forum “Mystery is art, don’t you know?” (OxO, Mature, Closed)

Started May 29, 2024 by @Serpentess health_and_safety language

tune

Nwalan was unaware that he had fallen behind until he saw Meg coming back to him. That detail caught his attention, and he used that to help refocus himself on the present.

He glanced up in confusion as Meg explained her gift and her thoughts. He then remembered what she’d said earlier, that he was harder to read than most. Oh, he was such an idiot when he was emotional! How could he have forgotten such a vital detail about her gift?

He pushed his thoughts aside as he caught her subtle question. She wanted clarification. Did he dare approach that question? Considering, he had unwittingly overestimated her abilities and just revealed one of his longest kept secrets… No point in hiding it now.

“You are partly accurate. I was meant to be a surrogate for her, an adopted son. I was always closer to Tearion though, yet she was still my mother, my sister. After… certain events… we became fonder of each other. Mother, Sister… Beloved,”Nwalan said, wiping his eyes to better meet Meg’s.

He pointedly avoided explaining what had happened to inspire his relationship with Agatha to grow, as the memories were too painful for him to speak of.

“We were planning to, essentially, elope before she died. I had promised her I would leave anyway, yet I stayed to watch Tearion. He was more devastated than I was…”

Nwalan turned to look back down at the sidewalk.

“I have never told anyone this. Even Tearion was unaware of how we felt for each other,”Nwalan added softly.

(16 cats! I can't imagine that many!)

Meg listened attentively as he explained the depth of his relationship with Agatha. It wasn't exactly surprising to hear the clarification, a part of her had sort of expected it but it was still nice to have confirmation.

She noticed the deliberate omission but didn't press. It wasn't her business. “I’m so sorry.” she nearly whispered, gently squeezing his shoulder, debating if a hug would be welcome. “I’m honored that you shared this secret with me and even though I doubt I’ll meet Tearion, I won’t betray your secret.” she promised.

(I’ve had more, hehehe…)

Nwalan didn’t reply to her apology, but he acknowledged it by laying his hand on hers. He wasn’t sure if he needed a hug or not, but he wouldn’t necessarily refuse one if she offered.

He looked up at Meg again as she spoke, flashing a very brief smile before sighing.

“Tearion be dead. They are all dead. It no longer needs to remain a secret, because I am no longer on the island, and because no one be left to hide it from. Even if I went back and shouted my love for her to everyone, no one would care. Their bloodline be dead. An era has gone,”Nwalan said.

His aristocratic posture, the proud shoulders and tall stance, wilted with melancholy. His bright hair shifted forward, slightly hiding his face.

“And, I could do nothing…”he moaned.

(I’ve only had two cats 😔)

Meg blushed when Amrien mentioned that Tearion was also dead, feeling like it was something he already brought up and that she had forgotten. “Sorry.” she winced.

Seeing him physically fold under the weight of his loss was the breaking point for her. It was all too familiar to her. All the times when she had been alone after losing her father where she had assumed a similar pose… She carefully wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close.

(There’s honestly pros and cons with having so many, especially since they’re all inside at the moment. Lot of lovable fur-babies, but about ten times the chaos lol)

Nwalan gently squeezed her hand at her apology. It was no big deal for him that she seemed to have forgotten that Tearion was dead. The conversation had drifted away from the topic, and she also had little context on who Tearion actually was. There was no reason to get upset about a bit of confusion here and there.

He didn’t know what to do as she started to hug him. But, as she pulled him into her tender embrace, Nwalan found a refuge that he hadn’t even realized he had needed. It had been a long, long time since he’d last been hugged, or comforted in general.

Gently, he wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin against her shoulder as more tears silently drained from his eyes.

“Thank you,”he breathed.

(I can imagine)

“Of course.” Meg nearly whispered, continuing to hold him as long as he needed. She could imagine that because he lost his family, so many people, he hadn't received much support in his time of grief. Even she had had her mom when her dad had died… and didn't think that she could have made it through the loss without her.

It seemed like he chose to travel in an attempt to physically distance himself from his grief. But she knew from experience that the feeling didn't simply go away.

Nwalan closed his eyes, shutting out the world around him in an attempt to calm himself. That didn’t necessarily help, as his ears and telepathy still rang with the sounds of townspeople going about their day. Their happy lives or stressful days.

However, he forced himself to focus on Meg, the gentle way she held him, the longing to ease his pain. She really did remind him of Agatha, and Nwalan wondered if she would’ve turned out like Meg if they’d been able to escape the damned forests. It was a pleasant thought, if one that would never be answered.

A few minutes had passed since their hug began, and Nwalan was finally starting to calm. He gently let go of Meg, wiping the drying tears off his face. He sensed her thoughts, fighting to avoid another wave of emotions at how close to home they were.

“You are more accurate than you likely realize. I left to explore, yet I also ran. It has helped not, as you can obviously see. Yet… I shall pause this conversation for now, to allow myself time to regain my composure,”he commented, chuckling helplessly.

“Do you still wish to eat something? I am still up to it if you are,”he asked.

He was honestly open to either choice Meg made. If she was still hungry, he would try some food. If she wasn’t, he was fine with just having someone to talk to.

Meg didn't mind the length of the hug and was clearly willing to hold him as long as he needed to be held, only pulling away when he started to let go. She knew what it was like to need it.

She blushed a little when she realized that he had read her mind again but nodded as he confirmed she had been on the right track. “Alright. We’ll talk about something else.” she agreed with a soft smile at his chuckle.

“Sure. I was just going to go to this diner down the street,” she admitted. “Great food… even better desserts. You want to try some?”

(Apologies for vanishing from our rps. Life has hit a rough spot at the moment, so I’m probably going to be very on/off with my responses)

Nwalan noticed her blush, but didn’t focus on it long as she started to speak. He then took a deep breath to fully settle his nerves, contemplating ideas to continue their conversation. Unfortunately, he couldn’t think of much.

“I must admit that I am a bit stuck on what to talk about next,”he commented, brushing a hand through his hair.

“It would be interesting to try something new,”he said, nodding.

(It's ok. Always glad to see you return. I understand that things get rough, so there’s no rush. But I hope things get better for you.)

Meg shrugged slightly, understanding. “I’m sure we’ll come up with something.” she assured as she started leading him back towards the diner.

“What kind of food do you like?” she asked, thinking of options she knew the diner had. Since he was a traveler, she suspected that he’d tried many unique dishes.