ercnerd | Catch-all: Bradley

Once we get outta here.

[He does not move his hand, but he also doesn't move any closer. They're both adults here, after all. If he says what he needs, then Bradley might help. But with so little to go on... This is probably okay?]

[This is okay. The hand helps. But what he needs is a distraction from the guilt and rage that bubble just beneath the surface. There's no outlet, and he isn't interested in mindless violence.]

What's that?

[He lowers his hand and looks past Bradley at the telephone booth.]

The booth over there? Lets us contact the Dorm Heads.

Don't think it connects t' anybody else.

Oh, really? . . . Do they know about the lost keys?

Yeah, said the bear called them before I called.

Did they say anything about what we should be doing over here?

Mine [ Luke ] said to help the bear find his keys.

Where did he find this one, anyway?

I dunno-

[It's Bradley and Nero dressed the same. Nero's holding out a hand, it's the ring Sieghart has seen Bradley wear on his left middle finger.

Bradley, "If ya really wanna put that ring on my finger so bad, then you better make it outta this alive, bend down on yer knees and present it to me yerself. Selfless fools ain’t got no business bein’ bandits. Be greedy, and cling to that life with all you’ve got. Don’t matter who condemns you. I’ll always have your back. Tell me ya don’t wanna die. Or, at the very least, tell me ya don’t want me to die."

Nero, voice shaking, "…I…I don’t want you to die…"

Bradley, warm and affectionate, "Ahaha!! Then I guess we better make it back in one piece, yeah? You go an’ put that ring on my finger every time yer up for a big challenge, got it?!"]

[Such warmth and affection. Although it isn't his, it's a soothing memory in spite of the implications behind the words shared.

Sieghart's gaze drops to Bradley's left hand.]

You're a bandit, huh?

[ The same ring is right there. Bradley rarely takes it off.

At the question he gets a confident grin. ]

You're looking at the leader of the most terrifyin' gang of bandits in the North.