much obliged.

[ leaving a small bouquet for @BRUTALMELEE before returning to their office. a bundle of sunflowers, with a single lilac and a note nestled in the center. "for your broken heart. if ever you need anything more, call me. -L.N." ]

//; yeah..

"if the stick is what's keeping me from making any poor decisions, i'll pass."

"that's not true?? at all? even if you live, you can make choices that make your life considerably worse. or you could make choices that hurt others. and there's always choices that wouldn't leave you as happy as your other options . . . none of those are good."

"but why risk those bad choices if i have the option to just make . . . no choices? growing as a person sounds like far more effort than it's worth, better to play it safe and stagnate."

"i've got evidence to the contrary, but fine. i thought getting rid of the stick was your job?" . . . snrk. at least they can have a laugh, even if the idea of loosening up has them more than a little terrified. "you can have your fun, just this once."

they roll their eyes, getting to their feet to follow the other. "this better be good. where are we headed?"

"fine, i'm following. by all means, lead the way."

surprisingly, they don't seem to take all too many issues with breaking and entering either- besides complaints regarding the weather. "if all you want is to shoot, can we do so later? it's freezing . . . "

" . . . climbing? i don't follow."

apparently so!! here's to us . . . ?