:3

[discomfort]

Comments

[verminous]

I think I will, probably. I've survived worse. Just gonna be an adjustment that I'll need to think about.

[he's hesitated to bring it up, but:]

And I won't ask you yet, since I can't leave yet to begin with, but... well, you know I've obviously got my eye on maybe coming here.

[discomfort]

... I know.

[ he goes quiet after that, until he finally stops walking. ]

I might as well be upfront about it, since you will find out eventually since you are here. I no longer have my inn.

[verminous]

Oh-- right, you said you needed to close it down for a while...

[and that it had been On Fucking Fire, which was the more concerning part!!

gregor pauses with him.]

So did you decide against trying to open it back up-? What're you doing, if you don't have it?

[discomfort]

It is extremely destroyed! The time it would take to reopen would be, hm... a while?

[ so like, still possible, but. it will not be any time remotely soon. ]

... ah, well. Things.

[verminous]

Owner...

[this is about what he expected but come on. c'mon.]

I know you don't eat and sleep, and all, but surely you're at least living somewhere, 'ne?

[discomfort]

Not particularly, no.

[ he'll be honest about it. ]

But I am able to manage fine.

[verminous]

-wait, have you just been out here alone?

[discomfort]

Butterfly is around, but I am trying to get him to have more experiences away from me.

[ he needs to leave the nest... ]

[verminous]

Just two of you? I thought you mentioned having more staff than that... I mean, I guess they don't work for you if there's no workplace, but I'd have figured...

[that more than one person might be around.]

[discomfort]

A lot happened after I left the ship. All one can do is adjust and keep going, even when things are less familiar.

[ he starts walking again. ]

In any case, I had a feeling things would end up like this. It is one reason why I was hesitant in agreeing to let you come with me, if you could only go to one place.

[verminous]

[hmm. he pauses a moment on hearing that, even while owner starts walking, but catches up in a few hurried steps.]

You realize that would've made me want to come here more, right-- didn't you? Did you not, or did you just not want that to happen?

[discomfort]

I did not want you to be concerned.

[ again, the only reason he is even admitting to this now is that it is likely going to come up at some point, so it felt better to just admit to it before gregor finds out on his own. ]

[verminous]

I was concerned about you anyway.

[a little shake of his head.]

It wouldn't have just been... out of concern. It would've been because I just didn't want you to have to be alone.

[discomfort]

It is not really something that I mind, Gregor.

[ he reaches over to poke him on the shoulder. ]

I am okay. And delighted to get to spend time with you!

[verminous]

Fine, fine, I'll just mind it for you then...

['that's not how it works' it is now!]

-I am too, though. Glad you didn't make me track you down after all.

[discomfort]

... it would have been funny.

[ don't just admit it ]

[verminous]

See, this is exactly why I halfway figured I was gonna have to.

[BECAUSE OWNER WOULD THINK IT WAS FUNNY]

[discomfort]

We can redo this from the beginning and you can look for me.

[ hide and seek!!! for no reason!!! ]

[verminous]

[pretending to consider this....

and then curling an arm around him.]

We could, but let's not, yeah?

[discomfort]

Ah. Yes, mo--

[ he covers his mouth with his hand, laughing quietly. ]

[verminous]

Again-?! I'm not even doing anything!

[NOOOO DON'T MOM HIM]

[discomfort]

It is the... how did the kids put it? The vibe.

[ his youthful slang knowledge that he rarely uses.

they are much closer to the buildings now though. city! ]

[verminous]

Now, that just doesn't sound right from you.

[(owner voice) oomfie has big babygirl vibes fr

city though!! gregor is looking ahead curiously, peering at it.]

You spend much time here?

[discomfort]

I can be hip if I want to be.

[ only people not hip would say things like that. ]

Mm, yes, even when my inn was active. It is how I found a lot of guests!

[ sometimes you wander around and invite people over :) ]

[verminous]

Ask a teenager about that.

[there's no way in hell.]

So you still had to do some advertising, eh?