CliveRosfield | Text

[herofhopeless]

I haven’t been able to find my brother, Joshua, since the fog came. Has anyone seen a man, a little over 6 feet tall, light brown hair that’s a big longer, blue-green eyes, wears a lot of black and red, has a very formal and convoluted way of speaking? He’s kind, curious, intelligent. He would have done his best to help anyone who may have needed it during the mission.

Please, if anyone has seen him, call me, text me, yell my name from the top of a building, I don’t care. I just need to know that he’s okay.

Comments

[herofhopeless]

Right now? To sleep probably. Tomorrow? To break something.

[cantilevers]

You have someone to sleep near? You usually sleep better that way.

[herofhopeless]

I usually do, huh? That one is a bit new for me. Still getting used to the idea that I have people that would be willing to do that for me.

[There are a couple minutes between texts. Vander would know Clive well enough to know he’s probably crying.]

I doubt Sleipnir will let me be alone tonight. Hopefully I can get through the nights after.

[He won’t.]

[cantilevers]

From what I saw, yeah. Right now it is best you aren't alone as you navigate this loss. If you want to come by the bar, I'll keep you company.

No, he's quite the barnacle to you it seems. Careful, he bites.

Give yourself as many nights as you need, Clive. It isn'teasy to lose family.

[herofhopeless]

Thank you, Vander. Chances are high I’ll take you up on that.

Oh no. What did he do?

It’s not even the first time I’ve lost Joshua. Spent almost half my life thinking he was dead so this isn’t new.

[cantilevers]

Good. I know what it us like to lose your family. I'll distract you until you are ready to rest.

He paid me a visit in the fog. It was a piece of information about his indulgences he let slip while I was winning him over.

That doesn't make it any easier.

[herofhopeless]

I wish neither of us knew this feeling. Nothing we can do about that, though. I'll try not to fall asleep at the bar, but no promises about a booth.

Please tell me that all he did was vaguely threaten you in flowery language. I told him to leave you alone.

No, it doesn't.

[cantilevers]

Agreed, but this is the hurdle that both of us must overcome in time. If you do, I'll make certain that you are put safely to bed.

Oh nothing much. He was polite enough I suppose.

[herofhopeless]

I know it's something we can do. I've learned how to live with it before. And we don't have to tough it out alone. If anyone can manage that, you certainly can. The barcade has had the habit of lulling me, despite all the noise.

Polite enough. Did he threaten you?

[cantilevers]

Time helps to cope with the weight of it. This is still fresh for you, regardless of having lost him in the past. You're welcome at the barcade any time, even before and after close.

Nah, he was more intent in asserting his superiority. I've had a lifetime dealing with those types. It doesn't bother me.

[herofhopeless]

Thank you, Vander. You've always been so generous to me. I'm lucky to have you as my friend.

Ah, well, I'm glad he didn't try to pull anything. I'm getting the feeling I might have to talk to him about how he approaches people who get close to me.

[cantilevers]

I do my best.

He is just being protective of you. He didn't try to steal my kidneys, so it is fine.

[herofhopeless]

Well, as long as you still have your kidneys, I'm sure everything will be fine.

He is a good friend. Just, let me know if he ever crosses a line, please. He can be a bit overzealous sometimes.

[cantilevers]

Exactly. My one requirement for a potential friendship is keeping important body parts.

And what do you consider crossing a line?

[herofhopeless]

Ah, you set the standards high, I see.

If he threatens your safety or well-being.

[cantilevers]

Clearly I need to re-assess then. That's baseline where I'm from.

What's a few threats between friends, right? I'm sure he's innocuous.

[herofhopeless]

A solid baseline, all things considered. Maybe it's one I should consider taking up.

I trust your judgment. I'll give him a little flick on the nose if he ever needs one. Just let me know.

[cantilevers]

Yeah, damn Clive, raise your standards, okay?

Don't worry, he'll warm up to me, especially he decides to have more drinks with me. He will have no choice but to be my friend. Maybe threats of bodily harm are his love language.

[herofhopeless]

Yessir, I will treat myself with more respect from here on out and ensure any new friends do not wish to harvest my organs.

Funny story... I think violence might actually be one of his love languages.He gets very excited when he finds a challenging opponent. Our first meeting was... something.

[Weirdly erotic is what Clive means.]

[cantilevers]

Good otherwise I might have to come along and take both their kidneys in response. Gotta protect your friends, right?

He seems undersocialized, so you might be onto something. Though, it seems to me that your first meetings do seem to have a "something" about them.

[herofhopeless]

Truer words have rarely been spoken.

'Undersocialized' is probably a good word for it. I don't know that he has really had much in terms of company outside of Barnabas for most of his life. I don't know if you've met Barnabas, but, well... Not exactly a great person to learn from on that front.

[Good thing they are texting or Clive would have certainly just embarrassed himself by sputtering and blushing something fierce.]

You could say that. Nowadays, I tend to leave a much stronger lasting impression.