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

[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?"

[lurkingkobold]

This, on the other hand, does prompt the kobold to freeze.

She considers.

She looks rather confused.

She examines Inavet's face - flicks invisible, for just a moment, continuing to watch - flicks back, still watching.

[poll_the_stars]

Inavet doesn't flinch, exactly, she was expecting just this sort of thing, but she does indulge in a long blink and keeping very still.

[lurkingkobold]

Yeah, that's what she thought.

She does seem a little calmer, for having had this interaction?

After a moment, she says, conclusively, "won't".

[poll_the_stars]

"Well. Thank you."

[lurkingkobold]

That is enough elf for now. The kobold retreats without further comment.

[poll_the_stars]

This time she won't be stopped.

Inavet goes and has her lunch.

[lurkingkobold]

The kobold goes and has hers, too, with Miles. (There are probably cuddles, she's a little shaken.)

The day progresses, and eventually dinnertime approaches. The elf seems to be content to stay in the library, so the kobold feels comfortable enough to leave Miles alone while she cooks.

[poll_the_stars]

The elf pokes her head in the kitchen while Lurker is cooking. Mindful of the kobold's treatment of her earlier, she knocks on the wall so as not to cause any sort of surprise.

[lurkingkobold]

That... doesn't really work. The kobold is in the middle of transferring the contents of a skillet into a stock pot, and startles badly enough to drop the whole skillet in. Fortunately, the stock pot was otherwise empty, so there's no water to splash out as a result of this.

The kobold takes a moment to pull herself together, rather than turning to look at the door.

[poll_the_stars]

"Sorry," she winces, sincerely. "Um. I. Can go, if you'd prefer?"

[lurkingkobold]

Augh.

Breathing.

Breathing.

Breathing.

Okay.

Priorities.

Not upsetting the elf.

Is she even still there? Is the kobold calm enough to check without making things worse? She's probably calm enough. She'll try it.

[poll_the_stars]

She is still there, looking guilty and concerned and hovering on the edge of 'flee the room for the sake of the kobold.'

She attempts a little half-hearted apologetic smile.

[lurkingkobold]

Okay.

That's.

Okay.

She doesn't quite trust her voice, but she manages a questioning noise.

[poll_the_stars]

Inavet hesitates as she figures out wording.

"I can help you make dinner," she offers a littly shyly, "or I can leave you alone. Whichever you prefer. I do not want to frighten you."

[lurkingkobold]

That's, um.

Nice?

(Oh gods, why is this her life - )


The stove is big enough for two people to stand at it; the kobold scoots her stool over and indicates with a gesture that Ina can join her.

[poll_the_stars]

Ina looks at Lurker assessingly, checking for, well, comfort levels. Mm. Okay, not great, but not 'liable to explode in fire.' Take the kobold at her word.

She steps up to the stove, careful to not make any sudden movements, and keeping her hands in sight of the kobold.

Once there, she helps with cooking.

[lurkingkobold]

There is plenty of cooking to help with! It seems like the kobold was preparing three or four meals' worth of food, for some reason.

There is a little bit of flinching and freezing, at first, but they eventually settle into an almost companionable rhythm.

[thisvorlunatic]

At a dinnerish sort of time, Miles appears. He observes the elf-kobold interaction.

That... looks like progress? He hopes?

[lurkingkobold]

Well, the kobold is in closer proximity to the elf than she's been willing to get to anyone she was actively afraid of, so, yes, probably.

She's certainly still tending to keep to her own space more than she does with people she likes, though.