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[Arenvald might believe it in an unwavering way, but to Connor, the idea is a bit like foundation shaking under his feet. And he does all he can to step over the fault lines, the cracks snaking across, so that he doesn't stumble and drown in the unknown in-between.

If he knows there's a point that his friend is trying to gently make, read via implication and memory of a conversation they've had once before, Connor willfully does not mention it or bring it to light.

If nothing else, his stubborn streak is indelible.]

It's hard to complain about a successful mission, even if none of us are here on our own accord. I hope it's the beginning of a trend.

So do I.

[ It feels good to succeed, regardless of why or how they're here. ]

By the way, let me know if there's anything I can do to help you out. With Hank, I mean, but in general, too.

I appreciate it. And the same applies to you, from me.

[He does have one final curiosity, though.]

Did you speak with Hank for very long?

Not overlong, I suppose.

[ He frowns, unsure if he wants to explain to Connor that Hank somehow got an express ticket onto his bad side. Surely he doesn't need to worry about that on top of everything else. ]

His dog ran off, so I helped him find it. After that we chatted a bit and I tried my level best to explain what was going on, but he wasn't really having it. We split up not long after that.

[But as always, and perhaps not surprisingly, Connor thrives off of details. Especially when it comes to his friends.]

What did you think of him?

[And in a very Connor-like fashion, he asks bluntly.]

[ Connor sure likes to cut right to the quick, doesn't he? ]

Well, I uh... I suppose he didn't strike me as someone I'd want to spend a lot of time with.

[ That's putting it nicely, right? ]

[He does, when he sees no reason not to.

But just as efficiently, he reads between the lines of Arenvald’s reply, noting the minute hesitation between words, the carefully crafted response that acts as a coating around a harsher truth.

It isn’t surprising.]

I’m sorry it wasn’t a better first impression. He was like that the day I met him, too. Quick to push those who disagree with him away, quicker to judge when he’s already made up his mind about someone.

But... he’s a good man, Arenvald. Despite whatever he might have said to you.

[ All at once he feels bad for letting Hank get under his skin like he had. He doesn't believe Connor to be the type to make that assessment lightly, especially given his proclivity for blunt-force honesty. ]

You know I trust you, so if you say he's a good man, I'll believe it.

Can't imagine he much likes me considering the way I sort of left in the middle of our conversation, though.

[Not that Connor expects to change Arenvald's mind with a single declaration, for he knows that these kind of impressions are the ones that linger the longest. He only hopes with time, the next few meetings won't be so unflattering.]

Was it that bad? Getting under your skin really takes some effort.

Well, I'm glad you think so highly of my temperament.

[ Said with a laugh, as he rubs the back of his neck. True, he's probably more even-keeled than a lot of people he knows, but he's not infallible. ]

It... ah, it was starting to needle at me, the things he was saying. I thought it best to leave before I made it worse.

[Despite everything, the next question should hardly be that surprising, even after directly appraising his friend’s demeanor. ]

What did he say to you, specifically?

[ He had a small sliver of hope that they might avoid the particulars, but Connor quickly proves him wrong, as bluntly as ever. ]

When he asked me not to tell you he was here, I told him he ought to give you more of a chance, especially since up until now you've been the only one here from your world.

He didn't much appreciate that, and accused me of trying to guilt him into doing something he didn't want to do. I left after that.

[His features tighten a small amount, Connor seeming to hang off of every word of this explanation. But to his credit, he doesn't look as hurt as one might expect; blame it mostly on the fact that still none of this comes as a true surprise. It fits what he knows about Hank, even if none of it is preferable to hear.]

I see. Thank you for clarifying.

[His LED spins once, twice.]

The transition to another world is jarring to most people. And I don't think Hank is the sort of man who processes sudden change very well, much less hearing suggestions that he wasn't ready to entertain.

[It sounds like Connor is making a lot of excuses for the man. Maybe he is. He backtracks a little, but doesn't correct himself.]

But I appreciate you trying to convince him, anyway. And that you became irritated on my account.

[ He does pick up on that, the excuses, but Arenvald reads it more as someone who just really wants their friends to get along, despite a rocky start. Honestly, he’d be the world’s biggest hypocrite if he didn’t give Hank a fair shake after insisting he do the same for Connor. He’ll do his best. ]

By your reckoning, how long did you two know each other before you came here?

[He knows exactly how long, down to the very hour-]

Four days.

[-not that it’s very hard to count.

It’s quality, not quantity, that matters.]

Edited 2018-09-06 20:39 (UTC)

[ That surprises him a bit, evident in the slight arching of his brows. To his credit, he doesn’t just blurt out “that’s it?” since he knows well how quickly bonds can form on the battlefield. If their partnership, forced as it was, was put into place during a trying time, then four days is enough. More than enough. ]

No wonder he seemed confused when I told him I’d known you for months.

[He nods. Arenvald’s raising brows are noted, Connor always tracing changes of expression in his mind, even unintentionally — but the swift creation of his and Hank's friendship isn’t questioned, and he assumes that his companion understands.]

I want to say that’s probably the case. My experiences back home are admittedly very short compared to everyone else’s here. Speaking in terms of months in relation to myself would confuse anyone who knows me from Detroit.

[Well. Not that Hank would know when he was issued, but that didn’t change it being the truth.]

And here I’m used to being one of the youngest.

[ He grins as he says it, nudging Connor playfully. He gave Connor grief about his age before, so there’s a bit of a precedent. ]

Mayhap it’ll take months this time instead of days, but Hank will come around. I know he will.

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