034 - Huckleberry

[deadly_ned]

So...Alpha's gone. Left and graduated and I. I'm proud of him.

But I didn't actually know if I should continue to help run the pub because really I was only doing it because he took an interest and honestly I don't mind either way but it seems sort of lonely and sad now without him and maybe I should just go back to my kitchen but I don't...know. So if anyone else wanted it...?

Sorry. This isn't something I should be bothering the Barge about.

I guess I just need to. Wait and see.

I never realized this before but unpairing can be lonely.

Comments

[spam]

[deadly_ned]

An opportunity to go back home and see what I've missed?

[spam]

[fridgetothefire]

An opportunity to go not miss it.

[spam]

[deadly_ned]

What if I miss something here while I'm not missing something over there?

[spam]

[fridgetothefire]

The sooner you go, the sooner you'll be back.

And the point of waiting for Alpha to graduate was because if he needed you, you absolutely couldn't miss it. Right?

[spam]

[deadly_ned]

Right.

But I.

What if I stay away years? And come back changed?

[spam]

[fridgetothefire]

Then I guess you'll have a lot of stories to tell all the people who want to get to know you again.

[spam]

[deadly_ned]

You're being blithely optimistic about all of this.

[spam]

[fridgetothefire]

A little. But it's tactical blitheness.

[She softens, in the wake of the half-concession.]

I understand caution, I do, but - you're letting fear keep you from something very, very precious. I hate to see it.

[spam]

[deadly_ned]

I'm not a brave person, Anya. There are things I don't deal with particularly well. Things I won't ever be able to do because fear cripples me.

[spam]

[fridgetothefire]

[Fiercely, quietly, brooking no argument.]

You were brave enough to go save someone in the staggering impossible unknown for her.

You are brave enough to go home.

[spam]

[deadly_ned]

I really...really hope so.