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 Posted: Thu May 21, 2015 6:54 pm
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Upon waking, the Faun Adviser, Mo, would find a letter slipped underneath the door of his private quarters. The parchment was sealed with wax, bearing the impression of a massive tree with branches reaching wide. When opened, crisp Faun runes within read:
"Brother,
The unrest grows and unless we wish to risk reaping
something more sinister, we must take action.
Now is the time for you to take on your role of the Bark,
protecting not only the Trunk, but the whole of the Tree.
Meet me in three days time at dawn, discretely, on this
side of the bridge leading to the mainland. Prepare for
a few days travel, but pack lightly. We must move swiftly.
Tell absolutely no one of where you are going. If you
cannot avoid it and can make no excuse of your own,
simply say that your special skills are necessary and
you have been sent to check out a potential threat to the
north with the hunters and will return soon.
Use the utmost discretion, Brother. I will await you by the bridge.
- The Trunk
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2015 7:59 pm
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Mo yawned and stretched, finding himself - once again - waking well before any of the others in his little homely cove. It had been a more consistent thing lately as he seemed to have more trouble sleeping since the attack upon the tree. However, he found it somewhat comforting that he was able to rise and inspect things about the tree before too many others would wake.
As quietly as he could, he slipped from the bed and replaced the blanket over his Moon's shoulders... He smiled softly at her sleeping form and leaned over to place a small kiss upon her cheek. That was the way he started all his mornings.
Content with completing the morning ritual, he turned, softly stepping towards the door and cracking it open. It wasn't until the light from the center of the tree came cascading into the room did he see the letter. Odd... that a letter would be placed under his door like this...
He scooped it up and examined the seal. It was very familiar, and upon recognizing it he sighed softly, looking back into the room a brief moment before continuing on his journey towards his "office" closer to the base of the tree.
Once inside his private work quarters, he opened the letter and read it calmly.
"Brother,
The unrest grows and unless we wish to risk reaping
something more sinister, we must take action.
Now is the time for you to take on your role of the Bark,
protecting not only the Trunk, but the whole of the Tree..."
He sighed deeply at this. There was enough stress going on within the tree and yet he was still solid and sturdy each and every day... Worry and internal paternal (or was it the lingering bits of maternal?) panic lacing his every move and decision since the day the tree shook. Blood Pae were to blame. They all knew this...
He shook his head and read on...
"Meet me in three days time at dawn, discretely, on this
side of the bridge leading to the mainland. Prepare for
a few days travel, but pack lightly. We must move swiftly.
Tell absolutely no one of where you are going. If you
cannot avoid it and can make no excuse of your own,
simply say that your special skills are necessary and
you have been sent to check out a potential threat to the
north with the hunters and will return soon.
Use the utmost discretion, Brother. I will await you by the bridge.
- The Trunk"
Mo couldn't help but chuckle at the names. It seemed so juvenile, yet he understood the reason to be using them.
As quickly as it came, his grin faded to a stern and contemplative frown. He'd have to think of something clever to tell Luna at the very least. Or maybe he'd just wait until the morning of and leave a note for her saying exactly what the note he now held had offered. "Will return soon." It was cruel... and he somehow believed that she wouldn't buy it for a moment. However, he never wanted to lie to her. He supposed a discreet letter would be enough for the task now in hand.
With that plan already in motion, he turned towards his desk and knelt down to the floor beneath it. Applying pressure to a board there opened up a small hidden compartment. He placed the letter inside a small book he had hidden there and replaced the board seamlessly. Standing, he dusted off his hands and nodded. 'Three days time, Mo...' he thought to himself and eyed the air in the general direction of the bridge long off outside the tree (even if he couldn't see it from within). 'Three days time...'
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2015 8:28 pm
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Despite his eagerness to explore the concept of just what the hell he'd be getting himself into in three days, Mo had little time to even consider investigating once he picked back up on his duties. The tree was still on the mend as were a small handful of those that had been injured. Twinkletoes had been making efforts to stay as far away from the front of the tree lately as possible since she had gotten Faroth locked away, so he'd also been dealing with that.
He'd tried telling her that a least twice since she'd taken shelter in the higher branches (and it had also been a pain looking for her himself... seeing as he had no way of flight and had to climb up to her level on at least one occasion) that she had done the right thing. However, he understood her being so upset over it. He would be too, if it were him having to endure all that.
