Tahi melted a little bit. Holding himself together for so long was exhausting. "I told you I'd follow your lead," he said, an edge of hurt in his voice. Tahi-shei, by contrast, felt quite a lot like he'd been left out to dry. But he shook his head, too tired to really start a fight. "No mention of a stone, no. Not in my original contract, anyway."

He glanced back into the bones, quite certain that the Collector could still hear him -- it wouldn't make sense for him to have actually left, in case another contract arose. He raised his voice slightly. "I assume if he had a problem with that, he'd say something before I go to all the trouble."


@pride

Pride peered a little blankly at Tahi-shei. "'Follow my lead-?' That... was unclear, I am sorry. I had thought you meant in general." Like Tahi-shei, he did not know if the Collector might overhear; and so he waited until they were farther from the area before speaking, quietly.

"I would have taken him up on his offer and simply chosen a foolish, simply contract, since he said 'any,' but since he is the one who seems to decide the prices I think that might have backfired terribly if I had tried it. Perhaps this is for the best."

He shook his head, gently, and then eyed Tahi-shei again. "...Are you all right?" he asked, wondering how the deer was holding up.

@Tahi-shei

Tahi-shei shook his head. "No, I wouldn't have let you. Devil's in the details, right? He said any contract he wished," Tahi-shei replied. "I was hoping my plan would work, but apparently he wasn't in a mood to humor me." He laughed, a little hysterical -- a little panicked.

Pride's question struck him, and snapped him out of his stupor a little bit. The young stag sighed and he stood up straighter, shaking himself out a little bit. "... I will be," Tahi said, considering everything for a moment. "Once this is all over."


@pride

Pride thought about this, for a moment--briefly puzzled--and shook his head. "He said that he would accept any sort of contract from me, so I presume he meant of my choice, but it is true that it wasn't clarified. Still, likely he'd have had to accept the terms; it was a gamble." He glanced down at Tahi-shei, then, and nodded.

"I am sorry it did not free you from it, but at least it isn't as dire as it might be. If there is anything else that I can do, please let me know, hm?"

@Tahi-shei

Tahi dipped his head lightly to Pride, but he didn't really have much else to say. "I will. Thank you." His voice came a little hollow, not quite full of the vibrancy Pride might have been used to. Finally, Tahi-shei cleared his throat and nodded towards the exit to Canis. They lived in the same cave, after all. "... Shall we?"

A part of him considered talking to Pride about what he'd said regarding the Seven -- about formally asking to join, about giving over that part of himself. But honestly, right now? Tahi-shei didn't feel very much like he measured up. Maybe he'd get over it in time, or maybe he never would... but the fresh teeth of this were still buried in his shoulder, and even as he tried to think of ways to relieve himself of the burden of this, one thing was clear -- someone would have to die, and no matter what happened, he would feel responsible.

Tahi started absentmindedly towards the exit, whether Pride was following him or not. He wasn't really in the mood to talk.

@pride
/exit tahi-shei

Pride dipped his head, but was mostly lost in thought. He made his way alongside Tahi-shei, planning, in his mind--but there wasn't much to work out. He'd provide the other deer support, at least; perhaps whatever little safe haven he could provide.

"You may stay with us as long as you need, of course," he told him, escorting him at an unhurried pace.

The Collector was... questionable. Means. Methods. Most of all, motivation.

How was he able to do what he did, and how exactly did he do it; more importantly, why? What was his angle? If he were 'just' a businessman, would he not be out to improve his own lot each time; to come out a little ahead on every deal..?

What was done was done, though; Tahi-shei's decisions were his own. Pride felt a little foolish for marching out to Canis for what amounted to nothing, but in the end it was not his choice to make.

exit Pride