hadriel | 002 [video]

Entry tags:

002 [video]

[Maketh doesn't look well, but she's putting forth a solid effort. She's got her hair up and a coat slung over her shoulder, half buttoned, to cover the mess of bandages. But her face is pale and strained. She's been injured and hasn't yet recovered.]

Hello, Hadriel. I hope you're all well, or at least -- recovering.

Recent events have made two things clear to me. First, that the gods will attempt to turn us against each other. And secondly, that they can influence our minds in ways far more direct that I had anticipated. A protocol must be created so this will not happen again.

[She takes a deep breath and winces.]

However, I don't have the proper training to make such a thing. So I am reaching out to everyone here. If you have ideas, I would like to hear them.

Thank you.

[There's a pause.]

I am sorry, to the man I hurt. I'm afraid don't know your name.

That is all.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He could ask what she means, but he's no fool. It's easy enough for Adam to put the pieces together. When he speaks again, he's more careful, more wary.]

I went to the clinic. It should heal fine.

[A pause.]

My name is Adam Parrish.

[Maketh nods slowly. Part of her wants to apologize again, until she's sure it's stuck. But there's no point in that.] That - that's good.

[She hesitates.]

I'd understand if you don't wish to speak with me.

I don't trust you, but I do want to talk to you.

[He's careful to make that clear. And to be fair, there are a lot of people he doesn't trust.]

I felt the influence of the gods too. I know it wasn't entirely your choice.

[Maketh nods slowly.]

No. There were others.

[The fact that she was also targeted goes unsaid. It's not relevant, not really.]

It could have been worse.

[He could be dead. It's not that he forgives her for it, exactly. It's more like he understands. It wasn't really her fault.

She did still shoot him, though.]

What's your name?

[It could have been. The rifle Maketh had been using was outdated and unfamiliar in her hands. If she'd had a proper blaster --

Well. It's good she didn't.]

Maketh Tua.

[She holds herself very still, not sure what to say next.]

[He's quiet for a moment, not quite sure what to say, but finally he speaks again.]

I don't trust you, but I don't want us to be enemies. Not because of that. You weren't entirely in control.

[And she doesn't seem like a bad person - or at least, she seems to be remorseful.]

I - I understand.

[And he thinks it over for a moment before continuing, but finally speaks.]

You obviously know how to use a gun. Could you teach me?

[That's not what she expects to hear. Maketh hesitates.]

I -- I'm not very good with this type of weapon. They don't use them where I'm from. I could try. If that's what you really want.

I can't fight at all, and I don't know how to use any weapons. I can protect myself a little, but if this ever happens again, I'd rather it be more than 'a little'.

[His magic protects him, but as he's learned, not all the time. And he knows she can shoot, and he doesn't need to trust her to be able to learn from her.]

...I can teach you how to protect yourself. [Maketh feels uncertain about the prospect, but it's important. And she's in no position to refuse this, not really.] If that's what you want.

It is. [Her hesitation makes him more sure that she's the right person to ask. It's possible that her guilt will mean he's safer with her than he might be otherwise. Adam is not above using that.] But I can't do close contact fighting. Nothing too physical. Just - being able to shoot would be helpful.

All right. I -- I can do that.

Thanks. Let me know when you have time.

I will. [She might not be happy about it, but she will.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only