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[ Lapis sees the ways the shadow shift around her, though her focus is still on Jinwoo; concern radiating off her in return. She's... never seen him this angry. Even how his fingers drag through her hair isn't enough to stop her concern, brows furrowing at the whisper into her ear.

...

Ah.

Her breath catches, and her previous anxiety is forgotten. Rage replaces that instead, and for a moment, there's the tempting thought to summon Louis - to let him devour the vile woman before she can even think of bringing harm to anyone here. Her fingers curl into the fabric of his cloak, an attempt to cling onto something lest she act on these thoughts

She hates this, she hates this- ]

She'll die first before she even tries to hurt anyone here. [ Is the promise she breathes out in return. ]

We... [ Deep breaths, Lapis, deep breaths. ] We have to keep an eye on her.

[ he continues to let his fingers brush through her hair, trying to keep the bile of rage from spilling out into his throat. he's here to comfort Lapis, not anything else, for now.

Part of him wants to figure out how to escape the order now, right now, zhongli was only a call away... but.
Zodiac. The app would make her still know them. And then know they left within the same week she showed up.

No, they need to settle things in the order with Jusis first, then they can leave.

No loose threads like Theresa. ]

I'm not sure if she can see through my stealth.

But.

I'll try to subtly find out, soon.

If she can't. I'll be keeping an eye on her, soon.

[ The feeling of his fingers through her hair does soothe her, amongst the rage buzzing under her skin. It mixes with the anxiety already churning in her chest, and she doesn't know what she wants to do; cry, scream?

She'll just... hold onto Jinwoo for now. Take deep breaths and try to think.

... Dimly, she realizes now the shadows at her feet have extended, threatening to engulf the forge; tendrils creeping and curling around every available surface. It takes a little more effort to draw them back in - especially at the sudden spike of anxiety at Jinwoo's words. ]

But if she can see through it, it could be dangerous. [ Hopefully she won't care. Lapis has seen how she's brushed people aside on the network and in person, so there's that desperate hope.

...

There has to be something she can do, anything. She doesn't want to just sit by and watch anymore. ]

Teresa said they're... keeping an eye on my growth, maybe I can use that. We've worked together before so she's unlikely to suspect anything.

If she sees through it, I'll just chalk it up to my 'inexperience' and leave it at that. I'll only ever test it when we're in a place where she won't suspect me of any foul play.

[ like during a meeting, or something like that. See how close he can get to her while cloaking himself... see if she shows any signs of noticing... ]

I don't like that they're keeping an eye on your 'growth'. It sounds predatory.
I always wondered why they were invested in the growth of their members--people like me, with useless powers, as well. And I think I've figured it out.

They want pawns they can use. And the stronger, the better.
That's how they see you. A very powerful pawn.

[ and it makes his anger roil, his eyes glow softly under the shadows of his hair. ]

While she's here...

Let's act just like co-workers where she can see it.

It'll be better she knows as little as possible.

Mm, that's a good idea... Even if she does notice, we can always see if having her attention elsewhere could work.

[ It would be good to see how much or how little he can get away with. If he is able to go unnoticed, that could be a big advantage for them.

And hearing Jinwoo put her fear into words, that she's a pawn to be used by the Order, makes her wince. Months and months ago, she wouldn't have cared - that's how it was meant to be. She was a weapon, a tool to be used.

There's a moment where she has to take a few deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down. ]

You're right. I don't want her to have anything she can use against us... [ She'll just have to make the most of the times when they're alone. ]

And if she still thinks I'm like how I was before, maybe she might not be as.. on guard around me. As far as she's concerned, I've always been just a weapon.

Edited 2024-02-13 01:40 (UTC)

It'd be a good test. [ a good test... of. What. Haha. This is starting to feel more and more like they were planning to ambush her. There's something weird in putting those thoughts together--and he suddenly feels like that'd actually be. Fine, really. Honestly.

He'd never had a problem killing people in the past. He did what he had to do for the order--and he's sure Lapis is the same. It was drilled into them during their early days of working for the order. Sometimes a target needs to die. Blood on their hands just became a part of the job. Terrible as it was.

In this case--having blood on their hands already made some things. Easier. ]

I've stopped reporting my power updates to Jusis, after we talked to him about our worries. It's for the best that the order doesn't know what I--what we're capable of. Not if we're planning on leaving soon, anyway.

Our aces in the hole.

[ he puts his hands on both of Lapis' shoulders. Putting his forehead against hers, to make sure he has her attention. ]

You're more than a weapon.

You weren't born to be a tool.

You are Lapis de Fiore, one of the strongest people I know. And you're worth so much more than the power you've managed to come into.

[ It is starting to feel more and more like they're planning something. How well could he sneak up on her, could Lapis lower her guard or distract her...

...

Lapis never enjoyed taking a life, but years and years of being the one sent to kill more... troublesome targets has helped her cope with it. Hell, some of them deserved it - better to have their blood on her hands, before they hurt anyone else.

And if it's to protect those dear to her, she won't hesitate to bloody her hands again. ]

Mm, I've done the same. And if... she's still unaware of what we could do...

