steepwithdead | Folkmore

Considering its a crack on my chest plates, yeah, I'm not going anywhere. I'll try my best to not argue with Donnie too much. Can't make too many promises on that front.

All the wolves originated here from what I've seen. The train would be a safer option. Just be safe?

Safer than me anyway.

You can just put the relic down, you know. Walking away is always an option. Well, spiritually speaking.

[If he's in this bad a shape, walking is ill-advised unless necessary.]

Last I checked, the wolves couldn't fly. Worst case scenario, I can get myself airborne.

Yeah, yeah, I know. I won't get into it rn, but, he's being so Donnie about things.

Given some of them are us turned into wolves, I wouldn't put it past them to fly somehow.

That sounds like a "better get into it later" thing, though.

Is that what's happening? They're turning others into their own?

Yeah. I'm trying to spare you some of my family drama. Casey and I got it on lock.

I think so. The wolf had.... the cape I gave this kid a month or two ago. I don't think it would just have that randomly.

Alright. But you know where to find me.

[He'll leave it alone, spare Leonardo the drama for now.]

I see. That's troublesome. I'd assume it's temporary due to the trial, but there ought to be a way to reverse the effect.

Yeah, I do. I'm just... so tired. Of this feeling. I don't want to be upset by the time Casey comes by.

I hope so. The fox wouldn't just leave us to our own devices on this, right? This is just a kid.

Ignoring it won't help you feel any better.

The fox makes decisions according to her whims. The wellbeing of children matters very little. Still, there should be a way to reverse it.

Me being upset will make Casey upset on a topic we're both already upset about. He's going to be stapling my chest cavity back together. We both need to be calm as possible.

We should ask around to see what could turn people back.

That's fine, but after he's done that, you'll lose your excuse.

You rest up and worry about recovering. I can do some investigating on that one.

C'mon, I have at least several more excuses. They cracked me like n egg, Caduceus. An egg.

Alright, thank you. I appreciate it.

Is that why your sensibilities are leaking out?

[You came to him for therapy FIRST, this friendship is multi-faceted.]

You're welcome.

Yes. Along with everything else. If Donnie blocks me on his damn phone, I will start crying. I need to keep it together.

I'd like to solve the problem, but, I'm probably gonna be on 'lay the fuck down, idiot' duty.

There's nothing wrong with crying. Especially when terrible things happen. But if he blocks you and you need to find him and break down a door or two, let me know.

If you lay down without resisting, the "idiot" will be unnecessary.

I thought I had cried myself dry by now, but Donnie likes proving me wrong. How can I help someone who doesn't want help? Fuck. He's somewhere in Draxum's lab...? I don't know where that is. I'll keep you updated though. Right now, he just... won't talk to me anymore.

Finally, I drop the idiot title.

There's no such thing as crying yourself dry. More tears will always come. But save a few for joy as well as sorrow. And give him some time. Coming to terms with a life after death is a daunting thing. He needs to rediscover his will to live.

Tears of joy feel few and far between sometimes. I hope you're right. Hopefully time works better than anything else. I don't know what else to do right now.

Thank you. I'd apologize for all of this, but, I think you'd tell me it wasn't needed.

Few is not the same as none. It's early, yet. Give yourself grace and patience. The joy will grow.

I'd definitely tell you that. It's a rare thing that you should need to apologize for what you earnestly feel.

[If it was something like unwarranted hatred, maybe. But people who feel that way generally don't apologize.]

I'll try to remember that. Feels rough right now.

We'll see if I remember that later.

Thank you, again, for hearing me out. Casey should be here soon. I'll talk to you later? I need to pull myself together for both our sakes.

It's alright to forget sometimes. Friends are for many things, and one of them is to remind you that good things exist. Should you forget again, I'll find you.

[It's a promise and a threat.]

Alright. Let me know if you need anything, please.

[Having an actual friend, someone who likes Leo for himself and not his title or usefulness feels surreal in a way. He hasn't let someone this close in a long time.]

Thankfully, you know where to find me.

I will. I think you're stuck with me now, Caduceus.

Good. I can think of worse fates.

Take care, Leonardo.

[He has no idea how to end the conversation, so Caduceus gets another selfie. Leo giving the relic camera a thumbs up. He still has his metal arm on at this point, so, he can manage this.

He looks absolutely awful and tired, but he's actually sort of smiling.]

[It takes about ten minutes, but Leonardo receives a responding photo!

-of a mahogany panelled wall. With a furry thumb half over the lens.

....

points for effort?]

[oh no, Cad is meeting all his standards.]

Folkmore | IC Contact

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I HAD TO