indispensible | fifteen. video. i'm building an empire & now i'm never gonna look back.

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fifteen. video. i'm building an empire & now i'm never gonna look back.

[Vin was a silent, solitary, curious presence in Amsterdam for the last few days, walking alone through the busiest streets and emptiest neighborhoods. She found she wasn't afraid of crowds anymore during this time, that any residual discomfort she had about masses of people had evaporated when Stark graduated. People are only people, she thinks; they can do ugly things, terrible things, but they are generally comprehensible, no longer something strange that she feels poorly equipped to decipher.]

[The trouble with Amsterdam, though, was that it wasn't home. She found herself thinking (while navigating public transit, then just giving up and walking) of what Spook told her during the glitch, of what he showed her, of Elendel growing, of how she could tend it like the flowers in Zane's garden. Of how it could become a wonder.]

[She wants to become with it. In the end, it's actually a very easy decision.]

[She broadcasts video, one dog at either side of her, the glass butterfly on her shoulder. They'll be coming with her, of course; almost everything else will stay here. She's calm when she speaks, composed, although still clearly unused to too much speaking to too many people.]

I'm leaving.

The reason I came here to the Barge - made a deal with the Admiral - was for my husband. His name is Elend. He died with me, before, and now he'll be alive with me again. Our world that was was a dark place, a decaying place, and now it's growing.

I'm not afraid of what it's capable of becoming anymore. And he's there. That's why I'm going back. I think . . . it might be a good place for wardens to come sometimes, to breathe. I think you'd be welcome there.

I need - if it's possible, for someone to save a message for me. For Nathan Wuornos. Please.

. . . I have weapons that I want to give away. Knives and daggers, metal and glass - I'm keeping the ceramic ones, Zane - and I'll be around for the afternoon, so if anyone wants them, or wants them but needs a lesson. I'll be here. And then I'll go.

That's all. Thank you.

Goodbye.

private; ben

Ben,

I had to leave. I hope you understand. Sometimes it's time for things to happen, and it was time for this to happen.

I want you to know I'll be gone for a while. But sometime, if you want, you should come to Elendel. I'll be alive again, so I can show you our dances, and you can meet people if you want to, or I can just show you the rooftops if you want that instead.

Goodbye. You're very brave. It was good to know you.

- Vin.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'll be happy to take those weapons off your hands.

[Grin.]

Edited (THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE not public oops) 2014-11-14 19:19 (UTC)

You want all of them? That's greedy.

[Shrug.]

Whatever you're willing to give me is fine. Any would be better than what I have.

[Which would be none.]

Arthas wants some. But you can have most of them.

[She's so gracious.]

But to get them, you have to come say goodbye to me. [Because a big part of her is concerned that he won't without bribery.]

[She's right about the bribery. He's not used to being able to say goodbye, this is going to be hard.]

Yeah. All right. I'll be right over.

[There's a pause.]

Actually, did you want to come over here instead?

[By every other circumstance he wouldn't allow anyone even near his room. Which is why everything is rigged with traps (which he'll start disabling... now). But she's leaving. For good. He doesn't really care anymore.]

Yes.

[Breathless, relieved.]

Yes, I do.

Just bring the weapons over, then.

... And knock when you get here.

[Just in case.]

Okay.

[And she hangs up, gathering everything up quickly - not out of any rush to get away from here, because she knows she can take her time now she's made her decision, but because she's afraid Kylar will change his mind if she doesn't hurry. The metal knives are wrapped up in a cloth and tucked under her arm. She leaves the dogs in her cabin. They can wait for a little while.]

[When she gets to Kylar's door, she knocks twice, one soft and one loud.]

[He's cleared most of the traps when he hears the knock. So why is he still nervous? Peoples rooms are supposed to reflect home for them, his is a safe house, one of many his master had in Cenaria. The walls have painted outlines in rows of weapons he doesn't have. Shelves are lined with any poisons and herbs he's gathered. Everything is labeled, everything has a place. Safe houses become unsafe when others can potentially find them. Despite being on the Barge the idea is echoing in his mind and he realizes the paranoia is completely unfounded.

