Redhawk Caldera two years past

Eljay nodded when Gannet said 'like a test', even though he wasn't too sure if it was really much like that. He didn't really know what it was, or how to explain it, but anything that made Gannet think he'd gotten a decent answer was good at this point. He just wanted out of the situation.

There was a short silence lingering between them while Eljay considered how to get out of the conversation and just go already. He was glad that Gannet didn't seem mad at him, that he was accepting of the fact that Eljay was going to go away for a while now. If he wished to believe that Eljay was returning, then Eljay didn't mind keeping up appearances, no matter how difficult it was for him to lie about anything.

The words were stinging because Eljay wanted to be back already, wanted to be better, to be good enough to stay in Redhawk Caldera... But he knew he wasn't, not right now. "I hope so," he said in a soft near-whispering voice while he cast his gaze away wryly. He nosed Gannet's cheek briefly at the boy's touch and said, "Take care..." There was a sad look in his eyes as he looked at Gannet and then turned away with a hesitance to his steps, clearly intending to go for real this time.