles.]
Okay, "Little One" for now.
[When she gets bigger she can pick another, or they can pick for her.]
There's a vibe of friendliness coming from the creature, and it's more than just its body language. There is something warm coming into his mind, and he knows it must be from the dragon, because Felix's thoughts are scarcely ever warm.
Adrian reminds him that the dragon needs a name. Since she's smart enough to ask for his name, he wonders whether the dragon might want to name herself.]
What's your name?
[It can't hurt to ask, right?
Name? The dragon looks curiously at Felix with iridescent eyes, then at the tamer for a long moment. He say me, 'Little One.']
Is that what you want to be called? You'll be big someday, you know.
[... Don't know! Said with the carelessness of a small child, the dragon rolls over, and Felix, well, has to scratch the belly, of course. He smiles.]
Okay, "Little One" for now.
[When she gets bigger she can pick another, or they can pick for her.]
Edited 2025-03-04 03:51 (UTC)
[Felix had told Adrian he was going on a quest with the boar, but nothing else. Waking up after death, he's unsure exactly how long it's been. He remembers dying, and nothing after that. He's physically fine, but quite tired and achey, like he's bruised all over. After speaking with Dimitri, he texts Adrian.]
Hi
I'm at the infirmary in Grey Ward, I'm ok
[Admit what happened? Ask for help? Fuck no.]
Hi
I'm at the infirmary in Grey Ward, I'm ok
[Admit what happened? Ask for help? Fuck no.]
[It takes until the second day for Adrian to worry; a quest somewhere out as far as Felix was going could take longer than a few hours, he's sure. There are things people ask the Visitors to do here that are exceedingly complicated and difficult (he has not done any of those, for that reason), so--surely, it's fine and normal for him to not come home for two days.
The third day he worries, and Felix doesn't answer his--bird, and Adrian doesn't know what one does in this situation. Put out a missing persons ad? Go find whoever posted that quest and ask what happened? The animals are even starting to fuss, so--
Oh good, there's a message. Don't worry, Adrian can ask all the questions:]
What happened? Stay there, I'll come and get you.
[This is non-negotiable, he's already on his way. Do not fuss.]
The third day he worries, and Felix doesn't answer his--bird, and Adrian doesn't know what one does in this situation. Put out a missing persons ad? Go find whoever posted that quest and ask what happened? The animals are even starting to fuss, so--
Oh good, there's a message. Don't worry, Adrian can ask all the questions:]
What happened? Stay there, I'll come and get you.
[This is non-negotiable, he's already on his way. Do not fuss.]
[Nope, not fussing this time.]
Harpies attacked, the island broke apart, and we fell to our deaths.
[Just a quick synopsis, no need for more words.]
Harpies attacked, the island broke apart, and we fell to our deaths.
[Just a quick synopsis, no need for more words.]
I'm fine.
[A lie. But he can't think of anything Adrian could bring him that would make it better. Besides himself.
Maybe a cat. But those are at home.]
I just want to be home.
[He means their house, not HOME home in his world, which maybe is odd. He doesn't yearn for Fodlan- he hasn't since he got here. But he hadn't realized how quickly their house in Grey Ward started to feel a little bit like a home. At least, it's the place he feels most comfortable, right now.]
[A lie. But he can't think of anything Adrian could bring him that would make it better. Besides himself.
Maybe a cat. But those are at home.]
I just want to be home.
[He means their house, not HOME home in his world, which maybe is odd. He doesn't yearn for Fodlan- he hasn't since he got here. But he hadn't realized how quickly their house in Grey Ward started to feel a little bit like a home. At least, it's the place he feels most comfortable, right now.]
[The cats, and the literal dragon, will be all over him as soon as he's home, so he can look forward to that at least.]
Alright. Don't leave on your own, I'll be there soon.
[Even if Felix would like to keep insisting he's fine, Adrian is coming to get him anyway. Sure, Felix can walk home by himself, he's a capable adult, but simply leaving him to do that after going through such an ordeal feels terrible in a brand new, unique way that Adrian supposes only this impossible circumstance can cause. So he's on his way as quickly as he can be, hastening to find Felix once he gets to the infirmary and asks for him.
He doesn't know what to expect, but the utterly dismal look on his face when he pokes his head into view around a corner is much more predictable. There's no doubt that he's relieved to see him there, but also, oh my god. Hiii...]
Felix?
Alright. Don't leave on your own, I'll be there soon.
[Even if Felix would like to keep insisting he's fine, Adrian is coming to get him anyway. Sure, Felix can walk home by himself, he's a capable adult, but simply leaving him to do that after going through such an ordeal feels terrible in a brand new, unique way that Adrian supposes only this impossible circumstance can cause. So he's on his way as quickly as he can be, hastening to find Felix once he gets to the infirmary and asks for him.
