Re: lakeside mansion; hugh c./dietre a.
Implied alcoholism, even in jest, gave seed to a worry in the pit of Dietre’s stomach. He couldn't help but make a connection there with Liam, though Liam’s problems had been far worse than mere drinking. Comparing the two men; Hugh seemed to have himself together more than Liam had when they met, he looked healthier and a fair bit more content in general. Still, he talked about going through hard times, clearly describing depression. Before Liam’s death, Dietre would have been comforted by the fact they had so much misery in common, now he found himself concerned, and he turned to look at Hugh more closely, forgetting his shyness.
“...But you are doing better now, aren’t you?” Those pale, grey green eyes searched Hugh’s face for a moment, but he wasn’t quite sure how to recognize what he was looking for. Something that said the man was tired of living. He didn’t see it, or at least, he hoped he didn't.
“Um… Yes. Rebecca and poetry,” he agreed, helplessly going back to the conversation because he didn’t know what else to do or say. “And I’d like for you to cook, if you want to. I don’t know how, so… it will be nice. Thank you.”
When Hugh whistled for Heart, Sieglinde returned along with the other dog. She came back with a large stick in her mouth, looking proud when Dietre patted her head and told her in german that it was a very lovely stick and she was very clever to have found it.