2020-02-21 - Aftermaths

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Thorne.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : I'm a little busy. What do you need?

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : I'm sorry. I just wanted to see if anything wrong happened on Valentine's Day.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : (No response for a bit)

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Yes. We were pulled into a Dream on Valentine's Day.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : So were Isabella and I. I think we saw you. Dressed in vintage, maybe 30s?

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Was it at some creepy Overlook Hotel?

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Lariat. Had a lot of murders of passion before they tore it down.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Right. That's the hotel. Only really heard ghost stories about it.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Are you and Lilith okay?

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : So you and Isabella were there? And you're sure that what you saw of us weren't just, I dunno, visions? Illusions? I mean, you got the era right. What were we doing?

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Lilith is still a bit shaken. Which is why I'm busy, currently.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : I'm looking after her.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : I'm not sure. But you seemed to be arguing.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Looking after her? What happened?

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Oh. Yes. If it was anything like ours, it was terrible.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Let's just say that while there, They clouded our judgements and filled us with so much anger. We ended up doing things we didn't want to. We were cruel to each other.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : I know. I killed Isabella.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : But you're both alright otherwise? Nothing broken?

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : I don't...she had a lot of bruises. I healed what I could, but then I ran away.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : You ran away? That entire thing was incredibly confusing. Where were you both?

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : I couldn't stay. She wanted to forgive me. It hurt too much. We were going to the Lighthouse for dinner. It was going to be nice. It wasn't.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : I'll assume that things were repaired between you two since?

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : (...)

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : She's going back to England soon. She should stay gone.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : You know that I agree with that. But this isn't the way to send her off.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Unless you think that it will keep her away.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : I don't know. I just know that I KILLED her. I can't let that happen again. Ever.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Did you

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Did Lilith

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : I don't know how to ask the question.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : (No response for a few minutes)

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : (...)

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : I believe that's how it had to end.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : How. I hate that I'm able to kill someone I love. Isabella just kept pushing me away. I see that now. She was pushing me away, she was holding back. I didn't. How are you able to deal with that?

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Because I know that I would never do that. And I just thank God that she isn't dead and that she's alive. That's what I'm grateful for.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : And I don't want to cause her any more trauma. You know about how our relationship ended when we were still kids? Yeah, neither of us should have to go through that again.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : I'm glad you know that. That you would never. You're a good kid. You're good for each other. Take care of her.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : You're not so confident?

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : No.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Can't say that I believe that. You care way too much about everyone.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : And anyway, if you did do something. You would try to fix it.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Caring doesn't stop you from hurting people. And you can't fix dead.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : It's a big mistake to isolate yourself from everyone, you know.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : (...)

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : I don't know what else to do.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Just think about whether it's worth being alone for the rest of your life. Your friends are going to go out of their way to help you no matter what.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Anyway. That said, if you can really find a way to keep Isabella from returning to Gray Harbor, I'd appreciate it.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : I won't override her will. I've hurt her enough. She might forget, though. When she goes.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : And you could listen to your own advice, sometimes.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Haha. You're not wrong. She has this opportunity to get out though. If she forgets, she'll still come back for you.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : I doubt that. No one would. She might come back for a friend, but not the town crazy who choked her. She's bright.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Would she even remember that happened?

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : I remembered the bad things. Just not always that they were supernatural.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Anyway, what I really meant was, she wouldn't have to come back if you went with her.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : And then I can be an embarrassment in multiple countries. No. But let me know if I can bring you or Lilith anything while she recovers.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Is that why you stick to Gray Harbor? Everyone already knows about your weird quirks?

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : And yeah, I'll let you know. I just think she needs time to reflect on what happened. And to not blame herself for... everything.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Originally, I just didn't know where else to go when everything fell apart. Then I was here because, well, where else can you make something like a living being hired to investigate people's delusions, with the occasional monster? And I don't like being muffled.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Okay. Please give her my regards. Is there anything you need?

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Something's come up, but I'll tell you more later.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Don't die.