mygod | pc catchall | vin

[flameguard]

the placing of these next to each other is exquisite

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[flameguard]

I'm alright.

[ and really, he is. tired, but still himself, still warm. tired, but resilient, and his smile, soft, shows it. ]

Thankfully, Mr. Daan and Alfyn are really good - Miss Asa is resting, now, so, hopefully she'll be able to do so peacefully and recover. What about you?

[allomantic]

I'm alright.

[a pause, and then:]

May I ask you something?

[flameguard]

Anything.

[ ? ]

[allomantic]

How well do you know Laudna?

[flameguard]

[ hmm... ]

Miss Laudna? We get along, but...I don't know her that well. Why do you ask?

[allomantic]

I was wondering if you've ever seen her angry before.

[flameguard]

[ ... ]

...Do you think she...?

[allomantic]

I don't know yet. It's entirely possible it was a curse - we've seen people angry at each other before because of one.

I want to talk to her again tomorrow to see if she's still acting strangely. And I don't think there's any sense in focusing on one option instead of keeping an open mind. But I think it's worth pointing out.

[flameguard]

[ he nods... ]

...I'll keep an eye out too, Vin. [ frowning a little to himself, thinking about it... ] I... can't say I've ever seen her angry before - she's always been nothing but cheerful and kind.

[allomantic]

If she's back to normal tomorrow and we don't notice anything, I think it was a curse, more than likely. But it's worth paying attention to.

[flameguard]

She did fit the evidence, too...

[ the coconut... he chews on his lip, and then nods. ]

I'll keep an eye on it and we can talk it over, tomorrow. And... if we're sure, then... [ ... ] Then, I can do it.

[allomantic]

It's easy to wear a poncho that's bigger than your size.

[...]

We'll keep talking about it. If you're committed - there's something you should know.

[flameguard]

Only if we're sure, but, yes.

[ he won't just go stabbing people for no reason but... a tilt of his head? ]

...What is it?

[allomantic]

I understand.

[especially after yesterday. there's a small pause, before:]

I don't think it fits as well, but Karlach asked me to borrow something that could be used as a weapon on Thursday. And she's strong enough to face Ichiban. So it might not hurt to pay attention to her behavior.

[flameguard]

[ ooh. oooh!!! listen! it's bad. it's bad, and his expression flickers briefly, but he takes a deep, steadying breath. ]

... Alright. [ ... ] We... spend a lot of time together, so... that should be pretty easy.

[ he handles this maybe better than you might expect?? listen it's fine. ]

I hope that isn't the case, above all, but... I'll pay attention.

[allomantic]

I hope it isn't the case, too. And... Even apart from hope, I do think it makes less sense. She was working hard yesterday.

[flameguard]

...I don't think she would have pushed Mr. Tomi if she didn't really think - if she wasn't really trying to solve what happened to Mr. Ichiban.

[ like, maybe that could have been monstrous, but. ]

[allomantic]

No. I think she would have focused on another case.

[pausing, and then:]

There's something else you should know. Will you come with me for a moment?

[flameguard]

[ there's - he laughs, a little. ]

Vin, you keep dropping surprises on me...I'm almost worried! [ very lightly teasing, though!! he hops up and brushes himself off. joking aside: ] Of course.

[allomantic]

This one is better.

[she starts to head towards the swamp, stopping at the top of the stairs leading downwards.]

[flameguard]

[ oh god he hates this place but he will follow her without any fuss; rondo frowns, but he looks around, and nods after a moment to follow her down... ]

[allomantic]

[touch week, so she's taking his hand! she seems uncertain despite the news she received last night.

even so, she heads to the case with the ouija board, taking a deep breath before she reaches for it like she's trying to stave off any possible disappointment—

but when she tugs on the handle, it opens easily. give her a second to stare.]

I didn't - I swear, when I did it, I wasn't thinking of—

[this.]

[flameguard]

[ I SEE

there's a short breath from behind her, startled, as everything just - clicks. ]

... Oh.

[ oh.

it takes a second. there's a beat of hesitation, and then... his hand curls, lifts in the air, and rondo sets it, very gently between her shoulderblades. bolstering. steady. ]

It's... I - I know, Vin. [ ... after what he's come to know of her so far, and of how much that hurt her, after the way she hugged him last night, there's just no way. and this is steady, too, conviction and belief. ] I know you weren't.

[allomantic]

[she glances his way, and - there's something sincere in the way she looks at him, the way she nods. not nona. she wouldn't have made a move that calculated against someone she cared so much for.

when she looks back and reaches into the case, taking the board out - she's still for another moment until she has to shift it to one hand, using the other to rub at her eyes rapidly.]

It works. Rondo, it - it works, it's going to work.

[there's no external sign, but she can tell.]

[flameguard]

[ NOOOO NOOOO AAAAH SHE'S BABY IM CRYINNNGGG

oh - the look on her face. for a moment, it just makes everything feel... it's better. it's not worth the cost of a life, but in this case, in the necessary execution of a dear friend in a horrible place, in a horrible situation, it's... it's something.

he can't help himself - he smiles. it's small, a little wet, and in sympathy, his eyes well up too, as the hand between her shoulder blades moves to squeeze her shoulder instead, to hook around hers and pull her in for a one armed hug. ]

It does? Good - that's, that's good. [ squeezing her into his side, the warmth breaks through his voice, the smile starting to break into something warmer like clouds on a sunny day. ] Vin... that's wonderful.