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Dr. McKay.

[Rue's video sent in response is taken while the owlbear is back in their apartment at the end of the day, their soft, feathered expression beaming warmly back at the man. Clearly, whatever hurt they felt that day the last time they spoke together is long gone.]

I most appreciate your apology. Truly, it is water under the bridge, my friend. You do not need to worry about my having taken offense. I admit, your words did wound me in the moment, but I know now they were not meant as an insult against my - [Rue's dark eyes blink slowly, head tipping slightly to the side] - ah, my beastly shape. [Rather the fey in general, which Rue isn't nearly as offended by.]

I'm afraid I must apologize as well. It was unfair of me to presume you were referring to the old prejudices I faced back in the fey realm. Speaking plainly, it was not uncommon for others to make their own assumptions about me and my nature, for them to gossip that I was fighting back a natural pull towards aggression or that I was unintelligent, simply because I was born a beast.

[Truly, nothing is more infuriating and disheartening than to have spent the last few millennia being perfectly cordial and pleasant and overly accommodating, giving the whole of their life to the happiness of everyone else, only to be told that any show of true emotion was inappropriate but expected given their shape, because it is simply in a beast's nature for such outbursts.

An owlbear in a beautiful dress, they have heard whispered, is still just an owlbear.]

But your insight into yourself and into the matter at heart have soothed me greatly. Pray, if you have the time, would you enjoy taking tea together? I should love the chance to catch up.

Edited (WORDS) 2023-02-17 22:06 (UTC)

[When he answers the next time, he's a little more at ease, less awkward. Their message is a relief and it shows in his body language, his gestures less frantic. He's glad that that's out of the way and not occupying his mind any longer.

While he's not much of a tea person, taking tea reminds him of Teyla and that reminds him of home and it warms him to the idea.]

Yeah. I'd-- sure, I'd like that. Should I just, you mean now? I can come over, I guess?

[To have weeks worth of hurt and anxiety brushed away in such a simple, quick conversation. It feels wonderful to move on from all of that.]

Now would be perfectly acceptable. I shall see you shortly, my friend. Please travel safely.

Thanks, you too! [... Crap.] I mean... see you in a bit.

[He's not usually one to just spontaneously leave his work (unless the world literally ends or their base threatens to explode all around them again) but he will make an exception for this.

Once he makes his way over he stops and hovers a bit outside the apartment, hesitating until he can bring himself to actually rap at the door.

Can a knock be awkward? Because this one sure is.]

[Rue would be quite pleased to know they are worth the exception.

The knock comes, awkward or not, and Rue is there with a beaming, warm expression, immediately waving the man inside with a wing. It's obvious there's no hard feelings between them at all.]

Hello, Dr. McKay! Please, come in. It's been so chilly lately, you simply must come inside to warm up. I would not be able to forgive myself if you froze on my doorstep.

[Considering Rue lives with a teenage boy, the apartment is both clean but homey, that warm feeling that comes from being lived in.]

Right!

[Okay, so they don't seem like they're mad? That's good. He's glad. Except he doesn't care because he doesn't care what people think (except maybe when he cares about them but that is not a conscious thought at all) but, just, it's good to know they're not mad.]

Hi. Uh. It's fine? Actually, I'm... I'm Canadian.

[He frowns.]

Yeah, that doesn't mean anything to you. I come from a very cold country?

[They wave him towards the couch, where they've already set out a nice spread of crisp shortbread cookies and steaming floral-scented tea.]

Canadian!

[Rue replies with a soft chuckle, as if they have any idea what that means.]

What is it like where you are from? In this realm, I've only visited here, Gloucester, and Ipswich for a little day trip. But I should like to see more.

It's further up north. There's continental climate which means really cold winters. Hot summers, too, though the rest of the world usually thinks of snow and ice when they think about us.

[He's distracted as he walks in because those sure are cookies and he sits down, immediately taking one.]

Haven't been there in a long time.

How fascinating, to have such a variety in climate in one location. Back home, we truly only had perfectly temperate, sunny days. Do you imagine that Gloucester will have a hot summer as well? I must confess, I've had my fill of this chilly winter.

[Even without a mouth to emote, Rue looks positively pleased that Rodney doesn't hesitate to help himself to the cookies. That's what they are there for! He should enjoy! Though while he snacks, Rue will pour them both a little tea.]

Do you miss it? Your home land? Is there family back there waiting for you?

I don't know how hot it will get but it's gonna be a lot warmer than now for sure.

[Still munching the cookies. Which he will probably continue to do as long as they are available. He can eat a lot.

But his chewing slows at the question and he hums, frowning, chewing, gesturing until he can get more words out. Still chewing while he talks, sorry, his manners are abysmal.]

I have a sister. We, uh, have a complicated relationship. But... she's there? Back in Canada with uh, her husband and her kid, so there's that. I was never, uh, really about that? The whole family thing and keeping in touch...

[He washes more cookie chew down with some tea so he can enunciate better.]

I guess my family is... where I work. My team? There's people there that have become a sort of... surrogate family to me.

[Rue has spent time in all manner of faerie courts, even if their own manners are most impeccable, they know better than to expect the same of everyone else. So Rodney can continue to stuff himself with cookie after cookie as long as he likes, they'll only sit back with their dainty teacup pinched between talons, watching him with a warm, curious expression.

Maybe they'll pack up any remaining cookies for him to take home after this.]

Now, that is a sentiment that I fully relate to! Though I suppose my situation is different. But I've always felt closer to my friends than those who raised me. Considering the importance of your work in your life, it makes sense those same individuals working alongside of you would be closer to you as well.

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