[h1]Reggie[/h1]

Reggie offeredna small smile at the blue one's offer, but he knew already that if he didn't take this chance to satisfy his curiosity while he had it, the regret would eat him alive. Before he could say anything, however, Eve suddenly spoke up, low at first, but quickly rising in both volume and emotion as she spoke. He didn't really feel much hurt from the words she sent his way, as he had been expecting that kind of response and rightly deserved her anger. But evennhe couldn't help but flinch at the way she address the other gem, those words being a lot more harsh.

Instead of speaking up, however, he simply let the small gem vent out her frustrations, his face betraying nothing as she subsequently calmed down, stating her intentions and apologizing to the blue gem. His face remained stoic for a few seconds more before hensighed and turned around his back facing the two gems as he looked to the ceiling. He stood there for few seconds, silent as he'd ever been, before reaching up to wipe his face, rubbing his eyes with his arm.

"Boy, this has been a day, hasn't it?" Reggie said as he turned around, only to see the blue one walk by him, whatever words he'd been about to say dying in his throat. After she had left, Reggie just stood there for a second, contemplating what he should be doing right now. In the end, he sat down next to Eve silently, letting her absorb what just happened for a bit before speaking up.

"I know that you're hurting right now, Eve, but please don't give up on her if you still want to be friends. Just give her some space and time, then when yoy think you're ready, we can go back down to see her. You may have made a couple of mistakes, but you're still young and they're all fixable. In my 20 years of life, I've made more than my fair share if scew-ups," Reggie sighed, feeling a familiar urge take hold. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a lighter and a pack of cigarettes, taking one out and lighting it before he took a long drag. As he breathed out a veil of smoke, a chuckled escaped his lips. "Case and point, I continue to do this even though it's bad for me. We all have to pay a price for our mistakes, Eve, but at least you can still make amends. Like I said, give her some time, then we can head back and see if we can mend things. If not . . . maybe she just needs more time. Just remember, you wouldn't want her to give up on you, so return the favor and don't give up on her, okay."

After he finished talking he pulled out another cigarette, and held it out to Eve. "I probably shouldn't do this, but you don't have lungs to ruin so see ufnyou like it. These can be very calming to humans, maybe gems can enjoy them as well but without the side effects. I know it's how I handle a rough day." Reghgie took another drag of his own cigarete, a humorless chuckle escaping his lips. [i]Goddammit, I sound just like Dad. I guess kids do become like their parents in the end . . .I wonder how he would've handled all this insanity. Dad . . . I'm sorry . . , so very sorry.[/i] As the smoke rose and tears fell, Reggie could only see the outline of his damily estate wreathed by brilliant flames and choking smoke. [i]I should've been there for them . . . I should've been there.[/i]

[@Loony]