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[longwillows]

reach out?

the smell of fresh water in dry desert air. the feeling of cautious curiosity. a place as dangerous as it is resplendent.

c

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[zauns]

I would be perfectly comfortable without learning any of that. But I suppose that if we can't prevent it, we may as well learn from it. Her powers in the waking world may be more limited, but not by much, it seems.

[A sigh, tinged with annoyance.]

If we're lucky, none of this preparation will be necessary. But it's better to over-prepare than to be caught without defenses. You seem capable of taking care of yourself, but if things go bad, come to the Nest. We'll manage.

[longwillows]

Good to warn his tethers of potential danger, regardless. My strongest ones took the worst of the splash damage.

[She still feels bad about that, just a drop of extra weight upon the Murmur.

But anyway.] I seem capable, hm? Considerable praise, coming from someone so organized!

[zauns]

You survived Sleep's personal torment, so if you're actually completely useless in every other way, don't tell me. I'd rather think well of you.

[A faint trace of amusement, in that.]

And I appreciate the information. Hopefully it won't end up being necessary.

[longwillows]

[And it echoes back in a chime of laughter much softer than her raucous mirth prior.] Mm, there goes my shot at the "being underestimated" play.

[While she holds much back over the Murmur, there is no veil or obfuscation this time; it's clearly a joke.]

I don't typically demand a price for my services, but I would appreciate an exchange of information, if you're willing to hear out a few questions about this whole thing.

[zauns]

I can't promise I'll be able to answer them, [or that he'll necessarily be willing to, even if he can] but go ahead and ask.

[longwillows]

[Oh, he is not going to answer her questions.

Joyfully, she asks anyway.] Mm, I wouldn't call our associate open, but he's certainly direct, isn't he?

Any ideas as to why he sent a messenger instead of telling me this himself?

[zauns]

Needless to say, he's juggling quite a few things right now. I offered to take on the task of warning you all so that he had one less thing to focus on.

[Which is somewhat true, at least, though it leaves out the actual reason Silco volunteered: he has no weird moral code against lying.]

It seemed the neighborly thing to do.

[longwillows]

[Her mind drifts to Greed hanging batlike to the plants outside her window. The slow purpose in his body language as he looked at her paintings. Painfully genuine in his investment, despite all his attempts to the contrary.]

Very thoughtful of you, Mister Ambition. I guess you don't mind as much, being the bearer of bad news.

[Canny, knowing, but not angry. She doesn't know Greed's plan, doesn't know all the ways it could go wrong (or right,) but she's no fool. Rebels rarely come back in one piece, if they come back at all.]

[zauns]

I've got quite a knack for it.

[In that Silco doesn't especially care what anyone thinks about him. If Greed's friends get angry at him, it won't hurt his feelings. What few he has.]

But he'll be fine. He's the sort who survives. He'll be bothering you again before long, I'm sure.

[longwillows]

Ha! Takes a lot more than that to bother me. It's all kind of cute, honestly.

[She says this, of course, knowing full well that Greed would be bothered if he heard it. Because she is going to be so, so annoying if he survives whatever ridiculous thing he's going to do.]

I won't ask for an exact timeframe here, lest our jealous overlord comes to check in on her favorite little fox, but I assume I can expect trouble fairly soon?

[zauns]

‘Cute’ is one word for it, I suppose.

[Maybe not the one Silco would use.]

Before the end of the month, certainly. And for all we know, there could be no repercussions at all.

[Who knows how Sleep makes these decisions? Or maybe what Greed’s trying won’t go anywhere, and they’ll have all gotten worked up over nothing.]

Better to plan as if there will be, though.