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[Connor isn't sure how he feels when he sees Niles. Relieved? Irritated? Maybe both. Seeing him alive after so long is nice, but he hasn't forgotten the pain Niles put him through either.]

Right.

[His reply is terse, a little cold. He's come to see Niles, yes, but he hasn't forgiven him. He splits off with Niles regardless, towards the woods. When they're alone, he looks him over.]

It's good to see you alive.

[A genuine statement, despite his feelings.]

[Niles finds a tree to lean on, using it to shield his blind spot as much as to rest his weight.]

Thank you for not blowing my cover. [He knows he could have. But there's more.] Thanks for getting my stuff back to Azura. [One hand goes to his necklace, thumb tracing over the outline of the largest star. But, there's more.]

And I'm sorry. [He's not looking directly at Connor, but keeping him in his periphery. He's sorry for some of it anyway. He knows better than to add that, especially when he himself can't quite nail down which parts he still feels justified.]

Edited 2020-07-28 11:00 (UTC)

[Hearing an apology is nice, but Connor still keeps his distance, arms folded, eyes not quite meeting Niles'.]

I consider us even now.

[He nudges a small mound of snow with the toe of his shoe.]

You saved me from the dungeons, I didn't blow your cover.

[That wasn't the only reason he didn't out Niles, and Niles probably knows it. Connor has a soft spot for him. Enough of one that he could lie to L's face, however badly he felt about it. But this doesn't really feel like the time to mention that.]

[Niles nods solemnly. He never really thought Connor owed him for anything really. Saving him from the dungeons wasn't a favor he felt needed repaying, it was just what needed to be done, and he was there to do it. He'd gone specifically to rescue Azura, but the mission he was given was to extract whoever he could. Still, if that's what prompted Connor to lie for him he won't argue.]

You should know, I feel even with L now too. This should be where all of this ends.

[He'll let Connor fill in exactly what he means by 'all of this'. Truthfully, Niles doesn't want to include Connor in that, but like hell he'll be the first one to admit it.]

[Connor just nods. He doesn't agree with Niles' method of getting even, but that doesn't matter now, does it? What's done is done. He does wonder about "all of this", though. Does it include Connor, too? He feels a pang of something in his chest, a hurt that tells him he doesn't want it to, but... it's up to Niles. And judging from the way Niles had said goodbye the night he clawed Connor's fins, maybe it's been over for a while.]

You know Linden won't just accept what you did to him. This is a cycle that could have ended with you.

[He sounds disappointed, even if he knew Niles would never have accepted what L did to him, either. Both are too stubborn, too vengeful.]

[His eyes narrow, and his ears press back, although the he keeps as much of his face neutral as he can manage.]

And I was just supposed to take it on faith he wouldn't snap his fingers and send me back the moment I stepped out of line?

[He shakes his head and the tip of his tail twitches in sync with the motion. The way he remembered L's remarks, they were overt threats. The words spells like these can last for days burned in his mind.]

Maybe. Do you think he'd risk upsetting Myr just to torment you? I doubt you were a higher priority to him than their relationship. As long as you avoided him to the best of your ability, I don't think Linden would have sought to harm you.

[Could he be wrong? Sure. But Connor is of the opinion that Myr keeps L in check well enough.]

Unless you were planning on antagonising him?

Not just to torment me, no.

[L was on the Council, Henry was involved in his own less than legal activities. If L held an advantage over him and could deem it essential to bringing a criminal to justice? He'd do anything. Taking away his power entirely was the only way forward.

His fingers tighten where they rest against his arm as he resists the urge to adjust the ill fitting temporary eye patch he's wearing. Entirely wasn't really the right word though, was it?]

And no, I wasn't planning on it. I was planning on being dead, and staying out of his way.

[Another aspect of his plan that, despite Connor's aide, didn't turn out to be as permanent a solution as he intended.]

Well, it's done now. And things haven't gone quite the way you expected them to.

[He looks down at the snow.]

I want to help you, but I'm not sure how to. If you have any ideas, now would be the time to share them.

[Niles scowls, prickling visibly at Connor's suggestion.]

What makes you think I need help? I sent you the picture as a courtesy, not a cry for assistance.

[Translation: No, he has zero ideas.]

Edited 2020-08-31 15:36 (UTC)

[Connor raises one eyebrow, then shrugs.]

Fine, I won't help you then. You know, since you're obviously doing so well on your own.

[That doesn't mean he won't help if Niles asks for it, but... he offered, and Niles turned him down. He's not offering again unless Niles really seems like he's in trouble.]

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