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[Rue has known Eda long enough to pick up on a few of her tells. And even with only four words between them, they feel like something is very wrong.]

Absolutely, my friend.

The boys are out of the apartment tonight if you would prefer to come over for once. It may not be quite as cozy as your nest, but I do have some new wine I've been meaning to taste test.

I could use your expert opinion.

[Eda's glad, but not surprised, that they seem to have picked up on that without her having to spell it out. This gets faint little smile.]

Works for me, don't really wanna be here tonight. [She doesn't make it clear if she means she doesn't want to sleep at Bonnie's at all. Partly because she's not actually sure if that's what she means.]

Not turning down the wine either [She absolutely isn't an expert, but right now she just wants to drink something.]

[That's quite alright. Rue is a planner. They'll make arrangements for whatever Eda eventually needs.]

Then come over at your leisure, dear. I'll have everything prepared by the time you arrive.

Seeya soon.

[It's probably at least a good hour before Eda actually makes her way over to Rue's apartment. She knows not being alone is going to help, but that doesn't mean it's easy to make herself get going.

When she does knock on their door, she looks... tired. Her short hair is a bit more ruffled than she's been keeping it in general lately, and so are her feathers. She looks like she probably didn't get a whole lot of sleep.]

[Rue is there in an instant, maybe a little obvious they were hovering while waiting for her, but the moment the door is open, the owlbear is gently tugging their friend inside out of the cold. However Eda looks, Rue isn't about to address it directly, already shooing her to the couch.]

Sit! I have a small gift for you. I picked it up a week or so ago and then in the mess of everything, I absolutely forgot to bring it over.

[Or they immediately sent Hob out on a mission the moment they were finished texting tonight. Either or.]

It's nothing grand, of course, but I remembered you were quite fond of them...

[Normally, Eda might tease them about the obvious hovering. At the moment, though, she decides not to comment and just lets them get her to settle on the couch.

She does raise an eyebrow at the gift part, though, and does her best to seem cheerful about whatever they've got in mind.]

Alright, I'll bite. Whatcha got? [If nothing else, she's a little grateful for basically any distraction right about now.]

[Rue settles beside her, far closer than they would normally sit beside anyone outside of Hob. But Eda is someone Rue feels completely at ease in their own skin around, someone they do not have to make themself smaller for.

So when their knees or hands accidentally brush, it draws nothing but a smile to their eyes, nothing awkward or uncomfortable between such dear friends.]

First, close your eyes.

[A little silly? Maybe. But maybe silly is what Eda needs.]

[While that sort of thing would still put her on edge with most people, even a lot of her friends here, she seems to have hit the point where Rue can be as close as they like. It helps that they never try to push things when she is on edge.

This is definitely silly, but it gets a little laugh, even if it also gets an eyeroll. She does close her eyes after that.] Okay, this better be good.

[At least she sounds amused, which is definitely an improvement from a moment before.]

[At least she's playing along.]

I'm terribly offended by the implication I've ever given a bad gift.

[But naturally, Eda closes her eyes and Rue slides a slim box into her hands. When she peeks down, she'll find a box of Bumble Gum's infamous chocolate spiders.]

It could happen. [Eda points out, mostly just to be contrary.

She's not sure what she's expecting, but when she does look she grins.]

...But not this time. [And she'll slit the seal on the box with a claw before tossing a chocolate-covered spider into her mouth. It's nice finding a human candy that isn't weird.]

[Rue preens in front of her, looking absolutely pleased with themself, resisting the maybe natural urge to affectionately bump their head to Eda's and trill.

They aren't that comfortable yet.]

I thought as much. Now, enjoy those while I get our wine. Are you hungry? Outside of the sweets, of course. We could order in if you're feeling peckish. I happen to have a very reliable delivery man.

[And she probably finds the preening just a little bit more endearing than she'd actually admit.]

Hmm... yeah, I could eat. [It's possible she hasn't remembered to do that today, but she's not actually going to mention that. She realises she really should, though.]

[Rue had a Feeling. It's kind of becoming a thing that people come to Rue when they are desperate for comfort and hungry. Hob's been working overtime on food delivery lately.

Rue rises from the couch, but not before gently knocking the woman's knee affectionately.]

Any preferences?

[Eda still has trouble admitting when she needs those things, but she's working on it. Even if she wishes she didn't need to.]

Probably none you can find around here. [She's finding herself craving the kind of comfort food her mother made, which was mostly blood-based. Not unheard of here, but usually hard to order in.]

Wouldn't mind more sweets, though. [This feels like an ice-cream absolutely counts as dinner sort of a night.]

More sweets it is.

[Rue gives the woman one last look before disappearing into the kitchen, already pulling out their phone and putting a little delivery request in.

It's only a few moments later when they emerge, two wine glasses delicately hanging from their talons, an elegant, expensive-looking bottle in their other paw.]

Now, it's not apple blood, but I hope it's to your liking. [They settle back onto the couch before pouring their friend first, gently passing it over. The wine swirls dark red in the glass, smelling bitter and sour and sweet all at once.]

[When Rue gets back, Eda has put aside the remaining spiders for the moment and has her forehead resting on one of her hands, as she fidgets with her hair with the other.

