A quick blurb of how the reunion between Syfyn and the Commander could go that spontaneously manifested at 1am after thinking about chapter 3 of @exilethegameĀ ās IF.Ā
Recognition is a stab through the throat. The knife goes in, slipping between vertebrae, severing the connection between brain and body. Just like that, The Commander can no longer move or speak or draw a breath. All the composure sheād clung to during the chase, more for her own sake than Vethnaās, bleeds away. Itās too late. The Brazen Griffin makes her landing. Vethna was protected, at least in theory. MaĆ«l had insisted they run as fast and as far as their dainty little feet could carry them. She shouldāve apologized before forcing them to go. A part of MaĆ«l thatās still rational notes the Brazen Griffinās weapons, the thunder in her face slipping through the apathy, and the purpose in her stride. MaĆ«l is going to die today. MaĆ«lās body spasms and stumbles back. The Brazen Griffin marches forward. Rational MaĆ«l quits halfway through calculating escape routes to chide herself.
This is what you get for thinking you could ditch everything you are, were, and ever would be by the side of the road. Bet youād thought itād stay there and starve like an abandoned cub. MaĆ«l wonders if Vethna might show up and stab her again. It worked wonders getting her senses in order before. But even a calculated stabbing would be too little, too late now.
Now, the foul pustulous rot MaĆ«l had tried so hard to cut out of herself had sprouted arms and legs and was ready to feast on what was left of her. Gobble her up until not even her bones were un-infected with filth. The Brazen Griffin is on her now. Lording over her, close enough that MaĆ«l can count the hairs on her eyebrows. All itād take is a strike to the temple and MaĆ«l would be able to rest. A less-than-distant part of herself is content with that. The rational part that never ceases to remind MaĆ«l of what sheās done, regardless of her agency in it, agrees.
Unfortunately for the Brazen Griffin, most of MaĆ«l is not made up of rationale or resignation. Unfortunately for Syfyn, MaĆ«l remembers how quick the turn was, the cell she was thrown into, and the phantom pain of severed wings. Itās that she turns to when her body and mind canāt find their way back together. Itās the betrayal that snaps MaĆ«l back to reality.
Syfyn stands as tall and self-righteous as ever, waiting for The Commander to make a move so that sheād doubly certain she has the right to turn MaĆ«lās skull to jelly.
MaĆ«l slowly bares her fangs in a smile that leaves little to the imagination and manages to get Syfyn to take a step back. It might be the self-sabotage in her or it might be the instinct to be cruel that moves MaĆ«lās lips to stay, āSyfyn! Long time no see. Howās life been treating you? Is Sabir well? How long until you were able to sleep at night knowing you threw your oldest friend to the wolves without question?ā
Itās a hate deeper than that of jilted lovers or star-crossed soul mates that allows MaĆ«l to relish the pained contortion on the face sheād once called her closest friend.