After his morning ritual of kissing Luna on the cheek and slipping out before dawn on the third day, he quickly made his way towards his office and gathered his pack. He had a basket of food ready in the corner and stuffed some of it in there. He even managed to get his hands on two water skins and stuffed those in the pack as well. He then turned to the shelves behind his desk and pulled out a small box. Inside it was a folded piece of parchment he had written to Luna on. He set it on his desk folded in half and placed a rock on it's corner so that it wouldn't get lost to a breeze.
"My Moon,
I will be gone for just a few days.
Do not be alarmed, I am merely on a task that requires my services.
I will find you as soon as I return. I promise.
I'll fill you in on the details then.
Your Stallion,
Mo~"
Mo had been on a few of these "tasks" before. Most of which had only been a day at most. He hoped she'd take this as just another one of those days and leave it be until he returned. That was up to her at this point. Still, he kept true to the request he was given. He didn't leave any hint as to where he might go and he didn't mention anything that might cause a panic.
Taking a deep breath, he turned towards the door. He was merely a step away from entering the main bulk of the tree when he froze.
"Use the utmost discretion, Brother..."
The words seemed to echo into his thoughts and he took a small step back. He couldn't just go walking straight out now. It was nearly dawn. Others would be waking... possibly see him with a pack over his shoulder and question his motives. Cause a stir...
His gaze turned, falling to the window. The sky was still black, but he knew that the light of day was mere moments from cracking upon the horizon.... Lucky for him, his office was at ground level...
He moved swiftly over to the window and opened it up. He then held his breath, ears perking forward a moment to listen for any sign of his daughter. He knew she'd be well up in the branches at this point. She might hear something sneaking out at this hour, but wouldn't exactly be able to see the culprit until it was long gone from way up there.
He slipped out into the night and threw the pack over his shoulder before quietly shifting into his feral form. At least in this form - and it still being dark - anyone looking out would see an animal skittering off into the trees and think nothing of it.
Once in the trees, he took off at a run for the bridge, making it there in no time. He settled himself into some bushes once he made it and panted softly, calming down from his run as he listened out for his travel companion. His feral form made it easier to smell and hear anyone trying to sneak up on him, at least.
There, he waited for 'The Trunk' to arrive...
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2015 1:02 pm
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The morning dew had beaded upon the cloaked, huddled form. He stirred, the clinging droplets of dew dislodged and rolled away from their resting places. Considering his position within the Tree, it had been easiest to make his exit in the wee hours of the night while most were still asleep. He had made his way here in the middle of the night, settling in out of the way beneath some shrubbery and wrapped in a traveler's cloak. He'd slept little, only allowing himself to doze during the hours he waited for dawn and the arrival of his travel companion. He had slept very little for some time now, worry and anxious energy driving away the call of slumber.
The faintest hint of light on the far horizon had prompted his movement. Time to go. Where was the Bark? No other Faun in sight, the cloaked figure rose and stretched, shaking the morning chill from his limbs. Surely he would not have ignored his message. To be altogether honest, he had hesitated before sending the letter.
Not because he held any doubt in the Adviser. Far from it. He trusted the other with his life...and perhaps that was the problem. He had hesitated at leaving the Tree for any amount of time with both of them absent. Reaching upward, beneath the travel cloak, he fingered the amber amulet at his chest. No...this was for the safety of the Tree at large. He had weighed the decision heavily before making his choice. And the Tree was not without other protectors in the interim. He had told only one other that he was leaving, and had given no more details than he'd needed to. He had important matters to attend to and would be back as soon as possible. He gave no more information and trusted that she could cover for his brief absence.
Who knew though how much she knew that he never spoke aloud...?
Shaking the last of the dew from his cloak, the sturdy faun emerged from the foliage, still searching for sight of his companion. Beneath the hood, he crooked a half-smile realizing he was not as alone as he had previously thought. Of course. Reaching up, he unfastened the clasps that held the hood in place around his antlers and allowed it to fall back and expose his face. He neared the canine, dropping to a crouch while still wearing the half-smile. Despite the gravity of the mission, he did not attempt to hide his relief at seeing the other. He held out a hand in greeting, chuckling softly.
"Well met, Brother."
