[ Little bastard doesn't know to keep his distance. Or doesn't care to give Daud space, doesn't want Daud to hold unpolluted space; that's the more likely truth. It explains some part of why he's here in the first place, claiming the closeness of 'friends and family' - as if Daud has much in the way of either, as if he'd admit closeness to anyone beyond Billie - claiming to share some bond based on their years together, based on what had happened in the Void.
It's bullshit, of course. Having spoken the Outsider's name doesn't tie him to the little shit. Shouldn't, or at least it isn't what Daud wants and isn't anything he'd anticipated (he tells himself; it's easiest to believe). What had happened is past, and shouldn't resonate into the present. Shouldn't leave him compelled to deal with the Outsider.
He doesn't owe the bastard anything.
In fact, it's the Outsider who owes him. Owes him for having spared the bastard's sad excuse for a life. Owes him for the curse he'd burned across Daud's hand. Owes him for the judgment, the goading. Owes him for the expectations, the promises of greatness. Owes him for all those years of silence.
And yet, Daud doesn't direct him to the door. And yet, he only watches the all-too-human Outsider steadily, wearily. ]
You came for food.
[ Just fucking say it, you little shit. For once in your centuries-long life, would it hurt to speak directly? ]
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It's bullshit, of course. Having spoken the Outsider's name doesn't tie him to the little shit. Shouldn't, or at least it isn't what Daud wants and isn't anything he'd anticipated (he tells himself; it's easiest to believe). What had happened is past, and shouldn't resonate into the present. Shouldn't leave him compelled to deal with the Outsider.
He doesn't owe the bastard anything.
In fact, it's the Outsider who owes him. Owes him for having spared the bastard's sad excuse for a life. Owes him for the curse he'd burned across Daud's hand. Owes him for the judgment, the goading. Owes him for the expectations, the promises of greatness. Owes him for all those years of silence.
And yet, Daud doesn't direct him to the door. And yet, he only watches the all-too-human Outsider steadily, wearily. ]
You came for food.
[ Just fucking say it, you little shit. For once in your centuries-long life, would it hurt to speak directly? ]