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It's... well, it's not okay, but it's just...a learning thing. Turns out you really do have to take better care of yourself here.
[He doesn't judge Melius for being in a bush.]
I'm not gonna press on who- but it could be someone who's still a monster who needs help being talked down. The hunters will try to kill them if they think they're a danger.
And not hide. [He's just going to reiterate this.] Because we can't help you if you hide.
[Melius is clearly very worried about this and it does give Varian a moment's pause. His tone is a lot softer when he responds to the question.]
Of course not. This wasn't his fault. Heck, I wasn't punished and I created a whole lot of property damage and I'm pretty sure a few hunters that went after me didn't make it? It's...my memories are kinda fuzzy. [And that's a whole bunch of GUILT he's trying to shoulder right now.] Regardless, he'll be safe, no one will punish him for something this place did to him.
Good, I'm glad. You have friends here, Meli and none of us wants to see you get hurt, okay?
[Because that's a very important lesson to learn!]
Bigby? [Oh no. Oh no. Oh, that explains so much. Varian's worry spikes considerably.] Is that why he was so freaked out about asking to be bound again? Okay, well. We can find him and help him. That's- that's definitely not his fault. It might be...something he's had to deal with since he was home, but it doesn't make him any less deserving for us to help him.
Okay. Okay um. I think... Sakura... does that. The healing.
[At least he's pretty sure she'd mentioned that once or twice. But if not, he'll still be heading toward the house, and, therefore, people who can stitch.]
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[He doesn't judge Melius for being in a bush.]
I'm not gonna press on who- but it could be someone who's still a monster who needs help being talked down. The hunters will try to kill them if they think they're a danger.
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[In a bush? Maybe he shouldn't hide in bushes like this, hm???]
[He fidgets. Hesitates. Tries to lift his hand to pick his scales, then abruptly switches to the other hand.]
He... he won't be... punished?
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[Melius is clearly very worried about this and it does give Varian a moment's pause. His tone is a lot softer when he responds to the question.]
Of course not. This wasn't his fault. Heck, I wasn't punished and I created a whole lot of property damage and I'm pretty sure a few hunters that went after me didn't make it? It's...my memories are kinda fuzzy. [And that's a whole bunch of GUILT he's trying to shoulder right now.] Regardless, he'll be safe, no one will punish him for something this place did to him.
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R-right. I... I know that. I think.
[Why does he have horns. He wants to pull a cloak over his head. Hide while walking.]
... He... um. I .. I don't... think there was... property damage. [Because he'd run like a dumbass.] I...
It... was at the party. Bigby.
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[Because that's a very important lesson to learn!]
Bigby? [Oh no. Oh no. Oh, that explains so much. Varian's worry spikes considerably.] Is that why he was so freaked out about asking to be bound again? Okay, well. We can find him and help him. That's- that's definitely not his fault. It might be...something he's had to deal with since he was home, but it doesn't make him any less deserving for us to help him.
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[He knows, logically. But there's only so much you can logically recognize when your brain doesn't want to agree.]
[There's a strangled sort of hum out of him. It's an agreement, of course. Because he can't really say no...]
I um. I don't. I don't know. I just - I haven't. Looked at the network.
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[He can see Melius isn't doing so good, so he'll reach out and pat his shoulder. There there.]
You've been busy. It's okay, and he's okay, no one has been attacking him- opposite, actually. People have been trying to help him.
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O-oh. That's. That's good. Right?
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[He offers an encouraging smile.]
I'm sure he'll be fine. But I'll double-check on him later, okay?
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[That had been the rallying cry of the Sleepers then too. While Melius hid in the woods. Again.]
All - all right. I'm - I'm afraid. To.
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[Varian pats his shoulder gently.]
It's okay, I can do it. Don't worry.
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[Good, so Varian can check in. Melius can bury himself somewhere again. He ducks his head.]
I'm sorry.
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[Gently, comfortingly.]
Don't worry about it, okay? You're both my friends, I'm happy to help.
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[But he did a hilariously stupid thing, so.]
Okay.
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[He gives Melius another squeeze before straightening up properly.]
I'll go look for him. [As he starts moving, he pauses.] You keep that arm clean and go and see someone about stitching it up, you hear?
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[At least he's pretty sure she'd mentioned that once or twice. But if not, he'll still be heading toward the house, and, therefore, people who can stitch.]
Thank you.
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[He offers a lil' thumbs up.]
Hey, what are friends for?
[And then he's goooooone- LOOK AFTER YOURSELF, MELI, HE'LL KNOW IF YOU DON'T!!!]