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

[amburere]

[ Thinks. ]

Both.

[robitussin]

...Yeah, well. I guess I didn't have an occasion for it before now.

[She's tired, though, so rather than dance around the reason...]

Why are you here?

[amburere]

[ That's fine by him. ]

If you're gonna give me bullshit when shit hits the fan, I'm gonna give it right back to you.

[robitussin]

[She makes a surprised noise, almost a laugh, but completely devoid of humor.]

What bullshit are you here to give me, then?

[amburere]

[ He sits up straighter on the wall and stares directly at her. ]

Talk. Get it out—I've seen what happens when you don't.

[robitussin]

[There's another pause after that, because... Well. Dislikes: vulnerability. Still, something about it is different with him - he doesn't really do pity or sympathy, so it's easier to pretend that when she opens up to him, he's not advancing on corners of herself that she's too scared to reveal.

So, instead of the silence or outright refusal most others would get:]

What do you want me to say? That they mattered to me? That I'm just... fucking tired of people trying to get me to open up, and then dying once I finally trust them? Because they did, and I am. Happy?

[There's none of the anger she wants to muster. She just sounds lost.]

[amburere]

Something like that, yeah. [ To the first two questions, which he should clarify. ] Not the happy bit, though—sorry.

[ Moving on. ]

That mean you're gonna stop doing it?

[robitussin]

I don't know, okay? I don't...

[She runs a hand over her face.]

It doesn't matter what I do either way, alright? Because people are just going to keep being fucking stupid and wandering around on Thursday nights, and other people are going to keep being stupid and falling for the bullshit he puts us up to.

[amburere]

[ He considers that for a bit. ]

Seems like all your problems are really with the Sergeant.

[robitussin]

[She sighs.]

Sure, but it's not like I can do anything about that, either. Not right now, at least.

[amburere]

He's in the lodge all the time cause he has to guard it. [ Read: you could start there. ]

[robitussin]

I know he is.

[She’s not going to mention her plans for tomorrow, but...]

We’ve seen what happens to people who mess with him.

[amburere]

Cause they were stupid about it. 

[robitussin]

[She tilts her head.]

...What would you do differently, then?

[amburere]

[ He leans forward, thinking. ]

Not blatantly break his rules in front of him. Trying to leave is pointless. Fighting him would only be worth it if you knew a weakness beforehand. If you're askin me what I would normally do, I'd send someone who's good at infiltration to gather intel. Heavyhitters come later.

[robitussin]

[After a moment:]

So if I said I already had plans for that with someone, you wouldn't try to stop me?

[amburere]

[ Deadpan. ]

Did you forget who you're talking to?

[robitussin]

I can't tell what you're going to do half of the time, okay, I'm just making sure.

[amburere]

[ That actually gets him to laugh, albeit shallowly. ]

You're not insane like most of the Vanguard. Long as you're not stupid, don't see why I'd need to.

[robitussin]

[A shrug.]

I won't be stupid. I'm not the only one who's going to be there, I can't be.

[amburere]

[ Dabi would ask who, but he figures she might not tell and tbh the details matter less than his actual point. ]

Then as long as they're not stupid.

[robitussin]

He isn’t.

[She says that much, even if she doesn’t specify.]

Why, you worried or something?

[amburere]

[ At least she's not taking Sakura, lecture averted. He looks at her, blinking once. ]

Nah. Just got a low tolerance for stupidity.

[robitussin]

Well, it's good you're talking to me, then.

[She means to come off flippant, but it falls flat somehow.]

[amburere]

[ Noted, but he opts not to press right now. ]

Lemme know if you need fire.