She perks back up slightly when her friend speaks and she realises they're back--or at least she does her best to appear to. She stops fidgeting and takes the wine glass.

She drains... more than a little before appearing to actually think about the taste one way or the other. She takes a slightly slower sip.]

Not bad. [She's never really been an expensive wine sort of person, but it has a sour kick that she does enjoy.] Thanks. [Probably as much for the short notice visit as the drink.]

[Well, that basically confirms their initial suspicions, doesn't it.]

It's nothing at all.

[Both the wine and the visit.

There's a brief, comfortable silence between them, Rue sipping their own wine and smiling softly over at the woman, thinking over how best to approach the reason for her impromptu visit. In the end, they presume Eda would prefer them being upfront instead of carefully stepping around the subject.]

Eda, is there something on your mind?

[Eda takes a few more sips, but then she sighs. She knew she needed to explain herself sooner or later, and part of the reason she'd come over was because she did want someone to talk to, but neither of those things made it all that easy.]

That obvious? Yeah, there's something. Raine's... not here. It's been a few days and--they wouldn't just vanish. Not without saying anything. If they had a choice in the matter.

[Except there's a nagging little voice in the back of her head that keeps asking what if they would though? After all, they'd lied about being brainwashed before. They'd lied about not knowing what happened at home before. What if they were doing something well-meaning and stupid again?

That normally wouldn't be the hopeful option, but in this case it almost was. Because the other was that they'd dropped off the face of this world. Like Hunter, like Katrina, like so many others. At least Hunter had come back, albeit without memories of this place.]

[Well. That's quite bigger a problem than Rue had anticipated at Eda's first text.

Their feathery brow pinches with new worry. Though they've heard the tales of it happening, this is their first experience of losing someone within ADI like this. For Raine to simply disappear, for them to not give Eda even a hint to their upcoming departure - to Rue that absolutely solidifies that whatever happened, Raine had no say in the matter.

They never would have left without saying goodbye to their ex, no matter how tangled things between them remained.]

Oh darling, I'm so sorry. I - Truly, I can not even imagine how you must be feeling. To lose a friend, an ally, someone you so dearly trust without warning. [Among other things.] I'm glad you came to me. I'd say we deserve a night in with sweets for dinner.

You're lucky. I... ought to be used to it. [She's mentioned at least one other vanished friend to Rue. But even if she should, it doesn't help. Raine is still her first, oldest friend. Someone from home who she keeps losing, time and time again in different ways.

At least this time they're not walking away because of her.

At least this time they're not letting go of her hand while she begs them not to.

This, though, brings with it a dull, nagging ache of uncertainty. Especially with the Entities involved. Eda crunches down on another chocolate covered spider with what might be just a little edge of malice.]

I'm tired of this place. But we sure do. Sweets for dinner and probably a lot more wine.

Edited 2023-03-12 06:59 (UTC)

I don't believe it matters how many times you lose someone. I imagine the grief is felt completely differently every time.

[Rue's paw settles on Eda's back, careful of the woman's wings, a gentle, soothing caress.] Besides, I know what they mean to you. Your hurt is entirely justified.

[It's a true show of the closeness between them that Rue leans in to press a quick peck of a kiss to Eda's temple, before dragging the woman closer to their side. Sounds like it's going to be a night of cuddles and wine and tears.]

Well, shall we watch a movie while we wait for our dessert? I suppose as the guest it would only be courteous to let you choose the film.

[Eda just nods. They're not wrong at all. Sometimes the grief is a nagging sense of something missing and the inescapable thoughts of if she'd just done things differently and sometimes it's knowing they're in danger and sometimes it's the pain of having them look at her like they don't remember her. This time it's the fear that they're in danger and the knowledge that she doesn't even know where to start.

The kiss startles Eda, and gets an awkward little chuckle and a blush. But that's a good distraction, because she snaps a little bit out of how miserable she was getting. She shifts her wings around a bit to make it comfortable to lean against Rue.]

I'm not exactly caught up on Human Realm movies... and I can't seem to find some of the ones I've looked for anyway. But we can see what there is. [She's not sure how much attention she'll pay, but it's something to try and focus on at least.]

I can't imagine that anyone truly is caught up on the films of this realm. There are such a great many! It would have to take many a human lifetime just to be anywhere close. I can't imagine how long that would take.

[With Eda drawing in close, Rue is content enough to keep a wing wrapped around the woman's shoulder, keeping her near, before gently pushing the television remote into her hand.]

Is there anything else you need? While we wait for our dinner?

More time than I've got here. [But she's pretty sure she's somehow keeping up with what's popular even less than when she used to visit. She hates having a day job so much.]

Nah, just... keep the wine coming. [And on that note, Eda drinks some more of hers. It's possible she could also use more little forehead kisses, but she's definitely not about to say that.

Instead she starts idly browsing through movies.]

[Well, Eda may be in luck, because Rue will absolutely be wrapping the woman up for adorable forehead kisses all night long.]

That I can do.

[Just as Eda begins to browse the movie selection, Rue's phone goes off - their text tone some selection of rising melodic chimes - before they are hopping to their feet.]

Our dinner is here. Give me just a moment.

[If nothing else, it gives Eda a chance to catch her breath and sort out her wild emotions, just until Rue returns.]

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