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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2021 9:42:27 GMT -8
Archie dropped the address to Linden, Spring Valley, of course. Where else would he live? That being said it wasn’t like he had lived in his current digs long - a few months at best, grew to fit the coming wave, and closed over the holidays. So there was still some settling to do - but he didn’t need to air that. All that really needed to be said was that Archie had a nice house. He asked the two to ping him when they were nearby and he would come let them in - which he did. Dark purple slacks, white collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and a dark purple matching bowtie with. He gave them a wave from the front door at the two pulled in. “Well, well, well, what is the occasion?”
He asked with a grin across his face. Linden Riley Sorsa |
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Mar 17, 2021 12:28:31 GMT -8
Riley had spent most of the ride to Archie's trying to be good and not jump the gun. If they talked it all out with Linden, Archie might feel a third wheel. Instead the darkling took the drive to contemplate the deeper reasons and meaning for the proposed Motley.
Of course the Bright One did not leave the ride to awkward silence. Instead they filled the time with Linden ranting about the challenges at their job, and how its been hard to break in socially.
Arriving at the house, the moths mouth was agape. This was the first time they had seen Archie’s digs, and it was larger than they had expected.
“Holy shit Arch” said the baffled moth.
“Uh do you have some wine? We wanted to chat” Riley looked to Linden to lead, after all they had brought it to the table.
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Linden
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Post by Linden on Mar 18, 2021 10:31:45 GMT -8
It wasn't new, to have something they wanted to discuss and to talk about anything else instead, but at least some of the tension had already been released. Riley was in; it brought a flickering warmth to the Ogre's chest when they thought about it, a little candle flame to guard. They just had to make sure they didn't let that hope get out of hand before they'd actually spoken to Archie.
Settling easily into commiseration and comfortingly biased comments about Riley's work situation, it took them a moment to notice what a nice neighborhood they were in. They knew, from a general understanding of the city, that it would be well off- but the size of the houses represented an amount of money they couldn't wrap their head around.
Stepping out of the car in clothes they'd worn to work and all that entailed, Linden immediately felt conspicuous. Like a ripple had gone out from where their feet touched the drive and somewhere, sitting in their homes, a bunch of old rich people were united in judgement. The sight of Archie helped them shake it off, mostly.
"We have something we'd like to run by you," Linden answered with a smile, the edge of it almost bashful, as they closed the distance to his front door. "Sort of a joint venture."
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2021 10:55:50 GMT -8
“Wine? Yes, do you want to haunt the cellar yourself and pick something out? Or would you prefer just to grab whatever is in the fridge?”
He moved back into the house, leaving the door open for them to follow and into the open concept living room with the large window looking out over the pool deck.
“Oooh joint venture? Looking to start a ma and pop shop? Maybe some place that sells all the odds and ends for regalia and other magical miscellania - call it Catch-Co or something like that. I mean if that's the case I think that is actually a pretty novel idea.”
He chuckled as he mused on what they could want.
“Well, do you want to settle down here? Upstairs is a little homier, or we can go outside to the pool or roof.”
He turned, seeing if he needed to direct Riley towards the cellar, or what the two of them could want to do. He was surprisingly at ease seeing as these were really the first set of Lost he had personally invited to his home. He was not normally keen on most anyone seeing his home since he came back. It wasn’t his most cherished space but it was his own and was always careful about guarding that. He even asked hobs to do the cleaning to avoid maids.
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Mar 18, 2021 12:04:07 GMT -8
"Uhh. Fridge...sounds....good," Riley says as they became obviously distracted by the size, scope, and grandeur of Archie's house.
"You live here?" They ask again with a little bit of a laugh. Walking through the house, the moth glanced this way and that taking it all in. Spying the kitchen, they moved to collect a bottle before calling back towards Linden and Archie.
"Not really a Ma and Pa venture. The pool?" Offers the darkling as they came back from the kitchen, carrying a bottle and a few glasses.
" In fact, it's kind of the opposite of business," Riley mused.
"We wanted to talk to you about a -" The moth nodded to Linden, passing them a glass. Allowing the Ogre to take the next part.
