047

[danceofrapture]

...ha.
I guess I was stupid for thinking you'd stay, huh? Nothing stays here.

Even so.

I'm really grateful for the time you were here. Thanks. Thanks for everything, from all of us.

I made too much for dinner. Too many empty plates
Does anyone want any food? It'd be silly to let it go to waste!

Comments

[dynast_queen]

We cannot know for sure.

Not yet.

[danceofrapture]

How long are we supposed to wait?

[dynast_queen]

Longer. You will set his place at table.

[danceofrapture]

Wouldn't it feel worse to stare at an empty seat?

I'd rather have the joy of fussing over him and cooking something special when he comes wandering in the door.
...clothes all askew and hair sticking in all directions.

[dynast_queen]

It is not empty. It is his.

I'll not be fought on this, Penelo. This is the work of...something else. The Shepherd, maybe, to get to me.

[danceofrapture]

Or maybe this is Rivelata, and people come and go as if they were on a carosel!

[dynast_queen]

People, yes. Not him.

[danceofrapture]

He's gone before, too, Princess.

For all of our sakes, I'm glad it was not violent this time.

[dynast_queen]

We do not know for sure.

[danceofrapture]

Okay.

Just...
Please don't do anything rash?

[dynast_queen]

[There's a long pause before she writes again.]

Nothing rash.

[danceofrapture]

Promise?

[dynast_queen]

...of course, Penelo. Worry not. I just need time to think.

[danceofrapture]

I...
I don't know how I'm going to tell Larsa. He was here for both of us for so long.

[dynast_queen]

Perhaps that is a job for the both of us.

[danceofrapture]

Probably. He'll know soon enough either way.