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[twocomplex]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, COIN PRINCE. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 097.26.245.13 *** Coin Prince has joined 097.26.245.13 <Coin Prince> And how secure is this communication, really? <Coin Prince> Well, go on then, let's speak.

Comments

[averagemedium]

[He's just pausing for breath when Mattias interrupts, and it keeps him from continuing on-- the lack of response from Mattias has him fearing the worst and worrying over him more all at once, and he can't say the diversion is completely unwelcome.]

...I did, yeah.

[Ryan glances behind him and gestures to Oren, beckoning; maybe it'll help, he hopes. You can't really go wrong with small adorable animals, can you?]

Come on, you don't have to hang back like that-

[noctiphile]

He's so small.

[And a welcome distraction. There's a canyon between he and Ryan that he doesn't want to discuss. He beckons to the deer in the only way he knows how, lowering his hand to its level.]

To think, I don't usually care for animals. Where did you find him?

[As he waits for the answer, he clicks his tongue and rubs his fingers together. Maybe it'd catch the deer's attention.]

Come now, come here. I won't harm you. We're practically relatives, aren't we?

[twocomplex]

[Cautiously, he looks to Ryan as he takes his next few steps forward. He should have known that turning into a deer was odd enough to throw Mattias off, even if he turned into an animal himself. What kind of deer would he expect Oren to look like? Nothing so small, he hopes.

There's no good to come of interrupting this with reality. Instead, he gives in to the role, letting his tail flick a few times behind him as he trots over and nuzzles into Mattias' hand.

Go on, then. Distract yourself. I won't say a thing.]

[averagemedium]

[He shoots Oren a quick, grateful look, with a small smile and a smaller nod, rubbing behind his little deer ears before he turns his attention back to Mattias.]

He came along with me, on the way here.

[It isn't a lie. Not the truth, but he tells himself that at least he isn't outright fabricating things.

Ryan's not sure that makes him feel any better, though.]

Pretty cute though, huh? I just couldn't say no.

[A million questions run through his mind-- aren't you cold? Are you all right? Will you come back with me?-- but right now, he can't bring himself to ask them.]

[noctiphile]

It's like I said, I'm usually not one for animals...

[The deer's hair isn't soft. It's coarser, close to a goat's hair than a dog's or his own, but it doesn't seem to dissuade Mattias. He smiles at it, running his hand down its spine. The hair is wet and he finds himself wondering if it's cold. He offers it extra warmth, guiding it close to his own body. Well, the horse part of it.]

... but yes. It's cute.

[Soothing as well, to feel a heartbeat so close to him and the heat of another living thing. The petting is therapeutic, calming him enough that speaking to Ryan somehow seems manageable again.]

How long were you looking for me?

[twocomplex]

[Cute... They're both calling him cute?? His ears flick, partially annoyed, but the sudden way he's pulled into Mattias' side is too distracting to focus on it for long. His whole body shivers at the first pet, causing him to shake from his head down to his tail— and that does even more damage to his pride.

At least he'll be staying silent.]

[averagemedium]

[Oren gets a sympathetic glance-- sorry about your tiny, adorable problem-- before his eyes flick back to Mattias.]

...I'm not sure. I tried to follow you when you left, as far as I could go, but-- I couldn't make it far enough.

[Ryan's eyes drop to his lap, fixed on his fidgeting hands. It's hard to make eye contact when he isn't sure what he'll see on Mattias's face; he does try though, every several seconds. Glances up briefly, drops it again.]

I had to turn back and try again, I-

I'm sorry it took so long, Mattias. I worried about you the whole time.