Jericho listened to Chime with intent, sitting across from him, leaned over in his chair, his hands clasped as his arms rested upon his knees. He didn't say a word while the bird spoke, only held eye contact and nodded between sentences. When they finished, he'd nod again and look away for a moment to remedy a response. This was never his strong suit, but he did understand where his avian friend was coming from. To a degree, he could relate.
He'd look back to him with his own smile, though held a serious tone to his voice. "Don't apologize for speaking the truth. I'm sure it wasn't easy, and I won't bite your head off for that. Sorting out that kinda thing- well, it ain't easy, that's for sure. This guy, he was the one you looked up to, who gave you a purpose? All these things he did to you, all those feelings it made you feel, it wasn't for nothing. Whatever it was, there was a reason, and maybe looking harder at that reason could help find the closure you seek. If not, well...you're gonna be carrying that weight on you for who knows how long. Maybe it's time to forgive?
His eyes then softened, his thumbs trailing up and down each other. "I don't think there's anything wrong with wishing the deeds others have done to you upon them. Karma's a bitch. Even wanting that salvation, that's pretty normal. I get it, actually. Sometimes people who we love and trust make us feel lesser, weaker. Sometimes they don't mean to, sometimes they do. I don't believe it makes you a bad person to want that, nor something to be ashamed of. What matters is how you carry on after realizing it, and you, my friend? I think you're doing just fine. Talking about it helps, more than you think. It's a huge leap, and I'll be glad to hear you when you need it. Proud of you, buddy."
He'd stand up and move to the side of Chime, offering an arm outwards for a side hug. A very rare occurrence for the hybrid, but one that meant a helluva lot for him to do so. He wore a full smile on his face but still had a sorrowful cadence to his features.
///
Jericho downed the last of the liquid courage in the bottle with a muted sigh and tensing of his shoulders, taking the glass from his lips and holding it lazily by his side. He watched the fire rise from its home of embers and wood, lighting the scene around them; cascades of oranges, yellows, and reds highlighted their faces for the trees to watch. The hybrid then sat up from his folding chair, wiped his mouth, and looked at them.
"Hey, uh- can I tell you something? I really don't know why I'm even bothering, probably the alcohol doing my talking now, but I just... I feel like this is something I gotta say. Just stop me if like, y'know, you don't give a shit."
He'd set down the glass and lean forward, sighing again and scratching his cuticles. His face was a mixture of rage, sadness, and perhaps... regret. "You know how me and my brother grew up around here? Well, we're actually not even like, what? Twenty miles from the old part of the forest we spent probably eighty percent of our childhood in. It's bringing back those memories and, well... fuck, how to put this."
"My mom died when I was real young, during my brother's birth. I don't really remember it much, I was five or so at the time, and I guess a lot of that trauma just fucked me up. Like, mentally just shut it all out. What I didn't get to forget was my dad. He was a Gulf War vet, and one of those guys who was always the loudest in the room, he ran the house just like he'd do back overseas." He chuckled softly, faint tears welling in his eyes. "After she died... he wasn't the same. Ever. He went months without even so much as talking to us, drinking the days away. The only thing he said to us for one whole year was 'Hello' and 'Can you get me more beer from the general store?' Yeah, a real piece of work he turned into. We had to fend for ourselves, I raised my brother from the jump. Sometimes I think I was some stupid fucking kid who ruined his life... other times I know I saved it. I can't help but think about what we both might have become if that wasn't how shit turned out."
He paused for a moment, shaking softly, his hands balling into tight fists. He quickly calmed himself, wiping away the tears that had fallen from his glowing white eyes. "Augh... well, it was rough. Still is, but man, I like to think I did the best with the hand I was dealt. Sure, got into crime, murder, running drugs for gangs and shit. Now I kill people for money and I enjoy it, to an extent. I don't think I'd win any awards for the things I've done, but... I like to imagine that for what it's worth, at least I made sure my brother had food, water, and shelter; he could actually live. I blame my dad for giving up after that, but- shit, he had it rough too. I would've liked for him to have been there though. Stupid bastard." He'd sigh again, putting his face into his hands. "Christ, this is definitely just the alcohol talking."
