[The corner of Luca's mouth twitches downward. He does have half of a mind to say something to Joshua, to encourage him to eat instead of toying with his food. The words die on his tongue just as they form, though. The fact that Joshua had come at all would have to be enough. He wouldn't push this, not when he knows just how hard it can be.]
You will always have a place here.
[Not just because it's his business, and he'll always be taking money. No, Joshua is one of the most dear people he has here at this point. He wouldn't let the man go through this alone. He'd taken a step back, yielding to Dion after Clive's disappearance, especially in the wake of his own grief and the fallout of it all, but not this time.
Which... does bring a question to mind.]
Where are you staying, currently?
[The house, once so full of life and love, seems so much emptier now. Were Luca in his shoes, he doubted he could stomach staying.]
[ Joshua knows. He knows, and yet hearing it spoken aloud makes him feel... better. The company, the presence of other people, the food and warmth. It's a good place to be. ]
Thank you. I am glad to hear it.
[ Glad enough that he finally does scoop up a spoonful of stew. He blows on it lightly, knowing that to fail to do so will scald his mouth, and then places it in his mouth. And he will politely chew and swallow it before replying. ]
I am still in the house. It would feel... awkward, perhaps, to stay elsewhere, all things considered. Torgal is there, and I have Ambrosia in the attached stable.
[Note to self, be sure to remind Joshua that he belongs here more often. Just in case.
For now, though, he quirks a brow at Joshua.]
I don't suppose you are up for company? I suspect it may be rather lonely in that large house, and I would not want you to suffer on your lonesome. [A beat.] Or rather, without human company.
[ It's like hearing a magic word, or a switch being flipped, though subtly so. But still, Joshua's ears perk at the request. If Luca truly wants to... ]
I... suppose it does get a bit lonely. I've taken to wearing my brother's bone ring just to have someone to talk to when I'm not at the clinic.
[ Maybe it's a bit of a strange thing to admit, but. Well. It's the truth. At least he can talk to the animals of the house. ]
But of course. You are welcome to come by whenever you wish.
[ Ah. Right. The water. Joshua's ears tilt back a little, but he sighs softly and settles his spoon in the bowl to lift the glass. Luca is trying to help him. The least he can do is comply. ]
I will never turn down the extra company. And I'm sure that Torgal would be glad to see you, as well.
[ Look, he's even taking a sip! But it really is helping. ]
So long as you don't mind the books scattered everywhere. Our library investigation is still ongoing.
[Maybe Luca's avoided him a little. Torgal's a good dog, but there are parts of him that so vividly remind him of Clive that it's been difficult to swallow.
He'll deal with that later. For now, he offers a smile for Joshua's efforts.]
Maybe I can even give them a look over. If there's something to be learned, a fresh pair of eyes may be able to track it down.
[ It's very clear, thankfully, that just talking to Luca is helping a lot. Behind him, Joshua's tail swats gently at the seat, still slow but enough to make out a soft rhythm, if Luca listens for it. ]
I would like that. Help is greatly appreciated. Founder knows I have spent far too long looking over them, and it is quite possible something has gone overlooked.
[ More of the water. And then, more of the stew. Now that he has it all in front of him, it's like his body is moving on autopilot. ]
I've begun a journal of notes, if you would like to contribute your findings.
[The rhythm draws his attention, though he doesn't make an attempt to see exactly what it is. He chalks it up to a pleased enough noise, especially given Joshua's current demeanor.]
Fresh eyes have never been a burden on anyone. [He watches Joshua's movements, but doesn't try to draw too much attention to it. He won't make a big deal of doing the bare minimum, not if it could just as easily fluster Joshua.]
I'd like to take a look at the journal first, if you wouldn't mind? Best to see what you have established thus far.
But of course. You are more than welcome to. I've gone into as much detail as I could.
[ A lot of detail... Including what he'd found out at the library. He hasn't told anyone about that part yet. Admittedly, he's had a lot more on his mind lately. ]
We could make a night of it, if you like. I'm certain I have something around that we could eat, and I could make a pot of tea.
[ Honestly, it's a perfect distraction. Good company, an intellectual pursuit to keep his mind away from other things, and life in an otherwise empty house.
Joshua finds himself eagerly anticipating it, and the thumping of his tail grows just a bit stronger as he consumes more of the stew. ]
Well, then, I suppose once I'm finished eating, I should return to the house to prepare. The books could do with a bit of organizing anyway. How long until you close for the evening?
[Luca can't help but smile as the rhythm grows in both speed and noise. He glances off to the side, toward where he catches his spirit co-owner occasionally lingering, and gives a shrug in response.]
I try to stay open until two each evening, but I think there are plenty of hands on deck to keep things running should I leave early. How long do you need to prepare?
Well... Not long, truly. I had offered simply to give you the time to finish your night here without my constant company, but if you would like to leave early, I could do what I'd intended to do once we return. As long as you don't mind, of course.
[Luca offers one last warm smile, before puttering off to do whatever it is that needs doing. Mostly dishes and a bit of sweeping. He gives a few abandoned tables a good clean while he's at it too, just so there's plenty of seats for the rest of the evening.
It's busy work, but he gets it done quick enough. Better to not keep poor Joshua waiting.]
[ He returns the smile, then turns back to his meal.
It's perfectly fine by Joshua if Luca wants to take his time, though. He needs food, and he needs water. Tea is liquid, but it isn't entirely the best at hydrating.
