07-02-2019, 07:18 AM
Well, at least from here on out, they were in agreement over what was and what wasn't. What was - Jude was something else, was capable of things outside of rational human understanding. What wasn't - Jude was just some wandering maniac who had read Courtland's name in the paper and drifted up to the estate with a fairy tale wrapped around his brain. However this went, they had finally arrived at a mutual understanding. They would not spend the rest of their time together speaking completely different languages.
Jude shrugged when Near scrambled up. He had seen that reaction enough times now that he didn't take it personally, or even see a need to provide reassurance. There was nothing he could say that would make everything better. It was up to the individual to bridge the gaps between what they believed and what they had seen, sometimes by changing their beliefs, sometimes by elaborate justifications. Again, what was important was that Near had finally come along for the ride. He could get off, but he'd always have gotten on.
"A patron." Jude's mouth twitched at the corners again, and he went on, "A patron of the arts, the family liked to say." He smiled again, unable to restrain his amusement at this joke. "But he didn't seem to like it so much, at the end. He said--"
"--if you ever get away, come back here."
Why would I want to get away?
Jude shrugged when Near scrambled up. He had seen that reaction enough times now that he didn't take it personally, or even see a need to provide reassurance. There was nothing he could say that would make everything better. It was up to the individual to bridge the gaps between what they believed and what they had seen, sometimes by changing their beliefs, sometimes by elaborate justifications. Again, what was important was that Near had finally come along for the ride. He could get off, but he'd always have gotten on.
"A patron." Jude's mouth twitched at the corners again, and he went on, "A patron of the arts, the family liked to say." He smiled again, unable to restrain his amusement at this joke. "But he didn't seem to like it so much, at the end. He said--"
"--if you ever get away, come back here."
Why would I want to get away?