Fade Rift: Inbox

[keenly]

you know what to do

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[muckspout]

Edgard puts his hand to his forehead.

"See, we are not on the same page at all. A horse is nothing like a griffon. Meetings will clear this up."

[keenly]

Fine. He won't take a hint, Colin has to get Fereldan with him.

"We're not having meetings," he says patiently. "If you want on the same page with me, get on the same page with me: we don't need meetings, we will alternate days taking care of her, and you're going to stop over-complicating all of this and trust that I do know what I'm talking about. Are we clear?"

He smiles sweetly and doesn't wait for an answer before returning to his work.

[muckspout]

Edgard watches this whole speech quietly and when Colin turns his back, he folds his arms over his chest.

"Non." It is firm and stubborn. Edgard looms.

He doesn't look like he's leaving.

[keenly]

Another smile.

"That's fine, because I wasn't really asking. I've got work to do. Good day."

[muckspout]

Edgard sighs. He is actually baffled by this turn of events.

"Have I offended you, Maman?"

He knows he has, but doesn't understand how.

[keenly]

"You have," Colin says pleasantly, without looking up from his work. "Are you going to listen if I tell you how?"

[muckspout]

Edgard doesn't know what to make of this side of Colin. He sits down on a box nearby.

"Yes." He says simply.

[keenly]

There we go. Some of the Utterly Pleasant hackles lower as Colin sees Edgard is finally listening.

"You came into my apothecary and interrupted my work to inform me that you were personally changing my schedule. When I told you, speaking from my experience caring for a griffon, that that wasn't necessary, you told me I didn't know what I was talking about. And I don't think you've even bothered to learn my name."

[muckspout]

Edgard's eyes widen. Unbelievable. He takes a deep breath. He pauses a moment and then says,

"I came to tell you that we were now sharing responsibility for Sunbeam, something I thought you'd be happy about. I asked to meet you at another time to not interrupt your work. I was not trying to say you don't know how to take care of Sunbeam, I am aware you do, which is why at the meeting I was going to suggest we work up to alternate days, so as not to confuse or overwhelm her who is used to seeing you every day. I also think it would be a good idea to have the meetings to make sure there is consistency. Griffons are not like horses, they are more sensitive."

He folds his hands in his lap and then adds, "Colin."

[keenly]

A somewhat more genuine smile.

"Much better. That's considerably more explaining your thinking and considerably less of running me over with an apple cart. Working up to alternate days is a good idea. Meetings once a month, with an option in between depending on how she's doing?"

[muckspout]

Edgard scrunches up his face. He still doesn't understand what he did wrong or why it's better that he explain what he was thinking when he suggested the meeting specifically to not interrupt him. Also, why isn't it better that Sunbeam have two parents? Isn't that always better? He doesn't understand this man at all. Colin's tone puts him off a bit, but this is the outcome he wanted.

"Yes. Good."

He stands up and moves toward the door. "Goodbye, Maman."

Don't think you can weasel your way out of that nickname.

[keenly]

"Wait."

[muckspout]

Edgard stops. "Yes?"

[keenly]

"Only a madman would think I was saying griffons are exactly like horses. The main difference I find is that they are much more independent. And if you can't respect what I say on the matter, then the next meeting won't go any better than this one. So. What's going to change?"

[muckspout]

Edgard sputters and flinches like he's been slapped.

"Well, I'm a madman because that's what I thought you said." He gestures helplessly. "I am sorry I offended you. Things seemed to go better when I repeated what I said." He stops and thinks. He's trying! Reflection is very hard for him and this was a confusing interaction.

"I don't know, but I will try to listen." He says the next in a softer tone. "I hope you will listen too. Sometimes I have bad ideas. But, I have good ones too."

[keenly]

"That's why I agreed to the good ones." Most of the rest of the tension goes out of him. Good enough. A bit of a sigh. "Honestly, I'm really glad about this. Work keeps me from spending as much time with her as I'd like, and I know she could use as much exercise as possible. They're very athletic."

[muckspout]

So, now he's happy about it? This man is extremely complicated and confusing. But, Edgard accepts this and nods.

"I'm glad." He awkwardly shifts. "I'll see you soon then. Goodbye, Maman."

He walks toward the door.

[sulahnan]

And Athessa walks through it, scribbling something into a journal, and right into Edgard. She looks about as shocked as someone would after walking into a wall after she rebounds a step, blinking.

[muckspout]

Edgard steps back a little, surprised, and dips his head to her.

"Athessa." He steps to the side.

[keenly]

Colin gives Athessa a somewhat glum look that he punctures with a disheartened smile.

"Bye, Edgard," he sighs, feeling drained.

[sulahnan]

In the same tone one would expect her to acknowledge Edgard with his name as he did hers, she says: "Worm," and steps past him.

"Hey, Col', d'you know anything about brewing mead?"

[muckspout]

Edgard moves his hand to the door and does a double take.

"Did you just call me worm?"

[keenly]

Colin immediately pretends to be so engrossed in what he’s doing that he has no idea what’s going on in front of him.

[sulahnan]

Athessa rolls her eyes and turns.

"Maybe if you cleaned out your ears you'd be able to hear better. Yes, I called you worm."

[muckspout]

Edgard makes an incredulous gesture at this open hostility. What is her problem?

"Why?" He asks flatly.