Re: [carnival: misha and james]
Misha, he knew he'd stepped wrong. "It's okay. The way I asked probably sounded wrong. I didn't mean nothing by it. I just meant to ask if it was good, that's all." He smiled, real calm and not fussed any at all. "It's okay. Don't go apologizing. I know this has got to be hard for you. I don't want you reckoning I require pussyfooting 'round." He gave James a look that was empathetic and soft. "It's okay," he repeated, softer some and soothing, calming in the way he was when he was trying to make folks feel soothed. Misha, he sang like Heaven, and he could put that same kind of soothing into talking, even though he didn't do it much recent.
Real careful, he reached out and touched the other man's shoulder. James had slumped and turned away, and Misha's fingers were soothing warmth. "Hush, now. I'm glad you're here. I'm kind on account of that. I know we don't know each other, but I feel I know you real well. Nilus, he's always talked 'bout you endless." It was true, and Misha would do every damn thing he could to make this boy feel welcome.
He mashed out his cigarette on the side of the coaster car. "I reckon you want me to quit fussing at you. I'll talk to Damian 'bout that relocating, okay? And you let me know if there's anything you need, even if it's just chatter."