RUBILYKSKOYE INBOX.

[erosive]

ZOECHKA

ZOYA NAZYALENSKY

Comments

[erosive]

Because she didn't want to, Wesley.

People with power sometimes don't use it the same way those who don't would. You have a bleeding heart; hers probably doesn't pump any blood.

[boneblood]

Then isn't there an argument to be made about not making her more powerful?

Alternatively, not making her an enemy.

[erosive]

You make her an enemy by not giving her the power she's asked for. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy at this point.

And if she uses that against us, then we were idiots to begin with for not asking the right questions.

[boneblood]

So you think we should give it back, provided everyone agrees.

[erosive]

Provided the majority agree.

Why piss off someone with power when we still don't know the terrain? You don't go charging into a fight without first knowing how your enemy fights, how they prefer to dress, what weapons they've spent their country's money on. Some people are successful fighting in the dark, but we're not a well-oiled machine.

[ And half of the Void-touched are just really dumb. ]

[boneblood]

[Or stupid magical twinks, like him.]

Has anyone been to see her since we arrived back here?
The town warping itself feels like a deterrent.

[Totally the Duchess' doing, right?]

[erosive]

[ *Cute stupid magical twink. ]

Isn't it strange how we fetch the one thing she wants most and we don't hear from her? There's no way she doesn't know we have it.

[boneblood]

If we hold it, maybe she'll come get it

Do you think she'd grace us in town?

[erosive]

Or she'll send a missive to the townspeople once they return to get it for her. That could be where they are—at the Duchess's castle.

[ As for his question... ]

No.

She'll send a messenger. She only saw us in person on her terms, not ours.

[boneblood]

I don't want to go check and see but, that's true. She could have them all in the kitchen.

[You know, for food.]

You'd think she has some great aversion to coming out here, the way she acts above it

[erosive]

Perhaps she does.

The townspeople adore her. They wouldn't have risked upsetting us if that love wasn't so blinding.

Be careful if they come back. Maybe we should get you a better knife than the one you had on the expedition.

[boneblood]

Most people are perturbed by the absence of them but I don't mind it. Then again, I'm used to solitude - minus a few people.

[*important people]

Going to give me lessons, too?

[erosive]

What's the likelihood of you stabbing yourself?

[ High, clearly. ]

I'd be annoyed if you got hurt. I'm not taking care of you and I'm not allowing some stranger in our house.

[ Even if they're void-touched. ]

[boneblood]

I don't get hurt very easily. Or for very long.

[erosive]

The last part doesn't make me feel good, in case you were wondering.

I'd prefer you don't get hurt at all.

[ There'd been a lifetime when she'd confessed she loved him. Zoya doesn't like to think of why she doesn't want him to get hurt at all. ]

[boneblood]

The same could be said for what I prefer too, in regard to you.

So we better not get hurt. All the more reason for you to train me, no?

[erosive]

And probably all the more reason to train you during whatever's happening to the town.

I have no experience with walls that move and buildings that seem to come to life.

[ Shadows... shadows we don't discuss. ]

We can do it in our courtyard or in town. Your choice.

[boneblood]

I like the courtyard. Private, to a degree. Also ours.

[erosive]

I’ll pick up a few of knives for you from the smithy and we’ll practice there. If you destroy my flowers, I’m kicking you out.

[boneblood]

I'm at risk of eviction, am I?

Guess I have to perform well.

[erosive]

You're always at risk of eviction, Wesley. You seem fond of skating on very thin ice.

[boneblood]

It's wild how incorrect I am in remembering that it was I who invited you to join me, and not the other way around.

[erosive]

Your point? Other than you acknowledging you're incorrect. I could've saved you the time.

[boneblood]

Sometimes I am rather fond of you, you know.

[erosive]

Sometimes? I was under the impression it was all the time.