borjafamily | (no subject)

(no subject)

WHO: Borjas
WHERE: A canal near the high temple
OPEN/CLOSED: Closed
WHEN: Night of Day 4

[Astra has a cleaned-out planter as a bucket and is using it to wash herself in the canal. No soap or anything, just rinsing herself. Very thoroughly. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Bathing, naturally.

In th' middle of the night, kid? C'mon back inside.

[ stepping closer ]

[the water's red anyway, so it's not like you can see that it's dirty. but some of the red liquid on her body maybes looks a bit more viscous than it should be. she doesn't seem injured, though.]

I'll do so once I'm done. A few minutes, only.

[ gggglances up and down... ]

What's happened?

Are you concerned about me? There's no need for that. I am in perfect health, and better spirits. I feel great, truth be told.

Answer the damn question.

The question. Being -- ah. "What's happened." Forgive me, I am somewhat distracted. What's happened? I'm not sure if it would be better to tell you or not, to be very honest. I know that you asked, but it might benefit you more not to know. I can handle it myself without issue, besides. Well, let me think about it...

Astra.

[sitting down on the edge of the canal. sounds kind of distant.]

Ah, that's not so. I should tell at least you, I suppose. From a purely strategic standpoint that's obvious. Besides which, this is bloody work we do here. You won't flinch, will you?

[ ... settles himself next to her ]

What kinda no-good prime would I be if'n I did?

I wonder.

A scuffle with Aristophanes' Prime. She didn't survive it. She was alone, no witnesses. I fled before properly disposing of the body, since I haven't yet determined the best place to do so. But I left no evidence of my presence behind either. No trailed blood or anything of that nature. I was extremely careful, so there shouldn't be a problem.

[ well. he doesn't flinch, but his eyes sure do widen. ]

She's dead? You're sure of it?

Extremely sure.

[ this sure is an unusual stream of curses. is that even the same language? ]

As I said, I left no evidence of my presence, so there should not be particular suspicion placed on us. We may be able to find a way to work this to our advantage, even.

That's still a Prime dead. On our hands. Ain't nobody findin' out about this or we're dead.

[ that's not anger in his tone though. is it ... worry? ]

[maybe she screwed up. but she can't show weakness now. he'll definitely never trust her if she shows doubt]

It would mean trouble, certainly. I suggest we keep quiet mostly, and maybe try to inject the idea that it might have been internal struggle. Aristophanes' Champion attacked their Prime on the first morning, in public view. It's enough to sew doubt, anyway.

[ scoots closer ]

That'll make them enemies, 100%. They'll know we're lying. We do that, we gotta commit.

[SHE IS TRYING REAL HARD TO BE A COOL ASTRA WHO DON'T NEED NOBODY but wow bergen is here

so just. leans on.]

We should be prepared for that possibility, yes, although as long as we're sufficiently subtle it might not immediately turn to open war.

Either way. They might be the best choice for an early target after all.

It won't make no friends. We'll clean you up an' prepare for the worst.

... How you feelin', kid?

["fucking awesome killing people turns me on" is probably a bad answer]

I won't allow my judgment to be clouded at any rate, so my feelings aren't particular relevant. Don't worry about that.

M'I only allowed to be askin' if it's relevant?

I'm alright, Bergen.

I ain't so sure you'd tell me if'n you weren't.

You might consider the possibility that you don't want to know what I'm feeling right now.