Talking It Out (Henry)

[PHILLIP HUNTER WESTBROOK]

Phillip couldn't focus. Sure, taking care of animals was almost second nature to him, but he didn't know what else he should do. A part of him felt empty, as if something inside of him were missing and he simply could not figure out what it was. Truth was, he should feel extremely fulfilled at the moment. He was doing what he loved at his Livery Stable, but something wasn't right. It hadn't bothered him until about a week ago, and for some reason he just couldn't shake the feeling.

However, today he was getting out of the Livery Stable. Samson needed to be shoed once more, so after doing all his morning chores, Phillilp decided to walk on over to the Nightengale Smithery, leading Samson with him. Maybe walking would help distract him. Then he could go for a ride later this afternoon. That would help.

He told Samson to stop  and wait outside and knocked on a wooden post as he entered the building. "Hello, is anyone here?" he asked as he took a quick look around. Maybe he should've asked Henry if he had time to shoe Samson before just coming over. Oh well, not much he could do about it now. If Henry was busy, he'd simply come back later.

HENRY AUGUST CHARMONT

[HENRY AUGUST CHARMONT]

Henry heard the knock on the wooden post and slowly stopped what he was doing, getting it to a point where he could step away for a moment. He came around the front, heavy apron still on, using a rag to wipe his hands as he approached the man at the door. He immediately recognized Phillip and felt his heart sink. During their short time so far on the island he hadn't actually ran into any of his old friends yet. He'd seen them in passing, but he didn't have to talk to them. Now, it seemed, his luck in avoiding that had run out. He had run into Phillip a few times, however, and they had worked together more often than not due to their occupations.

He smiled, stepping forward and offering a hand once it was cleaned, "Hey, Phillip," he introduced. "What can I do for you?" he raised an eyebrow in question. He would always do Philip a favor, always had.

PHILLIP HUNTER WESTBROOK

[PHILLIP HUNTER WESTBROOK]

Phillip smiled back, though he still felt guilty for coming over without warning. "Henry. I- uh- I was just wondering if you could shoe Samson for me this morning so I can get him some exercise this afternoon? Do not worry about it if you're busy," he added on. He didn't want Henry to feel like it was an emergency or something. "I know I came without warning. I can always bring him later if you are in the middle of something."

Phillip glanced around the shop as he spoke. He didn't know why, but a part of him wanted to find a place to sit and stay here to talk with Henry. That was odd. It wasn't like they really knew one another at all. Phillip knew Henry, but mostly because they sometimes worked together. Phillip didn't know very many people in Whitebridge, at least not by name. He shook his head to rid himself of his strange thoughts. There was no way he could just sit down somewhere and stay like he belonged here. All he was waiting for now was Henry's answer. Then he'd leave the man to shoe Samson or do whatever he needed to. Phillip wasn't going to intrude.

HENRY AUGUST CHARMONT

[HENRY AUGUST CHARMONT]

Henry would always do any favor Phillip asked, really. They had a good relationship now as they already had. He nodded, "no, it's no problem," he said, stepping forward even more, "I should have Samsons last measurements filed, so let me grab those and see what we can do," he said before slipping into the back for just a moment. He came back quickly with the paperwork and looked out the window for Sampson. "Is Merida working today?" he asked casually. He had always admired her and her family. Her father was an amazing fighter, and somehow always was able to keep a smile on his face during the chaos. She was similar, of course, tough as nails.

PHILLIP HUNTER WESTBROOK

[PHILLIP HUNTER WESTBROOK]

Phillip smiled when Henry said he could do it now. Henry was such a good guy. A little sad, but always willing to help those around him. It was something that Phillip admired about him. He watched as Henry left the room for a moment before gazing around him. This really was a very comfortable place. It seemed, natural.

Then Henry came back, asking about Merida. "Yeah, she's at the stables now, helping out so everything there should be fine for a while. I just needed to get out for a bit. I mean, I love my place, but sometimes I feel confined and I need a breath of fresh air." Phillip paused, feeling somewhat exposed. He hadn't ever expressed these feelings to anyone. 

