the end of eras

Mateo

champagne, cocaine, gasoline
and most things in between

Slipping ringed fingers around the porcelain of his teacup and softly inhaling the scent of lemon and ginger from his tea, Mateo regards Ever with gentle curiosity, giving him the time he knows he needs to form his responses and offering only small nods of understanding here and there until he's finished. "I think you might be right about the lies," he agrees with his remarks on the void. "And so I also think it would be a good idea to move La Verbena out of Stormbreak, as soon as you feel as though you are able to pilot her. Or you could write the instructions down and I could try." Mateo's wry smile suggests than he already knows Ever's preference on that matter.

"I do not expect you to say thank you, at least. I am sorry that your peace was taken from you, Ever, however good the intentions. And... I am going to try to help you get better, he says slowly. He hasn't once spoken about his long overdue quest from Frey, but given how raw and uncertain his friend is about merely existing, perhaps a sliver of hope will help.

As for him staying, the botanist smiles warmly and bobs his head in a nod, taking a slow sip of his tea. "Welcome home," he says a few moments later. "You know already that I am able to fill silence all by myself, so if you would prefer to be a different shape, be my guest."

I roam the city in a shopping cart
a pack of Camels and a smoke alarm