Kiyagi, Rwanda, Monday

[lockestheway]

This was it, Peter thought, as he stared down the long tunnel that ended in the stairs. No going back now. No handholding, either-- this ceremony, this announcement, would be held with his collection of world leaders at his side while people like N-- Envy and his parents waited in the wings until it was over

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[whenshewasnice]

And Envy was there. She'd watched, with great attention to detail, making mental notes of some things for a rather vague future reason. She was thinking a few steps ahead, these days.

Her red lips quirked into a little smile when she saw Peter.

"So how did that feel?"

[whenshewasnice]

"Exactly." She nodded. Sagely. "Murder is too messy. Public humiliation is the thing. I might even graciously let you stay on in a capacity that leaves you powerless and frustrated and everyone would know it."

[lockestheway]

"With my pants pulled up over my head-- or maybe down around my ankles," Peter said, visibly amused at the mental image.

(Because he trusted Envy, and didn't think she was ever actually out to humiliate him.)

[whenshewasnice]

"Oh, good, you already know what to expect," Envy replied, just a tad more brightly than she might've used to. Oh the things changing your name could do to a person's willingness to explore self-expression. "Good. I like a man who can at least grudgingly figure out his place."

No, she had no interest in humiliating him.

[lockestheway]

"Under your terribly expensive boots," Peter agreed, "While you leak hamburger juice on me."

[whenshewasnice]

"Disgusting," she told him. "You were half right but you blew it at the last moment. How typical."

[lockestheway]

"And here I thought you wanted fast food," Peter sighed. "So changeable, Envy."

He'd been using that name a lot lately just to get into the habit of it.

[whenshewasnice]

And he didn't stumble over it the same way Scott did. She appreciated that.

"Yes. But there will be no leaking of any kind involved."

Gross, Peter.

[lockestheway]

"Ah, you'd use your special your-universe superpowers to keep the hamburger from doing what all hamburgers naturally do?" Peter said, as they arrived by the tarmac.

[whenshewasnice]

"You're putting too much leaky stuff in your burgers," she decided, shaking her head. "That, or your meat is actually raw."

[lockestheway]

"I like my cows bloody and mooing," Peter said, grinning. He nodded at the plane. "I should tell you 'ladies first', but you know what, I'm going on in ahead."

He let go of her hand.

[whenshewasnice]

Always kind of a sad thing, that. Not that Envy was going to pay much mind to it. Just flexed her fingers, and snorted.

"Typical man."

She was still going to follow him.

[lockestheway]

And their bodyguards after her.

Peter practically hopped up the stairs.

When he was fully inside, out of sight from anyone beyond the airplane, he finally, visibly and physically relaxed.

[whenshewasnice]

Envy did no hopping nor any relaxing, although she took note of both.

"How long do you suppose it'll take for it to sink in that that actually happened?"

[lockestheway]

Peter turned around and tilted his head at her. "For which party in particular?"

[whenshewasnice]

"You, me, any of the people feeling surprised right about now." She shrugged. "Take your pick."