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Post by Arden Patricks on Apr 17, 2012 3:53:06 GMT
A smile blossoms up before I'm consciously aware of it at the 'pretty' thing, but I quickly duck my head and bite my lip. I can't be thinking that way, like it's a good thing, because... 'cause... now what?
"So... what about Riyann?" I blurt out, boring holes in my own fingernails so's not to look at him. "I - I don't know if I should press this, but...." I shrug. I never leave well enough alone. Surely he knows that by now.
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Post by Riley Pearson on Apr 17, 2012 4:22:49 GMT
He smiled at her reaction but it was fairly shrot lived seeing as what she said next. Riley stayed quiet for a few moments. She was right. Again.
And there was the guilt. Again. God, he could be stupid. Yeah, breaking up with Riyann to just not anytime soon. It wasn't because he date Arden? No, that wasn't going to happen- at least didn't want to. Date her, that is. It was because he honestly didn't think it was a safe thing to do- for either of them.
So now what? Things were probably going to stay exactly the same way except Riley was just going to suck that much more for putting Arden in this situation. Honestly, there was no winning- no matter which way he tried to shine light on it.
"I, um," He stopped, "I don't know. It's really not that simple of a situation. I really shouldn't have said anything." Now he felt like he was breaking up with Arden- and they weren't even dating...
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Post by Arden Patricks on Apr 17, 2012 4:28:46 GMT
"A- huh." I nod, then shake my head, having tried to do a knowing, 'ah, I see' but not quite managing to get there. "Okay."
Well, of course it's not that simple. You're dating someone else and you think that I'm pretty. I get it, it's complicated, but -
I stand up abruptly and turn my back to him, leaning back against the countertop and crossing my arms. This is, I'm aware, fairly rude, but if the alternative is yelling at him maybe it's not bad.
You really, really, really fucked things up.
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Post by Riley Pearson on Apr 17, 2012 4:49:29 GMT
He didn't want to say sorry again, as for some reason that just made it seem worse to him. He wasn't sure if that made sense or not...
"If the circumstances were different..." He trailed off again, "... I want you, I just. Can't. Well, I could, I just-" Was he even making sense? "I'm an idiot. I just don't want you to get hurt." As if he wasn't already doing that...
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Post by Arden Patricks on Apr 17, 2012 4:58:53 GMT
Can you not talk? And just... go away?
I bite my lip again and clamp my arms tighter, resisting the urge to say this so I can actually listen to him instead... and finally sigh.
"How does... how does any of this stop me getting hurt?" I turn back to face him midway through. "What circumstances? What -" Is she pregnant or something? I bite back on this, too, not sure I want to know. "Are you... being threatened by the mob?" I half-laugh, shaking my head. "What are you talking about?"
Because I get, I really do, that it's awkward to break up with a girl just to hook up with a different one. And if he really... l-loves Riyann then that's acceptable and he should just say so. But the way that he's talking... it just doesn't make sense.
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Post by Riley Pearson on Apr 17, 2012 5:18:02 GMT
"The mob?" He asked, joining her with a partial laugh, "Not exactly, no." He just shook his head, deciding to stand up too- he didn't like sitting while she was standing there.
"I just, I don't want to involve you, Arden." Well, honestly it was too late for that. He already did what he told Fitzy he wasn't going to do- telling arden he liked her and now they're talking and this just wasn't good.
"I mean, I do love her, but I think that she's maybe been hiding something from me and it's kind of a big deal. I just don't know what to do." Alright, that was sort of ranty... "And I'm sorry because now it's more so me that's doing the hurting you and I wish I could say differently."
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Post by Arden Patricks on Apr 17, 2012 5:31:04 GMT
I think I'm feeling empathy for Chance now... poor bastard. Is this what it was always like for him, having me say that he just doesn't get it and has to stay out and... good lord, was I condescending.
"You know I'm going to keep on your case until you tell me or give me a good, compelling reason why you can't," I say finally, raising my eyebrows. I feel somewhat threatened now that he's standing up... like we're about to get in a fistfight... so I lean toward him stubbornly. "If it's something to do with the Chosi you know I'm involved in that anyway, and if it's not... just tell me why."
This is no longer an issue of crushes and break-ups. If he's gotten into something he can't handle it's my job as a friend to help him out... whether he likes it or not.
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Post by Riley Pearson on Apr 17, 2012 15:29:33 GMT
Riley stares at her for a moment weighing what she just told him in his head. If this situation was turned around, he knew that he would be bothering her to the high Heavens until she admitted what it was, so honestly, why should he even try to keep it from her? Or maybe he was just easily persuaded.
