mygod | pc catchall | vin

[flameguard]

the placing of these next to each other is exquisite

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[flameguard]

[ the strangest part of this hallucination, this vision, is the fact that he's looking at the person he is, and they're smiling. laughing. the words out of their mouth? those are normal. This greenhorn would be the one to take my position? My Flame weeps. And what have you done, since? Nothing. And what will you do? Nothing.

You are weak, Rondo Ravus. You lack resolve. ]

You're wrong - Just because I'm here, I - [

... Rondo?

wait. that's not - that's not the same voice. rondo blinks, inhaling a sharp, startled noise that sounds more like a hiccup, and lifts his head up. from under his cloak's hood, his eyes are wet and shining - he's clearly been crying. ]

...Vin?

[allomantic]

[it's times like these she wishes she were a little better at comfort. as it is, she just pauses for a moment once she realizes he's shed tears, hesitating before taking another step forward.]

...Who do you hear?

[flameguard]

[ who is a question. he looks past her, for a long moment, and rubs at his eyes with his wrist, trying to compose himself. ]

He's right there. [ he's not. ] ...Sir Sazantos. Heh, I... I told everyone, yesterday... if something was wrong with my reputation, he'd...

[allomantic]

[after another moment of hesitation:]

...What can I do?

[flameguard]

I don't... I don't know.

[ As usual. rondo flinches a little, and then shakes his head. ] He's smiling, Vin. I've never seen him smile before.

[allomantic]

Then that's even more proof he isn't real.

[flameguard]

... The last time... it's been so long since I've seen his face, for real. It's like it was before, it's...

[ it's not real, she says. he look up at the hallucination, at the effervescent smile, the bright, brilliant blue eyes. his laugh sounds like music. ] It's - I always thought he'd have a really nice smile.

[ rondo shakes his head and shuts his eyes. ] No... no. No, you're right.

[allomantic]

[on top of her concern, it's touch week, so she carefully reaches out to touch his face and lead his gaze in her direction.]

Look at me, not him.

[flameguard]

[ ... he does, led easily - big blue eyes wide and wet and sorrowful, surprised, but he doesn't look away. look at me, not him. look at reality. look at the truth. the truth is that sazantos will never smile like that, the truth is that he's not here, the truth is that vin is.

he takes a deep, shaky breath. ] ...Vin. [ and says her name, quietly, not sure what else to say - lost, for a moment, vulnerable and lost and trying to hold on to the thread of reality she's offered him. ]

[allomantic]

[there's a small pause after he acknowledges her, and then:]

Take a breath.

[flameguard]

[ okay. okay, he can do that.

a deep breath in. a slow breath out. ]

[allomantic]

[she brings her hand away and falls silent, giving him a moment.]

[flameguard]

....sorry.

[ is the first thing out of his mouth, and he sniffles, trying to compose himself. ]

[allomantic]

You haven't done anything worth apology.

[flameguard]

[ ....

after a moment, he smiles - a tiny, wobbly smile, but a rondo smile, nonetheless. ]

Then... perhaps thank you is better.

[allomantic]

[...]

Do you want to tell me about who you heard?

[flameguard]

[ ah. ]

...My mentor. [ he says, after a long moment of uncharacteristic quiet, fidgeting a little like he needs something to do with his hands. ] And someone very dear to me.

[allomantic]

Then I'm certain he wouldn't have really said whatever it is you just heard.

[flameguard]

[ oh he - he laughs. he can't help it, this short, sharp bark of a noise, and it's like, a genuine laugh??? ]

No - no, no, he definitely would have.

[allomantic]

...Then he's very stupid, and you shouldn't listen to him regardless.

[flameguard]

[ HELP VIN

okay see— see, now he laughs. it’s a real laugh, a little hysterical, a little exhausted, but he bursts into giggles at the sheer audacity of this statement. this is better than crying? and he manages, lightly scandalized -] Vin.

[allomantic]

You're better than any soldier or guard I've ever met.

[flameguard]

[ holy music stops levels of stops laughing and just looks so unbelievably touched like he might cry again ]

[allomantic]

[baby! that's a baby boy! even if she just

pretends not to notice him being embarrassing.]

They only take orders for coin, but you do what's right.

[flameguard]

[ praise is a little rare for rondo so it's nice to hear - and it means especially a lot coming from someone like vin. so, he sniffles, and nods, and rubs his eyes with his wrist and pretends to be cool. ]

I try to. [ always. no matter what it is. rondo's heart is his guide. ] ... I'm sorry, that you've experienced so many like that, Vin...