#// was tempted to put forsyth's last reply in here too but i feared how long that would make this thing when fors replies again alskdjf

[aimlessarchery]

@redmessenger (from here)

“Heh, that’s right. The feelings are messy.” Lukas hardly knows how to feel about all of this—he’s used to comforting others, not being the one comforted. Vulnerability doesn’t come easily to him, but among people he trusts, Lukas allows himself to indulge in the warmth and security Forsyth and Python provide. Squeezing Forsyth’s hand in return, he hears his voice begin to waver, “My father was no longer the man I knew after my mother died. He oft spoke of wanting to return to her side, with dark words I dare not repeat… Now that they are reunited, he must finally know peace. I’ve been taking some comfort in that.” …With a sigh, Lukas returns to his drink, finishing off the last of what’s left. There’s not much else to say on that particular matter, nothing else he feels like divulging on what’s supposed to be a fun reunion. After collecting his thoughts, he breaks his silence with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry for souring the mood. Allow me to get to the next round to make up for it. “To get to the point, after his death, my brother inherited our lands and titles. Our family is not a wealthy one—we grew up house-poor, and last I checked my father was still trying to pay off our debts. Add in my relationship with Markus, and you might understand why I wasn’t expecting anything to come to me…” Lukas takes a sip of his water. “Well, I did. Not just money, but a small portion of our land that is now under my name. My father did not leave a will. So it was Markus’ decision.” Honestly, even now it’s hard to believe this happened. Lukas can’t help but smile to himself, laughing slightly, “In all the time I’ve known him, he’s been strange with money. He can ride into battle without an ounce of fear yet balks at the sight of a checkbook… I can’t imagine why he would do such a thing, but it’s certainly made me richer. Combined with my savings, I was able to retire from the Brotherhood. Now I aim to become a teacher.”

Python has just enough tact not to scoff at Forsyth's choice of words. Losing a parent isn't difficult at all, in his book—it's what comes after that's hard. How hard it is depends on what kind of parent they were. He holds his tongue, though. Mostly because Forsyth's final statement really is true. Not that it seems Lukas needs much material support from the two of them, given his apparent new status. "You hear that, Fors?" He rests a hand atop the joined hands of the two knights, already conveniently located near his own arm. (It was a bit awkward being sandwiched between their little moment without being included, y'know. May as well make it an intentional sandwich.) His head lolls backward, far enough to nearly rest on Forsyth's shoulder with the way the man's bent forward to reach Lukas's hand. "Our Lukas, a landed noble. Who'd've thought!" He snickers under his breath. "And Moneybags still has the gall to insist I pay for my own drinks 'til he starts feeling bad about raining on our little parade." It's a feckless little jab, preemptively dismissed with a shake of his own head. "You'll fit right in, Luke. Hell, you'll fit in better than some folks already here, myself included. I'm still not quite used to running around with lordlings and churchfolk. And the paperwork." He lets out all the air in his lungs in a sharp, dramatic sigh, drooping forward over the bar as he deflates. "Uuuugh. I've done more reading in the past year than the entire rest of my life."

@viridescent-lance up next, on a fresh new post yeehaw

backstreet's back, alright!