Ruth continued to stare at him, brow growing heavier and heavier with every sentence that his friend uttered. There was truth and valid anger with how the terms of the arrangement had become blurred, the choice might not have been hers to make… which made it infinitely more complicated.
Ruth laughed bitterly, shaking his head as he pulled back the rum and down a heavy glug of it. Images of a miniature Nairn ran through his mind and he choked a little, setting the bottle down to clear his throat with a series of coughs.
Ruth sighed, hands reaching for the tin and taking a larger piece to sprinkle out and snort clean. He’d tuck it away, pulling out two pre-rolled sticks of tobacco and lighting both, before offering Nairn one. Ruth took a long draw and then released an even longer sigh and stream of smoke.
Are you insane? You're insane. You think she’s not going to find out somehow?He wouldn’t tell her, obviously, he valued breathing and she was only just starting to come around to his meddling in the election.
You want to send him off, to where? His mother sent him to you because she obviously thought you’d keep him safe and you just want to cart him off to some alien place with strangers?
Ruth laughed bitterly, shaking his head as he pulled back the rum and down a heavy glug of it. Images of a miniature Nairn ran through his mind and he choked a little, setting the bottle down to clear his throat with a series of coughs.
A threat? Are you hearing yourself?he spluttered,
You fucking know the safest place is beside her… here in Arlathan. He’s a kid, Nairn. He has a name, dreams… hope.
Ruth sighed, hands reaching for the tin and taking a larger piece to sprinkle out and snort clean. He’d tuck it away, pulling out two pre-rolled sticks of tobacco and lighting both, before offering Nairn one. Ruth took a long draw and then released an even longer sigh and stream of smoke.
If she finds out from someone else, it’s gonna kill her more. Worse if she meets him randomly and he beats you to it.
04-25-2024, 01:54 PM
