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[directed]

[Wednesday sees Rip—on a boat! A boat and a bar, to be precise. Anyone is free to find him there. But even if they don’t, they might still speak to him. Only they won’t necessarily know it’s him, as he sets up his text to be anonymous:]

Now that our happy little “war” has come and gone, let’s move on to other things, shall we? I bake things. Cakes, specifically. With preparations no longer taking up so much of everyone’s time, I’ve got hours to fill. Thus, an opportunity for you, the random citizen of Wonderland.

If you would like something made especially for you, let me know. I’ve ample practice in both cooking and decoration, and I’m rather good at it should I say so myself. The one catch is that I’d prefer not to make my identity public. Personal reasons, you all understand. Or you don’t, but that won’t change my mind.

Now then. Ask away as you will.

[Spoilers, he was drunk at the time of this posting.

More spoilers? He’s going to be drunk on Thursday too. But since the bar on the boat closes eventually, Rip does end up back at the mansion. There may even be food involved at some point, should anyone want to find a potentially water-logged British man making demands of the cabinets in the kitchen--though not for nachos. Oh no. His once go-to drinking snack has been forever associated with someone else, and he’s trying not to feel at the moment, thank you.

There’s also the fifth floor bar, where Rip heads with a bit of trepidation. He’s a touch more somber there; more watchful than he cares to admit of the entrance, and those who pass by it. It’s foolish, really. They’ve already had their talk. Why would he expect to catch glimpse of Steve Rogers on the fifth floor now?

Why would he be there still. So many hours—a whole night later.

It’s late in the evening before he thinks better of it, finally, and returns to his room for the night. Late before he drops down onto his bed to stare up at the ceiling, dizzy with drink, and wait for exhaustion or alcohol or whatever other forces remain at play to let him drift into unconsciousness.

He doesn’t expect anyone will come calling.]

[[ooc: So Rip has two open posts! For anything on the boat please go here, anything after that can go in this one. I’m also open to have him found elsewhere should anyone want him! He’s just going to be sad and miserable for a bit. :c]]

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[directed]

[It's with a quiet nod of thanks that Rip picks up the napkins, wiping away at the smudges now staining his cheek. He'd been having quite a nice wallow before Sunburst came along, made Rip consider the state of himself. Funny how he keeps finding people--in a metaphorical sense of the word--that bring out that side of him. Ones who refuse to merely let him flounder in his misery, but rather insist that he be better in ways both big and small.

He'll likely never stop finding it odd.

Rip takes a long breath in, seeing the mistake even as Sunburst makes it. Perfectly reasonable, really--and perhaps letting the pony in on more of his sad life story would at last leave Rip with someone who understands why he's acting as he is, rather than running to Peggy, insisting then and there that they talk.]

It's--more complicated than that, I'm afraid. My family was murdered some time ago. [Over three years, when he adds up both the time spent in Wonderland and in his home. He looks down at the table, napkin crumbled in his hand. Swallows, before her continues on.] Despite every effort I took to save them, I couldn't--and not a day goes by where I don't regret that.

[Chief among so many things Rip has done that stand worthy of his guilt.]

Knowing that pain, that anguish--I cannot stand in the way of Peggy's happiness and still claim to care for her. Even if her path no longer runs parallel to my own, she deserves the opportunity to take it all the same.

And a lack of interference from me while she decides.

[bibliocorn]

[Sunburst listens, not interrupting Rip's sad tale- nor the explanation that follows it. He realises he's poorly equipped to help his friend with this. He has no frame of reference of his own to lean back on, to provide Rip with comfort. He's known loss, oh yes, and regret for certain- but not to this extent.

That doesn't mean he's not going to try, though. ]

I'm so sorry, Rip. I can't even begin to imagine how hard that is.

[He wonders if this is where Rip got his stance on time travel from. Did he travel back, keep changing things to try and divert the timestream? To make it a thing that never happened? ]

That's...well, I can understand now, why you're giving her the space to chose for herself. Even at the cost of your own happiness. I'm sure she'd appreciate it, if she doesn't already.

[Noble, albeit depressing. ]

Do you need some company? At least for the rest of the night. While you...uh. Dry up.

[In more ways that one. Sunburst couldn't offer much in comfort- but he could at least offer his time.]

[directed]

[Even though he only outwardly nods, there’s a gratitude Rip feels that cannot be put into words. That understanding rather than judgment, instead of well-intentioned if not thought-out advice to march into Peggy’s room, interrupt her affairs, and demand she listen to what he might say on the matter. His head sags forward; in not having to defend his position any further, he suddenly feels the weight and fatigue of the day on his shoulders.

…And yes, the chill of still-soaked clothes as well.]

I would hardly be pleasant to be around. [Sunburst means the best, Rip knows. But equally, he knows himself; Rip doubts he’ll be sleeping that night, even as tired as he suddenly feels. Rather, he offers an alternative that might satisfy them both—at least for the time being.] I think a hot shower might be the best thing for me at present. Although I do appreciate the offer.

[Genuinely so.]

[bibliocorn]

You're not the worst friend I've spent time with.

[Compared to Trixie, Rip is an utter delight. Still, he sees the out for what it is, and understands Rip's need for privacy. Worried as he is for the man, he needs his space. He needs time to think and wait and see what happens with everything. And that? That'll take time. ]

But that's okay. Get a shower and as much rest as you can. I'll be in my room, if you need me.