Lovely 006b

Rune, 4:28 PM Ylyndar is sitting at a desk, working on the accounts Kiroth has provided--pages and pages of ledgers, many with small notes attached with requests for more information.

Rune, 4:31 PM He decides that while Kiroth's complaint about not describing each wine separately is ridiculous (shouldn't a name and year be enough?), he does have a point about the entry marked "Stuff." Ylyndar isn't even sure which of his brothers wrote it. Probably Bastion, who never really got comfortable with paper as a non-foodstuff, or Shihan, who believes record-keeping is merely a way to incriminate oneself.

Rune, 4:33 PM The atmosphere in the room changes somehow, and Ylyndar tenses, then, very deliberately, relaxes. "You can come out now, I know you're here. Intruding, as usual."

Rune, 4:36 PM Ulisse steps out of a shadow. He's wearing a long black coat, devoid of any ornamentation, and the usual black gloves.

Rune, 4:37 PM Ulisse: I wasn't hiding. I would have knocked, but I didn't think you'd let me in.

Rune, 4:37 PM Ylyndar: You were right.

Rune, 4:37 PM Ylyndar drops his eyes back to his ledgers, though his attention is still focused on the other man.

Rune, 4:38 PM Ulisse: I'll leave if you ask me to.

Rune, 4:39 PM Ylyndar: This room or the entire premises?

Rune, 4:40 PM Ulisse: … I don't know. Certainly this room. It's your space.

Rune, 4:41 PM Ylyndar turns to face him.

Rune, 4:42 PM Ylyndar: All of it is my space, or rather, space owned by my brothers and I, and belonging to Sune. Why are you here, Ulisse? Why?

Rune, 4:43 PM Ulisse: This room or the entire premises?

Rune, 4:44 PM Ylyndar: Both.

Rune, 4:46 PM Ulisse: … I'm sorry. I'm here in this room to apologize. I thought I was doing the right thing and... I was wrong. I shouldn't have said what I said, before we fought all those years ago.

Rune, 4:48 PM Ylyndar: Clearly. And as to the premises?

Rune, 4:48 PM Ulisse: I wanted to help.

Rune, 4:49 PM Ylyndar: We don't want your help. We don't need your help.

Rune, 4:50 PM Ulisse: No one was here, Ylyndar. No one!

Rune, 4:50 PM Ylyndar: It was a soft opening. We didn't expect a crowd. And we didn't need one. And we didn't need you.

Rune, 4:53 PM Ulisse: You're right. You don't need me, that's true. You'll do well either way. I know that. … but I was trying to help. You and your family meant a great deal to me once.

Rune, 4:57 PM Ylyndar: I remember. But that changed.

Rune, 4:59 PM Ulisse: Not as much as you think.

Rune, 5:01 PM Ylyndar: More than I thought possible! We've changed places, you and I. Back then you were the ascetic, nattering on and on about how you were going to leave your family and their dirty money behind you. Now look at you.

Rune, 5:02 PM Ylyndar stands up and steps closer to Ulisse, holding the other man's gaze.

Rune, 5:05 PM Ulisse: And you were the passionate hedonist, lending your life to the happiness of others. I remember.

Rune, 5:06 PM Ylyndar: How long do you suppose it will be before the absentia I see in your eyes kills you? Or will the drink kill you first, I wonder.

Rune, 5:06 PM Ulisse: No. It will be the absentia. Most likely one day I just won't come back.

Rune, 5:08 PM Ylyndar: I don't understand why you came back in the first place. Or why you're still here. You've already "helped." Why are you here, Ulisse? Why are you still here? Why shouldn't I throw you out? Give me one good reason. Tell me why.

Rune, 5:19 PM Ulisse: … please. I have friends here.

Rune, 5:20 PM Ylyndar: You had friends before, and you threw it all away.

Rune, 5:34 PM Ulisse: I made a mistake, Ylyndar. And I am sorry. More than you will probably ever know.

Rune, 5:34 PM Ylyndar: I can guess.

Rune, 5:37 PM Ulisse: Please. I don't expect you to forgive me, but please allow me to stay. I will do my best to stay out of your way, if that's what you want.

Rune, 5:38 PM Ylyndar: That is what I want, and yet here you are!

Rune, 5:38 PM Ylyndar takes a deep breath, forces himself to relax, and then exhales.

Rune, 5:44 PM Ylyndar: … fine. You can stay here. Not because anyone wants you here, but because this place belongs to Sune, and she is not about wounds, or grudges, or hatred.

Rune, 5:44 PM Ulisse bows his head, and Ylyndar returns to his desk, sitting and picking up his papers once more.

Rune, 5:44 PM Ulisse: Thank you.

Rune, 5:44 PM Ylyndar: Now get out. I need to work on these accounts or Kiroth will attack me with the bill spike.

Rune, 5:46 PM Ulisse: … of course. I am truly sorry, Ylyndar.

Rune, 5:46 PM Ylyndar: Time will tell. Now go.

Rune, 5:48 PM There was no answer.