week 5, post trial.

[robitussin]

[Another week draws to a close, but as more culprits are led away, something is different all the same. After this particular trial, perhaps it's not a surprise that there's no note or offer to meet in a specific place tonight. Can any of them say they have any energy or desire to do something like that at a time like this? The place they regrouped last Saturday evening stands there, burned nearly beyond recognition, and the townspeople look at them with the distrust that's been steadily building. Not to mention... Those are the least of the losses they've faced in the last few days.

Of course, even as so much changes day by day, the town remains, with plenty of places for people to go if they don't want to stay inside the motel. Where can you be found tonight?]

Comments

[robitussin]

An explosive might help. Maybe a crowbar, if we can find one.

[She nods along, but all the same:]

...I'm going to say something, and you're not going to like it, but I want to make sure I say it at least once.

[marmoron]

We can look in the junkyard.

[And he'll think about what they have here that can go boom that isn't named Katsuki.]

What is it?

[robitussin]

...I wasn't kidding when I said he can make up the rules as he goes, and that he isn't going to play fair if he feels threatened.

[She bites her lip for a moment, but:]

I just want to make sure that before you decide you're ready to do this, you realize that there's a fair chance he's going to kill us both if he catches us.

[marmoron]

[There's a moment of silence -- part of him just feels like it should be him warning her that they could very well die.]

I've fought with my life on the line for a real long time, Natalie. I'm not wasting the small window of opportunity that Millium, Cian and Azura paid for with their lives.

[A beat.]

The paladins back home don't need me. Shiro can piot Black, too. I'm the most expendable of the group. I'll do what I can to get back to them, but if I die it won't be a big loss. I'm going and I don't mind going alone.

[robitussin]

...I told you that you don't have to be brave alone, either. Remember?

[It's a quiet response to his offer to go alone, but she continues on after a moment.]

I don't think that's true, though. You're not - expendable. Nobody is. I mean, I'm not saying I'm going to try to stop you at all, just... Don't think about it like that.

[marmoron]

I'm being realistic, not self deprecating. But trust me, I don't have a death wish. I've got a promise to keep to find the Sergeant's weak point and enjoy it when he finally goes down. We're not going to find it without taking some calculated risks.

[There's a pause and his tone softens.]

Keeping me company just so I don't have to be brave alone isn't a great reason for going, you know.

[But he appreciates the thought.]

[robitussin]

I'm being realistic, too. I can't really speak for your home, but you're at least not expendable here.]

[She shakes her head, though.]

That's not the only reason I'm doing it.

[marmoron]

You're gonna have to act like it is true here. If we get into a situation where we're in trouble but you can save yourself, you run. I'll deal with it. At least one of us has to make it out to tell the others what we learn.

[If anything. And again, his tone's matter-of-fact.]

What're your other reasons?

[robitussin]

...No.

[She'll get to his question in a moment, but for now:]

He... I can't say I know why, but he likes me. I've talked to him so much that he sounds happy when I come to see him. If it comes down to it, I've got the better chance to get him to let us off the hook. So if anything happens, I'm staying.

[marmoron]

...

[He's self aware enough to realize he has 0 diplomacy skills and that Cosmo would have a better shot at getting him out of trouble than he does, and Cosmo doesn't talk.]

Guess if that happens we're both staying and I'm shutting up.

[robitussin]

[There's surprise that he doesn't argue, but relief, too.]

...That was one of the reasons I wanted to come, too, for the record. To answer your question.

[marmoron]

[After a moment, that gets a nod.]

I talk to the Sergeant a fair bit, too. Don't think he likes me much.

[See now that's Keith making a self deprecating joke (?)]

You're okay with potentially losing his favor? You might be losng a chance to get more information from him because of it.

[robitussin]

I mean, if he of all people doesn't like you, that's a sign you're doing something right.

[She nods.]

That's, like, the best case scenario... So yeah.

[marmoron]

I like to repay the favor of being annoying.

[But that's neither here nor there. As long as Natalie's sure, then...]

Let's get moving. Supplies won't acquire themselves.

[robitussin]

[She nods, following after as she speaks.]

...One more thing to say that you won't like, and then I'm done, promise.

[marmoron]

[He pauses and glances over his shoulder.]

What?

[robitussin]

...If anything goes wrong tomorrow, I'm sorry.

[A small shrug.]

That's all.

[marmoron]

[That's probably a throwaway comment -- something you say just in case, while you still have the time and clarity of mind to say it all in exactly the way you want. After that trial and losing both Millium and Cian though, Keith tenses.

All those times he's led the paladins into battle, they've never started them with apologies or farewells. True, this isn't a typical battle and Natalie isn't a paladin, but he's not going to start bending that tradition now. He turns to face her.]

You're right, I don't want to hear that. I don't know what you're apologizing for and I don't care. I know that whatever happens, you're going to give it your best. That's not something you owe me an apology for.

[robitussin]

...You didn’t want to hear it, but I wanted to say it. That’s all.

[And she doesn’t sound too apologetic about that.]

Anyways. Hardware store?

[marmoron]

["Hardware store" she says, but Keith stays where he is.]

We're not doing anywhere until you take that apology back.

[robitussin]

[There's a pause, but... Well, stubborn as she is:]

Then I guess we're not going anywhere. Your call.

[marmoron]

[She's getting a Look. And also he's still not budging.]

Are we really doing this?

[robitussin]

I'm not doing anything. You're the one who's just making us stand here. I'm ready to go whenever you are.

[...So, yes.]

[marmoron]

....

[Good thing they're not both stubborn as hell. Otherwise there would just be a staring contest going on.

Lord help them.]

Seriously?

[robitussin]

I meant it, so I’m not taking it back.

[And that’s how they just stayed in this shed all night.]