[006] Truthiness

[brynkitten]

~Part One[It had been a few days since Bryn had gone on her late night stroll around the Keep grounds, and a bit longer still since she had confessed to Alex her secret. Surprisingly, nothing had gone wrong. Alex had greeted her news with joy, and most of the other guests she had run into in her other form had been rather pleasant, if not

Comments

[dontgiveafock]

[When Bryn arrived, Joe was out the back. Pipe between his lips and hunched over the vegetable patch, the man was carefully selecting what would be used in the coming meal. To the side was a basket of what he'd already picked out, carrots and potatoes, lettuce and tomato.

Hands covered in dirt, the Keep cook was lost in thought when Bryn arrived.]

[brynkitten]

[It took a little searching, but soon enough Bryn found Joe out in the garden. Considering how long it had been since she'd last seen him, Bryn was filled with an incredibly sense of rightness that he was back in his kitchens. Of course, Bryn felt a few other things at seeing him again, but she quickly locked that down before approaching him.]

Hello, Joe.

[Bryn smiled, at this moment happier to see him than she was nervous about what she was about to tell him.]

[dontgiveafock]

[He looked up with a start at the sound of her voice, surprised at someone being there without his noticing. Joe really needed to start paying more attention to his surroundings.

He stood, dusting his hands on his pants as he went and flashed her a grin.]

Bryn! S'been a while since I seen you, lass. How are ya?

[brynkitten]

I'm good, I'm...I'm doing well enough.

[She paused a beat, and decided dancing around getting to the point didn't do anything for her nerves, and plunged straight ahead.]

I hope you don't mind but...do you have a moment? To talk?

[dontgiveafock]

[Joe paused a moment, eyes narrowing a fraction in thought before he gave a nod.]

Fer you Bryn? I got all the time in the world.

[He picked up the basket of what was picked, knowing full well he could return for more later should he need it. Dinner was still a while away anyway.]

We can head inside if you'd like.

[brynkitten]

[She'd been slowly coming out of her shell more the last few weeks, and another time she might have tried to reply in a way that was clever and witty, but instead she just smiled gratefully. With a nod, she started slowly moving toward the door to the kitchens.]

Thank you, I appreciate it. I...I have a record I was going to make this afternoon but I wanted to speak with you before I did, considering all things.

[dontgiveafock]

[His brow furrowed in confusion. Joe couldn't help but wonder just what Bryn was going to say that was important enough to speak to him first. Following along, Joe ditched the basket on one of the benches and pulled up a seat at the carved table.]

Everythin' alright?

[Without knowing for sure what's going on, Joe kicked straight into worry mode.]

[brynkitten]

[Oh dear, she didn't want him worrying. Noting that change in expression, she rushed to reassure him.]

Oh yes, of course. I...I just...[Bryn took a deep breath.] Some time ago, when I was upset, you came by my room and we talked and...you asked me if I was a shifter.

[Bryn looked him in the eye now, seeming somewhat guilty, but it wouldn't do to apologize without giving him that much.]

And I don't know if you believed me when I told you no, and I'm sorry, but I lied. [She chewed on her lip briefly, nervously, and rushed on.] I really am sorry, I didn't mean to deceive you but I promise I...I had good reasons. At the time, in any case.

[dontgiveafock]

[Joe breathes a relieved sigh and leaned forward to rest his elbows on the table. He listened to her talk, watching in silence and gave a nod. Joe smirked.]

S'alright. Don't go stressin' that pretty head of yours worryin' about upsetting me. I know you had reasons for stayin' quiet. Gotta say looking back, it was a bit of a dick move for me to ask.

[He understood the importance of secrets all to well.]

So uh... just what do ya shift into?

[brynkitten]

[It's with obvious, visible relief that Bryn sighs, letting her eyes drop to her hands as she rests them on the table, opposite of Joe. She's pleased enough to not even flush that much at the word "pretty."]

It wasn't. We're friends after all and...it's natural to be curious. At least, I think so.

[Bryn looked up and looking somewhat proud, she continued.]

A cougar. It's how I got the deer in the forest. You see, before I came here, I had been living in my other form. It's why I'm telling you now because I miss it. I haven't been human for such a long stretch of time since I was seventeen...[She pauses.] It seemed best if I made it clear that no one had to fear me, especially after what happened with Alex. But I didn't want to do so without at least apologizing for lying and not telling you the truth. It wouldn't have been right for you to find out the other way.

[dontgiveafock]

[Joe nodded.]

I figured it'd be somethin' like that. Those deer are quick little blighters an' a kill as clean as you managed is what had me wonderin'. [He smiles.] I'd be a fockin' hypocrite to be mad with ye, Bryn. Not that I been lyin', just in the keepin' things quiet.

[Joe meets her gaze.]

There's a few things I'd tell you if I only could.

[brynkitten]

The appeal of fresh venison overrode my ability to think carefully about the questions it might raise.

[She gave him an embarrassed sort of smile.]

But...if you need an ear or anything, I have two of them, you know. Or if you really can't then well...if there's anything I can do, please just let me know.

[dontgiveafock]

[There was a lot that he would tell her, as well as a few others in the Keep, but Joe knew that the rules had been set in place for a reason.

Besides, going against only gained more scars for his back.]

Much appreciated, Bryn. Know that the offer runs the same from this side, aye?

[brynkitten]

[She nodded immediately.]

I do know. It's...why I'm talking now.

[Bryn offers him a small, but subdued sort of smile.]

I wasn't raised to talk about my problems or things like this with anyone, so it's just...taken a while to get used to doing so.

[And in a weird way, it feels good to get everything out now. She realizes somewhat belatedly that she's had no one to talk to about any of this. Everything happened so quickly, and then she was alone for three years, and now here...]

[dontgiveafock]

[The man smirks and ducks his head a little.]

Gotta say I'm pretty flattered that yer comin' to me.

[He slouched back where he sat, arms hooking on the back of the chair.]

Take it all at yer own pace, lass. There's no rush to be tellin' people anything or diggin' up the past. M'here if you ever need me, and I reckon there's more than a few in the Keep who're willing to offer an ear.

[brynkitten]

[Bryn doesn't know why it would be flattering for her to come to him about this. She can't quite figure out what he means by it...]

I know there's no rush or anything I just--it was time. It is time, for me anyway. I've had to keep it all to myself for the longest time, and just keep to myself for an even longer period. I just...

[Bryn paused a beat, hoping this didn't sound stupid. Was she talking too much?]

It all just makes me feel like there's this distance and I don't want that with people.

[And that's the best way she knows how to explain that she wants deeper connections with her friends. Of course now that Bryn's said so much, exposed so much of what she's thinking and feeling, she wonders if she's rambling a bit and promptly shuts her mouth. Wringing her hands a bit at her admission, she looks down at her feet.]