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WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, ERIDANUS SUNGAZER. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 099.23.886.00 * Archmage has joined 099.23.886.00 <Archmage> Hello, this is Eridanus Sungazer. <Archmage> In the event I am currently unavailable, please leave a message. <Archmage>** I will answer back, promptly. If I feel you are worth the trouble.

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"She's very nice... She... She let me have off, for my wing. It...she gave me that coat, but it got all ripped up..."

[ A slight whine enters her voice; she's still upset about that. ]

"...I don't...have work today...but, if I'm not better tomorrow, I'll let her know."

"Your coat — I know a tailor that can fix it for you. He's done many adjustments for my own coats and suits, with very quick turn around."

[His words trail, but only for a beat.]

"If you'd like, I don't mind taking you there. I'll even pay for it."

"You can fix it...?" [ There's a small pause. ] "But... But I don't have enough to pay you back."

[ She can't quite conceive of it. A favor. ]

[There's a long pause from the other end, and then Eridanus clears this throat.]

"Consider it an apology."

"...Oh."

[ How strange. How...very strange. Riley laughs. ]

"You're apologizing? For that? Oh...! Oh, that's so funny, you don't have to do that!!"

[Another short pause from the other side.]

"Riley. We... hurt each other. You can't pretend like it didn't happen and expect everything to go away." [~~Wow, how hypocritical!~~] "I care about you, and I want to apologize."

[Maybe while Riley is high this isn't the best idea, but, he doesn't know when he'll next see her.]

[ She gives a strange, distant giggle. ]

"Dooo you want an apology? 'Cause I can give you one, even though I still think it's a really awful thing t'do." [ She's almost too casual in saying that. ] "But, I don't need one. Why would I?"

"I have never said I am a good person, Riley."

[There's a long pause, and opposite to her giggling, it's dead silent in return.]

"I should not have taken you to my exhibit, but I felt it was only fair since I imposed on yours. Those places are... very vulnerable. They all house the skeletons we wish to forget about."

[ That soft laugh still in her voice, Riley firmly says: ]

"Yeah, it was bad. But that's just what happens." [ Ah... ] "I should've just expect'd something to go wrong. It allllways does. Adults don't..." [ The bubbly, perky tone of her voice starts to trail. ] "That's not for me."

[ A pause, like she's going to explain further, but. Instead, suddenly slow and somber: ]

"That's not for me." [ ... ] "Sssooo it's fine, I don't need an apology."

[From the other side of that screen, Eridanus' expression hardens. He wants to argue that Riley has no idea of the situation he came from—but he can't. His tongue remains glued to the floor of his mouth.]

"I still raised my voice at you, and that alone is worthy of apology."

[His own, solemn voice breaks the silence that feels like it had spanned minutes.]

"I won't preach to you of my situation, but I will at least make amends for how it affected you... won't you allow me that, Riley?"

[ A few long, long moments' pause. ]

"I really mean...you don't have to do anything. I feel fine now. You didn't even yell that much."

[ And a few more. ]

"If it's what you really want to do, though... I can accept it."

[Apologizing has never... felt so awkward—but his own reply comes quickly.]

"Wonderful, then I will set the appointment and handle it for you."

[Talk about strong-arming...]

"I am glad you're feeling better, though. Aside from your feet, how have your wings been growing?"

[ This is going by pretty fast for Riley...so she just lets it. There's a question, and it's like the moment never happened. ]

"Ummm, okay... The other one's still pretty small, but, it's kinda getting there. They both have all feathers, though, they're all...colorful."

[That's how we deal with our problems Riley, we briefly address them, and then pretend they stop existing.

That works... right?]

"Colorful feathers suit you. You'll have to show them to me, the next time we meet."

[The smile is present in his voice.]

"Are you excited to fly?"

[ This at least is enough to get her enthusiasm back up. ]

"Ohh, yes!! I'm...more excited for that than anything else, right now."

"Where would you like the fly, most?"

[His smile is in his words still, and that smile spreads wider hearing the enthusiasm that edges back into Riley's.]

"I would imagine that gliding through the city would be exhilarating. It's unfortunate that you cannot go out across the ocean, here.]

"Mmmm, I dunno!! Nowhere specific... Just wanna feel what it's like, you know? Up high, near the clouds... Above everything."

[ She lets out a dreamy, happy sigh. ]

"Those moments were some of my favorite." [His tone buoys with wistful nostalgia,] "whenever the world is too much, taking flight and feeling the wind in your feathers is second only to heaven. Nothing else matters when you're up there."

[A small pause.]

"I hope it gives you the sanctuary you crave, Riley."

"...It should."

[ Simple as that. How strange, to be so sure of something...

There's a distant noise. ]

"Oh... Oh, I think...Giorno's back? Wow, that was a long time. Oh!! Ohhh he should have something to eat."

[ Did she completely forget...? Yes. ]

[There's a small pause, and then—]

"I will not keep you, dearest Riley. Eat with your friend, it will likely help with your addled mind."

[His smile is still in his voice. Calm and gentle.]

"I will contact you at a later time about your jacket."

"Okay~! Bye, talk with you later~!"

[ It's very sweet and silly, how upbeat she sounds. ]

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