He opens the door with a wide gesture and a smile, as if it were a fancy noble's estate in appearance and didn't look like a hole in an attic of an abandoned building.]

Welcome!

Watch your step.

[He says with a wink.]

[She is not surprised at the state of his safe house. She wouldn't be surprised to know about the traps, either. In fact, it all looks distressingly similar to Camon's hideout. For a moment she frowns - at the memories, really, not at what she's looking at right now - then slips inside. Her eyes stay on the floor, as per instructions.]

I've never been in here. [Stating the obvious, a touch reproachfully; but really she understands. It's like being naked.]

[He scratches the back of his head as he closes the door behind her.]

No one has.

This was one of the safehouses in Ceneria city. Baron Stern had a room at Count Drake's manor. But I guess this is mine, now.

[He shrugs and then walks over to a table near the center of the small room. There's barely any furniture to be seen. A desk, a bed stuffed with straw, a chest in the corner, and a training dummy that's been torn apart and sewn back together countless times. Everything is neat and impeccably tidy.]

You can just put any of the weapons on the table, if you want.

[He pauses, thinking to say something more and then shakes his head against it.]

[She arches her eyebrows at him. This is how it's going to be then; like some kind of transaction. Not what she wants, but if it's what he wants . . . she supposes it might be good enough. Maybe. At least she gets to see him one more time.]

[And it's not like she wouldn't be angry if the tables were turned.]

[Slowly, she moves toward the table and places three knives on it, all good modern steel, then backs away in silence.]

[He knows he's being an ass, but good byes are not his strong suit. He usually never gets the opportunity for them and death is always involved so how is he supposed to handle this? She's not dying. She's dong the complete opposite. As crappy and disappointed as he feels to lose a friend here, he knows it's the wrong feeling. How selfish. He should be happy for her and here he is putting a wedge between them to make things easier.]

These are pretty nice. Thanks.

[He smiles, picks one up for weight and balance. As he puts it back on the table the smile flips to a frown.]

I know you have to go, I thought you would have a while ago. I guess it just feels sudden.

[He sighs. Feels sudden? What a terrible excuse. Somehow he's going to screw the one good bye he has up. He just knows it.]

I'll miss you.

[Her expression doesn't soften, exactly. She doesn't think being soft towards Kylar is appropriate. They are not soft people, or kind people; they're hardened by the lives they've lived, the lives that are evident in their surroundings. In this cabin, she can see her own life reflected in his. She wishes sometimes that they were not so similar, but the rest of the time she imagines it might be a gift.]

[She holds onto her upper arms, hugging herself as though she's cold.]

I'll miss you, Kylar.

I'm - not sorry, only - I know it's sudden. That's the only way I can do it. I'm not good at - slow things. Graceful things. So this is how it is.

But you have to remember me. And now . . . now you have things to remember me by.

[His memories would last longer than the daggers, but he can't explain that. He frowns.]

You know, I have nothing to give you in return.

Edited (Words are hard.) 2014-11-23 04:14 (UTC)

[Her eyes widen in confusion. Shaking her head no, she takes a step forward, darts her hand out to touch his wrist, then draws it away.]

That's not true. You gave me something already.

[An incredulous stare. He has a pretty good memory, or so he thought. But he can't recall ever giving her anything. Ever.]

What? When?

[Now she rolls her eyes at him.]

You were my friend.

[Were?]

Oh.

So you think I'll forget you, but you're not going to forget me. Is that it?

[He raises his eyebrows at that one.]

[She shrugs.]

It's easier to forget the important things when you're not free.

[It strikes a small nerve.]

I don't forget my friends, Vin.

My memories will last a lot longer than these daggers will, I guarantee it.

[She gives a small smile, nevertheless.]

They're very good daggers.

[She really is sorry, but she has to tease.]

[Now he is rolling his eyes.]

That's not the point and you know it.

[She sobers up a little.]

I'm sorry. I mean it.

I just don't know what else to do. How to say goodbye.

Then, maybe we shouldn't. Maybe I'll visit.

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