Beneath the Tudor arches, the passage holds a quiet amber light. Paul keeps the sealed reply tucked beneath his arm, while Parsley rests one shoulder against the cold stone.
Parsley
Before we speak to Edwin, I want to say what joining us must not mean.
Parsley
He may write to us, or refuse. He may sit with us, or leave. No one is to treat an answer as a debt.
Parsley turns the pressed leaf between his fingers, studying its veins rather than either boy's face. The distant school sounds remain muffled beyond the passage.
Parsley
And I need our letters to remain ours. No reading over a shoulder, no asking for details someone has not offered. Even among friends, there must be a door one can close.
Paul gives a small, solemn nod and shifts the sealed reply carefully under his arm. Parsley finally looks to C. S. Lewis, his expression open but cautious, leaving room for an honest answer.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish a mutually understood boundary of privacy and consent for the correspondence
“Lewis agrees. They are maintaining their friendship, not gossiping like school girls. Each other's letters should remain private.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
C. S. Lewis
I agree. We are keeping one another as friends, not turning our letters into school gossip. What each of us writes remains private, and anyone may refuse without owing an explanation.
The words settle plainly between the stones. As Lewis shifts his books, one volume slips from his arm and strikes the flagstones, its corner scraping against the grit.
Parsley
Good. I would rather have a friendship with a closed door in it than a friendship that demands every door stay open.
Paul Foot
Then the rule is understood. We ask before sharing, we accept no without punishment, and we keep our own correspondence in our own hands.
Parsley crouches to retrieve the fallen book, brushing dust from its worn cover before offering it back. The scraped corner is small, but plainly visible.
Parsley
When we speak with Edwin, we can offer the door. He decides whether to enter, and whether he wishes to write at all.
Paul Foot
And if he declines, the company remains his company. No ledger, letter, or promise will make him a debtor.
Parsley
Does that leave enough room for you as well, Lewis?
Quest Complete
Establish a mutually understood boundary of privacy and consent for the correspondence
“Lewis says that it does, but he still has one question for Parsley. What should they do if Edwin's feelings for Lewis means he wants a relationship with them? Lewis clarifies he isn't asking for a decision, just a game plan of how they might ask for time or space. He wants to be in tune with Parsley.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +3)
C. S. Lewis
It does. But I have one question. If Edwin wants a relationship with us, how do we ask for time or space? I am not asking you to decide now. I want us to have a plan, and I want to be in tune with you.
Parsley places the textbook back against Lewis's books rather than letting him snatch it away. He stays crouched, considering the question without flinching from it.
Parsley
We say so plainly. We tell Edwin that we care about him, but that neither of us can promise an answer today. Then we name the time we need, and keep the choice ours.
Parsley
And if I need space, I say, I need space from this conversation, not from you. You do the same. No guessing, no tests, no punishment for honesty.
Paul Foot
I can write that into the plan, if you both wish. Not Edwin's feelings, only the rule that an answer may wait.
Parsley
He is asking how to protect us before anything has gone wrong. That matters more than having the perfect answer.
Parsley
Yes, Lewis. That leaves room for you, and for me. We ask Edwin what he wants, then we tell him what we can honestly give. Tonight, we need promise nothing beyond listening.
“Lewis smiles and thanks Parsley for speaking plainly. He understands and agrees. He admit he cares a great deal about Edwin. Francis too, they are like brothers to him and he would never be able to abandon them or hurt them. But he can set boundaries. And he doesn't think Francis is crushing on Lewis too. He thinks Francis just needs a someone to trust and help steady him. Like a family member. He is carrying a lot of trauma.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -3)
C. S. Lewis
Lewis smiles and thanks Parsley for speaking plainly. He agrees that care does not erase the need for boundaries. Edwin matters greatly to him, and Francis does too. They are like brothers, and he could never abandon or deliberately hurt them.
The books shift against Lewis's chest. One slips free and strikes the flagstones with a sharp crack, drawing a brief echo down the passage.
C. S. Lewis
Lewis says he can still set limits. Francis, he thinks, is not crushing on him. Francis needs someone he can trust, someone to steady him like family. He is carrying a great deal of trauma.
Parsley
That is a careful distinction. You are not turning Francis away. You are refusing to pretend that care makes every kind of closeness harmless.
Paul Foot
Then the plan can say that plainly. Affection is not an obligation, and a boundary is not an abandonment.
Parsley
And with Edwin, we listen before we interpret. With you, Lewis, I will believe what you tell me, even when the honest answer needs room.
