#scarredresolve

"..."

Breath catching in her throat, Scalde doesn't pull her hand away, instead stopping in her tracks. She doesn't turn to face her; she won't, she can't. Not now, after everything. One look at Nimbra's face, and she'd crumble instantly.

"I wish I could stay." It's a quiet admission, and a gross understatement. Her heart burns in her chest with yearning. And yet...

"They'd always have a way to bring me back. I suppose I gave in too easily. It seemed so much easier to give up in that moment, in the face of all i learned. In the face of how I failed the people I love."

She was so convinced their fates were sealed, that there was no point in even trying anymore. That they'd gone so far down the wrong road, that there was no turning back. But...

"You always have a way of making me believe in the impossible, you know," she laughs. "Of showing me that a better future is worth hoping for. Perhaps it's selfish of me, but I'm going to have to ask you to do it one more time." Finally, she turns to face her.

"Nimbra... tell me you'll do everything you can to get everyone out of here. And... I'll do the same." She lets out a shaky laugh, smiling as she wipes a tear from her eye.

"I need you to let me go this time, and trust that I'll come back to you. And, if I may make a selfish request..." she finally meets Nimbra's eyes.

"Huh? I don't use any magic for that." Kay blinks up at her friend, tilting her head to the side.

"You think I make people happy...? I dunno, it's not like I'm doing anything special. I make people mad sometimes, too, like when I throw water balloons, or bite people, or throw spiders at the scary rat at the pizza restaurant..." she trails off, smiling.

"..."

"...it's not like I'm against telling you stuff." Their words are chosen carefully; this sort of conversation is something they're still learning to navigate. Things like 'comfort', and 'choices'... isn't it much simpler to just hold things close to your chest until you die?

...no. They're not doing that anymore, they remind themself. Friendship, or whatever. And it's not like Nimbra is the type to go sharing their personal life all over Faerun.

"I'm not used to sharing much about my life. When I was back in Arakyne, no one knew anything about who I was. Not even my fa..." they trail off. "...not even the others. I had to hide a lot of things away, and it wasn't safe to express it until I was free of that shithole. But even now, being open still scares the shit out of me, Nimbra. I know it's worth it or whatever, but that doesn't make it easy."

Still, as pained as their expression made it seem, it's clear Scarlet is trying.

∯ ...when I met you, I was reminded of my younger self.

That's not a good thing.

I see in you the person I might have become, had I not taken the hand Peony offered me. You were offered so many alternate paths, and refused them all; I have no sympathy for the person you became, nor the fate you suffered. You've caused the world irreparable damage, and it was by your hand that the people I love suffered the most.

Send "💎💎💎" and My Muse will say three things that comes to their mind when Your Muse's name is mentioned

Ren:

💎 I do appreciate that she's one of the only ones of the bunch that isn't covered in dirt all the time. Could do without the cobwebs from sneaking around, but I'll take what I can get.

💎 [Elevator Music Stops] How long has that bird been looking at me.

💎 I wonder if she'd understand if I told her about...... well. Nevermind. I doubt she has the time.

Roric:

💎 ... I like that she doesn't feel the need to fill silences with small talk. I'm not good at figuring out what to say.

💎 I'm glad Nimbra is looking out for Pearls. She seems to have a good head on her shoulders, but... should I be more worried about who the kid keeps as a role model? What would Lio do...

"Ah, well..." Peony flashes a guilty smile, rubbing the back of his head as he closes the book he'd been reading. "No rest for the righteous, eh, Nimbra?" He crosses the room to take a seat opposite her, leaning back on the couch.

"In truth... I guess I'm just trying to do all I can. You guys are out there putting your lives on the line every day to protect the people-- the least I can do is put in the work here, too."

9. Does your character dream or are their nights filled with an empty blackness? Describe a dream they’ve had or a night they couldn’t sleep and what they did to preoccupy their time.

Eve used to dream. Lilith usually doesn't.

Sleep was much harder to come by after Lilith willingly gave up her soul. Technically, she didn't even need it-- but on nights when her power was running low and she was overwhelmed with emotion, it helped. To give in to oblivion for a little while was a luxury she very seldom indulged in.

In the Eternal Stockade, she couldn't sleep; it was one of many things that such prisoners were denied. Hunger, but they never starved; exhaustion, but they never collapsed. Instead, she would sometimes have waking, exhaustion-induced hallucinations; The Captain, striking that fatal blow, Jim Curtiss, taunting her, Alec condemning her actions... it was enough to drive her further into fury, to make her think of nothing but vengeance against those who wronged her.

...

"...I think you of all people know why." He's quiet for a moment. How can he answer this in a way that wouldn't make her even angrier? The last thing he wants is to alienate Nimbra further, and yet he knows he can't give her the answer she wants to hear.

(...I don't like fighting with her.)

"I love them, Nimbra. And there are things... they can't say. That weigh heavily on them. I don't expect you to forgive any of this, nor to come back when the day is done. However..." Aelius has never been a man of many words, so he decides that simpler is better. Nimbra had always appreciated that he got straight to the point when his partner never did.

"I know you don't need my protection, and I'll respect your wishes and stop following you. But all I can ask is that you'll stay safe and watch out for Rose. There's a lot you don't know, and a lot I can't say."

...