Appointment Post

[whatdeheckisdat]

Basically this is sort of an inbox-type thing where if you think something should be threaded out, but doesn't merit its own post, you can tag me here.

Title your comment thread with the type of post and the date, like so:

Action, March 19

Comments

[whatdeheckisdat]

Yes.

[Pause.]

...No. Now is simply not a good time.

[He really, really doesn't want to have to explain this to Grune.]

[lostinmyway]

Why not?

[...Dhaos looks sad. Did something happen?]

[whatdeheckisdat]

I am... preoccupied.

[That's the best way to put it, really. He wasn't doing anything, but his mind had no room for such trivialities at the moment.]

[lostinmyway]

[She gives him a concerned look.] You don't look like you're thinking about very happy things. Why don't we talk about it a little? Everything is always better when you have a friend helping you.

[whatdeheckisdat]

[Dhaos shakes his head. The last thing he needs is for Grune to get involved in this.]

No. I need to be left alone.

[lostinmyway]

But if you're alone, you'll feel even sadder.

[whatdeheckisdat]

I am not sad.

[It is the truth, as far as Dhaos is concerned. He knows sadness, and this is not it.]

[lostinmyway]

Aren't you? You look sad.

[whatdeheckisdat]

No.

[He really shouldn't be this way with her, but given the circumstances he can't help but be a little more cross than usual.]

[lostinmyway]

[She looks slightly taken aback at that, but quickly recovers.]

Why don't we have a cup of tea together?

[whatdeheckisdat]

[She bounces.]

No. Forgive me, Grune, but something has happened and I do believe time alone would do me good at present.

[He would try to shut the door again, but... she's already practically inside.]

[lostinmyway]

What happened?

[It must have been something sad to make Dhaos feel like this.]

[whatdeheckisdat]

[Dhaos shakes his head.]

...Nothing that could be prevented. [...But the impact would have been lessened if he had simply approached her earlier.]

[lostinmyway]

Was it a little mistake?

[...She's just going to keep asking until you tell her, Dhaos.]

[whatdeheckisdat]

[But he knows he's going to be the subject of an enormous pity-party if he admits the reason for his behavior. So he'll hold out a little longer.]

No. There is nothing that can be done to change it, so it would be best if you simply let me be.

[lostinmyway]

Oh, I can't do that. Then you'll be lonely.

[whatdeheckisdat]

I will be fine, Grune. And if my bad mood persists, it will be no one's fault but my own.

[lostinmyway]

[She shakes her head.] Oh, no, that isn't good at all. We should go out and do something nice together to cheer you up.

[Something like…. Now what was it she came here to suggest?]

[whatdeheckisdat]

[Mmph.] Perhaps later. I can think of nothing that would not be a bad idea at the moment.

[lostinmyway]

Hmm.... [It was…oh!

She gives him a brilliant smile.] You should come with me and meet all my friends!

[whatdeheckisdat]

What...?

[She had promised to do so, hadn't she? He hadn't expected her to actually remember...

...He really can't be out meeting new people-- who were more than likely to be mostly humans just after Martel's departure...]

...I believe that would fall within the realm of 'bad ideas', Grune.

[lostinmyway]

Really? Why?

[whatdeheckisdat]

...People will often vent their frustration on others without meaning to.

[lostinmyway]

Oh, I'm sure you wouldn't do that. [She gives him a brilliant, completely trusting smile.]

[whatdeheckisdat]

[It's almost painful to see how much Grune trusts him. Because he knows he would vent his frustration on random passers-by-- in fact, it's sounding like a good idea now.]

...I have no doubt that you are.