#>ricochet

my muse knows how to…

bake a cake from scratch | ride a horse | drive stick | speak a second language | dance | catch a fish | play an instrument | throw a punch | build a deck | ice skate | unclog a drain | program a computer | change a flat tire | fire a gun | sew | juggle | play poker | paint | fly a kite | sculpt | write poetry | change a diaper | sing | shoot a bow and arrow | ride a bike | swim | sail a boat | do a back flip | play chess | give CPR | pitch a tent | flirt | stitch a wound | read palms | use chopsticks | write in cursive | use an electric drill | braid hair | make a campfire | make a mixed drink | do sudoku puzzles | wrap a gift | give a good massage | jump-start a car | roll their tongue | do magic tricks | do yoga | tie a tie | skip a rock | shuffle a deck of cards | read morse code | pick a lock

“Okay, okay. Are you recording?”

[ affirmative clicking ]

“Good. Okay.” Ricochet pauses to breathe audibly then, a huff in and out. “Hey, Peanut—shit! I already messed it up.”

[ a pause before he sighs, and he starts again ]

“Okay, second time. Hey, Blaise. Uh. I know that you probably don’t want to hear from me and I really don’t know why I’m even messaging you this. But. But… uh. Shit, I’m messing it up again. Shit. Hold on Baby, give me a second.”

[ the line is quiet static, the recording not ending. there is some slight noises in the background before Ricochet’s voice returns ]

“Okay. Third time’s a charm, right?”

[ Baby whirls and beeps confidently]

“Hey, Blaise.” Ricochet pauses just barely, before he continues on. “I know I’m probably the last person you expect to hear from, but, uh. I just wanted to send you a message. I hope that’s okay.”

There is a longer pause, but this time, Ricochet doesn’t backtrack.

“I’ve been thinking about you a lot. And, uh. I just wanted to tell you. I hope that things get better for you. I’m sure you’re probably really mad at me. And I don’t even know if you’re going to listen to this or accept it when I send it. In fact, I’d be surprised if you did and –“ A small grunt. “Anyway. That’s not important. Sorry.”

Another small sigh, before his tone gets a bit quieter. He sounds like he’s closer to the Ghost now that’s recording the messages. “Hey. I really cared for you, okay? You said some things when you were mad and… I feel like maybe I need to let you know. I did care about you, Pe—Blaise. I really did. And. I wish things could have worked out. I really hope that you find someone who can be everything you wanted from me. And, I –“ There’s just the smallest hint of his voice cracking in that moment. “I know you probably hate me now, but I hope that maybe one day you won’t. I hope that maybe one day… we can… talk, and… “

[ Ricochet’s voice trails off completely at that point, and after a moment, there’s a gentle comforting trill coming from Baby ]

“Shit. Baby, just. Keep that transmission. But. I can’t send it to him.”

[ more quiet electronic noises can be heard ]

“I still love him, Baby. I still do.” A quiet, sarcastic laugh. “Am I sad or what?”

[ she tries to reassure him otherwise, but he just laughs again ]

“End the recording. This was a bad idea. He probably doesn’t want to hear what I have to say, anyway.”

Well, it didn't matter now.

He'd tried to contact Blaise, and the warlock hadn't answered. But, Ricochet's ghost had been able to find his signal anyway, still on Felwinter Peak -- where they were supposed to meet -- though Blaise seemed to be far off from the place where he'd hoped to find him.

After trudging through the snow, climbing up dangerous icy rocks, and generally almost dying -- Ricochet managed to find him. Sitting on the edge of a cliff, staring off into the distance. As Ricochet approached him, he knew that his boyfriend already knew he was there. Blaise had probably sensed him as soon as he'd landed here. Even so, the warlock didn't seem to acknowledge him as he came closer.