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 9:02 pm
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"Peace, brother," Rais chuckled softly, clamping a hand onto Mo's shoulder reassuringly. His second's anxiety was clear, but that was understandable, given the unknown nature of this mission. "I'll explain along the way. However, I would like to get some earth beneath our hooves first." Hopefully that would be enough to sate Mo's curiosity for now.
Glancing back towards the Tree thoughtfully, the Chief then turned and lead the way over the bridge. His steps were careful, hooves clip-clopping over the wooden slats. Truthfully, while he wanted to gain some distance from the Tree before discussing the true nature of this trip, that wasn't the only reason he was stalling. He had spent much of the time since sending the letter debating how to raise certain issues with his second.
He paused on the Isle-side of the bridge and looked to the north. It wouldn't be avoidance to start with where they were going. Of course not. "My letter was true enough. We're investigating a possible threat to the north. However, perhaps not what I implied as an excuse. We're looking for a different type of threat than any wild boars may have ever provided."
Starting off, he shot back, "Keep alert and keep up."
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 9:26 pm
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Mo took a deep breath and seemed internally thankful that he wasn't the only nervous one between them. He cracked a faint smile and nodded. "Understood..." he offered and followed him carefully across the bridge.
He listened intently on Rais' words after they crossed. A threat? Different than the usual? He guessed Rais would have a good reason to be wanting to get further from the tree before speaking further about. Didn't want any prying ears, perhaps?
There was no sign of Twinkletoes this morning, by sight or smell, so they were at least in the clear on that point. He cast a weary glance at Rais as he followed. He idly wondered just how Rais could keep so calm in most situations. He could tell that Rais' mind was flooded with several different things... how was he still about to function?!
As for keeping alert as they walked.....
"Would you mind carrying my pack, then?" he asked, offering the pack as he steadied himself on his hooves. "I'll be able to hear and smell threats better in... well, in my 'other' form..."
Once the pack was traded off, he shifted again. His hearing and smell intensified and he felt a little bit safer. At least now he could tell if something was ahead or following them. Once back in feral form, he gave Rais a small nod and followed him further. A small bit of time passed before realization settled in.
They were traveling north to the Ithyl Forest? It wasn't exactly their territory, but Mo couldn't exactly argue at the moment on that bit. Curiousity began reeling through his mind as he weaved around Rais' path. Sometimes he'd dart after a scent just shy of Rais' eyesight, but he'd always come back with a reassuring pant or wag of his tail that the coast was still clear. Keeping up wasn't exactly hard in this form. If anything, Mo was practically running circles around Rais, but that was all part of his surveillance of each area as they came to it.
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Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 12:10 am
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The extra pack was of little concern to Rais. With his strength, he could have carried ten other packs with little effort. He'd accepted the extra with a nod and an 'of course', then waited for his Second to shift before they set off.
He didn't make his relief as readily known at that point, but not only did his canine form serve well as a scout while they traveled, but while Mo was in that form, they couldn't exactly make conversation as they moved. It was a short reprieve, but a welcome one.
Instead, the two traveled in relative silence through the day. After they crossed into the Ithyl Forest and were out of the open, they made good time. Mo's scouting kept them safe from any wandering threats as well as keeping track of any following. Rais had a different set of senses on alert to any threats, though from time to time he subtly checked on something hidden within his cloak before altering their path somewhat. A parchment?
As the sun sank low in the sky that evening, Rais signaled to his canine companion as he slowed in a small clearing amongst the trees. "We'll stop here for the evening." They had been keeping up a swift, but regular pace. Even so, they needed rest and sustenance. While urgency drove the Chieftain's actions, he was not so far gone as to dismiss their own health for these worries. He'd allowed for a few days travel. At this rate, it would likely be less, but they needed to be prepared for any possible trouble as well.
It had not failed to cross his mind that there may be nothing up this way at all. Or worse...some sort of trap. He didn't like the idea of possibly leading the both of them into trouble...but on the other hand, there was no other Brother he'd trust more to watch his back if trouble was what they found.
Setting their packs down, Rais began prepping the site for the night. Nothing too elaborate...they could probably risk a fire at this point. Some sort of hardwood maybe, if they could find it. Oak or maple would produce the most heat with less smoke. He kicked the leaf debris from the center area, then began outlining the area with stones to keep the fire contained. It was menial work, not something one would picture a Chieftain doing, but it was something to do with his hands. It was calming. His thoughts were anything but...though he could think of no better time to raise the issue. Well...he'd put it off long enough at least.
