[It’s the initial ‘What the hell?’ that prompts Kieran’s head to snap up from his intense concentration, eyes wide and sufficiently startled, thank you very much. The added surprise of a familiar voice does little to quell his shock or make him feel any sense of security. Quite the opposite, in fact, if the sudden ripple of shadow—gone as quickly as it came—is anything to go by.]
[Thankfully, that good-natured undertone in John’s voice helps. A bit.]
[He’s not sure how to handle such a greeting. Back in the camp, he’d always received some sort of aggressive number, with the occasional tepid response on a good day. Not that John was ever guilty of either—he’d let Kieran be and he returned the favor in kind—but to be met with some semblance of happiness treads just a little too much into foreign territory to be of any substantial comfort to Kieran.]
[And that doesn’t even include the jarring reminder of that awful business after little Jack’s triumphant return. He’d been trying his hardest not to not dwell on how the O’Driscolls captured him, and the horrendous brutality that had ensued, perfectly content with enjoying what this new world had to offer him in recompense.]
[No, it’s better to focus on the positives. He has a fr... no not a friend. Not quite. An acquaintance? Does that even fit? Ah well... in any case, he has someone here who he knows. Someone who, as far as he can tell, doesn’t want him dead. Again.]
[So Kieran offers a dip of his head that doesn’t quite meet John’s eye, but one that’s at least accompanied by a genuine grin.]
Y-yeah, it’s me!
...Howdy!
[Aaaannnnd he regrets that the moment it comes out of his mouth who the fuck actually says ‘howdy’ without sounding like a complete tool good job Kieran you idiot just go ahead and bury yourself now]
8|
[Thankfully, that good-natured undertone in John’s voice helps. A bit.]
[He’s not sure how to handle such a greeting. Back in the camp, he’d always received some sort of aggressive number, with the occasional tepid response on a good day. Not that John was ever guilty of either—he’d let Kieran be and he returned the favor in kind—but to be met with some semblance of happiness treads just a little too much into foreign territory to be of any substantial comfort to Kieran.]
[And that doesn’t even include the jarring reminder of that awful business after little Jack’s triumphant return. He’d been trying his hardest not to not dwell on how the O’Driscolls captured him, and the horrendous brutality that had ensued, perfectly content with enjoying what this new world had to offer him in recompense.]
[No, it’s better to focus on the positives. He has a fr... no not a friend. Not quite. An acquaintance? Does that even fit? Ah well... in any case, he has someone here who he knows. Someone who, as far as he can tell, doesn’t want him dead. Again.]
[So Kieran offers a dip of his head that doesn’t quite meet John’s eye, but one that’s at least accompanied by a genuine grin.]
Y-yeah, it’s me!
...Howdy!
[Aaaannnnd he regrets that the moment it comes out of his mouth who the fuck actually says ‘howdy’ without sounding like a complete tool good job Kieran you idiot just go ahead and bury yourself now]