[ P ] calculated risk

He listened like an attentive student hearing from a professor’s lecture when Raith began to speak about the fae. Details that would help him find the right books. It was fascinating to the curious boy who was quite ignorant on the subject too. If there was one skill that Atlas had carefully cultivated over seasons of studying it was the ability to memorise information. If there was knowledge about fae to be gained from books then he would find it and be able to pass it on to Raith should the opportunity present itself. Still he wasn't confident enough to cross the border again and Raith wouldn't be happy if he did. There would have to be another way for him to pass his findings along to him. It didn't matter to him that Raith had neither confirmed nor denied his offer of help. With no immediate rejection he assumed that he was at least considering it and wouldn't be unhappy if Atlas found something that could help him.

Thoughts of books and fae were far from his mind when he was at the mercy of Raith. His intention to warn and educate Atlas about his vulnerability was misunderstood. Atlas was thinking other dangerous thoughts that made his head swim with blood. It was only he that was getting flustered by Raith's behaviour while he appeared quite collected.

“Go home Atlas and don’t look back,” the warning came and he lowered the paw covering his face, confusion and worry scrunching his brow. “Wh-” Atlas clamped his jaw shut before he embarrassed himself. Why? The question lingered in his mind and he wondered if he had done something wrong. It was a familiar feeling that made old wounds throb. Nothing good could come of allowing himself to get attached to someone again. He would only get hurt. It was with this resolve that he climbed to his paws and nodded stiffly. “Goodbye, Mr. Samaire,” he said, turning away and crossing back into Rionnach. Purple-silver eyes glanced over his shoulder, looking back even though he was warned not to. Already he could sense that it would be awhile before his wandering thoughts would stop returning to Raith Samaire.

- exit atlas

code: elyon | art: renallia