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[skitter]

Comments

[skitter]

Really.

[She tilts her head at her.]

You still have it. You're still one argument away from using it.

[citizendetective]

So what, you want me to put it in my cabin?

[skitter]

[Taylor holds out a hand, open.]

[citizendetective]

... Wait, seriously? How can I trust you to give it back?

[skitter]

[She drops the hand, tapping her crayon against the table quietly.]

So we don't trust each other. It's good that's clear.

[citizendetective]

No, obviously that's not true. It's just a question.

[skitter]

Wouldn't be a question if you did.

[citizendetective]

It's tit for tat, Taylor. That's all. I'm just-- rising to the example you're setting!

[skitter]

I'm not sitting here holding a weapon I've already threatened you with once.

[citizendetective]

Well, calling it a weapon is really extreme.

[skitter]

It's not. You're armed and it's stupid to pretend you're not.

[citizendetective]

You're so--

[Can she call her an infuriating pain in the butt? Would the Nurse consider that too mean? No, better not risk it.

God, this place really is terrible sometimes.

Misty pulls out the wearable and plunks it down on the table between them.]

There.

[skitter]

[Taylor looks at it, chewing her lip with a faint nod. It's not like she's not tempted to snatch it. But she doesn't.

[She'd rather talk her into giving it up.]

I've been paralyzed before. It's violence, won't ever be anything else.

[citizendetective]

Somebody at home did it to you with their powers?

[skitter]

[She holds her hand up to about mid-chest.]

First time, broken spine. Almost drowned, but it was worse lying in the hospital tent afterwards. Second time-

[There's an unpleasant feeling up the back of her neck, and she turns, looking to see if anyone's come in. No, not here. But it might be someone she's seeing through the bugs. They don't naturally congregate, so she doesn't get any good views. She's quieter when she turns back, twiddling the crayon.]

Second time was gas. Couldn't even blink.

[citizendetective]

[The second time sounds like it might be a secret, or at least something she's sensitive about. Misty takes a seat across from her, leaning in.]

That sucks.

[skitter]

[Giving out something like that always seems to smooth off Misty's edges.]

It's not great. And the second person is here.

[citizendetective]

The one you said I shouldn't make nice with, or you'd never speak to me again?

[skitter]

[An affirmative little flick of her brows, not even a nod.] Right. Her.

[citizendetective]

Yunlan's paired with her; did you know that?

[skitter]

[Taylor's head jerks up, pupils suddenly pinpricks.]

What?

[citizendetective]

[Ah, being the purveyor of juicy gossip. It always perks her up.]

It's true! Oh, and he told me, obviously; I haven't spoken with her.

[skitter]

Fox.

[Her hand actually shakes as it goes to her hair, to the long scar that crosses her scalp nearly from ear to ear. It's visible as she anxiously scratches at it.]

I have to talk to him. Without her knowing.

[citizendetective]

It'll be hard. I mean, she can keep track of him. She can basically show up wherever he is, whenever she wants.

But I could help.

[skitter]

[Taylor nods, and standing, reaches suddenly to snatch a butterfly off the nearest wall. Its wing gets a bit crumpled, but it's still alive as she hands it over to Misty.]

You can. I'm going to find him, you find her. When you're near her, don't do anything to get her attention, but crush this. That- fork, no, my range isn't that wide.

[She shakes her head, frustrated, almost frantic.] Just message me something inconsequential. Doesn't matter what. Just give me a range on how far away from me she is when you do, one to ten.