[When the response doesn't come, he assumes Riley doesn't know how to continue the conversation and has let it drop. He doesn't resent this; at least he doesn't think he does. The prickle of hurt feelings in his chest is foreign, and he doesn't examine it too closely. Instead, he deliberately refocuses, picking his little black kitten up off the floor, setting him on the bed, and explaining to him gravely that his name is Alder now. He gets his fingertip bitten for his trouble.]
[But then he does get a message back from Riley after all. It's not funny, but he laughs anyway.]
that's what i hear. my experience is limited, but from what i understand, "should" doesn't really reflect reality.
[After all, he's already started looking into Fugo. He knows just the beginnings of what's under that ugly rock, and he's already angry. The thought that he'll never get back home to finish that work makes him sick.]
there was some of that too. one hit me, the other didn't look at me. neither is better than the other. you shouldn't have had to deal with it either.
[Admittedly, he's making assumptions. But are they really assumptions when he knows he's right?]
<harmonia>
[But then he does get a message back from Riley after all. It's not funny, but he laughs anyway.]
that's what i hear. my experience is limited, but from what i understand, "should" doesn't really reflect reality.
[After all, he's already started looking into Fugo. He knows just the beginnings of what's under that ugly rock, and he's already angry. The thought that he'll never get back home to finish that work makes him sick.]
there was some of that too. one hit me, the other didn't look at me. neither is better than the other. you shouldn't have had to deal with it either.
[Admittedly, he's making assumptions. But are they really assumptions when he knows he's right?]