[ She doesn't wait. This has been eating her up inside, and she's got harder conversations than this one coming up as the day goes on. Noh-Varr gets to be first, because, well ... that's sort of his right. She had two best friends. Now she has one. He gets to be the first to learn what will happen to her.
Noh-Varr will find her easily near the east entrance to Hanaguchi avenue. She's ditched the silly hat and does, at least, seem to be wearing some new, vaguely more stylish clothes that she bought on the colony. But she is otherwise subdued, hands shoved in her pockets as she stares thoughtfully off to one side. ]
[ He comes strolling up, looking surprisingly good for the ridiculous Selenian fashion he's wearing. Wordlessly, he invites her to walk with him. Walking and talking go nicely together. ]
So.
[ His expression, curious but subdued, fills in where his words won't. ]
[ Vriska doesn't do much to acknowledge him other than a small incline of her head. No smile, no obnoxious greeting. This is clearly Serious Business.
His leading little statement doesn't get an answer right away. She's watching her feet as she walks, chin down as she tries to collect her thoughts. ]
I wanted to tell you now, because I may not get a chance to later.
[ Her tone is honest, and refreshingly free of self-pity. It's the simple and honest truth. With a breath that fills her chest all the way up - how strange it is to breathe, to sigh, when she thinks about it - she looks at him proper. ]
The price for failure is significant! I will be stripped of my team, for starters, and get to go through training headed by that weirdo that Gliese hates so much. Apparently his designation is Gale. I liked Blur better, personally. [ Casually said, as are most things with her. ] I will be barred access to medical treatment and supply drops. In Gale's words, "whatever it is you want for, you will have to wait."
[ Here she pauses, somewhat reluctant to go on. But go on she does, relentless and a little flat in tone. ]
I'll be stripped of my rover, too. And if you guys get sent on a mission, I won't be able to contact you, nor you me. At all.
[ The news leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. Annie's dead--and now there's a chance something might happen to Vriska, and he won't be able to contact her in any capacity. He might not even be on the same planet. It leaves a bitter taste in his mouth.
The worst part is understanding why, on a structural level and an individual level, the nature of the punishment--Vriska had never been the easiest recruit. She'd made progress since the start--he'd go so far as to say big progress--but personal growth meant little when it wasn't applied to the wellbeing of the team. He still doesn't like it. For the first time since joining the CDC, Noh-Varr feels a rebellious impulse, and he crushes it for its selfish nature. He has bigger things to consider than his own emotional comfort, or Vriska's. Besides, she's strong--and with any hope, she'll understand that he'll do everything in his power to be there when she gets back. And if she doesn't, or he doesn't, well. He's an expert at leaving things behind. ]
It'll be quiet without you.
[ His voice is soft. He looks a little heartbroken. ]
[ Vriska's eyes narrow, and her gaze skitters off his expression like water off glass, falling down and away. Her expression is hard because if it wasn't, she'd look heartbroken, too. ]
I've also forfeited the protection of my instructor, whatever that means.
[ She's been thinking about that piece a lot. She had Ghost's protection before? And now it's lifted? Exactly who does that make her fair game for? ]
.... if I pass the training Gale sets out for me, I'll be reinstated to my former position. [ Much more quietly: ] Ghost told me he believed in me.
[ He reaches for her, because it feels natural to do, and gently reels her in, one arm looped around her shoulders. ]
I do, too.
[ He knows it's a small comfort, but he doesn't have much else to offer. And it's sincere, from the tone of his voice. ] You've made it too far to stop now, Vriska.
[ Physical affection. Again. It feels natural from Noh-Varr, though. It's been happening to her a lot, lately. With a huff of a sigh she leans against him, ill-humored and sour and very much relieved by the embrace. ]
Yeah. I know. For some reason, you've always believed.
[ He'd believed when he handed her the knife.
Will you stop fucking thinking about it? Vriska just nods. ] I'll make it back. I swore I would. Not just to Ghost and Gale, but to myself! There is no way I am failing out of blue team for good. [ She tilts her head back to grin up at him. It's a bit wan, but she's trying. ] You won't get rid of me for long. So you better enjoy the break while it lasts!
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unfavoured
i 100% missed this wow
Out in town. What is it?
noooo worries boo :*
no subject
You didn't. Talk to me.
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no subject
no subject
[ She doesn't wait. This has been eating her up inside, and she's got harder conversations than this one coming up as the day goes on. Noh-Varr gets to be first, because, well ... that's sort of his right. She had two best friends. Now she has one. He gets to be the first to learn what will happen to her.
Noh-Varr will find her easily near the east entrance to Hanaguchi avenue. She's ditched the silly hat and does, at least, seem to be wearing some new, vaguely more stylish clothes that she bought on the colony. But she is otherwise subdued, hands shoved in her pockets as she stares thoughtfully off to one side. ]
no subject
So.
[ His expression, curious but subdued, fills in where his words won't. ]
no subject
His leading little statement doesn't get an answer right away. She's watching her feet as she walks, chin down as she tries to collect her thoughts. ]
I wanted to tell you now, because I may not get a chance to later.
[ Her tone is honest, and refreshingly free of self-pity. It's the simple and honest truth. With a breath that fills her chest all the way up - how strange it is to breathe, to sigh, when she thinks about it - she looks at him proper. ]
The price for failure is significant! I will be stripped of my team, for starters, and get to go through training headed by that weirdo that Gliese hates so much. Apparently his designation is Gale. I liked Blur better, personally. [ Casually said, as are most things with her. ] I will be barred access to medical treatment and supply drops. In Gale's words, "whatever it is you want for, you will have to wait."
[ Here she pauses, somewhat reluctant to go on. But go on she does, relentless and a little flat in tone. ]
I'll be stripped of my rover, too. And if you guys get sent on a mission, I won't be able to contact you, nor you me. At all.
no subject
The worst part is understanding why, on a structural level and an individual level, the nature of the punishment--Vriska had never been the easiest recruit. She'd made progress since the start--he'd go so far as to say big progress--but personal growth meant little when it wasn't applied to the wellbeing of the team. He still doesn't like it. For the first time since joining the CDC, Noh-Varr feels a rebellious impulse, and he crushes it for its selfish nature. He has bigger things to consider than his own emotional comfort, or Vriska's. Besides, she's strong--and with any hope, she'll understand that he'll do everything in his power to be there when she gets back. And if she doesn't, or he doesn't, well. He's an expert at leaving things behind. ]
It'll be quiet without you.
[ His voice is soft. He looks a little heartbroken. ]
no subject
I've also forfeited the protection of my instructor, whatever that means.
[ She's been thinking about that piece a lot. She had Ghost's protection before? And now it's lifted? Exactly who does that make her fair game for? ]
.... if I pass the training Gale sets out for me, I'll be reinstated to my former position. [ Much more quietly: ] Ghost told me he believed in me.
no subject
I do, too.
[ He knows it's a small comfort, but he doesn't have much else to offer. And it's sincere, from the tone of his voice. ] You've made it too far to stop now, Vriska.
no subject
Yeah. I know. For some reason, you've always believed.
[ He'd believed when he handed her the knife.
Will you stop fucking thinking about it? Vriska just nods. ] I'll make it back. I swore I would. Not just to Ghost and Gale, but to myself! There is no way I am failing out of blue team for good. [ She tilts her head back to grin up at him. It's a bit wan, but she's trying. ] You won't get rid of me for long. So you better enjoy the break while it lasts!