PRODIGAL / SON

And given what the young man said, he apparently had no connection to the war itself. Unlike the writers who used Alicia and intended to kill her, Renoir did not wish to slaughter an innocent young man for no reason. Prior to Verso's death, he might have simply for what he said. However grief has tempered his usual fury and he did not wish the pain of losing one's child on any parent. It is an unimaginable pain. Something that transcends all physical pain. A piece of Renoir died when Verso's body was buried in their garden. Verso would never smile again, never play piano again, never paint again.

He saw how it broke Aline to the point of intense depression, to the point he wanted to exist in a canvas with a facsimile of their family. His family crumbled. The moments tick by before he responds.

❝ This conflict is a senseless war. However, my son was innocent when he was killed. My daughter was innocent when they stole away her voice and disfigured her. Am I tired of fighting? Yes. However, I cannot simply sit by while my family is attacked. ❞ Renoir would fight this war with Clea in order to defend them. He failed to save Verso, but he would not fail to protect those of his loved ones that remained.

Still, the fact that he hasn’t tried to kill him yet counts as a victory, albeit a small one. Probably he doesn’t know about his family’s involvement with the fire. After all, Felix himself knows very little about that. Yet it is enough to make him a target, he is sure. Best to keep his mouth shut and let the old man speak. His tongue feels tied anyway, heavy. His mind a haze as always. So he just stares, blinking a couple of times when his sight becomes as cloudy as his brain feels. And he waits for the man to move. To say anything. To make the wrong move and give him a good reason to run.

But he doesn’t. Instead, Renoir Dessendre speaks wisely again. He sounds… reasonable again. It’s odd. It goes against everything Felix knows about him and his kind. It confuses him. He frowns. “I… suppose I can understand that,” he tries to say, clearing his throat afterwards.

❛  you've been my best friend for years, what made you think it would change now?  ❜ ❛  i'm always here for you if you need me.  ❜ ❛  well, that's what friends are for.  ❜ ❛  remember, i'm always just one call away.  ❜ ❛  how long have we known each other now? i know you better than you know yourself.  ❜ ❛  you're an idiot most of the time, but you're my idiot.  ❜ ❛  do you want to come over and watch movies tonight? i could use some company.  ❜ ❛  you always know how to cheer me up.  ❜ ❛  i made you your favorite food.  ❜ ❛  i know it's 2 a.m. but i really need someone to talk to. are you awake?  ❜ ❛  remember when we used to build blanket forts? let's do it again.  ❜ ❛  please come to this family dinner with me. my family already loves you and i need some neutral person there with me.  ❜ ❛  here, i got you something. i saw it at the shop and it reminded me of you.  ❜ ❛  do you remember that promise we made to each other when we were kids?  ❜ ❛  i'm so grateful to have you in my life. you mean the world to me.  ❜ ❛  i don't need advice right now, just a friend to listen.  ❜ ❛  you're the best friend one could ever ask for.  ❜ ❛  hey, umm ... thank you for being my friend.  ❜ ❛  you don't have to go through this alone. i'm here for you.  ❜ ❛  want to grab a coffee and catch up?  ❜ ❛  we may not talk every day anymore, but i still consider you my friend.  ❜ ❛  i can stay and help you finish this if you want.  ❜ ❛  you've got this. i believe in you!  ❜ ❛  how about we plan a game night this weekend?  ❜ ❛  do you ever wonder what our lives will be like in ten years?  ❜ ❛  no matter what happens, you'll always have me.  ❜ ❛  you don't have to pretend with me. i like you just the way you are.  ❜ ❛  consider it ... a little friendly competition.  ❜ ❛  thank you, you always know how to make me laugh.  ❜ ❛  i can't believe how far we've come together.  ❜ ❛  just stay put, i'll be over in a minute.  ❜ ❛  i've got us tickets for that concert/movies/exhibition you wanted to go to.  ❜ ❛  how about a road trip? just like old times ...  ❜ ❛  i really appreciate you staying in my life all these years.  ❜ ❛  i don't know what i'd do without you.  ❜ ❛  you can tell me if something is bothering you.  ❜ ❛  race you to the end of the street!  ❜ ❛  bet you can't beat me at this game. i'm a pro.  ❜ ❛  i challenge you to a cooking contest. loser has to buy dinner for the next week.  ❜ ❛  you've been such a great friend, and i just wanted to say thanks.  ❜