cumulative | vin [pcs]

Exactly. And since we have to time it carefully, there's... very little to do about it in the meantime...

[a little nod, before a twinge of guilt, apologetic.]

...You probably don't want to focus on it any more than is necessary, in the meantime.

Edited 2024-07-22 02:07 (UTC)

... it's all right. We really don't have anything else to focus on.

...I'm not sure if you noticed, but I'm not very good at lighthearted distractions.

[it's an attempt at a joke, even if it's dry.]

I- I know.

[a little appreciation for it, in turn.]

That's, um... why I wanted to come speak with you. I didn't want... that kind of distraction.

[a small pause.]

What did you want, instead?

Um... well, anything else...

[a brief moment of hesitation.]

I know... some of the others would try, but I wasn't up to it.

Mm.

[after a moment:]

May I ask you something sensitive? It's alright if you'd prefer not to discuss it.

O-of course.

[he nods-- asking is always fine.]

Have you decided what you want, in the end? For yourself, I mean.

... I'm still... trying to decide. I promised that I would at least wait for our next letters, in case we received any new information.

[...]

I-in the end, I don't know whether I have it in me to... go through with anything that would only hurt others, when they all want me to stay.

That's very kind of you.

[sincere.]

But what do you want? If you didn't have to think about anyone else.

If... if I didn't have to think of anyone else, I don't think that I would be here.

[there's a flash of emotion before she quickly shoves it down, taking a breath.]

...I understand. [...] Maybe it isn't my place, but have you... I mean, I think if it would weigh even heavier on you, the people you care about wouldn't want that, either.

I tried to tell them that it does.

[a little shake of his head.]

... but I don't think... I don't think that I can leave Lavi behind, either.

Mm. And he wants to live as well?

Yes. And he says he... wants me to be there at the end with him.

He- told me he's never been someone who could hold on to hope, but that he started trying to here because of... Karlach, and me. And she's... already gone.

[a little hopeless, but a little fond at the same time, even if it still comes with a pang.

how is he supposed to leave him behind after hearing something like that?

the degree to which he was pushing correct dialogue options i can't stand yaywon actually]

[there's a sense of sorrow when he says that, and she just nods.]

...I think that I can't do it, after that. Even if he says he would accept it.

[a matching sense of sorrow, from him, with a tinge of-- more like heartbreak.]

[she's still keeping hers tightly controlled, glancing at the ground.]

Alright.

What...

What do you want to do? If you know.

That doesn't really matter.

It does. It's... going to matter for all of us, regardless of what has to happen.

No, it doesn't.

I've already spoken with two people besides you who want to live. Each of them have partners. That already puts us over the limit.

So, we won't be able to decide based on who wants to stay. That's the only thing that means.

Don't... don't think that way until we know more, we don't even know whether those five people will have to do anything besides survive. Our answers might change.

(no subject)

allomantic - 2024-07-22 04:15 (UTC) - Expand