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[ 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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