(Untitled)

[licensed_pro]

Charlie....isn't himself today. After a slow morning, mostly occupied with cleaning and light but time consuming things like showering and deciding to face people, he came out, but bypassed the bar entirely in favor of the lake. It being a fairly grey day, the place was less than highly occupied, so he was alone as far as he could see, sitting

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[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy has been out getting some fresh air, and spots Charlie near the lake.

"You okay?" he asks gently, as he wanders over there.

[licensed_pro]

"Oh, yeah." Charlie tosses out a smile as he looks up at Guppy. "Why wouldn't I be?"

He goes back to looking at the lake, and the occasional rabbit that sniffed around at the edge of the water.

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy sits down next to him. He doesn't want to be too forward, given they've only met once. But if Charlie's only been here a week or so and is Bound, chances are he doesn't know anyone that well.

"First time I got Bound, it really got to me." he says gently. "But far as I know, everyone gets out eventually."

[licensed_pro]

"Yeah, that's what I'm told. It's not that bad, I'm supposing....at least it's not the worst thing that could happen." He smiled at Guppy, and though it failed to be entirely bright at least it was something.

"So, you're not, I'm assuming. Bound."

[guppy_sandhu]

"Not at the moment. But I have been several times."

He tried to escape the first time, most unsuccessfully.

"Fancy a drink? I'll buy."

[licensed_pro]

He laughed lightly at that. "No, thanks. I've had enough to drink, the last few days. but thanks for the offer."

Charlie looked up and folded his arms over his knees, giving Guppy a considering look. "So what brings you out here?"

[guppy_sandhu]

"I needed some fresh air." Guppy says with a small smile, perhaps a little embarrassed. "Sometimes stress gets the better of me."

[licensed_pro]

"It happens. You alright?" Charlie recognizes that look, the faintly embarrassed. He lays a hand on his shoulder with a light grin.

"You should get a worry stone. They work....even if they're a little out of date."

[guppy_sandhu]

"Yeah, I've been a lot worse. Thanks."

Slight smile to reassure Charlie; when Guppy is really panicking, it's very visible.

"Alexander is fine, but he has good days and less good days, and it's hard when you know exactly what all the moniters mean, you know? I have problems with anxiety, have done for a while, but the baby is really sensitive to it so whenever I get wound up I have to go out of the room."

[licensed_pro]

Charlie gives him a sideways sort of hug, more a squeeze than anything else. "It sounds like a hard time. I wouldn't know, as I don't have kids, but..." He grins a little at Guppy's explanation.

"If you ever need a card partner, let me know. I'd like to help you how I can, since you've got to be taking care of a kid soon." He gave a wink that managed to be not entirely sexual. "Better relax while you can."

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy appreciates the squeeze, and gives Charlie a small one in return.

"Thanks. I'm not sure what a card partner is, but I think we'll get by. It's just the fact that he's so delicate at the moment. I mean... not every kid born at his age of gestation will survive, and that's really hard because even when he's doing well... you have nightmares."

Small smile. "I'm sorry, I didn't come over here to burden you with my worries. Is there anything I can do for you?"

[licensed_pro]

Charlie shakes his head with a tiny smile. "Someone to play cards with, generally." He listened to the man talk, leaning back against the tree--it was big enough to support a small crowd of people, and probably him if he'd had the mind to climb up. "Yeah....even where I'm from we have some of those problems. I'm always a little amazed around kids. They're all so tiny. But I'm glad he's doing good."

He returns the small smile, closing his eyes and leaning his head back on a sigh. "No....I'm good, just listening."

[guppy_sandhu]

"Oh, I see, sorry. I'm not very good at cards, but as long as it's not gambling, I'm game."

He looks at Charlie for a moment, then decides that perhaps listening to someone else's problems is distracting the man a bit.

"You're a really nice guy." He says after that moment. "There aren't many who'd be so friendly to a guy they only met once, and I really appreciate it."

[licensed_pro]

He chuckles quietly at Guppy's assessment, looking over at him. "Thanks. It's what I do."

It's not so much that listening to someone else's issues distracts him, as much as it is that he uses that as an excuse to completely ignore what he's been thinking about. It works.

[guppy_sandhu]

"Have you met many people here yet?" Guppy asks, leaning back against the tree tiredly.

[licensed_pro]

"A fair few, now..." He watches the man lean back and rests a hand on his shoulder. "Tired?"

He'd offer rubbing his shoulders, since he looks like he needs it, but knowing his job he doesn't much think it'd be accepted if he did.