[Other people are dutifully concerned, and he picks up on that - he sighs, and rolls out one of his shoulders idly.]
It's not the fact that it's dangerous to me that worries me. It's the unknowns - why is it dangerous? How long will it take, how long should we be prepared for? What if we need to turn back, how hard will that be? At least one in five men in a group need be the worriers, so... suiting I'll be one of them.
[ He makes several good points no one else has raised within her earshot. ]
I wouldn't call yourself a worrier. I'd opt for a smart thinker.
[ A compliment from Zoya Nazyalensky. Isn't this his second or third?
She sighs, letting it brace her thoughts. ]
We shouldn't be going without those questions answered. Unless someone with more knowledge joins us on this trip… We'd still be around the war table in Ravka. We wouldn't be packing our bags and sex toys [ thought derisively. ] in anticipation of leaving in the next few days. But I don't think we have much of a choice.
Staying behind would be putting a target on us - that we don't want to do the Duchess any favors, or that we're cowards.
[Which, in some instances, he wouldn't care about but a united front is probably good here. He doesn't know that the townies will turn on them so much as he's more aware of appearances. The frozen bodies in the castle are another reminder that perhaps one should keep up the pleasantries, even if it means putting yourself at risk. She's right, there is no real choice. The illusion of it, sure.]
Without leaders and plans, it's going to be messy. Luckily I have you to shadow, so I know at least some of us will be alright.
[ Zoya rolls her eyes, but it's not because what he says is stupid. It's his compliments. Despite being someone who loves a good compliment, it's rare of her to be on the receiving end of one that isn't about her looks. ]
You said no to the messenger, didn't you? So did I.
[ She imagines he'd remember that. Wesley tends to remember many things. ]
Hopefully this reduces our targets. I wouldn't be surprised if the messenger told the Duchess the likeness of those who said no to her invitation.
[ Dark haired, blue eyed, tall and lean. Can't quite describe many people in town. ]
[To say no. He'd been given a commission by Dragana, served dinner in the Duchess' home - clearly she knew what she was setting them up to do. She made them in her debt more than not, and poured into their hands a journey that they'd need to take to make it even. Of course he said yes, because he's weak but also because he's just so inexperienced that he didn't take the time to think it all the way through. But he learns. The one thing he prides himself on is that he learns from his mistakes.]
I agreed. I think I'd stick out more now, rescinding that offer.
[ Is it courageous to say no to a ruler you don't know the temperament of? Zoya knows she could say no to Nikolai. He'd been the kind of ruler who appreciated honesty, who preferred to be challenged rather than followed aimlessly. ]
You won't be rescinding that offer, because I'm going with you.
[ Not that she doesn't trust him in the village by himself. Perhaps she'd feel better if he stayed behind, knowing that he was safe. But Zoya doesn't think Wesley is the type of person who likes to sit idly by. ]
I need someone tolerable on this expedition. Half the Void-touched are going, and you know most of them are idiots.
[He looks at her for a beat, ready to protest that she doesn't need to follow him - while he'll happily consider himself pitiful in a lot of funly self-depreciating ways, he's still fairly confident he can survive just about anything. Even if he doesn't survive, not much would be lost. But to tell someone like Zoya not to follow, not to protect? Even he knows those would be empty words, lost on the wind between them.
Still, he can't help but feel he walked into this and that it will be some part his fault if anything happens to her.]
I only agree to allow you to watch my back if I watch yours in turn. Two way street.
You can't watch my back when I'm watching yours. It logistically doesn't make sense.
[ /dad joke.
But Zoya sighs, ensuring that he can hear it. It's the sound of her stubborn ass conceding. ]
Fine. We'll take turns. I'm on first watch.
[ Because that's how it works. Zoya knows better than anyone that watching someone's back isn't literal. She and Nikolai had been a well-oiled machine for the last couple of years that finding herself working alongside another person in such a manner feels like slipping on a pair of shoes that have changed slightly in shape. Different, but not unwelcome.
But she has to be difficult in the face of someone wanting to take care of her. ]
[She should be grateful because if he actually saw her (which he didn't, because this is Voice, and past tags are now amended to reflect that) it'd be because he's a weirdo sitting up in a tree or something. Which isn't that farfetched to consider but anyway. You know. moving on.]
All the more pressure to make sure I'm useful now, huh?
[Another hint of amusement - but if he's going to be counted upon to hold his weight, he better be able to hold the weight of something else too. Time for them to set up some little weapons bonanza in their courtyard, maybe. He could get used to throwing axes, he thinks.]
[ She inhales deeply to exhale, letting her shoulders roll. ]
Tonight, since you seem eager.
[ And Zoya has a feeling that his mind won't be on anything but it. It's not as though she's too tired to play. It'll be exhilarating. Even when she had sparred with Juris in the realm where time didn't exist, she had enjoyed being beaten down until she was exhausted. To possibly share that with someone else is exciting. ]
And you're an idiot for not thinking you're useful.
I'll make it worth your while by serving a good dinner. Stew, a fresh loaf of bread and maybe a cider to drink?
[He may not be able to cook well but he is able to barter his way up the chain and at least get half decent parts of a meal and stitch them all together. If he feeds her before they go at it (with axes or otherwise,) his odds of survival in a fair state seem higher. Happy wife, happy life.]
Oh, I know a good few things I'm very useful at. So do you.