Casting a sideways glance at his companion, he offered a test question before delving any further. "So...any ideas yet on where we're going?"
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Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 4:41 pm
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"True enough, it is out of our regular territory," Rais agreed, moving back from the ring of stones so that Mo could take over placing the firewood. "And if the threat remained here, I'd say leave it be. However, when that threat comes creeping over our own threshold..." His expression darkened momentarily, then faded away as his gaze shifted once more to his Second, searching for any sign of recognition...
Nothing.
In a quiet tone suggesting that he wasn't actually expecting an answer, he muttered, "You don't know what's supposed to be up here...do you?" In a way, it was a relief. It meant his Second had not been keeping secrets from him. But the relief was only momentary, for it meant a different burden lay on Rais' shoulders.
The pair worked in harmony to set up the campsite, without any words or instructions, seeming of like mind. Perhaps that was the trouble. Rais knew exactly how he himself would react when discovering that one he trusted had been keeping secrets from him. And now, the burden lay with Rais to reveal that his Second's mate had been keeping her own secrets.
It was not a duty he wished on anyone...but it simply had to be done. They'd come too far at this point and there was no way to explain why they were here if he avoided telling the entire story.
Taking a deep breath, he started with what he knew as the beginning of events. "Your betrothed came to my study a few days ago. The day before that unfortunate business with Faroth," he clarified, pausing only to remove a bit of flint from his pack before continuing. "She and her sister and their niece. They came to speak with me baring...quite an intriguing, but strange story."
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Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 5:44 pm
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"No...I don't suppose she would have," Rais muttered, half to himself. Well, it seemed that they'd been true to their word, at least on that account. They'd told no other of any of this before coming to him. Not even their...no, he had no proof of the others. Only that Luna had said nothing to Mo.
Stacking some small kindling around the base of the firewood, Rais struck the flint a couple of times until a spark took hold of some of the dry leaves. A gentle breath, then another, and the embers spread over the kindling, giving birth to a small fire licking at the base of the larger firewood. The Faun Chieftain settled back, staring at the flames. His hesitation was only making things worse. He was spreading no falsehood. Only relating what he had learned. He had no reason to feel guilty for actions of others.
"They brought me a tale of a mysterious summon, a call to these woods to see something." He reached into his travel cloak at this point and withdrew a parchment. After a moment, he held it out for Mo to take to read for himself. "They claim that they met my mother here...and that she showed them a tree. A new tree...a sapling of Laisidhiel." After a pause, allowing for Mo to read the letter and gather his own thoughts, he added, "They also said that the plans discussed that night included mention that they were to run this new Tree as its leadership. And that they wished to take Faun from Laisidhiel to relocate to this new Tree instead."
Even a brief glance at his expression would have told clearly what he thought of those particular details. Rais' eyes narrowed, staring at the growing fire. "Of course, my mother is still missing, so she can neither verify nor deny these claims herself. I am having trouble believing that she would be a part of such plans and have said no word of them to me. A sapling of Laisidhiel...this would not be trivial news, nor something to hide. If one did exist...then I should have known of it first. We should have known in order to make plans on how to proceed. But this...to learn from someone else..."
He stopped, shaking his head and turning back to Mo. The letter contained the coordinates for the meeting and that was where they were going. It also contained something of more interest to the Chieftain. "On the other hand, if the letter were forged in some way...I can think of few who would know my mother's proper name to sign its validity. I think that troubles me most. There are some details that trouble me while others ring true. Which are which though..."
"Please...do not take this the wrong way, Brother. I ask because I value your insight and advice. I mean no harm. But...you have more dealings with the former princesses than I. Your betrothed. Her sister and niece. I know there were some problems with adjusting to life in Laisidhiel, but...are they truly content there? Or perhaps, do they miss the power they once had? Enough so that they might take the opportunity to reach for it again?"
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Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 6:27 pm
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Mo was quiet for a moment. He waited until the fire was started and Rais began talking further to show any reaction other than confusion and worry.
"A summon?" he then asked, forcing himself to stay here in the moment and not drift off into bewilderment. He took the parchment and eyed Rais briefly before reading it for himself. It was very cryptic. Gave simple instructions and explicit orders to not tell another about any of this.
