Sam had not meant his words the way Remi took them, but that could sum up their whole relationship, couldn't it? It was his job, yes, but he wouldn't do this for just anybody.
"Oh, I see. Then I am honoured to have it." He smiled, looking the feather up and down with a renewed appreciation. Not only was it from Remi but it was a rarity, something not of this world; that in of itself was fascinating. There were few gifts he could imagine being better. He was about to mention that, ask if Remi had any other items from his last world he could record--
"I don't think I can do this.."
His gaze snapped back to Remi, tears immediately filling his eyes. But it was bad to cry, probably manipulative or too much. Sam blinked them back desperately, a hand going to his mouth. None of his careful thinking had prepared him for actually hearing Remi say something like that. "I...I see." He finally mumbled out, looking down at Mia, who stared up at him with the innocent eyes of an animal.
"...That..I mean, that's fine, of course. I understand. I know I am...not...I know I'm..." He trailed off, his mouth moving but nothing coming out until he tried again: "...Can...I ask why?" It was a question he was only asking so he could beat himself with the answer later, but he asked it anyway.
Samuel
I tried to dance with the devil on your back
