inbox.

[shawt]

SAMEEN@TORNA.ORG

Comments

[shawt]

[ . . .

well, that answers that question. ]

Couldn't be any worse than what you have to deal with.

Without a gun.

[flawing]

[ like it wasn't obvious??? ]

Unlike you, debugging the local version of Windows 10 doesn't earn that many death threats.

[ . . . ]

Well, not directed at me.

[shawt]

[ the sound of the faucet squeaking, and water rushing as a stove clicks on. ]

War's changed you.

[flawing]

That's not what changed me.

Either way, we still have work to do. [ a beat. ] You, especially.

[shawt]

[ funny how flat she can make the complaint: ]

We're not doing this here.

[flawing]

Not the numbers. But you haven't given me a name.

[shawt]

Which ones were you looking for?

[flawing]

The psychotic menagerie-keeper's would be a nice start.

[shawt]

We didn't exactly have the opportunity to exchange names.

[flawing]

I guess I could work with a little less, too.

[shawt]

[ . . . uh. ]

Is there a reason why you're so curious? I know you're usually nosy, but.

[flawing]

[ a beat, thoughtful and quiet. ]

Did you know that they have healers here?

[shawt]

Is that how you think they dealt with me?

[flawing]

Honestly, I'd be surprised if you let them.

But between potions and bodyguards with superstrength, we have a lot of new variables to play with. I guess I'm just -- curious to see how much they can do.

[shawt]

Don't rock the boat.

[flawing]

You don't trust me to take orders?

[shawt]

They really don't have anything better to do, if you're the fire starter.

[flawing]

But I know better than to burn anything down without a clear way out.

[ unlike some people. ]

[shawt]

[ wow. ]

And what's your plan of escape?

[flawing]

You sound almost homesick.

[shawt]

Why? I've got eyes on me for a major part of the day. They sic me at people, they try to kill me.

Feels just like home.

[flawing]

At home, [ it's the lightest stressor - ] we knew the worst of what people could do.

[shawt]

I thought you were getting used to the separation.

[ and then, because it would only hurt to clarify: ]

Your girlfriend doesn't have a signal around here, does she?

[flawing]

She knows I'm here.

[ with bare, awful simplicity. ]

[shawt]

And that's it.