Well, it sounded familiar, at least. If it was truly written by Rais' mother, then Rais may have actually carried a few of her traits herself.
He rubbed his temple softly and turned his gaze from the note a moment. "There was a few days when Luna, her sister and her niece had... 'disappeared' for a short while. No more than a few days. This was back before all the chaos of the tree being attacked and..." he took a deep breath. "... and other things." He shook his head, looking at the letter again. "She told me that they had just gone off to do a small bit of bonding. They had done little of it since coming to Laisidhiel... Because I saw no fault in that act, I thought it best to not worry you with their little venture. You were dealing with enough already and a small outing between women seemed menial." A part of him ached. He hated the idea of Luna lying to him. However, if the note led to what they say it had and the events were true, then he couldn't exactly blame her.... still... the idea hurt him.
In almost a hurry, he folded up the parchment and seemingly thrust it back at Rais. He seemed to be riding the currents of his emotions as Rais continued. Torn between rage and sorrow. He had thought that there were no secrets between them. She told him practically everything. And he did his best to keep Luna informed of.... well... most things. This trip was likely the one big exception. But the truth of the matter was, he always made sure he knew all the facts before confiding things to her. If he was unaware of something or only knew half of the tale, he'd tell her he had more investigating to do before revealing anything. So that was true.
A new tree though. A child of Laisidhiel... The news of it alone was big! To know that there was another safe-haven..... wait... no.... that would mean leaving their roots. Laisidhiel was the heart and soul of every faun on the island. They couldn't just up and leave it. And to hear that there was talk of Luna going to this new tree to rule again?
To say he was on a roller-coaster was an understatement. He was clearly troubled with how to properly express himself in the moment. He merely shook his head, looking off at the ground somewhere while he processed all this.
When Rais started with 'do not take this the wrong way', Mo's eyes flashed almost warningly towards Rais as he listened. What followed, settled his nerves some. He was only slightly weary that Rais might accuse Luna of treason or something and the whole plot of bringing him so far from the tree was so that he could lock Luna away in the roots and he'd have to go back to explain to his children tha--.... No. No, Rais wasn't that cruel. Mo's thoughts were now making assumptions and darting out of control. He had to focus. He had to come back down to earth and settle his emotions until all questions were answered and he held all the facts.
He exhaled then, seeming to slump where he sat as the query began to process in his thoughts. He calmed enough to answer with exploding or losing his mind.
"From what I had seen - from talking every night with Luna, from what Shining had told me of Cadence's adjusting, and from observing Celestia whenever able - to me I felt as though they were adjusting fine. Yes, they miss their old lives from their island, but they were happy with where they had ended up." He paused a moment. "There were a few times where - Luna especially - the others had confided in either me, or their others that they missed the powers they once possessed, however, not so much in the way you are implying."
He shifted a bit and sat more upright, as if he was about to start up a 'big fish' tale, though Rais would know that Mo told very few - if any - of those. "If you had the power to raise the sun or the moon every day... If Faun relied on you to do so constantly and then it was suddenly gone.... Wouldn't you miss it?" He paused briefly before his voice fell. "To put the perspective more at home... If that explosion we had completely severed any form of communication you had with Laisidhiel herself...." He quickly added more to the concept. "Everyone still looked up to you! Everyone still regarded you as their Chief and you would still be Chief, obviously. You can still see her, live under her branches and see her continue on life as if you had no part in her to begin with.... But you couldn't hear her again. Couldn't feel her presence. Couldn't be reassured that she felt safe... You'd miss it, wouldn't you?"
He let that thought sink in a moment then sighed. "They may miss the power, brother..." he started again, looking into the fire. "But I don't think they'd go through such great lengths to get it back now that they have families and a home with us. Not to mention, those that came with them now have families and homes here too. At this point, who would willingly follow them to this new tree without our blessing?"
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Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 8:04 pm
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Rais listened attentively to the words of his Adviser, weighing his input carefully. He also heard what Mo wasn't saying. The Chieftain knew he'd just dropped a lot of information on his Second and could tell he was reeling. Still, he seemed to be handling himself well enough for the moment. Best to get it all out now and deal with the consequences to follow.
