week 6, sunday

[vigilantics]

[ it's much later in the evening when steph goes looking to talk to one of the crafters. she really does not care which one at this point because this day has been horrific, but as soon as the door appears, she's walking right through it. ]

Hello?

Comments

[vigilantics]

Are you? How sore?

[ she'll allow the slight topic change. ]

[themodsgrimm]

[She laughs.]

Oh, I don't know. It's not anything to worry about.

[ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ]

[vigilantics]

...

That sounds not true?

[themodsgrimm]

I only mean to say...if she wins and intends to kill me, she better not expect me to accept it without a fight.

[Her eyes flash, as if she's already expecting that Dragon knows this. They've been at this for a long time, after all.]

I will not die without a fight.

[vigilantics]

[ ... steph can't really blame her for that, honestly. ]

How do the two of you even... know each other?

[themodsgrimm]

We...

[She closes her eyes, her brow furrowing.]

We're the Tiger and the Dragon, destined to battle.

[Tiger pauses, frowning as she seems to think deeper, or try to, anyway.]

I don't remember all the details. It feels like things have always been this way, even though I know they weren't. I don't believe...she was who I started this war with, but she stepped in, and it's been her ever since.

[She opens her eyes, but stares down at a space on the floor, seeming frustrated--possibly with herself.]

It's not important anymore.

[vigilantics]

[ oh that's... interesting. steph wasn't expecting tiger to struggle like that. ]

But... if somehow else managed to leave the war... maybe you guys can too?

[themodsgrimm]

It doesn't matter if we do. Everyone is gone now.

[...]

I remember that much, at least.

[vigilantics]

... can I ask who "everyone" is?

[themodsgrimm]

Everyone from before--from home.

[vigilantics]

... that would have been a really long time ago, right?

[themodsgrimm]

Right. Too long ago for me to properly remember.

[As Steph just saw for herself.]

[vigilantics]

Do you guys even remember why you're at war?

[themodsgrimm]

It's difficult. I remember some of the why, and some of the how...I remember what I was thinking and what I wanted, but I can't necessarily fit the pieces together.

[Like looking through a photo album with missing pages.]

But what I wanted back then and the reasons for it, even if they've been rendered inconsequential now...I have no choice but to continue forward. I forged this path for myself, and stepping away from it now...no, I can't even fathom it.

[vigilantics]

[ ... ]

Because it's all that you know now?

[themodsgrimm]

It's all I know and it's all that I have.

[vigilantics]

..,

You guys seriously got a shitty deal.

[themodsgrimm]

Won't argue with that.

[She hates it! :) ]