Don't expect mercy from my government

[poll_the_stars]

One elf is starting to run out of time. The assassins plotting to kill her could show up any day now. She would really rather they didn't.

The irony doesn't escape her. She's still sending messages about her plans to sell off all of her lifespan and die to become a daeva with a lot of OTC currency. If she wanted, she could mint a ton of Ka, then let the assassins kill her. But the idea doesn't appeal. Some form of giving up, of letting them win. She's not often petty, but in this particular instance she thinks she'll indulge herself. Besides, it's not like they're the merciful type. She recalls Aisilian's perfect comprehensioned words. You were in quite a lot of pain...

No. No, she'll - not do that. She'll go spend a little while in Nexus.

She sends Miles a message.

So everything is packed and I have everything I need with me to flee my dimension before I get assassinated. Is now a good time?

Comments

[thisvorlunatic]

Miles sighs. But it is somewhat less despondent than yesterday's sighs.

[lurkingkobold]

Well, that's a good sigh as sighs go, but she's obviously still missing something if he's sighing at all. Does his body language hold any clues?

[thisvorlunatic]

He is relieved, somewhat upset but getting less so, somewhat disappointed in himself (for being upset) but getting less so, and has a very uncharacteristic air of having given up on something.

[lurkingkobold]

That is uncharacteristic. And arguably dangerous. And from the timing, it's probably about her, at least in part.

Hopefully it's about her. If it's about her, she can fix it, probably.

She stands and crosses the room, and gently nudges him. "Hey."

[thisvorlunatic]

He smiles tiredly. "Hi."

[lurkingkobold]

Humans and their comparatively poor emotional endurance, right. Maybe she should wait.

Hug, anyway.

[thisvorlunatic]

Hugs. Hugs are good. Miles appreciates hugs.

[lurkingkobold]

Miles can have hugs, then, as many as he wants.

Eventually: "Are you okay?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"I don't know. Arguably. Better than I was yesterday, at least."

[lurkingkobold]

Hug. "Is there something else I should be doing?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"I don't know. I definitely appreciate how you've been treating her; it helps a lot."

[lurkingkobold]

This gets a hug. And a little bit of a self-satisfied grin, hidden where Miles won't see it.

She waits to see if he has anything else to add.

[thisvorlunatic]

Not at the moment apparently. Hug. Scritch scritch. Kobold friend is good friend, even though she is also very prejudiced about elves.

[lurkingkobold]

Well.

Does Miles look less defeated, now?

[thisvorlunatic]

Possibly. Unclear whether this is just because he has successfully stopped dwelling on whatever it was.

[lurkingkobold]

She will keep an eye on that, then.

A little more hug, and then she backs off enough to let him go about his day.

[poll_the_stars]

Another person is content to let him go about his day, too.

It helps that she is distracted by books. Distracted enough, actually, to miss lunch.

[lurkingkobold]

People missing meals is not a thing that happens, in this house - at least not with the kobold in residence, anyway.

Once Miles is set with his tray, she takes another one and goes to find the elf. The library is her first stop; she peeks inside.

[poll_the_stars]

There is Inavet, at the comconsole, reading.

[lurkingkobold]

Startled elves: probably dangerous. Also, that would make Miles sad.

She knocks on the wall beside the door.

[poll_the_stars]

This succeeds in getting Inavet's attention without startling her! She looks at the kobold, and smiles a little.

"Hello."

[lurkingkobold]

She was expecting that, and doesn't freeze or flinch at all, practically.

She brings the tray in, watching Inavet but not quite making eye contact with her, and puts it by the comconsole.

[poll_the_stars]

"Oh, it is lunch time, isn't it. My schedule's still a bit off. Thank you."

[lurkingkobold]

The kobold gives a little bobbing half-curtsy, then retreats, walking backwards so she doesn't have to stop watching Inavet.

[poll_the_stars]

Inavet hesitates a little, then blurts, "I, um, if - you are nervous I. Am. Okay with you turning invisible." Pause. "Just. Please don't stalk me while you're hidden?"