[ The thing is, is that behind all the defensive posturing and boasting and accusations of indignity, Rhys is getting really lonely. He used to have reliable people, back before shit hit the fan, and he needs those kinds of relationships to hold close like a security blanket.

By the time Helios fell from the sky, for all he knew all those relationships were gone Back home he could focus on his work and distract himself from that encroaching loneliness, but here....

Volks words cut deeper then they would have a few weeks ago, and his expression crumples for a split second before souring entirely. ]

Well excuse-fucking-me for trying to be friendly with the only other person here who gets it!

[ Rhys notices the paper crumpling (and uncrumpling) but the action obscures any chance of him being able to properly read what's written. If Volk wasn't picking a fight right now, he'd ask more about it, but instead he just takes the goddamn bait. ]

They look like something a thresher puked up before someone stuck a bunch of sparkly stickers on and called it fashion.

[ They're actually kind of pretty, but Rhys isn't going to say that now. Volk doesn't get his kind words!!! So much for asking for extra tickets... ]