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[GUS... YIKES MAN...

Solomon isn't sure how to feel about this except that he can probably understand why Iona fears for this boy's life. He takes a napkin from the counters and hands it to Gus while Iona sets down her tote wincing at the bloody nose.]

Buddy. You got a little something there...

Huh? Yeah, no, this is— fine, I've had worse.

[ Dodgerolling through alleys, falling out of second-story windows, you know. The usual.

He holds the napkin up ti his face, though, to plug up his nose as he waves with his free (slightly bloody) hand. ]

Enough about me! Iona! How are you?! It's been too long, did you miss me?!

...

[SHE SUDDENLY FLICKS HIS FOREHEAD (with her left hand mind you) before going to the back to change. She seems... Annoyed?!]

[Huh. Solomon raises a brow at his sister's action and wipes the blood off the table before explaining to Gus:]

Yeah. She did.

[ Ah. This is upsetting to know, even if a part of him is happy that she missed him.

So, of course, since he's a firecracker at all time: Gus springs to his feet, tries to scrabble after Iona like a puppy that's been denied a walk. ]

Iona?! Iona... I was...! I'm...! I'm sorry!! I didn't mean it!

[ What is he even apologizing for anymore? Even he doesn't know. ]

I guess bleeding all over the floor didn't help...

[Nothing that a bit of small magic can't fix. Solomon's free hand hovers over the messy spots and when he lifts it up, it's all gone. Convenient!]

But you were gone for a LONG time.

[ Whoa!! Gus needs to learn how to do that, even though he doesn't have a speck of magical talent in him...

He's still going to drape over the front counter, though, awaiting Iona's return. ]

Not because I wanted to be away! And I couldn't write her a letter...

[ Huh. ]

...Or could I have?! Does this place have an address?!

If it's a door that is everywhere, but nowhere at once, I don't think addresses would be able to pin it down.

Although, I'm sure Oren wouldn't mind taking messages, would you Oren?

[Solomon calls out to the back...]

Edited 2015-11-25 05:44 (UTC)

Not the postman.

[Well. He didn't say no...]

It's being the postman or seeing Iona sad!

[ LOGIC. ]

I'm done with being sad.

[Iona returns from the back, dressed in her work clothes and plopping down next to Solomon, looking over at Gus, granting him a smile at the very least.]

With the way you're arguing with Oren though, it's like you never left. Ah, glad you got to meet Sully though.

[Iona leans on her brother's shoulder briefly as Solmon just chuckles warmly.]

Iona...

[ And, well. For a split second, he looks like he wants to bridge the distance between them, but he's not so much sheepish as he is still apologetic for leaving her in the dark. So he shuffles his feet, stays lounging by the front counter as he scuffs his dirty shoes against the flooring. ]

I wouldn't say I left. Just... you know.

[ But he nods about being glad to have met Solomon, because he sincerely is. ]

If I can make it up to you...

Well, first thing's first. Should I leave you two alone? Well, alone with Oren anyways.

[Solomon's only half-joking at least. He glances at Gus.]

You'll probably see me again if Iona lets you stick around.

Private is better, but... Iona will fill you in later about everything, probably.

[ Which is his way of saying 'I'll definitely see you again', because he has every intention of sticking around like a persistent plague. The Plague of Gus.

And, as an addendum, under his breath: ] ...you can also take Oren with you...

Pardon?

[Sorry Gus, there's a hand on your head. IS HE GOING TO CRUSH IT WHO KNOWS...

Also, Solomon's waving, bye bum.]

[ OREN... WOULD YOU TRULY DO THIS TO GUS RN!!!

Cue nervous sweating. ]

Pardonne, pardonne!! I just thought...! It would be better if the mother weren't here...

[As Solomon leaves, Iona scoots over closer to Gus, to swat Oren's hand away and to ruffle his hair herself.]

Well... Thanks for coming back at least.

[Her smile is warm.]

I'm glad to see you're okay.

Ah, I... [ Hair-ruffle!! Gus's eyes narrow a little when he feels Iona's fingers in his hair, like a sleepy dog. ] ...I'm sorry, I should've brought you something as a gift or... to make up for it. But I was in a rush, and...

[ He trails off. ]

...you didn't think I wouldn't come back, right?

[Iona lets her hand fall back to her side, quiet for a few seconds before replying.]

It was a possibility. I wouldn't have been surprised.

[She sighs.]

But I don't like being sad about things I know I can't control. I've been sad so many time already.

Edited 2015-11-30 06:34 (UTC)

[ Well. That's enough for Gus to fall into his equivalent of contemplative silence, one that's punctuated by a few instances where he opens his mouth...and then shuts it, as if he has to find the right moment to actually speak up.

When he finally does, he reaches across the counter to grab one of Iona's hands, holds it between his palms and shakes it up and down in mild urgency. ]

Iona!

I know that I can't stop sad things from happening— even I'm not that naive. [ more vigorous hand-shaking, as if to emphasize each point that he's clumsily trying to make. ] But I'm just as stubborn as I am loud! And too outspoken?! And... okay, forget that tangent!

[ Good job, Gus. ]

But I promise you, absolutely promise you, that I'll never disappear without saying a word. Never. Never!

Never.

...So if I disappear without saying anything and it's not because of my family, it's definitely Oren's fault.

[ GUS........................ ]

[HAND ON GUS'S HEAD ONCE MORE.]

Will never be found again.

Edited 2015-11-30 06:42 (UTC)

Ah, I'm joking! Joking!!

[ PUTTING HIS HANDS UP... in the universal surrender motion! ]

I didn't want to make it too heavy, because sad things aren't things I want to talk about? But I want to promise that as long as I live, I'll always find a way to come back here. Alright?

[Iona lets out a laugh because of Gus, because of Oren, because of them both.]

You know what? Knowing you, I'll believe that and I'm holding you to that promise, okay?

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