inbox

[hassaran]

crystal 〉〉 note 〉〉 action

Comments

[staysail]

Single-handed. Advantages of sneaking aboard.

[That, too, sounds like one of his stories. And Darras lets it, at least for a moment, without trying to sound any more legitimate. He knows that he can't win her stronger affections by talking with her the way he's used to--or not even to win them, he's got them, somewhere, buried but still alive. Unearthing them is the trick. Teasing won't do it. It's a habit hard to break.

After a beat, he walks it back:]

There were a few more than just me. Can't swim beneath a ship in the dark alone, no matter how good of a tale it'd make. And we did take the Venatori and their crew by surprise, considering the Antivan ship stood between theirs and the Walrus.

[hassaran]

[ She might not mind one of his stories just now, truth be told, but it's just as well Darras switches gears. Talking about his mission reminds her of her own, still very much in progress despite her effort to put some distance between herself and the rest of the party for a few minutes. She can't afford to turn complacent now. ]

It sounds like a dramatic rescue. Did you fight any mages?

[staysail]

Oh, a fair few. It was a ship full of Venatori, y'know. Couldn't avoid them. But I heeded your advice and kept well clear of them as often as I could. Cut at least one in half, just as I'd said I would.

[So lightly he might not mean it at all, or else it's already become a part of his stories.]

I couldn't be called a coward, after all. Hiding from mages.

[hassaran]

Good, they need cutting in half. Carefully. [ Mostly joking, from the sound of it. At least about the 'carefully' part. ]

We haven't met any yet, and I hope we won't. Almost my entire team is rifters, and we picked up more a few days ago. Those escaping the city are in no shape for a fight either.

[staysail]

Carefully. [--He agrees, rather too solemn to be true.] How many d'you number?

[hassaran]

Almost two dozen [ she says, emphasis on the number, the absurd enormity of it ] trying to travel unnoticed, or pass as missionaries when two-thirds of that number are Rifters with glowing hands who've never heard a word of the Chant.

[staysail]

[Darras actually snorts at that.]

Sounds--charming? Festive? Bloody frustrating? Like a... better use of your skillset, or worse?

[hassaran]

[ The huff of Yseult's breath almost echoes him. ]

It's certainly a test of some of my skills. How did you find your companions?

[staysail]

Well enough. Largely familiar. A few that seem out of place, but tolerated, so they must have some... hidden redeeming qualities, let's say.

Still, I'm better off than you, I think.

[hassaran]

You've made it back already, that alone is-- hold on.

[ Muffled noise, the crystals held in her fist. A moment later, her tone's turned quick and business-like. ]

I have to go, we need to move. Everything's fine. I'll see you in a few days.

[staysail]

Nothing kills the confidence like someone taking the time to say everything's fine.

[However lightly he says it, the moment she'd taken time for that aside, Darras had felt the tightening of apprehension. But what is he going to do, out on the ocean as he is? What can he do but trust that Yseult will take care of herself, the way that she always has? If there is one thing that he has believed in, it is that.]

I'll be seeing you, then?

[Like, really.]

[hassaran]

It's likely nothing, we're just being careful.

[ There's no fear in her voice, which doesn't necessarily mean anything, but she does sound a little bit annoyed. Maybe that's comforting. Whatever's going on it's clearly got her attention, not really processing his choice of words, confirming more vaguely: ] I'll let you know when I'm back [ before cutting off the message. ]