❖ 012 // [Voice]

[crisisrain]

[When Raven returned from his mallynapping last month he found something obviously not his own amongst his possessions. He knows who it belongs to, but he can't read it. So what to do? Ask if someone else can. It's totally not midnight when he asks this.]

This is probably a long shot, but can anyone out there read 'blueprints'?

[Affected and taken, by you know who.]

Comments

[Action]

[fallenambitions]

[Yep. If Alexei was feeling wary or discomfort about what had happened, he was hiding that fact well right now.]

Sit.

[Action]

[crisisrain]

[Raven slides onto the seat, still a bit of a distance away from Alexei and definitely not making eye contact.]

As polite as ever aren't ya!

[Action]

[fallenambitions]

You did keep me waiting. [Sliding the glass of vodka to him] At least I remember to get you a drink.

[Action]

[crisisrain]

I was bein' fashionably late.

[Picking up the class and taking a drink.] So... [Awkward silence.] are you alright? Ya know, yer injury.

[Action]

[fallenambitions]

[...sub-consciously he had placed his hand where Raven had cut him] I'm fine. Won't be able to do anything that's too demanding on this body for a while though.

[Action]

[crisisrain]

[He reaches over and takes hold of the hand Alexei had placed on his wound without saying a word.]

[Action]

[fallenambitions]

...[You're touching Alexei. Having Raven's hand holding his was comforting. He's not going to let go anytime soon, if he can keep holding Raven's.] How's your heart?

[Action]

[crisisrain]

[I KNOW DON'T REMIND ME.]

Feels like it's gonna jump outta my chest and run off laughin'.

[Action]

[fallenambitions]

[Frowns.]

If you'll allow me, I can take a look at it later.

[Action]

[crisisrain]

There's nothin' wrong with it! It's just me.

[Action]

[fallenambitions]

[Blinks] ...All right. You should still let me know, if something goes wrong.

[Action]

[crisisrain]

I will.

[Notices he's still holding Alexei's hand, quickly pulling back right now.] Uh... sorry 'bout that. I can't think of anythin' ta say to you that isn't a question and I'm sure ya've had enough of those from me these past few weeks.

[Action]

[fallenambitions]

And despite all of that, you're still not satisfied with my answers?

[Action]

[crisisrain]

It's not that. [Drinking some more of that vodka now.] I just wanna be able to trust you, and maybe make these feelings we both got work...

[Action]

[fallenambitions]

...That's difficult when you showed me little confidence in anything I say. Do you honestly want to believe I want a repeat of all the terrible things I've done?

...I've had enough, Raven and I want to be left in peace.

[Action]

[crisisrain]

Oh uh... [Raven stands up, totally mis-understanding.] I thought ya wanted ta speak but I'll leave if you wanna be left in peace.

[Action]

[fallenambitions]

[Oh no you don't. He grabs Raven by the wrist] Not what I meant, Raven. You've just been interrogating me for something that isn't there.

[Action]

[crisisrain]

Ah! I thought ya meant... right, sorry. [Sitting back down.]

Can ya blame me though? Not like anyone else bothered ta ask ya anythin'.

[Action]

[fallenambitions]

[He lets go of his arm]

Suppose not, when everyone thinks you're a lost cause.

[Action]

[crisisrain]

I don't think yer a lost cause, I wouldn't have come ta listen to ya in the first place if that was true!

[Action]

[fallenambitions]

"You don't have a future. You'll always be the bad guy." That tells me otherwise.

[Action]

[crisisrain]

I was angry OK! You'd do the same thing!

[Action]

[fallenambitions]

What were you so angry about?

[Action]

[crisisrain]

Hey! I'd just been dumped back in the forest after bein' tortured!

[Action]

[fallenambitions]

...At least you came back and I wasn't about to just leave you out there.