Royal Flush

Ronin clenched a fist on the table, and for the first time in the meeting it wasn't out of anger. "It's difficult to connect two versions of you together when you only portray the one," he said, shaking his head. "I appreciate your candidness - and that we can speak like I know we've been able to previously. But as I said - when you're used to a person coming and going like the wind and making a point of going it alone... alarm bells come, but not instantly." Ronin sighed. "And even if we had raised the alarm - we wouldn't have been able to search for you further than the Outskirts." Not until now, at least, when the ban over the Greatwood had been lifted. As for pettiness and hurt feelings and checking she was okay... He nodded. "You're right," he said. "We could have done more. We always can. But let's be honest - I've told you both quite frankly twice tonight that I am dying, and no one has really batted an eyelash. I didn't say it to be dramatic - I am. I have the blight, and it's killing me." He slouched back in his seat. "But there are bigger things to worry about than hurt feelings. The fact that I might not be around for very long is all the more reason to make the most of this while we have the chance, right?" RONIN Darkness is a funny thing. It creeps up on you.