"Just please promise me this stays between us." He stated- even though he was sure that was kind of an unspoken rule about these things. Of course, he wasn't going to give the major details- like the fact that Riyann was the one who had killed Trisha, hopefully he could edge around that somehow.
"She is one." That was very vague, but he was assuming she was smart enough to put that sentence together herself. "I mean, I haven't talked to her, but yeah... It's not something I really want her to know that I know and that's kind of huge, isn't it?" He sits back down. "I kind of feel like I don't know who she is anymore."
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Post by Arden Patricks on Apr 17, 2012 18:28:12 GMT
... Oh. I see. Definitely bigger than crushes and breakups.
My breath catches as I stare at him, trying to take that in. I guess it shouldn't really much surprise me, after the week I've had, but still. I've met Riyann. Felt a little biased just because of the crush-thing, but liked her well enough. It's always the nice ones....
"... Oh," I say finally, straightening up as I regain my breathing. "... I guess... that is a little complicated."
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Post by Riley Pearson on Apr 18, 2012 4:19:18 GMT
Riley nodded and stayed quiet a moment, putting his head in his hands and then pushing his hair back- quite possibly messing it up in the process; how his hair looked wasn't really on the top of his priorities at the moment.
"I'm just confused and... I don't know, Arden." He shook his head, not even knowing what to think let alone say aloud, "What should I do?" Was he allowed to ask her something like that?
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Post by Arden Patricks on Apr 18, 2012 4:30:08 GMT
On second thought, am I being prejudicial again? There are good Chosi out there. Like... Ian. Who just killed someone. And....
I sigh, shrugging defeatedly as I sink back into my chair. "Well...." I have to stop, sighing again. "I guess I don't know." Is this why you decided that you like me? Just because you find out something unpleasant? "Just because she's Chosi doesn't mean she's evil...." I add, sounding unconvincing even to myself.
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Post by Riley Pearson on Apr 18, 2012 4:42:53 GMT
Arden had a point- Fitzy sounded like he thought Riyann had tried to help and well, Arden's alive so that's something... but he almost thought the fact that this was kept from him bothered him the most. Well, no, scratch that- the killing in general bothered him the most.
"Yeah, I guess so..." Riley didn't exactly sound convinced- but he also knew more about it than Arden did so he guessed that was why.
He hoped that Arden didn't think his admitted feelings were only because of what he found out about Riyann- of course they weren't, but he would be lying if he said that he had known about them for a long time. The development was fairly recent.
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Post by Arden Patricks on Apr 18, 2012 4:48:35 GMT
I shrug again, tracing small circles on the counter. "On the other hand, even if they're not they might kill you." I sound a little bitter but I'm not going to amend it, hunching in my shoulders again and crossing my arms. A week ago I would have just told him to accept her, that she is who she is and always has been... but now I'm not quite so accepting.
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Post by Riley Pearson on Apr 18, 2012 5:02:37 GMT
"I can't say I'm not a little worried..." He added to her comment. Arden knew of all people- of course she was still living, but to be attacked by your brother? Crazy what people would do to stay alive.
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Post by Arden Patricks on Apr 18, 2012 5:05:55 GMT
I open my mouth to say that no, of course I don't mean that Riyann would kill him... then close it again. Must not forget to be paranoid.
"You promise you'll be careful?" I ask. "... You're not worried she'll off you if you break up with her, are you?"
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Post by Riley Pearson on Apr 18, 2012 23:42:57 GMT
He actually hadn't thought exactly that- it was hard to imagine her killing him as he had never personally see her do anything of the such. Fitzy wouldn't have lied would have he?
"I'm always careful," Well, maybe not always, but for the most part. He added a small reassuring smile to her.
"... I was actually a little more concerned about if she would do anything to you... Now I'm a little worried about myself too though." He didn't even know if breaking up with her was the right thing to do.
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Post by Arden Patricks on Apr 19, 2012 17:54:56 GMT
I shake my head and wave off his concern without much thinking about it, even if there is a small jolt of fear. "To be perfectly honest, I already know so many murderers it's a wonder I'm walking around," I say, half-bravado, half-half-hysterical amusement. I grin, then cough and shrug. "Really, though, it's you I'd be concerned about. People who love Chosi tend to get a little hurt." And people who love people who love Chosi... - no. Stop using the word 'love,' thank you kindly. It's inaccurate and silly and we don't want to think like that.
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Post by Riley Pearson on Apr 20, 2012 1:25:06 GMT
He smiled at her joke, but was slightly concerned by the comment. Exactly how many murderers did she know? And that was a joke, right? Actually, it probably wasn't.
