Answering hellos with goodbyes

[ txt ] : i was doing fine with the research-y bits, i mean it took me a littl ebit to understand but ance i did it was easy [ txt ] : just, that part didnt want to work ;;

Nilesy sighed, grabbing the book from a desk before plopping down on the couch. Nervous pacing wasn’t going to do anything but make his legs ache. Rythian could help him, he was sure, and Lal had replied by that point so if not the scientist would probably be over shortly after. All he really could do was wait, and try his best to ignore the cats crying to be let out of the bedroom upstairs.

[ txt ] : door should be unlocked, dont worry about knocking

Honestly he wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but thaum was about the last on that list for magics that he thought Niles would get into. Still he figured there was a good reason, and it was something he could deal with once he was there.

For once he was cursing the fact that he didn’t have any mode of transportation anymore since his flying ring had died on him. He really would need to look into something that wasn’t booking it as fast as he could with a bag of different magic items thrown in, his sword was hooked at his side though and the bloom was held lightly between his fingers, phone stashed once he thought that Nilesy knew what the dangers were.

[txt] wait, what purple magic slimes?

[txt] yeah I’m on my way let me just grab some stuff

With the front door safely shut, Nilesy let the three legged creature down, who in turn gave him a dirty look before turning to sniff at the stranger. “Nah cats’re allowed out, Lom put a protection charm on their collars so I trust tha’… Stump, though,” another laugh, “I… actually couldn’ tell you what he even is. A friend gave ‘im to me to look after, had to amputate his foot because it got caught up in some machinery.”

Small talk.. That’s what this was, and Nilesy knew that, but part of him was happy for it. With most people, he struggled to keep any form of conversation going, so to have it come so easily for oncd was nice. But, then again, things had always been a bit… different, with Rythian. No awkward half-crush-half-hate, none of the mess (for want of a better term) that was whatever you’d call his other relationships… The poolboy wasn’t really sure what made Rythian different, but it was a very welcome change.

“Bit of both? Baking more, right now, but if you need someone to cook you a nice dinner, I’m your guy~” He gave a playful wink (even if he was completely serious), before turning to the sink to wash his hands. “Table’s in the corner, f'you wanna sit… or you can help if you want, mostly just need to wipe down the counters… Actually, no, if you wanna grab a couple of mugs from the cabinet above me, I can do that real quick.”

“I suppose that makes sense. Ghost jr and Willow run around as well, some pets just know how to listen. Oh? Well, it’s still pretty cute. I hadn’t ever seen a slinky with a missing foot.” It’s a dismal attempt to be light hearted, but given his resent contact with people, better than he had anticipated.

Small talk was at least calming, it was safe and quiet and you didn’t have to think too much or be too honest. “I don’t mind helping out, let me grab the mugs and we can have some proper tea as well. It’s funny, we both have taken up cooking as a passtime it seems.”

[ txt ] : yep, just a min

And it really only was about a minute before Nilesy opened the door, a struggling ferret in his arms and a grin on his face. His too lomg hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail, bangs pinned up with multiple bobby pins in an attempt to keep it tamed. Long sleeves were rolled up to the elbows, flour clung to dark jeans in hand-shaped bunches, and there was a faint, sweet smell that just sorta hung throughout the house.

“Hey buddy, long time so see. Come on in, I’m tryin’ ta keep this guy from darting out on me.”

A slight laugh behind his words, and he waved his friend to follow with one hand. It had been quite a while since he’d seen the mage, and the merman was happy to see he was.. well, at least surviving, if naught else. Things were… not so great for Niles the last time the two had spoken, and while they certainly weren’t ideal just yet, he was doing much better and wanted to make sure the same could be said for his friends.

“Sorry, ve'been cooking to occupy myself, so the kitchen might be a bit of a mess. Ya want some tea, though? Should be about done.”

There was something very odd about the thought of seeing other people again, not a bad thing, but it had been sometime sense he and Nilesy had been able to settle down for anything, and just, talk. Maybe it was a show that it was long over due.

When his friend finally did appear, there was a softening to Rythian’s expression, he looked. . . better. At least not as strung out and fearful as he had seemed the last time they spoke. It was an improvement, but only speaking would tell how far it went.

When he glanced down at the small slinky creature he smiled. “I fully expected you to need to catch a pet first, I’ll admit though, I thought it was going to be a cat. Color me surprised.”

[ txt ] : yeah ive been… better, definitely [ txt ] : oh!! right now? okay ! ill start some tea then [ txt ] : you doing alright buddy?

Yeah!!! Sending them to you now. Wait like… half an hour or somethin’ so I can drag all this stuff out here. See you then ;)