efface | ic inbox.

[ She debates sending this, rewriting and deleting several times before finally sending something. ]

Thank you, by the way. For treating Percival's wounds.

Of course.

[ the response is almost immediate. she can understand how difficult this can be to say, sometimes. ]

I'm here if either of you need me. I meant that.

The same goes to you, as well. We all have to look out for one another.

[ She knows that her group has, for the most part, checked in. But in her grief, she hasn't really paid attention to the others beyond Percival. So there's only a brief hesitation before: ]

I know my exploration party has mostly returned. Have you heard anything from the others yet?

[ ..She doesn't even know who went where. She needs to change that. ]

Looking out for each other is going to be the only way we survive this.

[ riza doesn't....want to think about what's still on her mind. always on her mind. the others have checked in, the ones who haven't.

it's a few moments until riza responds to that question, each passing one feeling harder to push through. ]

There are a few who have gone missing, but it's unclear if they're lost down there or.

[ you know, the alternative.

god she needs a drink. ]

I don't have a complete list yet, but I know Shiro said he hasn't heard from Pidge or Allura. And Roy hasn't checked in.

[ she doesn't even know if vex knows any of those names, but she gives them anyway. ]

[ She doesn't know those names, or in the very least, the Allura referenced here isn't hers; there's no way that she'd have missed the presence of the blonde mage. ]

It's the only way members of my group got out from the lower levels. Sheryl was mostly in one piece but, shaken. I'm not sure where Mollymauk went. And Shiro and I helped patch one another up.

[ And she has Percy here, curled around her, unwilling to be parted again. Looking out only for each other, for the next few hours anyway.

Her fingers twitch, as she tries, perhaps for the first time, to write a loss she does know. It's a long time in coming. ]

It knew how to scatter us. How to herd people where it wanted. Trinket

Down there, it

If any are other fallen, I hope it was quick.

[ there is so much about what vex is saying that riza could comment on. more they could say, or talk about.

but vex starts talking about the monster, mentions trinket, and her chest tightens painfully. ]

I'm so sorry, Vex.
If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know.

You helped Percy. That's been enough.

Anything more, then.

[ It's a good ten minutes before there's a reply. ]

I'll think about it.

You know where to find me.

ic inbox.

text; about an hour after responding to Riza's network post

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