So! As Luca goes about his cleaning, Joshua makes good on his plan to finish off his meal. Luckily, it isn't hard to do. It's tasty as always, and filling to boot, and just what his body needed. The bowl is empty within minutes, and by the time Luca finishes up, he's sipping at his water. ]
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no subject
You will always have a place here.
[Not just because it's his business, and he'll always be taking money. No, Joshua is one of the most dear people he has here at this point. He wouldn't let the man go through this alone. He'd taken a step back, yielding to Dion after Clive's disappearance, especially in the wake of his own grief and the fallout of it all, but not this time.
Which... does bring a question to mind.]
Where are you staying, currently?
[The house, once so full of life and love, seems so much emptier now. Were Luca in his shoes, he doubted he could stomach staying.]
no subject
Thank you. I am glad to hear it.
[ Glad enough that he finally does scoop up a spoonful of stew. He blows on it lightly, knowing that to fail to do so will scald his mouth, and then places it in his mouth. And he will politely chew and swallow it before replying. ]
I am still in the house. It would feel... awkward, perhaps, to stay elsewhere, all things considered. Torgal is there, and I have Ambrosia in the attached stable.
no subject
For now, though, he quirks a brow at Joshua.]
I don't suppose you are up for company? I suspect it may be rather lonely in that large house, and I would not want you to suffer on your lonesome. [A beat.] Or rather, without human company.
no subject
I... suppose it does get a bit lonely. I've taken to wearing my brother's bone ring just to have someone to talk to when I'm not at the clinic.
[ Maybe it's a bit of a strange thing to admit, but. Well. It's the truth. At least he can talk to the animals of the house. ]
But of course. You are welcome to come by whenever you wish.
no subject
[The Watchtower is comforting, but he can be without it for a few nights. For Joshua's sake.]
I'm glad you've had someone to communicate with. But a little more company never hurt anyone, especially in a time like this.
[He leans in, just a little. And if he just so happens to idly tap Joshua's water glass as a reminder, so be it.]
Would it be acceptable for me to slip in after I finish up this evening?
no subject
I will never turn down the extra company. And I'm sure that Torgal would be glad to see you, as well.
[ Look, he's even taking a sip! But it really is helping. ]
So long as you don't mind the books scattered everywhere. Our library investigation is still ongoing.
[ Despite it all. ]
no subject
[Maybe Luca's avoided him a little. Torgal's a good dog, but there are parts of him that so vividly remind him of Clive that it's been difficult to swallow.
He'll deal with that later. For now, he offers a smile for Joshua's efforts.]
Maybe I can even give them a look over. If there's something to be learned, a fresh pair of eyes may be able to track it down.
no subject
I would like that. Help is greatly appreciated. Founder knows I have spent far too long looking over them, and it is quite possible something has gone overlooked.
[ More of the water. And then, more of the stew. Now that he has it all in front of him, it's like his body is moving on autopilot. ]
I've begun a journal of notes, if you would like to contribute your findings.
no subject
Fresh eyes have never been a burden on anyone. [He watches Joshua's movements, but doesn't try to draw too much attention to it. He won't make a big deal of doing the bare minimum, not if it could just as easily fluster Joshua.]
I'd like to take a look at the journal first, if you wouldn't mind? Best to see what you have established thus far.
no subject
[ A lot of detail... Including what he'd found out at the library. He hasn't told anyone about that part yet. Admittedly, he's had a lot more on his mind lately. ]
We could make a night of it, if you like. I'm certain I have something around that we could eat, and I could make a pot of tea.
no subject
[He and Joshua are a lot alike. He has no doubt that the journals he's kept are chock full of valuable information.
A smile passes over Luca, despite the gravity of what they're talking about. He gives a nod.]
I would like that. Very much so.
no subject
Joshua finds himself eagerly anticipating it, and the thumping of his tail grows just a bit stronger as he consumes more of the stew. ]
Well, then, I suppose once I'm finished eating, I should return to the house to prepare. The books could do with a bit of organizing anyway. How long until you close for the evening?
no subject
I try to stay open until two each evening, but I think there are plenty of hands on deck to keep things running should I leave early. How long do you need to prepare?
no subject
Well... Not long, truly. I had offered simply to give you the time to finish your night here without my constant company, but if you would like to leave early, I could do what I'd intended to do once we return. As long as you don't mind, of course.
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[Better to not leave Joshua alone. Luca will only worry for whatever arbitrary length of time he chooses to stay, anyway.]
Let me finish a few things up here, and then I'll be along?
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Ah. Of course. While you finish up, I will finish my stew, and then we can leave together. Is that all right?
[ Though he's sure he already knows the answer. ]
no subject
[Luca offers one last warm smile, before puttering off to do whatever it is that needs doing. Mostly dishes and a bit of sweeping. He gives a few abandoned tables a good clean while he's at it too, just so there's plenty of seats for the rest of the evening.
It's busy work, but he gets it done quick enough. Better to not keep poor Joshua waiting.]
no subject
[ He returns the smile, then turns back to his meal.
It's perfectly fine by Joshua if Luca wants to take his time, though. He needs food, and he needs water. Tea is liquid, but it isn't entirely the best at hydrating.
So! As Luca goes about his cleaning, Joshua makes good on his plan to finish off his meal. Luckily, it isn't hard to do. It's tasty as always, and filling to boot, and just what his body needed. The bowl is empty within minutes, and by the time Luca finishes up, he's sipping at his water. ]