The fallen book lies open at Lewis's shoes, its pages creased by the impact. Parsley keeps his hands lowered, leaving Lewis space to gather it or leave it there.
“Lewis picks up the book and smiles at Parsley. He says he doesn't expect Francis to ask for anything like Edwin. But he wanted to make sure Parsley knew that Lewis has been trying to comfort him through his issues in private. And he wants to continue to do so because Francis is his friend. But it is not romantic in any way.”
SUCCESS (Fair Oratory, rolled +1)
Lewis bends and retrieves the open book from the flagstones, smoothing its creased pages against his stack.
C. S. Lewis
I do not expect Francis to ask for anything like Edwin. I only wanted you to know that I have been trying to comfort him privately through what he has endured.
C. S. Lewis
I want to go on doing that because Francis is my friend. It is not romantic in any way.
Parsley
I understand. You are offering him steadiness, not promising him a place that belongs to someone else.
Paul Foot
Then the boundary is clear. Private comfort can remain friendship, provided Francis is free to say what he wants and what he does not.
Parsley
And I believe you. I may still need to ask how much room there is, but I will ask rather than turn fear into an accusation.
The passage settles around them again. Parsley reaches toward the book, then stops short, leaving the repaired stack entirely in Lewis's hands.
“Lewis thanks Parsley. He says that he hopes one day Francis will be able to open up to the others about their struggles. But he understands why Francis hasn't reached that point yet. But if Parsley ever catches Lewis comforting or hugging a crying Francis, he can know that it is just Lewis supporting him through his pain.”
SUCCESS (Superb Etiquette, rolled +0)
C. S. Lewis
Thank you, Parsley. I hope Francis will one day be able to tell the others what he has endured. I understand why he is not ready yet.
C. S. Lewis
If you ever catch me comforting him, or holding him while he cries, please know that I am only supporting him through his pain. It is friendship, nothing romantic.
Parsley
I know. And if I forget, you may remind me without making me ashamed of asking.
Paul Foot
That belongs in the rule as well. Comfort is not a declaration, and silence is not consent. Francis must choose his own moment.
Paul opens the correspondence notebook against the passage wall and adds the clarification beneath the rule on privacy. The pen scratches softly in the amber light.
Parsley
When Francis is ready, shall we ask him together? Not to make him explain himself, only to let him know the door is open.
The question rests gently between them. Paul leaves the notebook open, waiting for the answer rather than supplying one.
“Lewis shakes his head and asks that they don't approach Francis. Francis has sworn Lewis to confidentiality. He doesn't want Francis to think Lewis broke his confidence by speaking to them. He asks them to let him approach Francis himself about it. So he doesn't accidently damage the trust and rapport they have been building.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
C. S. Lewis
Please do not approach Francis. He swore me to confidentiality. Let me speak with him myself, so he does not think I have broken his trust.
Lewis shakes his head. The textbook stack slips against the wall, and one hard spine strikes the flagstones with a sharp crack.
Parsley
Then we will not approach him. Not together, not separately, and not by hinting until you have spoken with him.
Paul Foot
I will leave Francis's name out of the record. Confidentiality means more than keeping silent after the fact.
Parsley
You are not choosing between us and him, Lewis. You are keeping faith with someone who trusted you. I can understand that.
Parsley bends to set the fallen book atop the stack, then leaves both hands visible at his sides. The open notebook remains untouched.
Parsley
When you are ready to tell us how it went, we will listen. Until then, what would help you feel that we have truly left the door closed?
✓ Quest Accepted
Clarify Francis’s wishes about the confidence
“Lewis smiles and tries to pick up the notebook and add it to the stack. He just asks that they keep walking with him. And trust that he is making a concentrated effort to respect the boundaries of each of his friend.”
SUCCESS (Good Agility, rolled -2)
Lewis smiles, bends, and lifts the open notebook from beside the wall. Its cover knocks the flagstones with a hard thud, but he gathers it before the pages can scatter.
He fits the notebook atop the textbooks, pressing the uneven stack against his hip until it holds.
C. S. Lewis
Keep walking with me. Trust that I am making a concentrated effort to respect each of your boundaries.
Parsley
I will. Walking beside you does not mean taking charge of what belongs to you.
Paul Foot
And I will keep the notebook closed. The rule travels with us, but nobody has to carry another boy's confidence.
Therefore the three boys leave the passage together, their spacing deliberate. The open doorway behind them frames the quiet stones, while the notebook rests securely on Lewis's books and Francis's secret remains his to disclose.
+ New Item Acquired
Correspondence notebook