week 1; thursday with steph, combo breaker!!!

[alchemenace]

[ so yesterday sure was a thing, but seeing as she was kidnapped by her partner yesterday, varian is on a quest! to find stephanie!

when he does, he calls out to her as he jogs with his perfectly non-injured legs to catch up to her who is probably not moving that fast ]

H-hey, Stephie! You're looking... upright.

[ oh my god let him die ]

Comments

[vigilantics]

Oh. That's good then! [ she sounds sincere. ] Which path did you choose?

[alchemenace]

[ he's dying inside. ]

The... um, left side... one...?

[ rip natsuo forever ]

[vigilantics]

I knew that center one had to be cursed...

[ it's said more to herself than to varian. ]

[alchemenace]

[ that just makes it worse ]

Why? It looked completely fine.

[vigilantics]

And that's why! It looked too fine, especially in comparison to the other ones. I mean, look at you. You went through the one that looked the most dangerous, but nothing bad happened.

[ be more genre savvy, varian. ]

[alchemenace]

[ you're in a completely different genre than he is leave him alone ]

Great. So it was obvious to everyone but us.

[vigilantics]

Oh. Well, it's a good thing you guys went to that one. Neither of you are combatants, so...

[ steph does not want to think of what may have happened if they had to actually fight something. ]

[alchemenace]

Neither is Natsuo.

[ also, he can! handle! himself! But he's not gonna argue it now ]

[vigilantics]

Varian.

If you're blaming yourself I am going to hit you with my stabbed hands.

[alchemenace]

[ he-- first he reflexively snorts at "with my stabbed hands", but then: ]

No, it wasn't my fault. [ he over here ignoring his guilt complex by remembering his intense love of pushing blame onto others, considering how firm he is about that ] I just... Do you ever try to do something and it just... Fails, constantly?

[vigilantics]

[ ... ]

Yeah. Yeah, I know the feeling.

[alchemenace]

[ well he obviously didn't expect that because he looks at her, surprised, but then he just gives a sad smile before looking at the floor ]

Right. Well, I.. I guess I just wish I could've gotten it right, for once.

[vigilantics]

You'll get it.

[ she looks serious, her usual smile replaced with a sad understanding. ]

It doesn't feel like it, but you will.

[alchemenace]

... Thanks, Stephanie.

[ he doesn't know if he believes it, but he knows he has to make things right, so. it's helpful.

but also: ]

But don't think that makes me forget how you shouldn't be walking around so much.

[vigilantics]

But if I'm not on the move then who are you going to heave a nice heartfelt chat with?

[ she's so bored. please. ]

[alchemenace]

You, but sitting?

[ he'll hang out with her just sTOP EXERCISING ]

[vigilantics]

[ ... SIGHS. ]

Let's go sit.

[alchemenace]

[ yay, sitting. there they go. to sit. somewhere. have i forgotten locations. yes ]

Maybe I could make something to help you walk along... So you can still get around the castle, but you don't permanently mess up your legs by constantly walking on stab wounds.

[vigilantics]

It's not my fault they don't know what medical equipment is here.

[ it is your fault for stomping your fucking foot ten minutes ago. ]

[alchemenace]

That's very true, and fair, except for the part where you stomped your foot on the ground to prove me wrong.

[ he was THERE ]

[vigilantics]

Don't tell anyone about that they'll kill me.

[alchemenace]

Hmmmm... Alright, but you'll have to owe me one.

[ he's joking. maybe. is he. ]

[vigilantics]

...

Is this a you tell me what you now kind of owe, or you'll just randomly show up later owe?

[alchemenace]

Uh... Randomly show up later.

[vigilantics]

[ mumbled, ]

Those are the worst kinds...