2021-01-31 - An Apology

(TXT to Dante) Elias : I'm sorry for how I left. To be honest, I hadn't expected to be gone that long, despite the potential for risk. I just wanted to apologize. I hope that you are well. -- Elias

Bloody fucking hell. Elias? Are you all right?

(TXT to Dante) Elias : For certain definitions of alright. I'm alive and in one contiguous piece. And I'm back in Gray Harbor.

I am absolutely livid at you. But glad you're all right.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : With good cause.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : And thank you.

Were you Over There this whole time?

(TXT to Dante) Elias : Yes. The ferry did not take me to shore. I never made it home.

Well. At least you had a good excuse for not returning my messages.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : The Veil has terrible reception... and the battery died early on even if it did. If I'd received them, I absolutely would have returned them.

How could you do that, Elias? You had to know that a desire to cross over would be tempting fate. You had to know there was a chance you'd just get swallowed up.

Without even saying anything to my face before you left.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : It was a combination of poor judgment, hurt feelings, and the temptation of answers I'd been seeking for a long time. It was a moment of weakness, and I allowed my own arrogance and cockiness about never having had trouble following a rabbit down the rabbit hole before cloud my judgment. I have had many regrets over that night. It was a stupid thing to do.

I felt so guilty. I still do.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : You had and have nothing to feel guilty about. I'm the one who made the poor choices.

If I could have given you what you wanted, maybe you wouldn't have walked off. And disappeared. And possibly died.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : You gave me more than you know. What I did was my fault and mine alone.

I'm not sure what to say, Elias.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : You don't have to say anything. I honestly wasn't even expecting you to want to speak to me at all, all things considered. But I wanted to apologize, and I wanted you to know I was here from me before you found out some other way.

I'm still angry. But I'm relieved.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : I'm glad, at least for that.

I can't promise Cris won't try to break your nose.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : I'd be more shocked if he didn't.

He asked me to marry him.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : Congratulations.

I'm sorry, Elias. I need a little time. I am very happy you're in one piece. But this is a lot.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : Of course. I wish you nothing but happiness, Dante. Take care of yourself.

This isn't a goodbye. It's bloody Gray Harbor. We're bound to run into on another.

Leaving like you did hurt a lot. And even though I couldn't be what you needed me to be, that doesn't mean I ever stopped caring.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : Most likely. I just have no intention of attempting to trouble you. That's all I meant.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : It was never about you not being what I needed.

Attempting to trouble me? Are you serious?

I'm sorry. An argument isn't what either of us need right now. But we will talk again. This isn't the end of it.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : No intention of bothering you? Interfering with your life? Walk back into it after disappearing like an asshole? I'm not entirely sure how to phrase what I mean.. but I think you know what I mean.

I just don't want you going out of your way to avoid me or treating me like a stranger out of guilt or something.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : I understand.

And I would like an apology to my face at some point. Just not quite yet.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : When you are ready.

Just don't bloody avoid me if you see me round town or I might just have to tackle you.

Or sic Cris on you.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : I won't.

Good. Take care of yourself, Elias.

(TXT to Dante) Elias : You too.