and in listening to an old relic's woes.

Why don't you tell me about your night, and allow me to return the favor?" For the first time, he turns in his seat, allowing himself a better look at the man beside him.

It feels as if he's been disarmed without a hint of effort. He only struggles against it a moment before he huffs a near-laugh, even if there's no mirth in it. The old man's hand settles on his arm where the hunter's had lingered.

"You are very kind, both in your words,

The headstrong fool in him wants to argue, to never give quarter, always charge on, on and ignore anything in his path, however bleak it might be. He should have remembered the hunter's reputation, though, and the reasons he was so well-liked in Haven Lake.

Until he almost seems to recite to his tankard...

"The Minutemen fell while I played hero. Twice a good woman needed me; twice I failed her in arrogance, and along the road destroyed any use I had left. The world I knew saw it.

If nothing else, [this] one might offer quiet end to a wasteful life."

"Where does one begin when the failures amass over decades? There are no other paths before me, and all behind me are... gone, through my inaction or foolishness." What begins as a grunted retort drops to a morose hush. For a while, it seems like he will say no more.

It will pass, it always does... one way or another."

He's not some young, inexperienced man anymore, flushing at the first attention of a handsome young man - or the second, really. Neither is he immune to it, however, and begrudgingly, he allow himself to be questioned.

"I don't know. Discontented, I suppose.

I...
thank you, Clive. Take care of them.

Most likely.

And long days and nights pass, lost in reflection,

until one morning, not long after the doors open,

he enters the bakery for himself, supported only by his reinforced cane.

Some things were best left behind, of course, and forgotten.

...That's ...fine.

I do not think I will continue to reside there.

But you do not. Seems the matter has resolved itself!

I lied.

God help me, I think I miss Clive.

Never mind. It isn't important.

...Is this something to do with that witchcraft Vivian's wife cast upon me?

I don't know what that is.