He takes his seat next to Inigo after the boy speaks, and it's no small victory that he actually says what he feels this time. Roland will take whatever wins he can get, knowing that in the long run, it'll help Inigo deal with the grievances of this cruel world a little bit better. And more than comforting him, Roland affirms that indeed, his words hold truth. Inigo knew more than he let on, anyway. The scars on his body, the death of his father weighing sorrowfully in his heart, revealed to Roland in the spur of the moment.
Sitting shoulder to shoulder now, hearing Jumblie's cute cries as Roland assumes they've made the connection that he'll never be able to hear, he hums thoughtfully before speaking up. Arms crossed over his chest, but only out of habit.
"Those do sound scary. I'd be worried too." He takes in a deep breath. "And I'll tell you something. You and I have the same nightmares. I'm...I'm scared that I'll be all alone too." This, he will freely admit to Inigo even if it almost feels like pulling teeth. Roland's story has never been important. Not to him. Neither are the nightmares that keep him company, the darkness that swirls in his heart which is always under strict lock and key. But who was he speaking to if not Inigo? His adopted, the one who reminds him of the light? The sun? Who has extended kindness to him without hesitation; who deserves happiness beyond his wildest imaginings? He deserves a piece of it. The sorrow, if only to show him that at least in this, Roland understands.
"But that's where they should stay. In nightmares. When you wake up, the sun will be back in the sky. Waiting for you. And you and I have got ourselves another chance to make people smile again." Jumblie seems to agree with it at least, making more sounds, jumping on Inigo's lap like she's wanting to encourage the thought. Even he's affected by her warm light, more potent in a closed space than when Jumblie would follow them on the battlefield for support. And because this is where the conversation leads them, he takes another chance. Not knowing how Inigo will take it, but it's not something Roland would offer just anybody. Evan, however, would have invited half the train to it.
His voice drops a tone or two lower. Keeps his gaze low, before he meets Inigo's mismatched gaze with his own. A seriousness befitting what he's got to say.
"The kingdom's open, you know." He starts off, smoothly. Like it's not a big deal. "Jumblie will know the way. Every higgledy we've met and befriended, they're all connected to Evermore. It's magic. I'm not sure how it works, but...it does. And..." Should the worse come to pass..."...You can find me there. One day, you can ask Jumblie to take you and all you need to do is tell them that you've got the Chief Consul's full approval to be a citizen."
He offers his open hand to Inigo. A pact. A promise. That the ties that bind them are stronger than the nightmares.
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Sitting shoulder to shoulder now, hearing Jumblie's cute cries as Roland assumes they've made the connection that he'll never be able to hear, he hums thoughtfully before speaking up. Arms crossed over his chest, but only out of habit.
"Those do sound scary. I'd be worried too." He takes in a deep breath. "And I'll tell you something. You and I have the same nightmares. I'm...I'm scared that I'll be all alone too." This, he will freely admit to Inigo even if it almost feels like pulling teeth. Roland's story has never been important. Not to him. Neither are the nightmares that keep him company, the darkness that swirls in his heart which is always under strict lock and key. But who was he speaking to if not Inigo? His adopted, the one who reminds him of the light? The sun? Who has extended kindness to him without hesitation; who deserves happiness beyond his wildest imaginings? He deserves a piece of it. The sorrow, if only to show him that at least in this, Roland understands.
"But that's where they should stay. In nightmares. When you wake up, the sun will be back in the sky. Waiting for you. And you and I have got ourselves another chance to make people smile again." Jumblie seems to agree with it at least, making more sounds, jumping on Inigo's lap like she's wanting to encourage the thought. Even he's affected by her warm light, more potent in a closed space than when Jumblie would follow them on the battlefield for support. And because this is where the conversation leads them, he takes another chance. Not knowing how Inigo will take it, but it's not something Roland would offer just anybody. Evan, however, would have invited half the train to it.
His voice drops a tone or two lower. Keeps his gaze low, before he meets Inigo's mismatched gaze with his own. A seriousness befitting what he's got to say.
"The kingdom's open, you know." He starts off, smoothly. Like it's not a big deal. "Jumblie will know the way. Every higgledy we've met and befriended, they're all connected to Evermore. It's magic. I'm not sure how it works, but...it does. And..." Should the worse come to pass..."...You can find me there. One day, you can ask Jumblie to take you and all you need to do is tell them that you've got the Chief Consul's full approval to be a citizen."
He offers his open hand to Inigo. A pact. A promise. That the ties that bind them are stronger than the nightmares.