[ They have an advantage. That's something, at least; they'll just need to be careful of what they show around her too.

But she's snapped out of her thoughts when his hands rest on her shoulders, a soft sound escaping her as his forehead presses against hers.

And for a moment, she just blinks owlishly, processing what he just said. Then her vision blurs, and it takes her a split second too long to notice the tears falling from her eyes. ]

I... Sorry, I just... [ Lapis reaches up to rub at her eyes, desperately trying not to cry even more. ]

That means... a lot to me, to hear...

[ he reaches a hand up, a thumb brushing under one of her eyes. catching a teardrop at the end of it as he reaches inside his pocket to pull out a small handkerchief, made of a dark purple, almost black material, to dry her tears with. ]

Don't apologise.

...Is it something that you've not heard a lot, before? If I need to keep reminding you of it, I will.

Because you're not. Your life is so much more than what others try to make of it.
Perhaps if this Order had recruited you under fairer terms, under a contract that isn't entirely in bad faith, lending them your power wouldn't be a bad thing.

We both know some of these people we deal with deserve what they have coming.

But the order making people like you into living weapons...

That's wrong.

And I'll fight them for your freedom.

[ There's a soft sound as his thumb brushes under her eyes, blinking once more as he brings out the handkerchief to dry her tears. While there's a shake of her head and a mumble of "I don't want to ruin it", she doesn't protest much beyond that. She really didn't want to cry in front of him like this, especially since there's other things to worry about...

... And he just. Keeps speaking, every word bringing a new wave of tears. Her mentor would reassure her when she was young, but as she got older, she tried to suppress it - hide the issue where she couldn't think about. She hadn't realised how badly she needed to hear something like this.

Then he says he'll fight for her freedom, and she can't hold back the sob, gritting her teeth as she desperately tries to get some kind of composure. ]

Jinwoo, you... [ How can she be anything but head over heels for him, at this point? But she forces herself to take a deep breath, blinking back any tears that threaten to spill over. ]

You really are one of the best things that's happened to me. [ It doesn't matter if sometimes things go wrong around him, that he isn't the strongest. He's an incredible person who improved her life in so many ways. ]

And I won't be free until you are too. I'll fight for your freedom too, no matter what. [ Which means - ]

But first, something has to be done about Teresa.

[ they're the best thing that's happened in one another's life--Jinwoo can say that without even a shadow (haha) of a doubt. The Black Order has been a good experience for neither of them, but at the very least.

They've found the best in it.

And they've become one another's best support during a terrible experience. Soon--soon they'd see the end of all this and put it behind them like some terrible memory.

He's sure of it. ]

...haha. I could say the same about you, you know.

We've got each other, here. And already with a way out. Remember, Zhongli won't forsake us. We just have a little more work to do before we can cut and run.

I would have left the day he offered it to me. But.

You're right. Something needs to be done about that witch. And I'm not leaving the Order while she's here and can find out we can do it.
Nor am I leaving Jusis in the lurch.

So we need to plan carefully. Figure out what to do about this.

Once it's figured out, we can cleanly cut.

....

I'd like to cleanly cut her, too. [ he mumbles that last part. ]

[ Lapis takes another moment to calm herself down, rubbing at her eyes as the tears finally slow, falling silent once more as she listens. And he's right, they've got a way out and someone who will help them; but they need to deal with this first.

It's unlikely to stop with Teresa as well. And Lapis is loathe to leave the team now, when Jusis will need as many people on his side as he can. But once this is all over, then they can finally be free. Then they can move forward on their own terms, without anything looming over their heads or duties to pull them back.

And throughout all of this, they'll have each other. ]

Teresa... She can't stay here. People are already in hiding because of her, so she has to leave in one way or another. Especially before she tries to hurt anyone.

[ Especially after some of those conversations on that post.

Though that mumble... That sounds a little more personal. Her brows furrow, as she peeks up at him. ]

... Did she say anything else to you?

I don't think she'll stay here for long. Either she's going to get run out of town, or someone's going to 'run into' her.

[ he really does his best not to make a stabbing motion, but. He doesn't make it at all subtle, what with how he makes the small hand motion of pulling out a hidden dagger and giving it a twist, poking his thumb in against Lapis' side. It should get the message across. ]

If they sent a higher-up here who was actually looking out to see what was going on within the city--it'd be one thing. But sending someone who is actively aggro-ing the people on the app and making an enemy of them? What were they thinking...

[ he sort of trails off as she asks if she said something else. He WANTS to tell her not to worry, that it's nothing, that it's just the usual, but. ]

She told me to not to be a disappointment again.

[ it tumbles out. Before he can stop it. ]

[ This is a serious situation and a serious conversation, but Lapis still can't help but jump slightly when his thumb pokes into her side. She's just a little ticklish. Just a little.

But he's right, she wouldn't be surprised if someone decided enough was enough and took her out themselves. Eizen already made that clear on the network, but she hopes he won't do anything... Else he'll be the prime suspect, and she doubt the higher-ups would be kind about them killing one of their own. ]

Maybe it's a warning... Behave and step-up, or we send someone worse. She's not the only crazy Zealot in the Order, but we can't just let her do whatever she wants.

