week 6, post trial

[robitussin]

[Their numbers keep falling. Three people have died already this week, with two more on the way tomorrow. With the outburst the townspeople gave them once the results came through... If anyone were feeling downhearted, it's to be expected at this point. Things continuing at their current pace is a frightening thought, after all. Like last week, the offer to spend time together or meet in a central location doesn't come.

Hawks and Dabi wait for the morning in their cells, but the rest of the tourists are free to wander about the town as they please; free to rest, to talk with each other, and to try to gather strength wherever they can. So, where does the evening find you, Cartesio?]

Comments

[amburere]

[ He gives her a deadpan look that's probably all too familiar by now. ]

You really think I'd buy that the number two hero suddenly wants to turn coat just like that?

[robitussin]

[She shrugs.]

I guess not, but you don't really seem like the kind of person who'd let people that you don't trust stick around.

[amburere]

Hawks isn't the only one that likes to take risks. [ The politics of it are a bit complicated but. ]

The boss thought it was worth it. We trade each other info and see who blinks first.

[robitussin]

...Well, I can't really say I'm glad you were right, but I'm glad he didn't fuck you over, I guess.

[That seems to conclude her curiosity on that front, but... Her next words are a bit softer.]

Family still off limits?

[amburere]

[ His only response to that is a smirk. It's a little too forced when he hears her question, but he'll push through it. ]

Depends. Ask and I'll let you know.

[robitussin]

[Given what he said and some of the things Hawks said, she thinks she might be starting to put it together, but...]

What happened to your sister?

[amburere]

She's around. Haven't talked to her in years but heard she's got a normal job and everything.

[robitussin]

...I'm guessing she wouldn't really approve, then.

[amburere]

Probably not. [ He seems proud of this, though. ]

She was always trying to be the mature one even though I'm the oldest.

[robitussin]

[There's a small pause, as she shifts slightly where she seats to face him easier.]

You ever miss her?

[amburere]

[ His voice is quieter, and he looks down at his hands as he answers. ]

Out of the rest of 'em, guess so.

[robitussin]

[It’s hard to tell whether it’s concern or sympathy in her expression, but there’s definitely something present.]

The rest of them?

[amburere]

Told you, 'm the oldest.

[ He looks up at her just then, and then holds up three fingers. This isn't something he wants to say aloud and she might be able to guess why considering he's glancing at the cell next door again. ]

[robitussin]

[She pauses once more, nodding when she realizes why he's staying silent.]

And... Are they the ones you said you wouldn't be able to help without your quirk?

[amburere]

Yeah. If you wanna call it that.

[robitussin]

What would you call it?

[amburere]

Vengeance.

[robitussin]

[That's not too far from what she expected, so she doesn't sound surprised, but the concern moves to the forefront of her voice.]

For what?

[amburere]

[ He stares at her unblinking, then leans forward. This is something he's only going to say once, and it's barely a whisper. ]

For what he did to us. [ She'll recognize it, it's the same he from all those weeks ago at the graveyard. ]

[robitussin]

[She leans forward in turn, breathing in when she hears him. Part of her is surprised she managed to get that much, but while she doesn't expect him to answer the next question...]

...Your scars?

[amburere]

The original ones. [ Somewhere on this battered body of his, there's scars not of his own making. But they're long buried now—he couldn't stand to look at them. ]

[robitussin]

[She suspects there are a fair few details she's missing in this equation, but even that is enough to prompt the following:]

He can get fucked.

[amburere]

[ He laughs and then smiles. Actually smiles for once, even if it's all wrong on his face. ]

And then some.

[robitussin]

[After a moment:]

You didn't deserve to end up like this.

[Whether she means who he is as a person or whether she's referring to his current position isn't clear, but she doesn't specify.]

[amburere]

That's just the way society is. [ And that's why he hates it and wants to burn it all down. ]