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a hacker for hire then
[ Without tone it might be hard to tell if he's judging her. But if she remembers anything about the "eight hundred years", it's that he didn't mind bending the rules every once in a while. ]
[ Without tone it might be hard to tell if he's judging her. But if she remembers anything about the "eight hundred years", it's that he didn't mind bending the rules every once in a while. ]
at times.
( if the job was right, girl had standards )
mostly my own agenda. why?
( if the job was right, girl had standards )
mostly my own agenda. why?
i'd like to have another in person one day.
that shouldn't be hard seeing as we don't live in a different territory
see you around then
[ If that's an invitation, he doesn't seem to clarify. Then again, even he might not be certain himself. ]
[ If that's an invitation, he doesn't seem to clarify. Then again, even he might not be certain himself. ]
Cassian. How are you?
istredd
[ There's a pause as if he's thinking about how to answer. Or maybe even how truthful he wants to be. ]
it's too soon to say
how are you doing?
[ There's a pause as if he's thinking about how to answer. Or maybe even how truthful he wants to be. ]
it's too soon to say
how are you doing?
Terrible, if we're being honest.
Would you prefer I not call you by your name? I know you were going by another by choice.
Would you prefer I not call you by your name? I know you were going by another by choice.
...if there's something i can do to help, i'll do what i can
cassian is fine in private
[ There's another pause. ]
i didn't trust anyone in the castle. i still don't.
[ It's not an outright apology but he feels like he owes Istredd some kind of explanation. ]
cassian is fine in private
[ There's another pause. ]
i didn't trust anyone in the castle. i still don't.
[ It's not an outright apology but he feels like he owes Istredd some kind of explanation. ]
There's nothing to be done about it other than getting through it. I just miss that life.
[ Cassian had more of a struggle obviously, his life there difficult, but for Istredd it was ideal. He was very happy, he had everything he wanted. ]
I understand. I'll be careful. Though I should note that the summoners know all our names.
[ Cassian had more of a struggle obviously, his life there difficult, but for Istredd it was ideal. He was very happy, he had everything he wanted. ]
I understand. I'll be careful. Though I should note that the summoners know all our names.
[ Be that as it may, he understands. Because while the hunger had called to him so deeply within his bones and he'd often wandered without memory or sense of self, he had been more content than he's ever been towards the end. The peace he had known had been so fleeting because shortly after that he'd realized he needed to wake up from the dream. ]
happiness can exist outside of that dream, istredd
i know. they told me as much when i arrived
but they don't get to use my name
happiness can exist outside of that dream, istredd
i know. they told me as much when i arrived
but they don't get to use my name
It's harder to be content with what I have here right now. I'm working on it.
Understood. Have you spoken to River since we got back?
Understood. Have you spoken to River since we got back?
[ While she might not be as outwardly troubled as some after their recent strange circumstances, Merrin isn't entirely unbothered. What happened has given her a glimpse more deeply into the nature of this world's power, what it is capable of, what they have to contend with for however long they remain. It is powerful, unpredictable, capable even of twisting their thoughts and stealing their memories. It is not fear that she feels deep within, though it would be false to say she isn't concerned. Rather, there is respect for what little she knows of it, a deep resolve to continue learning, strengthening her power, pushing back against what would seek to harm them all.
It is the exact nature of the stone structure at the center of everything that continues to elude her (and everyone else). It would be impossible and foolish to ignore the Singularity entirely, yet she is also a doer, someone of action. She is not the type to puzzle things out as much as some, so she will focus her efforts on reacting, protecting, doing what she can, where she can, as much as she can.
That continues to manifest in learning about where she currently resides, and given their close quarters and their knowledge of their shared galaxy, she wishes to better know the man who seems understandably troubled after the mass shared illusion. It seems an easy way to start a conversation to offer what ended up being an unexpectedly pleasing treat at the Blossom Cake Festival. Carrying a small plate and returning to their shared room, Merrin sets the plate down, carrying a few cupcakes with some pretty designs. ]
You should eat. They were not unpleasant.
It is the exact nature of the stone structure at the center of everything that continues to elude her (and everyone else). It would be impossible and foolish to ignore the Singularity entirely, yet she is also a doer, someone of action. She is not the type to puzzle things out as much as some, so she will focus her efforts on reacting, protecting, doing what she can, where she can, as much as she can.
That continues to manifest in learning about where she currently resides, and given their close quarters and their knowledge of their shared galaxy, she wishes to better know the man who seems understandably troubled after the mass shared illusion. It seems an easy way to start a conversation to offer what ended up being an unexpectedly pleasing treat at the Blossom Cake Festival. Carrying a small plate and returning to their shared room, Merrin sets the plate down, carrying a few cupcakes with some pretty designs. ]
You should eat. They were not unpleasant.
crown and god-like poweraside, what else is missing?
no. she doesn't speak
i've been reading to her and making sure she eats, even if it's just a bit
[ In fact he's barely left her room. ]
no. she doesn't speak
i've been reading to her and making sure she eats, even if it's just a bit
[ In fact he's barely left her room. ]
Freedom. Certainty of person and purpose. A family.
