Thieves

[beshackled]

Sender: Erichthonios
To: Everyone
Subject: Avaricious harriers

Pray tell, has anyone else been having trouble with small creatures attempting to make off with your belongings?

They are getting to be remarkably b----

[The b terminates in a long, curved line, as though the writer was startled in the middle of writing.

Sometime later...]

brazen.

Comments

[crouching_sin]

I'll retrieve it. Or I'll send my cousin, who has a way with such creatures - at least in our home world. I'm not certain if it'll work here.

Either way, I'm not too bothered about it, but I would like to recover it before any damage comes to it. If you see where they're hiding, it would be good to let people know.

[beshackled]

Does this mean you have mended your relationship with your family?

[He remembers that little note about difficult decisions and family being involved from their prior exchange.]

[crouching_sin]

Somewhat. It's a bit complicated, but the him here is not the same one I know. It's as if there are different timelines - one where he followed my ideas, and one where he did not.

So yes in that sense. No in the sense that it's not the same one. But he's close enough to still nag me about eating properly.

[beshackled]

How unusual! I have met another from the same star as I am from, but a different time from my own, but none that I can confirm to be from a parallel timeline!

Still, you should take heart. That your family from one timeline has mended things with you is surely a sign that your relationship is reparable in your own.

[crouching_sin]

It would be nice if that were the case. I suppose we will find out eventually, once I wake up.

I'd like him to see sense, I really would.

all the encouragement here

[beshackled]

And yet you care for him even though he yet does not in your eyes.

[At least, that is how Erichthonios interprets the words thus far exchanged between them.]

The foundation is there. All that remains is to build upon it.

why is he so cute uwu

[crouching_sin]

He's family. Family that cares about me gets caring in return.

But perhaps there's a chance things can turn out all right in my world. It's... complicated, but whose world isn't?

He's a sad boy with a messed up upbringing who doesn't like to see others suffer

[beshackled]

You've the right of it. Life is complicated, but one need not let those complications stand in the way.

[Even if that complication ends up being a god. Or mayhap especially when that complication ends up being a god.]

canon is not kind to him ;; erich deserves so much better

[crouching_sin]

I don't let anything stand in my way when I really want something.

The question is whether he - or his new master - will want it as well.

But there's little harm in trying at this point, now that the situation has changed.

[beshackled]

Aye.

Mayhap your kin from the parallel timeline can provide you with guidance on the matter.

Either way, I wish you well, as ever.

[crouching_sin]

Maybe he can.

I appreciate it, though. There's not all that many who care for people who are near-strangers.

[beshackled]

There aren't?

[Erichthonios... may have been somewhat socially isolated growing up, due to the actions of certain persons. So he genuinely doesn't know.]

[crouching_sin]

[Erich, please... Naoya sighs on his end and rubs the bridge of his nose. An innocent soul as well...]

Not really, no. Most people tend to care for those immediately around them - friends, family, and themselves. That's not to say that people don't help strangers, but it's more unusual to see than simply passing them by.

[beshackled]

I think I understand. Pray forgive my lack of knowledge on the matter. 'Twas only recently I gained friends, and my relationship with family is

[A pause.]

complicated.

The friends I speak of aided me as strangers during a time of great turmoil for me.

[crouching_sin]

An isolated life? That's understandable, then. And... well. Each family is unique, but you'll find many people have 'complicated' families.

But it's good that you had people help you. It's not like I'm saying it's a bad thing, just... unusual. So it makes those that would help all the more different.

[beshackled]

As much as I would hesitate to accept such a description for myself, I cannot deny that my friends are remarkable people.

Would that they were here with me, but whatever it is that has grasped a part of us appears to have not taken hold of them.

[crouching_sin]

Well, who knows? My cousin showed up - maybe your friends will as well.

[beshackled]

Mayhap so. I imagine they would be curious about this place.

My thanks for your kind words.

[crouching_sin]

[It takes a moment for him to respond. Him? Kind? Heh. If this person wants to see it that way, then fine. He certainly doesn't think of himself that way, however.]

Of course. There's much to this place - it holds many mysteries for us to discover. Including how people are drawn here, and who's chosen.

[beshackled]

Aye. I look forward to learning more about this place and its connection to us.

[crouching_sin]

As do I. It's been some time since I've had something wholly new to explore.

[beshackled]

Mayhap you can do so with your cousin. T'would give you an interesting adventure to share, I think.

[crouching_sin]

True, if I can get him to do so. He's very much got his own agenda. ... And even the version who followed my plan seems to have a sore spot. Which I suppose I can't blame him overmuch for.

[beshackled]

You could do something he likes now and then, too.

[crouching_sin]

I can try. Though one of the things he likes is teasing me mercilessly.

... I only have myself to blame on that one, in retrospect.