text;

[closerift]

[ Though she's had her hands on the communication device for months, Cecily still isn't entirely sure how to use it. Not well enough that it's taken her until now to send out a city-wide message, anyway. As a result, though, she texts as if she's writing a letter. ]

Hadriel,
Her name may be 'Delight,' but do not forget that she is one of them. Do not forget all that they have done to us since our arrival and how little they know of us or care for our safety.
Most of all, do not forget the last time that they offered us something edible.
I promise that I am as much in need of a drink as anyone else, but I remember too well what their gift of food did for us, or, rather, to us.
I would not be surprised to find that their bar offers much the same danger.

Be well,
Inquisitor Trevelyan

Comments

[zen_en_vert]

Thank you. This was the right thing to say.

[closerift]

As always, you prove to be one of the sharper captives, here.
Many of the others do not agree with me.

[zen_en_vert]

Would you like to come here and have a cup of tea? I pick and dry the leaves myself.

[closerift]

Absolutely I would.
When?

[zen_en_vert]

Tomorrow afternoon, if it suits you?

[closerift]

It does. I will see you there.
Can I bring anything, Doctor?

[zen_en_vert]

That's a hard question in a place like Hadriel. I have tea and food and even a little jam- but anything you think might go nicely wouldn't be a sorry addition.

[closerift]

I am no cook but we shall see.

[zen_en_vert]

I'll see you then.

action;

[closerift]

[ Later, there is a knock on the door, followed by: ]

Doctor Banner? It's Cecily Trevelyan.

[ It's strange, leaving the 'Inquisitor' off of her name, but... good. Refreshing, in a number of ways. ]

action;

[zen_en_vert]

Ms Trevelyan.

[Says Bruce, straightening up from his desk, where he's been bent over some work, and emerging from a back room.]

You made it. Come in- come in.

action;

[closerift]

Just "Cecily," please. [ She replies, smiling almost tiredly. ] I've just managed to convince my friends to call me by my name and I don't have the energy to go at it again.

[ Though she does come in as he asks, brushing hair back from where it wisps in front of her face. ]

I hope you're well.

[zen_en_vert]

Then I'm Bruce.

[He insists, softly, as he nods for her to come in, sit, and moves to get his kettle going.]

How is your ankle healing up?

[closerift]

Bruce. [ She repeats, and sits as he's indicated. ]

It's healed fine. [ She says, stretching out her leg and rolling it with a sideways sort of smile. ] Thanks to you, really.

[ He'd more than helped her, that day. He likely saved her life from... whatever those monsters had been, out in the snow. ]

How have you been?

[zen_en_vert]

I've been... well, complicated, I'll admit. I don't know if you heard, I had an incident.

[And here he is, feeling obliged to be honest about something he'd much rather bury.]

[closerift]

I didn't know. [ Maybe she had heard, but she's inclined to not believe rumors, particularly when they involve people that she cares about. ] But we don't need to discuss it if you'd rather not.

[ Cecily, too, buries more things than she unearths. ]

[zen_en_vert]

No, I know.

[She wouldn't push, but he doesn't mind admitting;]

As terrible as this place is, I thought it might be one small mercy, leaving that- it, and my reputation for it, and the consequences of it- behind.

[closerift]

It has no mercies. [ Cecily says firmly, promptly, because she's thought and said it so many times before. ] It has nothing to offer us except for pain and anger and lies.

[ It's given all of those things freely time and time again. ]

[zen_en_vert]

It's still not exactly common knowledge. What I become. But a few more fights like that and it will be.

I- had a chance to go after Fear, and I took it, and people were caught in the crossfire.

[closerift]

I hope you aren't ashamed of it. There are so many people here with different backgrounds, and... you're a good man, Bruce. You did what you thought was right. I think most of us would have done the same.

[ Tried to go after Fear, she means. ]

Are you all right? Were you hurt?

[zen_en_vert]

No- I mean, for one thing, I can't be. For another, it transpires that he's incorporeal.

[So, that's news.]

[closerift]

You can't be hurt? [ That's something. ] And, Fear is-- ah.

[ Damn. That makes things marginally more difficult. ]

He must have some weakness. [ Cecily says firmly, sounding cross. ] We've only to discover it.

[zen_en_vert]

I'll take a break, for now, from participating in the hunt for them, just in case anyone else gets hurt.

[He decides, with a sigh.]

But if you have a plan I will support you any way I can.

[closerift]

Not yet. [ Cecily admits, a little sullen, but is quick to add: ] Though I've not yet that stop me yet from trying to cause them trouble. If any are to be our allies, I think it'll be Delight, based on what she said when we spoke.

[ Though it may come as a surprise to hear her say it, based on her original broadcast. ]

She seemed... reasonable. [ The Inquisitor says, choosing her words carefully. ] And it didn't seem like a ruse.

[zen_en_vert]

I don't mind the idea of her. Because Rage- was a mistake. I don't know why people didn't realize that.

[He says, with a wince.]

It's- they all are. That's the thing about emotions- in their purest form they're awful. Pure hope is idiocy, pure fear is misery, pure rage is dangerous, and sheer delight is irresponsibility.