Fletcher approaches Joachim's apartments (Night)

[Lydia]

The evenings are getting colder, here in Sweetgrove, and tonight is the darkest, most chill all year. The moon is fading off into new darkness just now, signaling the nearness of dawn off in the eastern sky.

Outside the apartments along the edge of Sweetgrove's pockmarked walls lurks Fletcher, bent with grief and drink and hopelessness, hesitating, almost as if he doesn't dare go forward.

There's a distant sound; cats yowling, or something more sinister, maybe, and it seems to startle him out of the dark tireless prison of his unhappy thoughts.

He approaches the door of the apartment well known to belong to the cleric Joachim, and, after a breath to steady his resolve, he knocks.

[Danny]

(OOC: You're such a show off, hee hee)

The door opens, revealing a completely silent acolyte in thick robes of wool. He pulls down his cowl, revealing a bald head and a youthful face and watches Fletcher as if waiting for something.

[Lydia]

(OOC: Was there ever any doubt? )

Fletcher takes off his hat reluctantly, holding it loose at his side in thumb and forefinger of his right hand, and nods to the acolyte. Eyes narrowed, he asks in a low voice, "Is Joachim in?"

[Danny]

The acolyte nods and beckons for Fletcher to enter and follow. He turns and walks off towards a hallway, he gestures half-heartedly in the direction of a divan, chair and sofa near the crackling fireplace. He vanishes down the hall, most likely to alert Joachim.

[Lydia]

Fletcher follows, and stands awkwardly, refusing to take any of the offered seats. He waits in silence, looking around the room a little uneasily.

[Danny]

Joachim enters the room, wearing a fine set of black silk pajamas. He nods to Fletcher, "It is good to see you again, Fletcher. What brings you to my home at such an hour? I do not usually prosthelytize at such an hour, but if you wish it, I could think of something, I suppose." His eyes twinkle with mischief, but his face remains completely unreadable.

[Lydia]

Fletcher scowls, almost grimacing, and runs his free hand through his hair, pointedly glaring at the signs of Joachim's mischief.

"I didn't come here for prayers. I came to trade; if you're willing."

He shifts his weight to his heels, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

"A favor for a favor."

[Danny]

Joachim's normal mask cracks for a moment, revealing suddenly a great deal albeit briefly, delight, curiosity, anger, sadness, and then the mask is back.

"Of course, Fletcher, anything for a friend." Joachim smiles warmly.

[Lydia]

He seems to find it difficult to meet Joachim's eyes, and stares down at his hat-- or so it seems at first. He lifts his hand, passing the hat to the other, and examines the wedding ring still worn on his ring finger.

Slowly, he works it until it stubbornly comes off of his finger, obviously such a familiar memento of family long missing.

When he speaks, his voice is raw and low. "...My favor in return is up to you. Whatever you want." He flinches slightly, seeming to recognize the danger of putting his hands in the fate of an untrustworthy unknown like this, but presses on. "I want to forget everything connected with this ring."

He looks up again, meeting Joachim's gaze with his jaw set in a stubborn glower.

"My wife; my daughter. Everything."

[Danny]

Joachim nods, almost as if he expected this, "You do understand, Fletcher, that you'll have to give me the ring, correct? It's a requirement for working this sort of magic, after all." He holds his hand out for the ring, "The ring will be destroyed in the process, as well. It's the only way." His features soften, "If you change your mind at this point, it would be completely understandable."

[Lydia]

His hand wavers slightly for an instant-- only an instant-- and then he opens his palm, offering the ring and all that it represents to Joachim.

His voice is thick, his eyes squeezed shut. "Just do it."

A slight tremor, nothing more, and he steadies; this is all the fear he will let show. In his mind, at least (for now), they are enemies, after all.

"Please."

[Danny]

Joachim takes the ring and closes his hand around it, "Then sleep, Fletcher. It will be easier for you if you sleep. When you awaken, the nightmare will have passed." He gestures to the door.

[Lydia]

He turns to leave, taking a single step before he hesitates, throws back on his hat, and very quietly says, "...thank you."