He doesn't know what to expect, but the utterly dismal look on his face when he pokes his head into view around a corner is much more predictable. There's no doubt that he's relieved to see him there, but also, oh my god. Hiii...]
Felix?
[Boy, would he love to be bathing in small creatures right now, especially the one that can read his mind and tell how he's feeling without him having to admit it out loud.
For once, he doesn't want to be alone. Dying was terrifying, he's still shaken, and he wants the feeling of security and safety that comes with being near someone he trusts.]
Ok.
[...]
Thanks.
[He could sleep a little more while he's waiting, but Adrian is probably worried, so he wants to be ready when he comes, to show he's well enough to be up and about. Which he is... Probably. Still, you don't just wake up from crashing into the ocean at terminal velocity as though nothing physically happened, so it's a slow process to push himself up from the bed and get dressed. He's still trying to tie his boots, sitting on the edge of the bed when Adrian arrives. He looks up at him.]
Hey.
For once, he doesn't want to be alone. Dying was terrifying, he's still shaken, and he wants the feeling of security and safety that comes with being near someone he trusts.]
Ok.
[...]
Thanks.
[He could sleep a little more while he's waiting, but Adrian is probably worried, so he wants to be ready when he comes, to show he's well enough to be up and about. Which he is... Probably. Still, you don't just wake up from crashing into the ocean at terminal velocity as though nothing physically happened, so it's a slow process to push himself up from the bed and get dressed. He's still trying to tie his boots, sitting on the edge of the bed when Adrian arrives. He looks up at him.]
Hey.
[Ah, there he is, all in one piece and just tying his boots, having a perfectly normal day, at a glance. Adrian lingers in the doorway to look at him just for a moment before crossing the room and, without really thinking about it, crouching down and nudging Felix's hands away to tie the boots for him. Don't object, just sit there for a minute.]
I'm glad you're okay. You didn't answer when I tried to contact you, so...
[Well, did he assume the worst? Does that matter, when the worst actually did happen? He trails off there and shrugs; he worried, he worried quite a bit actually, he's so glad Felix is here and alive and breathing-- but they need to get home, so he can leave it at glad you're okay for now.
One more thing, first: as he straightens back up again he leans in to tug Felix into a rough hug. Just a quick squeeze, then he stands for real and looks around to see if there's anything else they need to grab. He holds a hand out to help Felix up; again, do not grumble about this.]
Let's go home.
I'm glad you're okay. You didn't answer when I tried to contact you, so...
[Well, did he assume the worst? Does that matter, when the worst actually did happen? He trails off there and shrugs; he worried, he worried quite a bit actually, he's so glad Felix is here and alive and breathing-- but they need to get home, so he can leave it at glad you're okay for now.
One more thing, first: as he straightens back up again he leans in to tug Felix into a rough hug. Just a quick squeeze, then he stands for real and looks around to see if there's anything else they need to grab. He holds a hand out to help Felix up; again, do not grumble about this.]
Let's go home.
[Felix is too tired to object or argue with Adrian tying his shoes. It's a little embarrassing, like he's a kid or something, but the situation kind of calls for it, so he gets it. He braces his hands against the bed's edge, holding himself up.
He can't quite tell how upset Adrian is or was about all of this. The man is good at concealing his feelings and pain, better than Felix is. He always seems calm, even when he's not. Felix would be losing his shit if the roles were reversed, but Adrian just shrugs.
But the boot-tying, and the somewhat urgent hug, betray the emotion lying beneath the casual exterior. A surprised, soft grunt escapes Felix's lungs as he's gripped- when does anyone have the audacity to hug him? And why, instead of making him angry, does it make his eyes tear?
He's barely processed what's happening, barely laid his hands on Adrian's shoulder blades, when Adrian is standing up, sticking out a hand. Felix blinks rapidly and looks away and down to try to hide his brief moment of weakness, and silently takes the hand offered. He rises to his feet with another soft grunt, shuffling forward.
He nods. Let's. He pulls his cape's fur hood up over his head to shelter from the cold, and maybe to hide himself a little, as he grips his friend's hand and allows himself to lean into him a little as they walk.]
He can't quite tell how upset Adrian is or was about all of this. The man is good at concealing his feelings and pain, better than Felix is. He always seems calm, even when he's not. Felix would be losing his shit if the roles were reversed, but Adrian just shrugs.
But the boot-tying, and the somewhat urgent hug, betray the emotion lying beneath the casual exterior. A surprised, soft grunt escapes Felix's lungs as he's gripped- when does anyone have the audacity to hug him? And why, instead of making him angry, does it make his eyes tear?
