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Titanlåvenite had caught Bismuthite in the halls of the Dark kingdom not far back to at least receive an affirmation of the disturbing rumors floating around the ranks. He not yet seen, nor had the heart to try to contact Ladon, though the small General was frequently on his mind. As frequently as the memory of shared stew, a slightly too small apron, and thoughts of camaraderie through mutual help- getting another general back on his feet.

Not having made use of his crystal communicator didn't mean that the big guy didn't keep an eye out in the glowsom darks when he passed through for Wolframite. As luck, or fate, or some other force would have it, he noted the familiar hair and colours, height and slight build from a short distance. Titan held back, following but unobtrusively as he could- he was often not certain of his conclusions right away and wanted to make sure before 'rushing in'.

I've never seen his lieutenant uniform. There aren't pictures or paintings to look at for that. I think that is an eyepatch? He's a Lieutenant now, it has to be him. He waited quietly, watching the entrance to the small room from a safe distance away immobile for some minutes. There was no echoing sound of boots from where the maybe-Wolframite had gone. Did he teleport somewhere?

The full impact of a demotion and power sets not occurring in full to the big guy.

Titan moved, after a moment of quiet dread more, and ducked through the door to find the small body resting on luminous bench. "Wolframite? Is it you?"

It didn't, thankfully, take a genius to read the General-c**-lieutenant's manner as haunted, furtive and wounded. Titan frowned at the worry the little one was showing, but girded himself. After all, he has been handed a great punishment. It is natural to recoil after that sort of thing. Others in a pack with punish after the alpha just to follow suit, and the new fallen becomes something like an omega. But he is a Lieutenant now, like me.

The big guy didn't bother with words just yet, taking the step forward and scooping the small Wolframite up in a bear hug, just holding him carefully but firmly for a few moments. "I'm not going to attack you."

"I have been worried."

Titan kept the small lieutenant a moment or two more, as he relaxed finally and his his face, before slowly putting Wolframite onto his own feet again. He looked down at the single eye, into it, gently but without wavering. "You had your reasons."

"They weren't the reasons of the Konge. They weren't the reasons of the High Queen. You forgot yourself, like Obsidian, and worked for yourself and your aims instead of theirs. They've punished you. "

"That is it, as far as I care. You are still a friend. And like Obsidian, I'd like to help you get on your feet again. You need to remember yourself again. You are Wolframite, General of the High Queen, Blade of her might. We can get you sharp and shining again. "

"You aren't alone. I would be no kind of hirdman* if I turned shoulder at you for a mistake. Mistakes can be made better."

That was all dangerous. Wolframite's word confirmed there was self-martyring, a refusal to look at mistakes as his own, blaming others- Metallia was their queen and her will was law.

I do not think she is blind, or has forgotten anything of what any of us who serve her has done. She plays the whole board, not a few pieces, and for a long game. It is beyond either of us, her power. But it is plain that he is not listening to reasons given him yet. Maybe reasoning with him is not how one leads wolframite. Not that I'm a leader, or good at reasoning.

But what he needs most, craves most, is a friend. And my speaking has made him defensive- put up walls. Tether a nervous horse to a draft one and just let the draft pull and calm the other. The big guy only gave a nod.

"Then you will be as you will it."

"That arm is a danger...can I patrol with you sometimes? I don't have much of a weapon myself, but I have both hands. I could use the help anyway. "

Titan crouched in front of the other, pose much like a baseball catcher, resting his forearms on his own thighs. It pooled his braid on the ground, and shifted the angle of the LARP hammer slung in his belt. The big guy offered his best, gentle smile, "How do you know it isn't my reputation that will tarnish yours?"

"I am not worried, Ladon. I am a simple book, easy to read. The Konge know me. If the Queen knows I exist than she can see my heart very plain. She and my lord's regard is all that matters. Reputation, and the rest of it, is hands and lips needing more work."

"As for my lord, if you do not want to continue on, that is fine. Don't feel it is an obligation. "

" It is more dangerous as a lieutenant...dealing with him. But you can be Ladon without a problem. He needs to be Andrew a more than he needs to be Obsidian right now. He needs friends, whatever rank they are. But take your time. You have a lot to deal with right now. A lot to think through."

Sometime it is those who have been burned who understand the fire best. If you have been a traitor, and recovered, then you might be one of the most loyal and best who serve as a part of the SpecOps. Maybe.

The want for some focus, any other focus, was one Titan could remember and commiserate with. He hadn't wanted to think of anything after the first times drawing out starseeds. It was different, without a doubt, that situation from Wolframite's, the reasoning different, but the base want was the same.

"I can't cook, not anything anyone would want to eat for pleasure. Maybe you could think of meal plans for Andrew? We could work out if and when you could make things. I can buy the groceries. Enough that what was made could also be halved and for yourself and Billy?"

"Are things alright with you and Billy? I found him in the hall not so long ago and we talked. It wasn't so hard to find him afterall. I don't think there is anyone else who wears that sort of hat."

The hope to distract Wolframite's thoughts and attention with talk of his significant other seemed like a grand success. He was fairly certain it was the sort of thing that would work in himself, so it was a pleasant surprise that it did with Ladon. Even if it started out stressful, still.

It is the sort of thing, all the more if he knew what you were going to do and refused to be a part of it- that should have been enough of a sign to you. And it wasn't. It will take a lot of work to repair that sort of fracture with a lover. The meeting with Bismuthite was very new to mind, and easy to recall what there was to be said of it.

"It was hard to get much of a read of like or dislike on him, really. It was mostly...he seemed a general more than a person. Just standard operating procedure. But that is expected. He doesn't know me from anyone, maybe he is always like that. It is proper for when we are in uniform. It was here in the halls of the Kingdom, not plainclothes. "

"I imagine he's different with you, than with others."