Kintsugi

[Ezekiel]

There were a lot of assumptions made; it seemed Nox was Cruz’s friend after all. Zeke reclined back on the step, and pressed the cigarette to his lips. “An asshole who came here to look out for the welfare of two small children, yes,” he agreed. A smile flickered as he breathed out the smoke. Good man or bad man; it made no difference. Zeke cared only for the internal conflict. He always had an agenda, but that was not necessarily a bad thing for those around him, for he played angel as much as he played devil. Upon which side he would ultimately apply the pressure now remained to be seen. There were no coins to make the arbitrary distinction this time.

“If you are not sure he will talk to you, who else will he talk to? Raffe knows lots of people, and he has lots of friends, but he is always the one in whom others confide.” After a moment he shrugged. “I’m not offering services as an intermediary, Nox. I’m saying I will check on him.”

He watched the restlessness, then ultimately looked past to the grounds beyond. “Perhaps you need better friends then.” He laughed, not unkindly. Hunger tightened in his gut for what was said about the bunny though. Triggers worked both ways after all, and what could be soothed could also be inflamed. Considerations for later though. He inclined his head in acknowledgement of Nox’s intention to depart. Blew another cloud of fragrant smoke. “Medicinal accoutrements are something of a hobby, should you ever find a need.”