"Would I miss that? Of course, I would. Laisidhiel's voice has always been there, to guide me, advise me, comfort me since birth," Rais answered with quiet calm. "However, I think you misunderstood my meaning, brother. I am little concerned with whatever magical abilities they may or may not have had where they came from." There had been little need ever for him to display the full reach of his own talents, afterall. That wasn't what worried him. "My concern," he continued, "is their power over others' hearts."
"There is unrest in the Tree, as I mentioned in my letter. While this is not new, it is growing." Rais pulled his eyes from the fire to look towards Mo. "These are not admissions I would make lightly, Brother, nor to just any Faun. You talk of 'what ifs' in which I lose my connection to Laisidhiel, yet am still revered as Chief and respected. What about a different 'what if?' One where I retain that connection to the Great Tree, and yet, lose my power over the people that serve her?"
"I am neither blind nor deaf to the murmurs. After all these seasons turned to years, how many of the lost-come-home still hold their loyalty to the princesses first and the Tree second? How many times have I given explicit orders not to do something only to have Faun in mass numbers break that order and do what's forbidden anyway? Not just the Fauny either. Faroth is only the most recent example made; a Faun born and raised in the Tree, yet still brushing aside authority to do as he wished." For the first time since the arrest, he felt a flicker of regret at the memory. Had he needed to be so harsh with his accusations? Throwing out 'traitor' so lightly? Perhaps not...but the boy had the unfortunate luck of being made an example of. His history of disregarding authority had just made him a more likely target in the long run. It needed to be made plain that no one was above the laws, even if intentions were pure.
"Laws are made to protect our people, and yet, they behave as if they are oppressed by them," he growled. "Without laws, we have anarchy. Chaos. Laws are there to keep them safe! I understand that our ways are different from those outside, but different doesn't mean wrong. I fear that is the message being delivered."
Falling quiet and pensive, Rais continued, "You asked who would willingly follow them to this new tree without our blessing? That's the thought that haunts me at night, my brother. Because, I don't know." He turned towards Mo again. "So, I'll ask you the same question. If these women tried to convince Faun to abandon Laisidhiel, and flee for some new tree, one perhaps that they believed more 'free' than their current home...then how many would follow them?"
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Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 8:35 pm
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He listened intently. This was the other side of the coin he wished to observe. Mo liked seeing both sides to a tale and this was just that. Mo saw the longing of what was in the Princesses based on what he'd seen and heard them say. Rais was speaking from a much different angle. He was in a place of power and thus could understand a far deeper pull to maintain such urges that Mo couldn't. Granted, he was second in command, but he refused to think of himself any better than any other faun. He had power, yes. But he didn't let it overrun his heart and mind.
The thing that worried Mo most now...? What if Rais' thoughts were true? What if Luna and the others really missed being in control so much that they'd pick up and leave without question and take many of Laisidhiel's children with them? It would be devastating. Not only to Rais and others of the circle. Not only to the Faun and Fauny children who grew up with so many around them. But also to Mo himself. He couldn't leave Laisidhiel. It was his home. He put way too much time and effort into his role to ever decide to leave. Unless Rais had ordered it, of course, he wouldn't dream of leaving Laisidhiel for a new home. And what of his kids? They'd be torn. The were raised in Laisidhiel's branches. They grew up under the watchful and caring arms of him and Luna both! How would they respond if their mother was to leave and become a ruler somewhere else?
He shook his head. He couldn't think about this anymore. It was hitting far too close to home for him to easily come up with answers.
Which sucked because he was used to having all the answers. And if he didn't have any, he'd delve into it as a project. FIND the answers for himself.
He thought long and hard on Rais' query before he sighed softly in defeat and shook his head. All he kept rounding back to was, "I don't know, brother."
"I, for one would prefer to see if the letter speaks true before we dance more around the 'what ifs'..."
He fell quiet a moment, taking in the cool night air and the sounds that slowly began to wake with the stars.
He cast a glance over at Rais. He was stressed. Shaken and rigid. Not like how he used to be. His eyes squinted and his head tilted with a mild bit of curiosity.
"Forgive me for prying, brother... and, also for changing the subject." he started, holding up a hand a bit to make sure he worded himself correctly.
"But.... Have you seen anyone since Belvah? Like, possible relationship ooor... maybe just for one night you -- ...." Yeah. Screw words. Words were hard now. He only hoped Rais would easily put together what he was trying to say and complete the sentence for him.
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