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[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.]

Mhm. [Eda makes a small noncommittal noise. While Rue gets up, she drains the rest of her glass of wine and sets it on the coffee table.

She does her best to sort out her emotions, but mostly what she actually does is distract herself by browsing through movies. She finds something that she suspects will make her wildly nostalgic, but... hey, if she's going to cry anyway.

She waits for Rue to come back, though.]

[There's a few murmured whispers at the entryway, the soft concern of Rue's hushed tones and Hob's gruffer voice, before they have reemerged, a grocery bag in paw.]

Well! Your choice for the night is ice cream, cookies or, ah, cosmic brownies. Whichever you prefer.

I dunno what that last one is, but... hard to go wrong with ice cream. Even if I can't find wrathberry here. [Or any of the other flavours she's used to. Either way, she reaches for it.]

Have you seen this cat musical? D'you know if it's anything like Rats?

[She's not actually sure if there's any way Rue would have an answer to that, but it looks kind of similar.]

[If Eda is taking the ice cream, then Rue will expertly splay the cookies out on display for later.]

I have heard of neither of them!

[Eda's a little amused by the attention to details.]

Well Rats is... well I mean it's mostly about rats. It's about a talent show for rats. They're in a cult. [Is she just explaining it poorly? Who knows!]

Our school put it on when we were kids. [She's leaving personally starring in it out of the story, for now.]

[look!! that's rue's whole thing!!]

A play about rats? In a cult? How strange! Do you believe that, ah, Cats is of the same plot, only with a change in species?

I think I would very much have enjoyed seeing you perform.

Who said anything about me performing?

[She's... technically not denying it, though. And her being a theatre kid is probably far less of a surprise than she wishes it was.]

Anyway, maybe? I wanna see if it's the same idea.

[The look that Rue levels at her must speak volumes. Eda, please.]

My apologies. Perhaps I am only mistaken by your everyday theatrics.

[But Rue is all too pleased to settle beside her.]

Please then! Let's.

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