“You wanna know something I've noticed about you?” Haeli leaned against the bars of Austra's cell. “You don't have much of a sense of self-preservation. Can you tell me why that is?” Austra was silent. “Do you even know why that is?” Haeli stared at her. “Come on, I'm trying to have a conversation with you.”
She glanced up at her and moved to a corner between the wall and bars, leaning back and closing her eyes. Haeli moved closer to her, sitting down as she heard Austra mumble something. “What was that?”
“… Your voice is loud.”
Haeli chuckled. “What, you want me to whisper?”
She shook her head slightly. “Am I safe here?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Austra didn’t respond for a while. “What happened to… to him?”
“Who?”
“The one who… the one leading the charge.”
“Uh… painfully golden full face mask of the sun?” Austra nodded slightly. “You’ll be happy to hear that we lost him; we weren’t able to capture him, so we expect your rescue within the coming days.”
She shook her head. “No. No… rescue.”
“A lot of people say they won’t be rescued, they’re too unimportant or whatever, but that’s almost always false.”
“No. I mean…” She glanced up at her, then back down, sighing. “Don't let them. Please…”
“What?”
“Don't let them take me back.”
Haeli was silent. She turned to get a better look at Austra. Her short blue hair was mixed with dirt and maybe some flakes of dried blood; it was hard to tell at the distance she was at. She tried hiding it, but Haeli could tell her hands were shaking, her whole body was shaking. It was hard to tell if she was scared or anxious because of the current situation or from a possible future scene. Her hands and arms were covered in faded scars, like shadows on her tanned skin. The veins under her skin stuck out as well, forming a spiderweb-like road map from her elbow to her fingertips. Her eyes seemed distant and blank, dully looking at the opposite corner of the room, and her face looked frail, her cheeks sunken.
Must be some sort of drug. If she were addicted, shouldn't she been trying to fight her way back to them? Haeli thought, then she shook her head. There's more I need to know before making assumptions, but she doesn't look to be in a talking mood. Surely no harm in trying though, right? “Your real name isn't Austra, is it?”
Austra hesitated. “N… no…”
“Can you tell me what your real name is?”
“… Can you tell me your real name?”
Haeli thought for a second. “Good point. How about this: we prevent your rescue - that is what you want, right? - and I tell you my name in exchange for yours. Does that seem fair?”
Austra was silent. Haeli could tell that she was confused. After all, she had offered her two gifts - her protection and Haeli's identity - for the price and exchange of her identity; she didn't even suggest that Austra tell her what other knowledge she knew about the Syndicate and their alliance with Scria. It was a very risky gamble.
“… You promise to stop them from rescuing me…?”
“Mhm.”
“Simply in exchange for my name?”
“Yep.”
Austra looked at her closely. Haeli could feel her eyes studying her. “Swear to Vier.”
Haeli hesitated and chose her words carefully: “On Vier's name and domain, I swear… to… keep you… safe… and away… from rescuers from Scria, including but not limited to the Burning Sun Syndicate, in exchange for your name.”
Haeli saw Austra's shoulder relax slightly. “May Vier hear those words and uphold you to your promise,” Haeli heard her sigh. She could hear the tension in her voice almost melt completely. Almost. A risky gamble, she reminded herself.
“So, your name?”
“Nova.” It sounded like it was the first time she felt her true name on her lips. “My name is Nova.”
“Very pretty name, Nova.” Haeli's voice softened with a smile. She could tell Nova rested all her hopes on the oath. “I'm curious to know how much you know about me before i reveal my identity.”
Nova thought for a bit, then responded, “With your mask on, you are Rose Gold, leader of The Roses of Adelphie.”
Haeli hummed in agreement. “Anything else you know?”
“Yes.” Nova paused. “I do believe I should hold you to your deal first.”
“Tell you my name first?” Nova nodded. “Hm… you did tell me yours first…” Haeli removed her mask and extended her hand through the bars. “Nice to meet you, Nova. My name is Haeli.”
