[ He hears more fabric, and the sound of her either panting from the exercise or having some kind of panic attack. He's not sure which, and it concerns him, but before he can ask if she's okay, her name on his lips, she's speaking again.
His heart nearly stops. ]
A month...?
[ He nearly drops his phone as the pieces click into place, the chill in the air all the colder, like all the warmth in his body is leeched away in an instant. For all he wants to deny it, to ask if she's sure (of course she's sure), it makes sense. It explains the things he picked up at the rent a ride, his unceremonious dip in the water--everything.
It's a difficult truth to reconcile. It had seemed like a moment. A second between the inn room and the bay, the space for a breath, the time it took to blink. Yet according to Rapunzel, it's been so much longer, the time he's been away totaling nearly half the time they've been in Avalon. A month? How could that be the truth? It would mean she's been left alone that whole time, left behind without warning. How cruel.
Their time together has been short, but he knows she values his company as much as he does hers. Their time together has helped him cope and adjust. Her companionship helped to keep his mind off the people and places he missed. He had no doubt it was the same, and could only imagine how hard it would have been to suddenly have his constant presence suddenly ripped away.
And for all that time, for all that pain, he wasn't even given the chance to catch a glimpse of home.
He nearly misses what she says, only catching the last bit, and even then it takes him a moment to process. Ah, that explains why she's in such a hurry. She plans on coming to meet him. A part of him thinks he should stop her, but he doesn't. She's capable of taking care of herself, he's seen that much in their short time together. ]
Alright, I'll see you at the inn. Be careful on the road.
[ Zen is glad she's coming, that he won't need to wait as long to see her. Talking on the phone is one thing, but he's sure actually seeing him will be more reassuring. At least he hopes.
The trip is long, and he spends most of it with his head in his hands. There's too much time to think, and unlike last time he doesn't have company on the ride. He tries to keep his mind clear, because Rapunzel was right, it's not his fault this happened, but the guilt still weighs heavy, and try as he might he can't help but wonder where he was this last month.
When Rapunzel arrives at the inn, Zen is sitting outside. It's clear he's been there a while, wrapped up in his cloak to keep semi-warm, his sheathed sword perched on his knees. He looks thoughtful, his mouth twisted into a small frown as he rubs his thumb across his family's crest.
He looks up when he hears the sound of hooves, stands once she comes close enough, and tries for a smile. ]
no subject
His heart nearly stops. ]
A month...?
[ He nearly drops his phone as the pieces click into place, the chill in the air all the colder, like all the warmth in his body is leeched away in an instant. For all he wants to deny it, to ask if she's sure (of course she's sure), it makes sense. It explains the things he picked up at the rent a ride, his unceremonious dip in the water--everything.
It's a difficult truth to reconcile. It had seemed like a moment. A second between the inn room and the bay, the space for a breath, the time it took to blink. Yet according to Rapunzel, it's been so much longer, the time he's been away totaling nearly half the time they've been in Avalon. A month? How could that be the truth? It would mean she's been left alone that whole time, left behind without warning. How cruel.
Their time together has been short, but he knows she values his company as much as he does hers. Their time together has helped him cope and adjust. Her companionship helped to keep his mind off the people and places he missed. He had no doubt it was the same, and could only imagine how hard it would have been to suddenly have his constant presence suddenly ripped away.
And for all that time, for all that pain, he wasn't even given the chance to catch a glimpse of home.
He nearly misses what she says, only catching the last bit, and even then it takes him a moment to process. Ah, that explains why she's in such a hurry. She plans on coming to meet him. A part of him thinks he should stop her, but he doesn't. She's capable of taking care of herself, he's seen that much in their short time together. ]
Alright, I'll see you at the inn. Be careful on the road.
[ Zen is glad she's coming, that he won't need to wait as long to see her. Talking on the phone is one thing, but he's sure actually seeing him will be more reassuring. At least he hopes.
The trip is long, and he spends most of it with his head in his hands. There's too much time to think, and unlike last time he doesn't have company on the ride. He tries to keep his mind clear, because Rapunzel was right, it's not his fault this happened, but the guilt still weighs heavy, and try as he might he can't help but wonder where he was this last month.
When Rapunzel arrives at the inn, Zen is sitting outside. It's clear he's been there a while, wrapped up in his cloak to keep semi-warm, his sheathed sword perched on his knees. He looks thoughtful, his mouth twisted into a small frown as he rubs his thumb across his family's crest.
He looks up when he hears the sound of hooves, stands once she comes close enough, and tries for a smile. ]
You got here faster than I expected. Tired?