Etraya Inbox

[hexcope]

𝐓𝐄𝐗𝐓 | 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄 | 𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎 | 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

Comments

[hexcope]

Already reading my mind?

For the best, if it's actually returned back to Runeterra.

[cantilevers]

It wouldn't be the first time I've been accused of hiding something, verbal or non-verbal. She is my family; I'll take my time cleaning up what she left behind.

If I find the stone, I'll return it.

[This was his version of grieving because he had lost his family. Again.]

[hexcope]

I'm not accusing you of hiding anything. You don't have a reason to hold onto it, and I'm developing a vault to keep the one that still exists here safe. Making sure there's no loose ends.

If it helps... they sometimes come back. It's happened before.

[cantilevers]

Aren't there still two gemstones here? Or did another disappear?

I don't believe that either of them will.

[hexcope]

There's one, and it's the one I asked for.

If believing that helps you mourn, I'm not going to tell you otherwise.

[cantilevers]

Alright. Hopefully the second isn't rolling around the workshop then.

I appreciate that. We all mourn our losses in our own way.

[hexcope]

Let me know if there's a way I can help. Can't offer much, but. You know.

[cantilevers]

Maybe a stiff drink sometime. It'd be nice to just be around someone from Runeterra.

[hexcope]

Even a Piltie?

[cantilevers]

Why not? You made me cry the first time we met, and that's a bond we can't break easily.

[hexcope]

You were in an altered state. I was desperate to impress you. I'll be a friend to you, Vander, but we don't trust each other, and I can't be more to someone when that's hanging over our heads.

[cantilevers]

I was mentally present enough to know you had somehow done what I had once thought impossible.

What have I done to create this distrust in you, Jayce?

[hexcope]

I can tell, you know. I know you're expecting the worst of me now at every turn. You don't fail to imply how I'll never "get it," how I'll never be on your side fully, and everything I say is going to be tinged with where I come from.

You can't trust me, and I can't trust someone who doesn't trust me. It's not impossible for us to still work together or be friends, knowing that.

[cantilevers]

Are you on my side fully, Jayce?

You know, I recall using those exact words on Grayson more than once because where we come from does tinge how we perceive each other. We both had biases we needed to check at the door, but that took time, effort and nudges to each other. She was one of the first Enforcers to call me by my name back then.

I also couldn't tell you what it's like to be born, grow up, live, and work in Piltover. I expect everything I say and do will be tinged what where I came from, but that doesn't mean we can't come to a mutual respectful understanding of one another.

[hexcope]

Not right now.

I wouldn't still be talking to you if I didn't respect you, but reminding me I'm from Piltover- a place I barely feel connected to anymore- isn't going to help our conversations.

[cantilevers]

So what place are you connected to now if not Piltover? Or is it a person and not a place?

[hexcope]

[Hit the nail on the head.]

You know who it is.

[cantilevers]

Yeah, I do. I'm happy for you two if you finally dropped the pretenses. He laments sorrow and sadness so well over a few drinks.

[hexcope]

Thank you, but... what I was saying still stands.

[cantilevers]

That you'll never be able to trust me if I refer to our societal discrepancies and disparities in conversations.

[hexcope]

Not what I said.

When you see me, you see Piltover first. Then you see Jayce. It colors every part of your conversations with me with distrust. I said I'm not holding it against you- we both know Piltover has wronged Zaun for decades. I respect you and the choices you make for your own sake because of that. Even in this conversation, you assumed I was accusing you of hiding something. I don't know how else I'm supposed to interpret that other than you can't stop assuming I'm out to get you in some way.

It's for the best for both of us if 'casual friend' is the deepest extent of our relationship.

[cantilevers]

Apologies. I'm currently dealing with some personal matters that have created certain old sensitivities.

What does casual look like for you?

[hexcope]

No, I'm

Sorry. Of course you're dealing with personal matters, and I made it about me.

[Whether or not he liked Jinx and Silco, they meant a lot to Vander.]

Casual still means we can drink together.

[cantilevers]

I appreciate you recognizing that. This isn't the first time I've packed up friends and family personal affects, but it never stops smarting.

Well, pouring drinks is one of my life-long skills, so happy to provide and consume.

[hexcope]

Date and time's all you need to tell me.