...I know. Trust me, I know. [He knows how he'd have felt if someone had been there to reach out to him while he was trapped and tested on. Someone had at the end, but all his questions. All his thanks. He didn't get to say any of it.]
They haven't developed the confidence that comes from doing this for eons. Or, they're so scared they think,
[Another pause, as all the stiffness and tightness in his chest eases just a hair. The Coven has been a little strange for him. People his own age, and no need to be the leader. Finding someone who understands what it was like to be a prisoner, in a way so similar to his own. It's comforting as it is sad.]
They might think whatever they do just isn't enough to keep them safe. It's difficult to say but definitely a tactic there. It's completely the opposite from how they react or speak while I was working for them on security shifts at the hospital.
[ she doesn't necessarily respond to him about how much he understands, but it leaves her with a better feeling in her chest. she's not great with words, she never has needed to be, but knowing she doesn't need to here is important. ]
They're definitely scared. [ she adds that a bit quickly. ] But scared of us, or whatever 'magic' Qri gave us, is uncertain.
[ she exhales - tired and stressed and heavy, a noise she hasn't quite let herself make whenever she's around ruby or jade. they can't know how much this is dragging on her, so it's a rare moment for her to take. ]
They were pretty pleased to see me at first. I had to fend off pushy speeches about applying to stay as a resident of the city. Kept explaining I was on R and R with orders to return once it was over.
It changed after they became suspicious of the Coven and noticed just how many questions I actually asked during the shifts.
[If he were sitting beside her, he’d have leaned back against the wall to give her that moment to look as tired as she feels. But they can’t.]
They can’t see my signet. But they started staring at my arm. People sometimes do, but not out of fear. That threw me.
So I'm guessing they had no idea about your abilities? Do they now?
[ she assumes no, but they're still trying to figure out the connection between all of those taken. though there has been no proof at all to her abilities while she's been here.
she sighs, and there's no telling if it makes it through to shiro or not. if he can hear the exhaustion in her voice. ]
Everything they're doing seems to be out of fear, but none of it seems to be from the people. Just the authorities.
They have no idea what I can do. They think I’m a soldier which is true. [He can hear the tiredness in her voice. It pains him to know he can’t do much to ease any of her burdens. Except plan and prepare.
Shiro breathes out.]
But this talk can wait a bit. You sound tired, Riza. You should get some sleep.
A soldier is still someone to respect, especially when shown prejudice.
[ she is trying to sound alert, but the current situation has made it hard. though of course her first response to being told she sounds tired is wanting to deny it, riza holds that back, letting out a breath of her own. ]
Keep me updated if anything happens on the outside? [ aka - she's admitting defeat and going to try and get some rest. ]
[ she doesn't really have a choice, does she? she knows the limits of her body, has been through something too similar before. she has people to look after in here. ]
Thank you.
[ that's probably when she's going to go and pass out, to be perfectly honest. ]
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no subject
They haven't developed the confidence that comes from doing this for eons. Or, they're so scared they think,
[Another pause, as all the stiffness and tightness in his chest eases just a hair. The Coven has been a little strange for him. People his own age, and no need to be the leader. Finding someone who understands what it was like to be a prisoner, in a way so similar to his own. It's comforting as it is sad.]
They might think whatever they do just isn't enough to keep them safe. It's difficult to say but definitely a tactic there. It's completely the opposite from how they react or speak while I was working for them on security shifts at the hospital.
no subject
They're definitely scared. [ she adds that a bit quickly. ] But scared of us, or whatever 'magic' Qri gave us, is uncertain.
[ she exhales - tired and stressed and heavy, a noise she hasn't quite let herself make whenever she's around ruby or jade. they can't know how much this is dragging on her, so it's a rare moment for her to take. ]
How did they react when you worked for them?
no subject
It changed after they became suspicious of the Coven and noticed just how many questions I actually asked during the shifts.
[If he were sitting beside her, he’d have leaned back against the wall to give her that moment to look as tired as she feels. But they can’t.]
They can’t see my signet. But they started staring at my arm. People sometimes do, but not out of fear. That threw me.
no subject
[ she assumes no, but they're still trying to figure out the connection between all of those taken. though there has been no proof at all to her abilities while she's been here.
she sighs, and there's no telling if it makes it through to shiro or not. if he can hear the exhaustion in her voice. ]
Everything they're doing seems to be out of fear, but none of it seems to be from the people. Just the authorities.
no subject
Shiro breathes out.]
But this talk can wait a bit. You sound tired, Riza. You should get some sleep.
no subject
[ she is trying to sound alert, but the current situation has made it hard. though of course her first response to being told she sounds tired is wanting to deny it, riza holds that back, letting out a breath of her own. ]
Keep me updated if anything happens on the outside? [ aka - she's admitting defeat and going to try and get some rest. ]
no subject
If anything happens, I’ll call.
no subject
Thank you.
[ that's probably when she's going to go and pass out, to be perfectly honest. ]