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{Having been returned to the Hall, it takes some time before Oz sniffs out the location of the Dragonborn. In the Wine Cellar, he is found.} Hello, Dragon.

{The Giff’s silent approach startled him.} Shit! {He sighs.} Don’t fucking to that.

My apologies. {Rump meets floor, as Oz situates himself next to Shad.} Why are you in the Wine Cellar?

{I’m having a party, can’t you tell? {He snipes, looking away after.}

{Some time passes, silence filling the minutes. Oz isn’t quit sure how to comfort this person. He doesn’t know anything about him. What should he talk about? How long should he talk? What—}

Why the Hells are you just sitting there?

{The sudden question makes him jump.} I… {He fidgets; pulling at his sleeves, or picking at his nails.} I came to listen.

{One of his brows cocks.} What the fuck are you on about?

I heard you and your friend’s conversation.

{Until then, Shad had pushed that situation away. But now that Oz has mentioned it again… he finds it increasingly difficult to do so.} Nosy ass… {He deflates.}

{The Giff opts to let everything happen naturally.}

{The breath of Shad slowly quickens. A wave of anger passes through him, and he snarls softly.} She’s right, you know.

Pardon?

Fernessa, she’s right. {He let’s out a sad sigh.} I’m a shit friend. {Scoffs at the word.} I don’t deserve that title. “*Friend*.” {He spits the word out with hate.}

{Oz’z features harden, just slightly.} Yes you are.

{His head snaps in Oz’z direction.} Oh yeah? Then maybe— since you seem know everything about this shit — why in the Hells do I keep fucking them up?! {Blindly, he punches one of the barrels. Seeing as it didn’t break his hand, he swings for the stone wall next. And, with a crunch of bones, his fist collides against the wall.} Fuck! {The wounded hand is clutched to his chest.}

{Seeing Shad harm himself is all the information Oz needs. And in a flash, Shadzaar is restrained by all of the Giff’s arms.}

{The Dragonborn struggles, violently, to escape.} Dammit— Argh! — fucking let go!

With care, he tightens his grip.} No, not until you calm yourself.

{Shad is overtaken by a sad, self-pitying rage. He kicks, and screams and thrashes… eventually shedding angry tears.} Fuck just— let me go, man… {His body, now hoarse, cracks. And for a few minutes it betrays him. Not allowing any words.}

{Oz feels… bad. He doesn’t understand why this particular issue is aggrieving Shad so much. He honestly doubts he’d get an answer if he asked. But… something urges him to ask anyway.} Dragonborn?

{He doesn’t respond at first. But now he’s work down to himself, his true self. No defences, nor cunning and no greed. Laid bare is the Dragonborn Shadzaar.} …What do you want?

{He hesitates.} I… want to know why you are so upset by what has occurred. {His voice is low, barely above a whisper. If the room wasn’t deathly quiet aside from Shad’s ragged breathing, he likely wouldn’t have heard it.}

…whatever, it won’t matter if I tell you. {He sighs.} I’m thinking about leaving anyway…

{The Giff frowns.}

Can… you let me go now?

Oh… sorry…. {He gently sets the Rogue back onto the floor.}

{Sniffles.} Look… {His knee draws up, and he props himself on it.} I’ve had it rough since… well, I guess since I was born. And because of that, I struggled every day to survive. Up until I was old enough to understand how shit worked.

{Adjusts his posture; to better face Shad.} Why did you struggle?

{His eyes twinkle with sadness for a moment.} I don’t got any. They didn’t want me. {He laughs mirthlessly.} Guess that’s where it started. {His hand rubs along his arm.}

{Oz’s frown deepens. He listens with intensity; hearing all the wavering pain cracking Shadzaar’s composure.}

I took all of the loot from the last group I ended up with. Spent it all on booze . {His breathing has elevated once more.} I stole from the people who fed me when I had nothing. Spent it on whores and more booze. And now… just when I found some people I like… I fuck it up again… {He shudders out a breath. Having just spoke of his past— which he seldom does — has brought out his old heartaches.}

{Oswald listens. He feels all that pain in Shad’s sobs. He understands, having no true parents…} I… I’m sorry you went through that. {He tugs on his fingers with anxiety.}

No— I’m sorry you had to meet such a fuck up. {His voice is so quiet now…}

{Grimaces.} Don’t… don’t talk about yourself like that…

Why? It’s true. {He winces as he accidentally moves his broken hand.}

No on except evil ones deserves to be told that.

{He scoffs.} Yeah, well… mayb—

No.

{He is surprised by the firmness of the Giff’s voice.}

Do not talk of yourself like that.

I… {He trails off. The Giff could be right. But could a thief, cheat and liar really deserve any positivity? He’s not sure, but… the Hippo makes it seem true.}

{Idly, Oz picks up a small stone.} When I feel bad, I meditate, go on a walk or cook. {He pockets the pebble, and fishes out his metal ball. He sets it carefully on the ground; close to Shad’s thigh.}

…What is that? {He looks at the ball, and believes it to be a sexual application.} Augh— gross — I don’t want your anal ball, or whatever that’s used for!

{Redder than an apple.} It’s… it’s not… That’s not its purpose. {He furiously tugs at the hem of his shirt.}

{Glancing between the ball and the Giff. With visible disgust.}

…Did you pick it up?

Fuck no! I don’t wanna touch that.

{Oz, master of patience, takes the ball. He then drops it into Shad’z lap.}

Agh! {The hidden effect of the orb, placed by Oz, takes effect.} I—… wait… {He uses his other hand to pick it up.} It’s so… relaxing.

Da, ‘tis.

{Tearing his eyes from the captivating-ness of the ball.} Huh…? Oh, yeah. Thanks.

{He pokes the broken hand, restoring it.} You are welcome.

{Raises a brow ridge.} Wow, we live together and you don’t even know my name. Harsh, man.

{Oz’s ears wiggle wildly.} …I am Oz.

{Shad narrows his eyes; silently refusing to play along. Eventually, he caves.] Shad.

Nice to make your acquaintance. {Slowly and deliberately, he bows.} Goodnight. {His B-road back turns, and he silently pads his way to bed.}

{He’d never admit it, but Shad found the Giff’s ears cute. After stealing some wine, he too retires.}