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[maellum]

Comments

[cache_coeur]

[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.

[maellum]

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.]

[cache_coeur]

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?

[maellum]

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.]

[cache_coeur]

[Cute.]

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

[maellum]

Yeah. Sure.

[Maelle looks over at Sciel, sad.]

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

[cache_coeur]

[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.

[maellum]

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!]

[cache_coeur]

[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?

[maellum]

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.

[cache_coeur]

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.]

[maellum]

He just doesn't trust him. You do, though. At least more than Gustave and Lune do.

[Maybe not as implicitly as Maelle does, but much of that is due to circumstances. She had nothing left to lose at some point.]

[cache_coeur]

[Sciel nods.]

I do. I think he has good intentions, despite the tremendous mistakes he's made, and for me, intent is enough. I understand why it isn't for Gustave and Lune.

[maellum]

I don’t.

[Well... Gustave, she can understand. In his eyes Verso put her at risk. Yet she put herself at risk coming to the Continent in the first place.]

[cache_coeur]

Setting Old Lumière aside… preparing for the Expedition was so much of their lives. Lune’s especially. That’s her entire life’s work, and her childhood. Why trust someone who knows everything you’ve sacrificed for your people but can’t even tell you where you’re going? What you might be up against, or why?

[maellum]

I understand that, but I still don't believe Verso's lack of volunteering information means he knows everything. He's just... evasive.

[cache_coeur]

I don’t think so either, but he definitely knows enough that he feels he needs to be evasive about.

[maellum]

That doesn't mean it's to trick us. I think Verso's more scared than he is scheming.

[If she emphasizes that any more to Gustave, she knows he'll get upset. See it as defending him.]

[cache_coeur]

I agree, Maelle. He’s in pain, too, and he only wants as much help as he can get from arm’s length. So when it’s his discomfort or Lumière’s future, I understand the impatience.

[Especially when, she’s sure, they would gladly help him, if only he let them.]

[maellum]

Verso didn't ask for any of this, either. His parents, immortality...

[A victim as much as the rest of them, and likely just as confused.]

How are you going to approach all this?

[cache_coeur]

They know.

[It just doesn’t mean much after generations of death at his mother’s hands, after seeing his father slaughter people they’d loved and broken bread with for years, sometimes lifetimes. Sciel’s heart hurts for every once of them.]


I’m going to bring Verso some dinner and something to drink, and we’ll have an uneventful evening with no complicated questions. Then I’ll see how he’s feeling.

[maellum]

[As usual, Sciel makes it seem simple. Like it only makes sense to bring him dinner and spend time together.

She wishes she felt that way.]

I think he'll appreciate that.

[cache_coeur]

I hope so. What are you hoping to do?

[maellum]

You're looking at it.

[Be useless and sad and probably buried under blankets for the next few days.]

I don't think Verso will want to deal with me anytime soon.

[cache_coeur]

[Oh, pity the child. Sciel squeezes her a little tighter.]

At least you’re moping in a warm bed. He probably slept under a tree last night! And besides, you have to get up and have brunch with me.