ablazement | 🔥 astarion

Suppose we should tell them about whatever we get tomorrow from Nehan. Maybe a bit about the machine. I'll tell you.

[a sigh, and then:]

Anyway. Yeah. That'll be Mathis. Poor kid, the second time, if he chooses to do it.

Just let me know and I'll add in the details.

[ he nods. ]

I'm aware. Lucas thinks he'll be forming a new partnership.

Wouldn't be surprised if he did. He won't want to leave the rest of the boys.

[...]

It's up to them. They're the only ones who can make the decision.

They are indeed.

[ he still thinks that not partnering was the best decision he made here. ]

Did you ever find out who Geto paired with after you?

[considering who his partner was he is right,]

Satoru, I'm pretty sure. I could be wrong.

[ that would've been the funniest thing i could've done. throws phone. ]

Process of elimination at this point, really. But it would make sense, given Gojo's partner died rather early on.

I talked to both of them about the window Geto had for re-partnering.

Yeah. Aerith told me she lied to him, and was glad she did, because it was the same week she died.

[sigh.] What'd they have to say about that? Anything?

Ah, so many of us were liars this whole time. Rather funny, isn't it?

[ IT SAVED SO MANY OF THEM to suffer for weeks. ]

I think they were just relieved we had a plan and hadn't just grief stabbed you.

[a big sigh, and then:]

... I still feel a little bad about it. They walked me back and everything.

[ he shrugs. ]

They certainly didn't seem to hold it against us, despite everything. They're quite tough young men, you know this.

I do, but that's my problem, isn't it. [she folds her arms.] They shouldn't have to be. You probably know what it's like back home for them by now. They're child soldiers, it makes me furious.

And when the alternative was you potentially killing one of them, darling?

[ catch 22. no one was ever going to be happy. ]

They shouldn't have to be, but they are. All the more reason for us to spite the hell out of this cult so we can head back and then you can corner them however you like. Hugs, tears, furious yelling if you think they've overdone it-- [ the world will be her oyster. ]

[hehuuruhghhh god yeah the idea that she could have killed one of them makes her heart ache. she's already had a hard enough time with rondo.]

Yeah. [she says, finally.] ... Yeah.

[she just looks tired, for now, conflicted.]