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[payback]

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[always_bad_news]

[Mouse is thoughtfully taking a few moments to brush all the gore off her horse, and happens to glance at Rin out of the corner of her eye]

Hey there, Honey. You faring alright after your amazing take-down? [She quirks a smile, but there's definitely a hint of resevere in her voice.]

[payback]

[Looks down and smiles a little, but there's a slightly watery edge to that.]

Well. You know. I bounce back from stuff fast.

How's your arm?

[always_bad_news]

[Pauses a moment to look at the bandages] Seems to be healing alright, although it's a little sore from over-exertion. I certainly didn't help things when I lost my head earlier.

[Leans on her horse and looks over at Rin] You sure you alright, Shugah?

[payback]

Well. I lost my head too.

[Looks up. Her smile is strained, and she shakes her head a little.] I'm just thinking... about stuff. I don't know. It's kind of silly.

[always_bad_news]

None of it's silly, Rin. [Her voice is gentle, but a little firm.] Whatever you're thinkin' it might help to talk about it.

[payback]

[Nods, and looks down a little.]

I... am just not very good when things die, I think.

[always_bad_news]

It's always hard, especially when so many questions are left behind. [She flexes her bandaged arm at this, a little subconsciously]

You looked like you knew what you were doing out there, did you do a lot of fighting in your homeworld?

[payback]

I didn't want anything like that to happen. I thought, get him pinned, we can talk, figure things out, maybe...

[Glances up, considering.]

I'm from a samurai family, so I have some training, and I've found some teachers here too. I'm not really that good though.

[always_bad_news]

You had him pinned for a moment; he had his chance. [Gives her a meaningful look; don't beat yourself up over this, Rin]

Well, at least you can get better with a little practice. Castle won't let me get back to how I was. [Grumbles]

[payback]

[Look sharpens a little in return.] The way he was yelling? I'm not sure that transformation was voluntary.

What was your loss?

[always_bad_news]

And neither was our defense.

[Pulls her katana out in response to the question.] My Loss? Everything I ever knew how to do with this sword. [swings it about like a clumsy beginner] Used to be I could take your pigtails off without blinkin'. [Sheaths it angrily] Now it's no more use than a sharp club.

[payback]

Maybe next time... I just hope we get a chance to do better.

[A sympathetic glance.] That stinks.