We spoke telepathically, I thought that would be easier for her. I'm glad you're there with her.
We spoke telepathically, I thought that would be easier for her. I'm glad you're there with her.
[ Whereas Merrin has come out of this whole ordeal with respect for the unknowns of this magical maelstrom they've been thrust into, Cassian can't say the same. But a similarity that they do share is that sense of needing to learn more of this place, to really dig his fingers into understanding how he can protect the few that he's quietly resolved to look after.
Doing so is a fine balance however. In order to do that means venturing into topics and areas he had so staunchly refused to for the last six months of him being here. The process has been slow going as he continues in a constant back and forth between trying not to be a stubborn ass and falling back to occupying himself with caring for River, courier duties, and his own black market dealings.
It's rare that he and the woman to run into each other in this room. Both seem to use this room as simply a place to sleep and little else. But he's between jobs and just removing his coat and gloves when she appears. He gives her a nod of thanks before his eyes skip to the beautifully coloured cupcakes. ]
Is that 'not unpleasant' in a good way or a I would be better off saving room for proper dinner?
Doing so is a fine balance however. In order to do that means venturing into topics and areas he had so staunchly refused to for the last six months of him being here. The process has been slow going as he continues in a constant back and forth between trying not to be a stubborn ass and falling back to occupying himself with caring for River, courier duties, and his own black market dealings.
It's rare that he and the woman to run into each other in this room. Both seem to use this room as simply a place to sleep and little else. But he's between jobs and just removing his coat and gloves when she appears. He gives her a nod of thanks before his eyes skip to the beautifully coloured cupcakes. ]
Is that 'not unpleasant' in a good way or a I would be better off saving room for proper dinner?
In the way of — you will not have room for dinner. Unless you are equipped with powers to restrain yourself. I do not possess these.
[ Her way of saying, they are really good. Just. With not quite that inflection or level of enthusiasm. It is a rare moment to see him here, though she is equally absent since...everything that happened. She's more often roaming the castle or taking advantage of the opportunities to explore Borrel and Nott, when possible. In addition to learning more about this world, she also wishes to have assigned duties where and when possible. Something to explore another time.
As previously mentioned, she is unable to quell the desire for another cupcake, so she takes one and sits on the edge of her bed, swiping a finger through the frosting and having a taste. ]
I did not see the purpose in decorating them at first, but...I understand it now.
[ They're going to get eaten, why take the time to make fancy designs? But...they do look nice, admittedly. ]
[ Her way of saying, they are really good. Just. With not quite that inflection or level of enthusiasm. It is a rare moment to see him here, though she is equally absent since...everything that happened. She's more often roaming the castle or taking advantage of the opportunities to explore Borrel and Nott, when possible. In addition to learning more about this world, she also wishes to have assigned duties where and when possible. Something to explore another time.
As previously mentioned, she is unable to quell the desire for another cupcake, so she takes one and sits on the edge of her bed, swiping a finger through the frosting and having a taste. ]
I did not see the purpose in decorating them at first, but...I understand it now.
[ They're going to get eaten, why take the time to make fancy designs? But...they do look nice, admittedly. ]
[ His gaze lingers on the words, particularly the last one. It's not something he can give him right now - no matter how much something in his bones urges him to. All he can offer instead is - ]
you'll find all of that again
i'll help you
she hasn't spoken a word to me, but i managed to get her to bathe the other day
you'll find all of that again
i'll help you
she hasn't spoken a word to me, but i managed to get her to bathe the other day
The first will be near impossible. We'll probably still have to wait decades before we can escape Thorne.
She feels guilty about forgetting her family.
She feels guilty about forgetting her family.
you aren't the only one who wants to leave
there's already unrest in nott and we saw a future they found their independence
there's a spark already - it doesn't mean it has to take decades or centuries
[ Even if it means he has to tear it down with his own hands. ]
she isn't the only one who forgot
it wasn't a choice, it was forced on her
there's already unrest in nott and we saw a future they found their independence
there's a spark already - it doesn't mean it has to take decades or centuries
[ Even if it means he has to tear it down with his own hands. ]
she isn't the only one who forgot
it wasn't a choice, it was forced on her
Cassian. I've been alerted that there is about to be a coup in Thorne. We won't be able to stop it, it's already in motion. I don't know what we'll be doing, if they just shut us in our rooms or something else, so I need you to get to River and stay with her.
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