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[ukan]

This is Lark Tennant, leave a message.

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[questionsonly]

Warren takes that all in and there’s definitely more of that empathy rising in him as he listens.

“All right, I have questions. And I am taking into account… metaphor.”

He starts off with: “1. Did this eagle ever give you any indication before it decided to speak that it thought these measures were a cage? 2. Is there something that kept it from learning to speak before then? 3. Why does it consider those things a cage, gilded or otherwise?”

[ukan]

"I think it did. I know it did even if I couldn't tell you where or how. And I think I just never heard it. That's a recurring flaw of mine...when I see a solution I stop listening." As for what kept Alec from speaking before? Lark can't think of a way to fit it into the metaphor so he lets his admission of ignoring other people's feelings stand in for it.

"It's a cage because if he doesn't live in it, I won't go anywhere else. To be with me, the eagle always has to come back behind my walls."

[questionsonly]

Kepler considers for a moment, because he certainly knows what that’s like; he tends to be the kind of person who acts instead of speaks, who adjusts as far as he feels he can before commenting. The ways he relates to Lark are balanced with how he relates to Alec.

“Are you open to dismantling the cage?” But also: “And is the eagle aware he should have learned to speak earlier? And should continue to speak?”

[ukan]

"The eagle couldn't speak before. Physically, even. We had to learn together. I'm as much at fault for the...gaps in communication. I'm used to using words when they don't relate to me," a small, wry smile.

"I don't know how to change things. It's my den, Warren. My city. I've spent nearly all my life taking it, turning it into a safe place for wolves. I can't even picture myself being anywhere else for long."

[questionsonly]

"You still haven't answered... what makes it a cage," because that's the place he's seeing the opportunity.

He could point out a few other things, but he knows himself well enough to see those as less-useful avenues. The cage is the problem, either in practice... or perception.

"The choice to be with you. is a choice. If he doesn't view it as such. That? Is a problem. And that. makes anything a cage."

[ukan]

"Because if he wants to be with me, he has to give up a part of his freedom." But as he says it, it doesn't sound like the cage he'd felt certain it was. A cage doesn't offer options.

"Why do I feel guilty if I haven't trapped him?"

[questionsonly]

He considers how to put this and he quirks half of a smile as the idea comes to him. He makes sure he has Lark's eye as he answers.

"Being with anyone? Is giving up part of your freedom. Love. is chosen restraint. The reason you feel bad? Is that you're not sure. he knew how to read the fine print. before he signed the contract. And now? You're worried he has... let's call it buyer's remorse because of it."

He tilts his head back and forth.

"The fact is... there's always a line or two that gets skipped... when someone's reading a contract. Or loopholes that get left out. Or... well. You would know. Werewolf. Human. Supersoldier. Whatever and whoever. No one knows everything before they sign. Even me. Hence Daniel getting a gun on me.

"And that was constant surveillance. Studying everything he's ever done. Knowing him inside? And out." He reaches over and pats Lark's shoulder.

"You're gonna knock into the bars every once in a while. And so is he. As long as no one was hiding them behind a bush? On purpose? It's just... life. One man's cage? Is another man's fortress. It's all a matter... of perspective."

[ukan]

It's very clear that he got through to Lark. Usually Lark keeps those moments of revelation carefully hidden; he prefers people not know what he doesn't know. But Warren is pack, is his brother, and he is allowed.

"I... I need to follow up with you. But first I need to go find him. Okay?"

[questionsonly]

He nods. Gives Lark's shoulder a squeeze, and then let's go.

"I'll be here." Good or bad result.