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Linden
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Post by Linden on Mar 19, 2021 9:57:54 GMT -8
"Pool works," Linden agreed with a nonchalant shrug. At least the worst things in Archie's pool would be dead bugs instead of Autumn magics. But they still didn't put their feet once they were outside, settling on to the end of one of the lounge chairs instead. They accepted a glass from Riley, and with it the next step in the conversation it seemed. Looking down at the glass as the Moth filled it, Linden considered their words; after a second they raised their eyes to Archie's. "We wanted to talk to you about a motley. With us. It won't be a problem if you say no, it's totally cool, I just feel like the three of us have something sort of special. Like, there's a lot of trust..."They floundered, looking down into their glass and then away. Nobody here needed their relationship explained. "I really trust and respect both of you. I know you have my back and I want you to know I have yours. I think the three of us could really be something." A gauntleted hand scratched their head, awkward but resolute.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2021 10:54:45 GMT -8
Leading the three of them to be poolside he let the two have the run as he stood by the pool itself. He let both get comfortable before they shot their shot. He was curious what scheme they had cooked up and was almost giddy if this was some sort of Linden led experiment. It would have his investment. However the question finally came and it was like a pallet of bricks coming down.
It was most evident in the face, a twang of confusion, rapid blinking as he quickly tried to regain his composure. Were they really? What had he done to earn this? It was just what he had promised. Besides, he was always the awkward third wheel right? It wasn’t like he had actually made a personal impact. How was this good for their business?
“I…”
More rapid blinking.
“I am surprised - a little caught off guard, why me? You two need to understand I am the worst of us. I am the last person who should be standing here, and really you deserve better than me…”
It was flashbacks to the moments leading up to what started this all. It was something they may not fully understand, not that he was explaining things all that well. Despite his protests it wasn’t a no...That really wasn’t what he wanted to say, but he couldn’t say yes without them understanding.
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Mar 19, 2021 11:31:32 GMT -8
The reaction was not what Riley had entirely expected. The moth shuffled slightly, sitting on the lip of the pool. Their eyes traced the movements of Archie's face as he spoke.
Did he really believe that? Is that what he thought of himself?
" You've told a lot of bad jokes in your time Archie, but that's the worst yet," They say, it was an attempt at levity, but it feels short; they didn't have it in them to make this a joke.
It sounded ridiculously for Archie to call himself the worst of them. How could he? For everything, he had done for the two of them? The darkling's mind couldn't comprehend it.
"Archie... you aren't the worst of us. You've done so much" Riley blinked, their antenna flicked back almost flat across their scalp.
"I mean...you've changed my life" They shoot a look over to Linden.
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Linden
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Post by Linden on Mar 19, 2021 17:24:16 GMT -8
A mixture of concern and confusion scrunching Linden's brow. Archie had heard about one of Linden's recent lows, even if he hadn't seen the evidence first hand- not that punching someone's teeth in was the worst thing a person could do, but it didn't put the Ogre high up on the list of 'folks other people didn't deserve to be around.' Was this about his career? That didn't make sense, with an audience of an adult performer and a bouncer... "Worst? What does that mean, Arch?" |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2021 17:41:35 GMT -8
A deep, shaky sigh.
“It’s not not...I can’t…”
Words were escaping him, he was flustered despite the even tone he managed to keep - his composure holding. His eyes glued to the ground, and his breath clearly deeper, uneven as he kept everything bottled up best he could...If he couldn’t tell them then who could he tell? Guarded and quiet was the M.O...but this was different for once he was the one being approached. To keep his house in line he would need to answer them, wouldn’t he?
“I made it work…this time...But every time ink touches paper I am taking a risk that everything just happens again and I end up being more than a fool, an idiot.”
There was the slightest tone of panik that was creeping out as he addressed changing Riley’s life.
“You don’t want me...I am selfish, distracted, ignorant…”
The glass he held trembled. He stepped back to lean on the railing behind him and grasp it with one hand.
“I didn’t...I didn’t go alone. I did what I do now, what I am doing. When everything happened. I had seven of them. And poof. We were all gone. All because of me. All because I put the ducks in a row. Letting ourselves be Lost is a tragedy, but to do that to others is a sin.”
His pitch increased, but he held firm for the moment, a deep breath to keep his form.
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Mar 20, 2021 11:41:48 GMT -8
Their eyes flicked from Archie to Linden and back to Archie. Watching as his normal cheerful mask melted away. The guilt that choked his words was almost palpable. Riley felt their own hand quiver sympathetically, or perhaps from the rise in tension among them.
