A moment of angst for the leper.

[name_of_thorn]

*When the tutor arrives at the house, Thorn is nowhere in the house. He is in fact, not even on the grounds, as any immediate search will reveal. He knew what time the tutor was coming, and was very excited about it the day before, albeit understandably nervous. His earlier question to the Nexus might have something to do with his absence, but even

Comments

[leela1]

Leela had sent the tutor away hours ago, and had helped Tom pick up the dishes after supper. Then she'd walked down to the lake to sit and think some more about things. Worried about Thorn, missing Kadaj, even the conversation with Deacon running through her head. Finally cold, she begins walking back up to the chateau, anxious to get to the warmth of the sheltered garden. Just off the path, in the light of the dying sun she sees him curled up and quiet. She hesitates, torn between wanting to comfort him and not wanting to interupt his solitude. Finally, she whispers. "Thorn? Hey, are.. are you alright?"

[name_of_thorn]

*He looks up very slowly, his expression flat apart from his eyes, which are intense with emotion. He does not appear to have been crying, but he looks very tired. His voice comes out a bit choked and he has to clear his throat to make himself sound more normal.* "Oh... 'M sorry... I wos just... I din't want to 'urt nothing in the garden and... 'm sorry..." *He looks down again, guilt creeping into his face as he recalls today's appointment.*

[leela1]

"Hey, it's ok Thorn. Really. She'll be back, not a problem. Just kinda.." She hesitated. "Thorn, you missed dinner. We.. that is I, I mean Tom and Matthew and I.. we was worried about you." She takes a hesitant step forward, trying to see him better, trying to sort of his face from the deep shadows surrounding him.

"Come on Thorn, come in side. Please? It's getting cold out here." And almost in response to her words the wind whistles through the trees, sending a flurry of fresh snow off the branches onto the ground nearby.

((must clean room and sleep early tonight, unfortunately. Responses are prob going to be spotty. Sorry!))

[name_of_thorn]

"'M sorry..." *He sighs and gets to his feet wearily, rubbing his face.* "I... I din't mean to snap at ye earlier, if I did... don't remember... in the Nexus..." *He worries his lip, where there is already dried blood. He seems to be struggling to hold back his own emotions, striving to be nothing more than apologetic and formal. The struggle is quite clear, and even when he studies the ground to avoid her gaze she can see the turbulent emotions in his eyes. This is the man who did not cry for Anna, who waited by her bedside, who did what he felt needed to be done without regard for himself.* "'M sorry... 's ungrateful of me, not coming back like that, I din't mean no disrspect to ye, or the teacher."