He's barely processed what's happening, barely laid his hands on Adrian's shoulder blades, when Adrian is standing up, sticking out a hand. Felix blinks rapidly and looks away and down to try to hide his brief moment of weakness, and silently takes the hand offered. He rises to his feet with another soft grunt, shuffling forward.
He nods. Let's. He pulls his cape's fur hood up over his head to shelter from the cold, and maybe to hide himself a little, as he grips his friend's hand and allows himself to lean into him a little as they walk.]
[To not control his emotions is to invite mistake, Adrian knows; overconfidence into tragedy, anger into blame, hunger into shame. He could panic and wail and get angry, and then upset, and then maybe swing into some other emotions, or--
Or he could tie Felix's boots for him, and grip his hand, and take them home. If Felix doesn't leave his sight for the next--however long it takes, then he can never die, it's the perfect plan! As hard as it is to wrap his head around it, dying and coming back here; how it must feel inside and out, he couldn't imagine. He carries a kind of death around with him all the time, but he's never actually died. Probably.
Not the point. The point is Felix, and taking him home as quickly as possible, so it's the fastest route back to their house with minimal chatter from Adrian, and he doesn't let go of Felix until he's depositing him on the couch in their living room. He leaves to get a blanket and something to eat and the animals swarm Felix practically as a group; one cat to crawl in his lap, another at his side, and the dragon climbing onto the back of the couch to rest her lovely jeweled head on his shoulder.
When Adrian returns he has the world's plainest meat and cheese sandwich and a folded blanket; he sits on Felix's cat-free side and holds out the plate. The blanket can wait a minute, he supposes.]
You should eat. And then... [welllll then if he asks how Felix is doing, maybe he won't get a gruff non-answer, miracles do happen.]
Or he could tie Felix's boots for him, and grip his hand, and take them home. If Felix doesn't leave his sight for the next--however long it takes, then he can never die, it's the perfect plan! As hard as it is to wrap his head around it, dying and coming back here; how it must feel inside and out, he couldn't imagine. He carries a kind of death around with him all the time, but he's never actually died. Probably.
Not the point. The point is Felix, and taking him home as quickly as possible, so it's the fastest route back to their house with minimal chatter from Adrian, and he doesn't let go of Felix until he's depositing him on the couch in their living room. He leaves to get a blanket and something to eat and the animals swarm Felix practically as a group; one cat to crawl in his lap, another at his side, and the dragon climbing onto the back of the couch to rest her lovely jeweled head on his shoulder.
When Adrian returns he has the world's plainest meat and cheese sandwich and a folded blanket; he sits on Felix's cat-free side and holds out the plate. The blanket can wait a minute, he supposes.]
You should eat. And then... [welllll then if he asks how Felix is doing, maybe he won't get a gruff non-answer, miracles do happen.]
[Maybe Adrian could teach Felix a thing or two about not acting wildly based on emotion, someday. Not today, though.
The only thing that gets him through the walk home is Adrian's arm, his steady step, and the thought of the animals at home that wait for them. Animals that, by some miracle, already care for both of them. Being alive after death is strange: he has a strong sense of gratitude, today, for things like that. For Adrian, for the animals, for their house, for the sun that glints off the snow, for the cold air on his cheeks. He's far from sentimental, but when he was about to die, it's not like there was any rational part of his brain online to say um, ACKSHULLY, you'll be brought back, so don't worry about it. No, he genuinely thought that was the end, and he felt that ending with every fibre of his being. Now, here he is: alive, with the people and animals he thought he would have to leave behind forever. He knows, now, for certain, that he would miss some things about his life here, as short a time as he's been here.
But now he doesn't have to miss them. As he falls onto the couch, they are eagerly sniffing him, climbing up around him, and Felix sighs audibly, like he's incredibly relieved.]
Hello.
[His voice is quiet and gentle and perhaps betrays a hint of his gratitude as he scritches the cats' heads and lays his head back onto Little One. The dragon's innocent relief that Felix is okay beams into his mind, softening rough edges there, and he tries not to think any bad thoughts so he doesn't worry her all over again. He just closes his eyes, petting and basking in their warmth and affection as Adrian putters around in the other rooms.
He lifts his head and takes the sandwich as it's offered.]
Thanks.
[It's objectively bland aside from saltiness, and yet, as he bites into it, he wonders if it's the best thing he's ever eaten. Maybe he's hungrier than he thought, or maybe it feels like the first time he's ever eaten food, or maybe it's the fact that Adrian made it for him. Anyway, excuse him while he wolfs half of it down before saying anything else.]
And then...?
