[visual | Outside Sanctuary]

[apackofone]

"Hello everyone," Remus welcomes with a small smile. "I've been reconsidering my self imposed exile and I've been convinced that perhaps I was misguided in my actions.

"So, I'm outside of Sanctuary, with freshly caught and butchered meats, gathered seeds and fruits and herbs, a few home brew potions and the like. If you want any goods or if there's anything I can do for you, I'll be here all day. I have training in medical magics, transfiguration, transportation and the like."

He cuts the message off, not really sure what else to say. And settles down onto the bench in the shade of a tree.

Comments

[thepersianyouth]

"Death is a camel that lies down at every door," he says with a tone of calm reasoning. "When my time comes, I shall die happily, having lived a long life; a full life.

"I won't die at your hands, my dear Remus. But for the sake of your peace of mind, we shall take every precaution."

[apackofone]

"All my friends die," he whispers. "Even Sirius, he's not dead, but my friend is." He shivers and clutches briefly tighter before releasing him.

[thepersianyouth]

"I am sorry," he says, sitting back, cushioned by his calves and curved feet. He doesn't release his friend, maintaining touch by letting his hands rest on his knees.

"It is a cruel life you've led, Remus. I cannot undo your past...but I'll be part of your future, as much as you'll allow."

[apackofone]

He nods. "I'm sorry. I'm a bit of a wreck, Jason's reading, it, it hit a nerve that refuses to numb."

[thepersianyouth]

"Sir Blood?" Keeping his face carefully neutral, someone like Remus, who knows Bagoas fairly well, would have little problem picking up the knee-jerk distrust at the mention of the name.

...and that's not even counting Remus' nose.

"I have made his acquaintance, if only under strictly professional circumstances. He was helpful during our excursion away from the city. He has upset you?"

[apackofone]

"Oh, no, not him, not personally." He can feel the tension under his fingers, Bagoas' body coiling with it. "He did a reading and, it brought up something which never seems to heal."

[thepersianyouth]

"A reading?" He blinks, eyes wide open from surprise as the term registers on its second voicing. "Do you mean to tell me he is an Oracle?"

[apackofone]

He nods. "Yes. In my world, we call it the Sight. He doesn't necessarily see the future but... he sees the truth. The past. The present. Suggestions of what might happen.

"He saw my past. A couple of things in particular that, I suppose, I feel guilty and hurt about."

[thepersianyouth]

"The Oracles see what the Oracles see. They may control it as little as the lion controls the winds."

Taking a deep breath, he lets an impulse twine his fingers with Remus' calloused hands. "Perhaps...you needed to hear it."

[apackofone]

"I know. I don't blame him. He saw what he saw."

He squeezes Bagoas' fingers lightly. "Maybe. But is still hurts."

[thepersianyouth]

First impressions being what they are, Bagoas isn't ready to write off his entire opinion of the strangely unsettling man, but learning he is an Oracle goes some way towards explaining why he finds him so unnerving.

It is what it is.

"Some hurts never go away. It is simply the way of things."

[apackofone]

"The hurt is recent. The guilt is old." He nods and pulls himself together. "Right. I'm okay. Honestly."

[thepersianyouth]

"You will be," he replies with silent confidence, pressing his hands to Remus' arms. There's nothing to suggest he won't recover from the hurt and guilt, though he knows from experience such things take time. But time is both in abundance and short supply in this place. What more can one do but have faith in another's abilities?

"Now, if you would please show me your wares before either of us start weeping like old women again..."

[apackofone]

Remus gives a small, weak laugh. "Yes, yes, of course." He wipes his face with his hands, cleaning off the tears. "Wares. Mostly fruit and meat. I've been hunting."