Rebuke

[emorangerblack]

[Video message - from Devon. What does the newly married Shifter who discovered her husband is actually a traitor has to say

Comments

[getter_class]

Something happened to you while I was gone. Something changed.

[emorangerblack]

How so?

[getter_class]

You seem...more aware of other people. More interested. Before I left you seemed bound and determined to not have any connections to any of us.

[emorangerblack]

To force yourself to stay away from others... it is just escapism.

And bonds can be a source of strength.

[emorangerpink]

Devon, are you...

...

...I'm sorry.

[Laura looks exhausted, as if she's been on the go continuously since the battle. Which is precisely the case - only now that she's too tired to work effectively can she bring herself to go to the people left behind instead of distracting herself with repairs and cleanup. So there's a layer of shame on top of everything else, for how long it's taken her to seek Devon out.]

[emorangerblack]

There is nothing to apologise for.

[emorangerpink]

...No.

But I'm sorry anyway.

I - if you...

[She takes a half-step toward Devon, then cuts the movement short - does the other girl even want comfort, much less from her? Is she just pushing her needs off on to Devon?]

[emorangerblack]

[Devon opens her palm - the one that was not holding her book, and was in fact clenched over something. Something that is the locket she got as a wedding gift.]

This is not the most painful situation in my life... but it is close.

However, giving up to misery solves nothing.

[mydutyisnotover]

When you meet Cheng again, what will you do?

[emorangerblack]

...

I do not know yet.

[mydutyisnotover]

I don't either. It depends on why he did this. Did he do it willingly, or not.

[emorangerblack]

This is what I need to find out.

[subject_0057]

Looks like a lot has happened since I last saw you. It's not often you trouble yourself to be the guiding hand for the rest of your comrades.

[A familiar pair of mismatched eyes settle onto Devon's face; today, both the silver and the gold are calm and emotionless.]

... Those words are just as much for yourself as they are for anyone else, aren't they.

[emorangerblack]

I have decided to ally myself with the White Chalice. Making sure the crew does not tear itself apart in despair is part of this alliance.

...

You may be right.

[subject_0057]

How generous of you. It's important to have a voice of reason when tempers are running high.

... So.

How many times have you do you forgotten to look where you're standing? [And the clear underlying question, "how many times has she disappointed herself?"]

[emorangerblack]

Even one time is too many.

So the answer is: too many.