Sun Mote Copse Like the records I'm playing, they might keep you waiting

It helped Eljay's breathing steady a bit when Weejay touched him and looked him the eyes. She said that he hadn't been happy in a long time, not unless Maia was nearby, and that maybe this was what he needed to move on. Maybe she was right, but all the same, Eljay felt that Maia didn't want him along -- why else would she awkwardly say he 'didn't have to come along', and avoid the subject in the first place? -- and besides, what about Weejay? He couldn't just leave her to herself. Maybe she would be fine, for her, but Eljay felt that he needed his daughter close. He couldn't just move without even knowing where to.

Only more question marks accumulated and as Maia said that he was important here, which only further fueled his thoughts that she didn't want him along. Even if all that Weejay said was true -- minus that he really couldn't miss his baby girl, knowing he would never get to visit because he just wasn't outgoing at all -- then Maia still clearly didn't want him to come along. He'd only be a big bother to them while travelling. And Wraen hadn't even come by to say good-bye in person; heck, if Maia showed up with him in tow, what would Wraen think? She'd just think that Eljay would get in the way, maybe even outright say that she didn't want him along. And that would be way worse than just saying 'no' now...

Eljay still felt like a big idiot, but the conversation between Weejay and Maia actually helped steady him a bit because it gave him some much needed breathing space. He found his breathing getting up to speed, even though his eyes were still teary which made him feel dumb. Eljay quickly turned around to wipe the tears off his face before turning back. We'll miss you, he said, his breathing still a bit unsteady, but he was glad that he at least got something out there so that she wouldn't have to leave on only half-choked panic attack words. He didn't really want her to go -- but it was for the best, surely, that she went. The prospect that she might visit made him happy.

When they were alone later, Eljay would explain to Weejay that Maia didn't want him to come along, because she had been saying that he was 'needed here' and that 'he didn't have to', but for now he decided to just not answer what she had said. Perhaps the words held some truth, but there were too many 'buts' to just decide on a whim to leave this place.