indispensible | one. spam & voice. spread love like violence.

[There's no question in Vin's mind about reading through the file several times. There's also no question of letting Stark see it. He knows what's in it. She is not all that surprised herself, not about the generalities. The specifics hurt more than she thought they would.]

[Hell. And - Alice.]

[She knows his habits well enough by now that she can track him down quickly. He's on the deck. She wrinkles her nose again; he's smoking.]

Stark.

[If he'd wanted to be James, he would have said that from the start.]

public } voice

[While her voice isn't hesitant, it's definitely quiet. She still doesn't quite understand the point of the network, but now that she's been paired it'd probably be more noticeable not to say something.]

I'm Vin. I arrived here a few weeks ago, and I've spoken to - some of you. I'm a warden.

[She considers leaving it at that, but decides against it.]

I'd like to know about other people's worlds. I don't know very much about Earth, but that's not where I'm from. So it would be useful.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Did I ask you to?

In the past you've wanted things of me that you didn't say.

And what good has that done?

It got you dead.

Maybe it surprises you, but I actually understand that. I was there.

You didn't understand it then.

What does even mean? Here, in this place, with you, what does that mean? Because I don't trust you.

It means you don't think I owe you anything.

See. You know things about me, but you don't know anything about me.

No one, in our world or this place or anywhere else, owes me anything.

Well, I don't want anything from you.

I don't want anything you have to give.

...what does that mean?

It means we're even.

You don't know me either.

No. I don't.

I know Iris knows you.

She likes me. She doesn't understand the things I do. There's a difference.

Trying to isolate me here won't make a difference, you know. I don't care. There's no one here to fight for but Stark, and it's not nearly the same.

What?

[ This accusation is, to him, utterly out of the mist, completely unexpected. ]

Isolate you?

Yes.

She knew me. My business. Warned me away from you, as if she thought my first task coming here would be to kill you again. Almost threatened me.

You misunderstood her. She was just worried.

I wasn't trying to sabotage you. I don't want you here because I don't want you to take away what I've built or the people I care about. I don't want you to get close to them and make them care about you instead.

She was worried because of what you said. That I hate you.

I don't hate you. But you won't manipulate me again, and I won't change myself to suit your needs. What other people do as a result isn't my choice.

No. You're not allowed to say that. I fought for this, Vin! I fought every single day to draw a line between myself and what Ruin tried to make me. I fought to learn how to care and have friends and family that means something real, not just the people who hurt you. And you can't step into that and not care about what it does. You can't come here and take Kelsier away from me and say what you did doesn't matter because it was Kelsier's choice.

I'm not taking anyone from you. Not Kelsier. Not anyone. Even if I was - I never said it doesn't matter.

But you just said we don't owe each other anything. Do you think I owe you compassion, Zane? Do you think I owe you concern?

If Iris knew you, she would love you. And who's to say there aren't others here who'd rather have someone like me who isn't - insane, who doesn't have to force herself not to kill everyone she meets -

[ He stops himself, his chest tight and his breath short with panic. ]

Wardens and inmates should respect each other.

It's not compassion, it's just not stopping me from having this chance.

I don't respect you.

[She is breathing slowly, now, tin on even in the safety of her room; there is a bruise on her cheek, and she feels as though there is someone standing behind her, and she is staying so calm. Not for Zane. For herself.]

I don't respect you yet.

I won't change for you. But I won't get in your way, either. I was never going to.

You already have.

[ Gotten in his way. When she got here, all he wanted to do was step over the side. ]

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