[ She hears how he trails off, and she frowns softly as she waits for his answer. Part of her expects him to brush it aside, to tell her it was nothing, but...

He tells her and Lapis feels as though she's been drenched in ice water. She almost wished she heard that wrong. Teresa really... ]

What?

[ Her voice is flat, eerily so, as shock freezes over into anger. She doesn't even notice the shadows lashing out again, almost coating the entire forge once more; the expression on her face thunderous, furious. ]

I'll kill her myself. How dare she say that to you-!

Edited (oops a typo) 2024-02-22 13:51 (UTC)

[ his hands immediately fly to cup Lapis' head in his hands. Fingers smoothing along her cheeks, trying to raise her gaze to match it with his. His eyes have that familiar glow to them, but his expression is measured--quiet. There's something in him that's... quietly jived that Lapis got so angry on his behalf, but all the same... ]

...Calm.
I was angry too. But If I'm honest with you, she's not the only one in the order that talks like that. Before I came here, I was stationed in Florida for years--given some of the worst tasks, and mostly used as an 'in case of emergencies only' member. I did a lot of paper pushing between hospital stays, and even then, I could just tell they regretted ever recruiting me.

It was honestly amazing that they didn't just seal me and throw me back into the world.

[ he donks his forehead against Lapis', trying to curb her rage, fingers drawing through her hair. ]

The difference here--is like night and day. You--and the others--have never once treated me like a detriment.
Which is why I'm going to do everything to protect you all before accepting that pact with Zhongli to be rid of the order once and for all.

[ The glow of her gaze meets his, and there's a part of her that wants to argue that she can't be calm - how can she, when that vile woman said something horrible to someone so dear to her? To someone who has been doing his best ever since he arrived here? She wants to lash out, to return the insult tenfold, but Jinwoo tells her to calm and she listens... Breathing out slowly as her body trembles from the force of her anger, the feeling of his fingers along her cheeks helping to soothe her. ]

Just because others talked about you like that doesn't make it okay. [ There's still a sharpness to her words, a fury that hasn't abated yet. ] They're idiots, all of them, for treating you like that.

And if they ever try to do that to you, I'll deal with them myself.

[ But his forehead bonks against hers, and the feeling of his fingers through her hair helps the tension to leave her. Slowly her shadows retreat, swirling back under her feet as she sighs. She nudges her forehead against his in return, letting the contact calm her further. ]

... We'll need to think of a way to celebrate, once you're free.

Looking back, I didn't think much of it until I got here. Everyone here is so much different, it really makes me think that what Jusis is doing--what he's planning. Is a good idea.

It's the only reason I haven't yet taken Zhongli's pact. As desperate as I am to escape. the Order members here deserve help. If it were any other group, I.

We'd be gone, by now.

And as for how to celebrate, well.

I'd definitely want to go travelling.

Maybe go somewhere I always wanted to go, but never got the chance to.

See things I was always too busy to see.

...Maybe go back to Korea, because I haven't been allowed to since. Then.

[ Despite herself, warmth fills her chest when he says "we". His freedom is her priority, but it still surprises her a little when he seems so determined to see her free too...

But hearing what he wants to do makes her perk up, her anger mostly fading now. Her grudge against Teresa burns all the more, but she can push that aside for now. ]

Travelling sounds like a good idea, I remember you said about going to Disney before... And you should absolutely go back to Korea. Though I'll need to insist that you send photos when you do.

I won't send you a single photo. [ he responds immediately--moving to cross his arms over his chest. ]

Because I'm insisting you come with me. So you'll have to take photos with me.

[ take that. ]

[ Wait what -

- Oh. Lapis freezes for a moment, eyes wide as she blinks up at him. ]

... Oh. [ Then she snaps out of her shock, quickly clearing her throat. ]

I mean, of course absolutely! But you... really want me to go to Korea with you?

[ She had assumed, maybe, he would want to return home by himself. She didn't want to intrude on that. ]

Of course I do.

I have good memories of Korea, but. I'll probably have to hide my face in certain places. I'm supposed to be 'dead', after all.

But going there alone? I don't think I'd want to do that.

It wouldn't be fun unless you're there with me.

[ When he says it like that, Lapis really can't argue. Nor does she want to, honestly. ]

Then of course I'll go with you. Though you'll need to help me with translating some things.

Maybe we can treat it like an educational trip. I'll be quizzing you on things like signs and menus.

...

Ah, do you know what I miss the most? Night markets.

Mm, I'll do my best to get everything right.

[ Time to ramp up her reading lessons then - ]

Night markets? What are those like?

Night markets are the best. They're like long streets taken over by pop-up stalls, and people cook insanely delicious, and heinously cheap food. Like corn dogs with french fries attached to the dough, or pizza toast--which is like an omelette sandwich but with pepperoni and cheese...

[ ...his stomach growls. ]

Oh, that does sound good... We'll absolutely have to go when we -

[ Lapis cuts herself off when she hears his stomach growl, brows raising before chuckling under her breath. ]

I might not be able to make the same, but I think I could make some pizza toast.

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