This is getting to be a habit.

Taryn knocked on Violet's door, arms crossed, and waited for the other girl to answer.

She'd come directly here from the bookstore, after reading for a while, and was really quite perturbed. You'd think that after she'd been so upset that Violet hadn't mentioned Wick being hurt, the other girl would have thought to tell her that he'd disappeared.

Growl.

But she plans on getting Vi's side of the story too. It's only fair.

"Coming!"

The call really wasn't necessary, seeing as she was only two steps away from the door anyway. She had her hand on the doorknob as she finished the word, and opened the door. "Oh. Taryn. Hi." She offered a faint smile, noting that the other girl didn't exactly look happy. "What's up?

"Viiiiiiiiiiiiii. How come you didn't tell me that Wick moved out?"

That's probably a bit more tactful than what Wick actually did, but Taryn doesn't know enough details for her tastes. Wick didn't exactly say everything that happened.

Thus, the showing up at Violet's.

By now, Violet should have been immune to this kind of surprise, ex: people showing up, knowing things that she hadn't expected them to. She'd only built up a little resistance to surprises, so she paused a moment before she answered.

"How'd you know he moved out?" was her reply. She figured Wick himself must have told her, since he'd gone to Taryn last time she'd been mad at him. Funny that he'd taken so long about it, though. "And anyway, I wouldn't call it moving out. I'd call it leaving."

"He told me; I ran into him at Jacobson's. He also told me some of what apparently happened with Dave and a bottle or something. So, wanna tell me your side? Also, how come you didn't tell me? When'd this happen, anyway?"

She's not intentionally interrogating Violet. She's just asking the questions as they pop into her head.

Seeing no point in dodging the questions (especilly as they seemed to be coming like bullets), Violet thought a moment, and then started trying to answer.

"It was a couple of weeks ago. That's when it started, anyway,..." Violet sighed, and held onto her left wrist with the opposite hand, moving back so she could lean against the wall. "He just vanished one day, out of the blue. I figured he'd be back in a day or so, 'cause that's what he does. He didn't come back for over a week. Then I'm over at Dave's house, - Wick had completely destroyed the place because Dave had been keeping him in a jar. When he got out - pow. Disaster area."

She pretended she hadn't heard Taryn ask why she hadn't told her.

Taryn frowned.

"A whole couple weeks ago? Viii-iii, he's my friend too-oo. How come you didn't tell me?"

She crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe.

She gave an exasperated-sounding sigh.
"Because. I figured he'd tell you himself," she lied, after a pause, "It's what he did last time he thought I was mad at him, remember? When he got his voice taken? He went straight to you."

It wasn't realy a lie,... it just wasn't the complete truth. If she had been so sure that Wick was with Taryn, she would have looked him up and apologized for yelling at him, by now.

"But he didn't come to me; I met him at random, taking a nap in the bookstore. I don't even know where he's gone to now, 'cause he didn't say."

It wasn't so much that she was angry with Violet. She just didn't understand why the other girl kept keeping secrets from her. Or maybe just... forgetting to tell her. If they were friends, then...

It was puzzling.

"I've probably got less of an idea than you where he's gotten to now," Violet shrugged, ".. So he didn't go to you. Okay. What'm I supposed to do, though? I mean,... If it's that important to you, I'll let you know next time - if there is one. I doubt I'll be seeing him again."

"Mmm. Just wish you'd've thought of me. Did you even tell anybody?" She cocked her head. "Or did you just pretend it never happened and hope he'd come back and expect that he wouldn't?"

That sounds familiar, you see. It's the sort of thing that Taryn often does.

"I wasn't that I didn't think, I just didn't tell you,.." Violet said, her tone becoming a bit defensive. Her sentences began to fall apart into emotionally-charged little fragments."I didn't pretend it never happened - it did happen. I yelled at him and - well, obviously he didn't want to stick around anymore, if he just left without a word. And that's fine. I might've said some things I shouldn't, but it's too late now. There's no use in apologizing. That never fixes anything."

"Hey... 's not fine, obviously." Taryn frowned. "I should have told him to come back and at least... I dunno. But he shouldn't have left without a word." So... Violet was really mad at him--then--but now she missed him. At least, that was what Taryn guessed.

Hmphmmm...

It would have been nice to reunite them.

"He shouldn't have," Violet agreed, going silent and glaring at the floor, rather than at Taryn as she wanted to. It was nothing personal. She just hadn't been expecting this, at all. What does she think she's doing? The issue is resolved! I yelled at him and now he's not coming back and - and good riddance!
...
No,... no it's not.

Pause.

Then, softly, "You know, you can yell at me, if it'll make you feel better. I won't break, and I'd rather it than you going all quiet on me."

She's learned a few things. Time was when she'd have let the silence take over and drive her away. Not now; not when her friend is hurting. At least, she thinks Violet's hurting, and it does seem like Violet needs somebody...

"...No. Yelling never fixed anything, either, you know."

It can sure make things worse.

"Look there's - there's nothing to be done. I don't know how likely it is that either of us will run into him again,... more likely you than me, obviously, but the chances are still pretty slim - And anyway, this subject is closed for discussion now."

"Mmm. For now," Taryn corrected. "Bottling stuff up isn't any better." But, for now, she'll lay off.

"So, um... is there something you'd prefer to discuss? Or whatever, since discussing implies that it's serious, and maybe being serious isn't really what you want t'do right now. And stuff."

"I'd like to discuss you going away. Now," Violet said, still restricting her gaze to the floor. Her tone wasn't angry, or even very forceful, but she meant it. "Just go. Please."

Sigh.

"Fine. But, Vi? I wish... never mind."

She turned to go.

"... bye..."

'I wish', what? Violet wondered. But her curiosity wasn't enough to make her stop Taryn, and ask.

"Goodbye," she said. "I'll see you later."