Accidental Video.

[onequarter]

[ the Forge switches on: it is on a small table, the feed partially obscured by the cloak-pin and handful of ivories that have obviously been dropped haphazardly onto the table with it. ]

Raki? Raki!

[ Clare appears in the frame. For those who last saw her after Riful's ministrations, the difference is acute: she is healthier and far more agile.

Comments

...sob. 1/2

[yetsleeping]

[a long silence.]

Is this how we put our differences aside, Clare? That was your beloved Teresa's request, wasn't it?

No. Don't bother with polite equanimity. Don't insult me.

And since we're shedding our attempts at civility... when it comes to our previous conversations, I have this to say:

I don't need or want your forgiveness. It makes no difference to me what you think or how you feel about me or about my lopping the head off of that murderous guardian of yours. The fact that I haven't actually done it does little to mitigate my pride at having accomplished it, regardless of the consequences. And if she forced my hand, I would do so again without hesitation or regret, despite the fact that I rather like her. Just as I would do to you. With even less regret.

[And now her voice is starting to rise.]

I would do it because my concern has always been for the greater good, above any of my personal grudges. It's the same reason I let that monster tear me to pieces to save your ungrateful, impolite and unforgiving hide, and the same reason I kept Rigaldo from cutting your similarly ungrateful friend to ribbons. Neither of which actions I will make the mistake of repeating should you idiotically get yourselves into the same position again, which you will no doubt do because you are both ridiculous.

Which, as it happens, isn't my problem. Because I will not be the only one trying to be nice. It isn't worth the trouble. And it isn't worth the grief.