[ Zoya knows she's practically goading him at this point, but she's never been good at backing down from a challenge. She's never been good at letting things go, either. ]
I'll bring the wine. I want to try this town's white to see if it's any good.
I'll fry some salmon then, as well. Add to the choices.
[Going to be a hearty meal but they're going to need it. It's funny how quick he falls into the mundane tasks like this with a certain sense of relief; someone will be coming to make this home of theirs less empty. He can always count on that. Feels good.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ It's partly said as a joke. Perhaps he does want one that compliments his eyes.
But the fact he's even asking her this gives her pause. ]
Are you worried about this trip?
[ Any sane person would be. ]
no subject
[Other people are dutifully concerned, and he picks up on that - he sighs, and rolls out one of his shoulders idly.]
It's not the fact that it's dangerous to me that worries me. It's the unknowns - why is it dangerous? How long will it take, how long should we be prepared for? What if we need to turn back, how hard will that be? At least one in five men in a group need be the worriers, so... suiting I'll be one of them.
no subject
I wouldn't call yourself a worrier. I'd opt for a smart thinker.
[ A compliment from Zoya Nazyalensky. Isn't this his second or third?
She sighs, letting it brace her thoughts. ]
We shouldn't be going without those questions answered. Unless someone with more knowledge joins us on this trip… We'd still be around the war table in Ravka. We wouldn't be packing our bags and sex toys [ thought derisively. ] in anticipation of leaving in the next few days. But I don't think we have much of a choice.
no subject
[Which, in some instances, he wouldn't care about but a united front is probably good here. He doesn't know that the townies will turn on them so much as he's more aware of appearances. The frozen bodies in the castle are another reminder that perhaps one should keep up the pleasantries, even if it means putting yourself at risk. She's right, there is no real choice. The illusion of it, sure.]
Without leaders and plans, it's going to be messy. Luckily I have you to shadow, so I know at least some of us will be alright.
no subject
You said no to the messenger, didn't you? So did I.
[ She imagines he'd remember that. Wesley tends to remember many things. ]
Hopefully this reduces our targets. I wouldn't be surprised if the messenger told the Duchess the likeness of those who said no to her invitation.
[ Dark haired, blue eyed, tall and lean. Can't quite describe many people in town. ]
no subject
[To say no. He'd been given a commission by Dragana, served dinner in the Duchess' home - clearly she knew what she was setting them up to do. She made them in her debt more than not, and poured into their hands a journey that they'd need to take to make it even. Of course he said yes, because he's weak but also because he's just so inexperienced that he didn't take the time to think it all the way through. But he learns. The one thing he prides himself on is that he learns from his mistakes.]
I agreed. I think I'd stick out more now, rescinding that offer.
no subject
You won't be rescinding that offer, because I'm going with you.
[ Not that she doesn't trust him in the village by himself. Perhaps she'd feel better if he stayed behind, knowing that he was safe. But Zoya doesn't think Wesley is the type of person who likes to sit idly by. ]
I need someone tolerable on this expedition. Half the Void-touched are going, and you know most of them are idiots.
no subject
Still, he can't help but feel he walked into this and that it will be some part his fault if anything happens to her.]
I only agree to allow you to watch my back if I watch yours in turn. Two way street.
no subject
You can't watch my back when I'm watching yours. It logistically doesn't make sense.
[ /dad joke.
But Zoya sighs, ensuring that he can hear it. It's the sound of her stubborn ass conceding. ]
Fine. We'll take turns. I'm on first watch.
[ Because that's how it works. Zoya knows better than anyone that watching someone's back isn't literal. She and Nikolai had been a well-oiled machine for the last couple of years that finding herself working alongside another person in such a manner feels like slipping on a pair of shoes that have changed slightly in shape. Different, but not unwelcome.
But she has to be difficult in the face of someone wanting to take care of her. ]
no subject
All the more pressure to make sure I'm useful now, huh?
[Another hint of amusement - but if he's going to be counted upon to hold his weight, he better be able to hold the weight of something else too. Time for them to set up some little weapons bonanza in their courtyard, maybe. He could get used to throwing axes, he thinks.]
Start tonight, or tomorrow?
no subject
Tonight, since you seem eager.
[ And Zoya has a feeling that his mind won't be on anything but it. It's not as though she's too tired to play. It'll be exhilarating. Even when she had sparred with Juris in the realm where time didn't exist, she had enjoyed being beaten down until she was exhausted. To possibly share that with someone else is exciting. ]
And you're an idiot for not thinking you're useful.
[ Compliment #4? ]
no subject
[He may not be able to cook well but he is able to barter his way up the chain and at least get half decent parts of a meal and stitch them all together. If he feeds her before they go at it (with axes or otherwise,) his odds of survival in a fair state seem higher. Happy wife, happy life.]
Oh, I know a good few things I'm very useful at. So do you.
no subject
[ Zoya knows she's practically goading him at this point, but she's never been good at backing down from a challenge. She's never been good at letting things go, either. ]
I'll bring the wine. I want to try this town's white to see if it's any good.
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[Going to be a hearty meal but they're going to need it. It's funny how quick he falls into the mundane tasks like this with a certain sense of relief; someone will be coming to make this home of theirs less empty. He can always count on that. Feels good.]
See you later, then?
no subject
[ Because, of course, Zoya won't half-ass this. Wesley needs the perfect dagger, one that compliments his blue eyes. ]
Try not to get eaten by a fish.
[ Assuming there are fish in town to actually catch. ]