"Well, better me than you." Riley replied- he had a feeling she was going to disagree, but it was true for him.
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Post by Arden Patricks on Apr 20, 2012 1:32:01 GMT
"Oh, shut up." I scowl at him now, crossing my arms. "Don't be stupid. You're a much better person than I am." Which, by rights, means he's far more likely than I am to actually get hurt. Fate has a way... and all that. I swallow hard, with another jolt of fear, but beat it back down as superstition.
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Post by Riley Pearson on Apr 20, 2012 1:44:56 GMT
He didn't really have a comment for who the better person was- At the end of the day they were probably fairly equal. "This shouldn't involve you." Riley replied, "You aren't the one dating her. I don't think I could live with myself if something happened you because of me." Maybe he was being a tad over-dramatic.
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Post by Arden Patricks on Apr 20, 2012 1:49:55 GMT
"Well, maybe I can just piss her off on my own and then it won't be your fault." I shrug, keeping my tone light. "Or, maybe just because she's a Chosi doesn't mean that she's psychotic enough to kill someone just because you're emotionally cheating on her." Shit. I wince as soon as I've said this, shaking my head. "Sorry, that came out wrong... too harsh."
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Post by Riley Pearson on Apr 20, 2012 1:58:22 GMT
Riley wasn't amused by her first comment and he figured that it may have shown up on his face. Now he really hoped that she was kidding.
The second comment, however, was not one that he was realle expecting. It was true, but he couldn't tell how he felt hearing it out loud. He shook his head on her apology and shrugged, "Well, it's true, isn't it?" He asked in reply, "I am." I hope she isn't that psychotic...
"I can't say either of us would be a better situation if I broke up with her." He pointed out.
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Post by Arden Patricks on Apr 20, 2012 2:04:45 GMT
No, but maybe it would be more honest. I bite my tongue this time, shrugging slightly as I look down at the counter. "Well, regardless...." I shrug again, sighing. This sentence could be finished in so many ways I can't count them. And I think it may be time to change the subject. We're going in circles at this point.
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Post by Riley Pearson on Apr 20, 2012 2:23:02 GMT
"I don't know," Riley said, making a move to put his head into his hands, leaning his elbows on the table they were sitting at. He wished someone would just tell him what to do because he was feeling very ridiculous- he should have kept his mouth completely shut in all aspects and they should have just sat in silence. "I'm sorry about this conversation."
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Post by Arden Patricks on Apr 20, 2012 2:26:19 GMT
I laugh faintly, shaking my head. "I've done my part in it." And I really want to kiss you.
I shake my head again, quickly, trying to get rid of the thought. It's far from the first time it's been there, granted, but... before I could give him a hug, or tease him, or... now I don't know how to be.
"So..." I sigh, hunching my shoulders again. "... How did you find out all this anyway?"
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Post by Riley Pearson on Apr 20, 2012 2:43:31 GMT
He stayed silent a moment after hearing her question, hoping he didn't look like a deer in the headlights in the process. He was hoping that he wasn't going to get that question because he doubted that she was going to like the answer very much.
"I honestly don't think that you want to know," Riley ended up saying. Of course, he could just lie, but he couldn't think of anyone else's name. Maybe she would leave it there, maybe she would ask, but he had a feeling it would end up being the latter of the two.
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Post by Arden Patricks on Apr 20, 2012 2:46:13 GMT
I give him the look - raised eyebrows, head tilted, saying, 'Really? Are you going to stick with that? Because we both know I'll keep asking.' - without bothering to say anything. What the hell could he be talking about?
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Post by Riley Pearson on Apr 20, 2012 2:52:18 GMT
She didn't speak, instead just sending him a look that he already knew the meaning of- no words were necessary.
For a moment, he weighed the options of trying to distract her and just giving in and answering her- the only distraction he could think of though would be kissing her and even though he wanted to, he felt that may get him hit. Not that saying Fitzy wouldn't have the same reaction.
"... your brother."
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Post by Arden Patricks on Apr 20, 2012 2:58:38 GMT
... Huh. Oh, and there goes the whoosh of the air escaping my lungs, where it doesn't want to be from the surprise, and then the cold chill I seem to get whenever Fitzy is brought up anymore, and then.... "Well.... Are you sure you can actually trust him?"
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Post by Riley Pearson on Apr 20, 2012 3:02:28 GMT
Riley could tell hearing about him bothered her- which was another reason he didn't want to say anything about it. But she had a point- could he trust him? Despite not trusting Fitzy in general though, he didn't seem the type to care enough to lie about something like this.
"I don't know- he just didn't seem like he was..." He replied, "Why would he bothering lying about it?"
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