The only thing that gets him through the walk home is Adrian's arm, his steady step, and the thought of the animals at home that wait for them. Animals that, by some miracle, already care for both of them. Being alive after death is strange: he has a strong sense of gratitude, today, for things like that. For Adrian, for the animals, for their house, for the sun that glints off the snow, for the cold air on his cheeks. He's far from sentimental, but when he was about to die, it's not like there was any rational part of his brain online to say um, ACKSHULLY, you'll be brought back, so don't worry about it. No, he genuinely thought that was the end, and he felt that ending with every fibre of his being. Now, here he is: alive, with the people and animals he thought he would have to leave behind forever. He knows, now, for certain, that he would miss some things about his life here, as short a time as he's been here.
But now he doesn't have to miss them. As he falls onto the couch, they are eagerly sniffing him, climbing up around him, and Felix sighs audibly, like he's incredibly relieved.]
Hello.
[His voice is quiet and gentle and perhaps betrays a hint of his gratitude as he scritches the cats' heads and lays his head back onto Little One. The dragon's innocent relief that Felix is okay beams into his mind, softening rough edges there, and he tries not to think any bad thoughts so he doesn't worry her all over again. He just closes his eyes, petting and basking in their warmth and affection as Adrian putters around in the other rooms.
He lifts his head and takes the sandwich as it's offered.]
Thanks.
[It's objectively bland aside from saltiness, and yet, as he bites into it, he wonders if it's the best thing he's ever eaten. Maybe he's hungrier than he thought, or maybe it feels like the first time he's ever eaten food, or maybe it's the fact that Adrian made it for him. Anyway, excuse him while he wolfs half of it down before saying anything else.]
And then...?
[The secret is to experience lots of social shame all at the same time--
In any case, pardon Adrian for just watching Felix eat his sandwich for a bit, here. He hadn't even known what had happened to Felix until today, and that not knowing was bad enough for his heart; just how would he have gotten by if he'd been there and seen it happen? He doesn't know. But Felix is here and whole and capable of eating a crummy sandwich, and that feels nothing short of miraculous right now.
Adrian had wondered since his very first day in this place how the leaders intend to earn even a sliver of loyalty out of any of them, and now? He's beginning to think it was this, all along, the ability to put Felix back on their couch as if nothing happened. There's something sinister in there, he thinks--but he'll think more about it later.]
I don't know, [he says, picking at the folded blanket. Hm, what could be next, indeed...] Maybe you'll tell me how you're feeling.
[Maybe? Perhaps? He brought food and cats.]
In any case, pardon Adrian for just watching Felix eat his sandwich for a bit, here. He hadn't even known what had happened to Felix until today, and that not knowing was bad enough for his heart; just how would he have gotten by if he'd been there and seen it happen? He doesn't know. But Felix is here and whole and capable of eating a crummy sandwich, and that feels nothing short of miraculous right now.
Adrian had wondered since his very first day in this place how the leaders intend to earn even a sliver of loyalty out of any of them, and now? He's beginning to think it was this, all along, the ability to put Felix back on their couch as if nothing happened. There's something sinister in there, he thinks--but he'll think more about it later.]
I don't know, [he says, picking at the folded blanket. Hm, what could be next, indeed...] Maybe you'll tell me how you're feeling.
[Maybe? Perhaps? He brought food and cats.]
[Mmm, hard pass. Unclear if Felix is even capable of experiencing shame, except when someone calls him out for caring about people.
Felix catches Adrian's eye as he's staring and gives him a bit of a what? look, but doesn't say anything. To the question, he lets out a long exhale that isn't quite a sigh, chewing, thinking. He owes Adrian this much, definitely, but the problem is that he's not sure how to explain what he's feeling.]
I don't know... I'm glad to be alive. But...
[But he fucking died. Does he have to say that part? No, Adrian's question was about feelings. Think.]
It was... Frightening. And... The boar...
[He furrows his brow. It's hard to talk about feelings, the words sticking to his tongue like molasses, harder still to talk about Dimitri-related feelings that aren't hatred and anger. Another breath, as though conceding something, and then:]
Dimitri.
[The first time he has said his actual first name aloud since arriving here.]
He tried to save me.
Felix catches Adrian's eye as he's staring and gives him a bit of a what? look, but doesn't say anything. To the question, he lets out a long exhale that isn't quite a sigh, chewing, thinking. He owes Adrian this much, definitely, but the problem is that he's not sure how to explain what he's feeling.]
I don't know... I'm glad to be alive. But...
[But he fucking died. Does he have to say that part? No, Adrian's question was about feelings. Think.]
It was... Frightening. And... The boar...
[He furrows his brow. It's hard to talk about feelings, the words sticking to his tongue like molasses, harder still to talk about Dimitri-related feelings that aren't hatred and anger. Another breath, as though conceding something, and then:]
Dimitri.
[The first time he has said his actual first name aloud since arriving here.]
He tried to save me.
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