maellum | ETRAYA

Easier, but unresolved, non?

[She could live with not knowing the answers to every question that’s come up since Verso first strolled into camp, but tension over that could bleed a friendship out, over time. Better to address it, and…]

I think Gustave needs answers that only Verso can give.

Answers to what? I know he's upset about Old Lumière, but I don't think Verso would have let anything happen to me.

[She was on her own, but probably not alone.]

No, but he didn’t “let” anything happen to Noco, either.

[He’d do whatever was in his power to do, but that’s just it: the world is full of things Verso can’t control, and they had fought Renoir, there. They’d walked away, and they’d learned a little more, and the rest is loss.]

Lune and I got to talk to him about why he lead us all there without warning, even if we didn’t have the whole story. It was tense for a little, but we stuck with him. Gustave should be allowed the same opportunity to judge Verso’s character for himself, shouldn’t he?

He's already judged him. I don't think he'll change his mind. Not when all he can think about is that Verso was there when he wasn't, and he put me in danger. Even if nothing happened.

[Let her despair, Sciel.]

I can see a world where he can understand where Verso is coming from, even if forgiveness isn’t an option. That’s a resolution that won’t haunt him, or make us wary about having them in the same room. I think that would be good for all of us, even if they’ll never be bosom friends.

That is very optimistic, Sciel.

[Maelle can't see it under the shadow of how terribly their encounters have been.]

Are you surprised?

[But it is, in a way, still ambitious; she sighs and sidles into Maelle’s space, intent on cuddling her.]

Besides, I like you far too much to not imagine a happier time for you than this.

[Maelle lifts up a blanket, an invitation to really get in there. It's a little chilly in the apartment, or maybe it just feels colder after last night.]

That's what I want. A happier time for all of us. It feels impossible.

[It is colder, especially for folks like them, unused to the plunging weather. Sciel slides in next to her, an arm around Maelle’s shoulders.]

Tricky but not impossible, I promise. And even if it gets tense between us old people, we’ll always want what’s best for you, hmm?

The old people would know what's best, in theory.

[Yet another sigh, but this one releases some tension, coaxed out by Sciel's warmth and the weight of her arm.]

I'm tired of being upset. Actually exhausted.

Oh, I know. Crying is almost nice when it can be indulgent, but too much of it and it starts to feel like more of a prison than actual relief.

[She feels that shift in Maelle’s body, and she gives her a little squeeze, settling in comfortably.]

What are we wrong about, you think?

... me, I guess? Like I don't know how to judge people. That I don't have my own opinions.

[Because of Verso. Because of how quickly she warmed to him. Because of the strong emotions that grip her.]

[Old enough to choose to die out on the Continent, too young to really escape an overruling by people twice her age. Sciel pets her hair, gentle.]

We can be very patronizing, I think. I’m sorry to have helped it along, but I would like to hear your judgements and opinions whenever you’d like to share them. One Verso enthusiast to another?

... oh. I don't like that title. Verso Enthusiast? Really?

[Sciel gets a sudden laugh out of her. It's startling!]

No. Don't ever say those words together again. He'd enjoy that too much.

[And she's still lowkey mad at him.]

[Sciel grins despite it all, just pleased to hear that sound bubble out of her. She could tickle her, too, if she wasn’t trying to be at least a little serious. She teases:]

I thought it sounded nicer than ‘apologist’ but that was my mistake! But yes, you’re right. He hasn’t earned it, especially not lately.

They're both on notice.

[An unhappy murmur, but while she may have it in her to hold onto some upset at Verso, it's nearly impossible to be angry with Gustave. Especially now.]

Best behaviour or else.

[Sciel doubts either would be denied a hug if it was offered, though.]

What’s the punishment for fighting, you think?

No dessert for a week.

[That is a very quick reply from Maelle. Was that a pubishment used on her, or one she thought up herself? Who knows.]

[Cute.]

Firm but fair. They’ll think twice next time.

Yeah. Sure.

[Maelle looks over at Sciel, sad.]

I don't know what to do with Gustave or Verso.

[Sciel meets Maelle's look with a sad little pinch to her own mouth, eyes soft.]

I know. It's so difficult, isn't it? Especially when so much of this is on them, and what they choose to do.

It is, but... it also feels like it's my fault. From the very beginning. I should have... not been so eager for them to meet. I always... on the Continent, I would often imagine how they would get along.

[Needless to say she was wrong!]

[She shakes her head, dampened slightly by the pillow.]

It isn't your fault. You were excited, and both of them wanted it to work, too. I was the one who pushed things to a very quick head, and I am sorry that it sped up conflict between them.

[She stands by the necessity of it, but still.]

What did you want it to be like?

Maybe there was always going to be conflict.

[She doesn't want to blame Sciel. Or Verso. Or Gustave.]

I really hoped they could be friends. Everyone gets along with Gustave, and Gustave is... patient. Really patient. He wouldn't have kept me if he wasn't. I wanted to be able to spend time with them together and that feels ridiculous to say given how it's gone so far. They don't want that.

Probably.

[There is no world where they could keep the realities of the later half of the Expedition from Gustave forever. Or, really, a world where they wouldn't eventually find out more about Verso themselves.]

But it's okay to mourn that wish, you know. You've been through so much, it's not ridiculous at all to want a new friend to be accepted by the most important person in your life.

[Friendship doesn't seem like the right word between an immortal man and a teenaged girl, but it's what she has.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject