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[shawt]

SAMEEN@TORNA.ORG

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[flawing]

[ trust is such an unfortunate commodity to carry in their business. which is to say: one second, ,another before her screen shivers -- and blackens completely, dead as something discharged.

at the center of the black screen, a single word begins to flash on loop: CONNECTING . . .

it takes a moment or two. ]

I thought you'd never call.

[shawt]

[ hers is not a soothing voice.

even if it rings a lot more pleasant than she remembers it, when it's screaming from the echoing gap of a closing elevator. the headache she has now is nearly worse than the one she had back then, which lends well to the dark look she eyes the phone screen with. ]

Sorry.

[ she says, voice cracking a little with leftover exhaustion, with the wry humor of someone who's realized that nothing has changed. ]

I didn't really know what to say, if I did.

[flawing]

That's. . . probably the wiser decision. Between bugs and enchantments planted all around the city, you never know what might overhear you.

[ practicing irons out the shakiness -- it's what, root knows, experience is supposed to do. but the air's all empty, beat after beat, and her tongue scrapes against her teeth like sand.

she closes her eyes. the smile, at least, is audible. ]

How's the head?

[shawt]

[ but that's a new sound. the phone crackles a little, plastic against her fingers. she doesn't smile, but there's a higher lilt in her flat voice that implies she can still take the joke. ]

I think I feel an aneurysm coming on.

But I'm not bleeding.

[ . . . ]

Much.

[flawing]

. . . You've survived worse.

[ soft and light and baiting -- but then, if it were any louder, it might ring a little shrill. ]

[shawt]

Like you have?

[ sentiment sounds silly from an arrogant voice. which is why she does them both the favor: ]

Root, where are you?

[flawing]

. . . someone must've told you the city's name by now.

[shawt]

It's a big enough city for people to fight over it.

[ that's irritated, too. there's pain, and anger, and all in all, it's too much feeling to handle at once. ]

And I haven't seen you yet, which probably means we're not pitching for the same team.

[flawing]

[








. . . ]

That depends on your definition of the team.

[shawt]

[ oh my god. ]

You sound pretty roughed up.

Catch a cold?

[flawing]

[ I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU LEFT THAT OPEN FOR ME, YOU ASSHOLE. ]

I just got. . . knocked off my feet a little. But you sound like you had fun.

[shawt]

[ I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ACTUALLY WENT WITH IT, YOU HOMO. ]

Not really.

[ the phone gets balanced between ear and shoulder as she unravels her bandages and inspects the ugly welts underneath. ]

Apparently the psychopaths in this town are rabid and keep their own magical menagerie.

I don't remember the Mafia being so special.

[flawing]

[ laughter bubbles on her end of the call, surprised and almost edgeless.

well, almost. ]

Just what exactly were you fighting. . . ?

[shawt]

I think it was human.

[ she says, as she pours alcohol over an open wound without wincing all too much. ]

But don't think I haven't noticed you dodging the question.

[flawing]

[ that's gross. use a swab like normal human beings. ]

You've asked a few of them.

[shawt]

You haven't picked my lock.

[flawing]

Is that an invitation?

[shawt]

Just gauging how badly you got bullied.

[ almost amused, which is -- short-lived. ]

Must smart like hell if it's keeping you.

[flawing]

. . . I don't know how far my leash goes.

And honestly, I'd rather not strain it too much just yet.

[shawt]

And I'd rather not have to shoot you.

[flawing]

Now you're trying to be sweet.

[ a breath. ]

Relax. I'm basically just -- local tech support.

[shawt]

[ a pause. ]

And the chip?

[flawing]

You know how I feel about surveillance.

[shawt]

I'll keep it in.

[ after a bit of hesitation. ]

As long as you don't keep checking in on me.

[flawing]

[ quiet. ]

You wouldn't want me to lie to you, Sameen.