Well, he might as well finish. "I feel like something's missing Henry. Can't figure out what, but staying in my stables all day doesn't satisfy me completely, though I enjoy it. I've just ... lost something." Phillip shrugged, not knowing how else to explain it. Henry probably wouldn't know what he was talking about, but at least he'd expressed it, gotten it out.

HENRY AUGUST CHARMONT

[HENRY AUGUST CHARMONT]

Henry nodded, "it's good you can rely on her," he said, referencing to Merida. "As for fresh air, it is a blessing, certainly," he understood that most people on the island would start to feel confined, especially because they could never leave. The Island was rather large, though, and posed it's own dangers so Henry hoped they could satisfy their wanderlust and need for air.

Then Phillip spoke about something being missing and Henry frowned. He hated conversations like this, knowing that he couldn't help them. He could attempt to nudge in the right direction... But he wasn't so skilled at subtly. He nodded softly, his smile coming back weakly, "I know how you feel," that was true, really, he had lost everything too. At least he knew what he was missing, "maybe you just need to get out more, make new friends," find Aurora, he thought.

PHILLIP HUNTER WESTBROOK

[PHILLIP HUNTER WESTBROOK]

Phillip nodded in agreement, "Yeah, she's very good to work with. Knows how to have fun, but also knows when to take it seriously, you know?" He definitely agreed with what Henry was saying about fresh air, but there honestly wasn't much else to say about that. Except ... "Well maybe we could go out sometime and enjoy the fresh air together," Phillip suggested with a smile. "I haven't seen you outside of this place in ages. It'd probably be good for both of us." For some reason, Phillip felt like he could really talk to the other man, so out of all the people on the island he would definitely appreciate doing something outside of work with him.

Phillip nodded as he listened to Henry's suggestion of him making more friends. Should he tell him about Aurora? "I am trying to meet new people," he spoke slowly, trying to decide how to explain it. "I just ... things feel a little strange to me still." Phillip sighed. "You're probably right though. Making friends would help with that." It just meant he had to go out of his comfort zone and approach them, which wasn't really something Phillip was particularly good at.

HENRY AUGUST CHARMONT

[HENRY AUGUST CHARMONT]

Phillip clearly admired and appreciated Merida, which was a good thing. "Yes, I can see that. She loves those horses as far as I can tell," he added. Phillip suggested they go enjoy the fresh air together, which made Henry tense up just a little, but he hid it well enough by reaching for a tool as it happened. "I suppose it would be nice," he really didn't want to bump into too many old friends... or worse, expecting to mingle with the opposite sex. Not that Phil would force him, but it was still a daunting thought.

Phillip said he was trying to meet new people, saying that it all still felt strange to him. Henry nodded, "it is strange," he agreed. "Maybe we can find a way for people to approach us instead of us finding them," he suggested, for Phillips sake. "Being in a more public place... a lot of people here are quite talkative, especially with how strange things are," he noted. "Perhaps the pub," he chuckled. That was really either of their scene but... it wasn't the worst idea.

PHILLIP HUNTER WESTBROOK

[PHILLIP HUNTER WESTBROOK]

"She does," Phillip agreed instantly. It was easy to see how much Merida loved her job and caring for the horses Phillip had. She was a great help to him and he was glad that she came after school. It made his job much easier. Phillip nodded when Henry said that it would be nice to go out. His tone was quiet, but that wasn't really new for Henry. "Okay. I'll let you know when I have time," Phillip said, chuckling a little. His job kept him a lot busier than he really cared to admit. 

He smiled when Henry suggested finding a way to let others approach them instead of having to do it themselves. "Oh, I actually like that idea a lot. If they approached me, maybe I wouldn't feel so awkward and hesitant about it all." He listened as Henry continued, saying that just being in a public place might help. Then he suggested the pub. Phil's eyes widened, but he chuckled with his friend. "I mean ... we could try it, but I'd need you to come with me if I'm going there." The pub wasn't really somewhere Phillip felt like he could go on his own. He couldn't remember ever going inside the place before. It made him ... get a strange taste in his mouth. That didn't mean it was a bad place though.

HENRY AUGUST CHARMONT