Tralalalalalaaa! Drama makes me happy.
WC: 554
It was interesting. For the past few months, Rynnas had thought of little but delivering this news. And now that he was actually in the moment, a few seconds from voicing the unthinkable, he couldn't open his mouth. Never mind the fact that he was informing someone completely different than the original recipient – even if it was Kol he was currently speaking to, the massive male knew he would be no less speechless. In fact, it probably would have been even more difficult. Bris knew Eli, sure. But she wasn't his soul mate. So perhaps in an odd, terrible way the male should be thankful. No, he could never be thankful for anything in this situation. He hadn't been thankful for anything in a long time and now wasn't the time to start.
He hadn't realized just how awful he looked until he saw Bris' reaction to him. She started out politely intrigued, possibly a little bit annoyed at being interrupted with her reading – but the second the female's eyes gauged her intruder's appearance they immediately softened with concern and pity. He couldn't be sure either, but he detected a bit of recognition in there as well. It wouldn't be until a little while later that Rynnas would understand. They had met before, a long time ago when things were a lot different. Back when he was absent minded from happiness. Now he forgot about things because he didn't care. Caring about things only opened him up to getting hurt. A mental weak spot just waiting to crush him some time down the line. But for now he couldn't comprehend why she seemed familiar and it didn't really matter just yet anyway.
She approached him carefully, wanting to comfort him somehow but afraid of crowding him. Somewhere beneath the numbness, he felt a pang of longing. He hadn't been cared for like this in a while. After Eli's death, Rynnas had withdrawn himself from Piper's comforting embrace. But of course he still missed it. Inexplicably, he wanted to close the distance between himself and this lovely female, hug her and actually allow himself to feel. But of course he couldn't.
A flick of his ears was the only indication that Rynnas had heard Bris speak for the time being. It took a long time for the words to reach all the way down to where he was, where he could actually process the words. It took an even longer time for his own reply to get back up. And even when he did manage to speak, it was vague and most likely unsatisfying to her curiosity. Then again, she seemed like the intuitive type so perhaps she'd be able to tell what he meant to say anyway. I'm here about Elliot Oriel. His voice was like the inside of a crypt. He didn't follow up with anything else and remained standing there helplessly. Was there something you needed from me? She had said that so kindly, as if she really would have given him almost anything he needed. And maybe she really would have. He just didn't know. But everything about him exuded need. His eyes brimmed with it. He just didn't know what. No, that was a lie. He did know. It was just impossible.