“Archie I-”
They paused trying to catch their words. What do you say to that. Do you say you can relate but that makes it about you? Do you tell them you're sorry or is that a trite platitude. How do you help someone who hurts that much.
“Arch…that’s awful,” Riley said softly. “ I can only guess what that feels like- but” The feeling that others were impacted, in that place, was haunting and familiar.
They sigh, placing down their glass.
“That was then. You made a mistake. It fucking sucks and your going to carry that for along time. But I am certain you didn't do it on purpose. You couldn't have known Arch. I don’t want that guilt to blind ya from what you’ve done here, now, for us. ”
Riley looked over to Linden, a soft frown crossing their face.
“We all have fucked up. Done things we wish we could take back. That's why I want this.”
They gesture their hand among the three of them.
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Linden
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Post by Linden on Mar 20, 2021 16:06:54 GMT -8
Linden just listened. First to Archie, studying his face as he spoke- his demeanor wasn't so far from what they were used to, but the uncharacteristic gestures were telling. His eyes, his hand- his voice sounded off and it made the Ogre want to... they weren't sure, but do something.
Riley's words were kind, warm, the kind of things Linden wish came more easily to them. At the same time they knew, if they were in Archie's place, it would smack of placation. They were very different people, but in a way Linden could recognize themself in what he was doing.
Though, they couldn't begin to imagine what that guilt must be like.
"People atone for sins. What are you going to do?"
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2021 17:45:14 GMT -8
He was fully expecting rejection at this point, and all for a very valid reason - known or not he had committed the greatest sin that Lost could and took others to the otherside. They just, were okay with it? That wasn’t really possible was it? They were supposed to have left already. This wasn’t what was supposed to happen was it? He was bad for business but yet they stuck.
Riley was reassuring...Linden making stoic statements.
That’s why I want this…
What are you going to do…
His hand was still white knuckled on the rail, as he held the metal firmly.
“You two...don’t...aren’t...done with me?”
His breath was stalled as he still absorbed what they said. They were serious weren’t they? Committed to say the least. This wasn’t just another deal, or an average pledge. He wasn’t just the third wheel forcing himself in.
A motley wasn’t something he had mused on, it seemed like a forgone conclusion that he wasn’t worthy of that level of trust with other Lost.
Riley was amazing with people, slipping in and out of conversations in ways that his own social guile was unable to accomplish. Not to mention they were a literal light for so many people who had met himself. Someone who was pursuing a dream he could never accomplish and was taking him along for the ride.
Linden, stoic, cool, and throwing themselves at problems no questions no hesitations. Stalwart, calm, collected. If they had come they were serious. Archie had never seen the Ogre take serious choices lightly and the fact that they were still sat down said magnitudes about their conviction.
How had Archie gotten here? What had he done to deserve the honor?
“You still would, despite knowing this...despite all the negative I bring?”
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Mar 20, 2021 20:34:47 GMT -8
“Done with you?” Riley blinks, obviously confused by that. The moth shook their head in disbelief.
“No of course not! What happened back than is awful Arch, but you can't see what you’ve done for us?”
Riley looked to Linden then down at their hands. How could he not see the good he had brought to Riley's life, even if it was a job.
“Arch, I would still be taking my clothes off for handsy drunk men. Not that there was shame in that...but you’ve given me a life I couldn't even dream...even before I was lost.”
They look up at him trying to make eye contact if he would allow it.
“Linden or I can't forgive you for what happened, only you can. But ...We see you for who you are now. I like who you are now”
Riley beamed a smile to the Fairest. In the time they had known him, Riley had not laughed as much, or cried. Sure the butted head at work sometimes, that was work, that's show biz.
Linden and Archie had brought a sense of stability, comfort, it felt right.
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Linden
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Post by Linden on Mar 21, 2021 11:00:55 GMT -8
When Riley looked their way Linden nodded, trying to show their investment in the conversation even when they weren't speaking. When the moth smiled, they realized their own expression was locked in serious consideration; not a comforting face. They softened it, as best they could.
They let Riley's words hang for a moment before speaking up themself.
"The way you talk about your work, how hard you go... that's now, that's what you are in the world. To us. You help people make roots and have better lives. I won't forget, what you did," they admitted, the line of their mouth sympathetic, "But we're here because of who you've chosen to be after that. We all... well." The thought trailed off, not wanting to make it seem like they were diverting away from the core of what he was saying.
"Who else is going to keep us out of trouble?"
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