creator_raven | (no subject)

(no subject)

Raven's room is quiet.

He is seated on his bed, one hand twirling a bright blue feather, the other holding a book open to one particular page.

Despite the frown, he is not particularly upset--just concentrating.

He likes to keep busy.

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"You're not stupid." She can't argue the logic, it's solid.

"But I've just been sittin' here, an you're hurt, an' Mel's hurt, an' Faith's gone, an' Alanna's worried, an' Mary's trapped, an' Wash is hurt, an... all I'm doing is sittin' here. I'm not cut out t'be a bloody mascot." The hunter in her has been baying for blood long before she knew who was doing the damage, and now that she does know, her palms itch. It's torture keeping her head down.

"It does not always have to be a fight, I think."

His grin is both wry and mischievous.

"Not the straightforward kind, at any rate. Sometimes patience is best."

Raven is oddly rather good with that.

"It is a hard thing to wait until you can be best used, perhaps. But still it is better, so."

"I never have been patient." She replies, her accent clipped. "Besides," she adds, "I have duties I've been ignoring."

For all of a few weeks. Yes.

"Well, then."

Raven's gaze is still level, but tinged with wry affection.

"If that is the way of it. Duty and life are difficult to balance at the best of times, perhaps."

She ducks her head, ashamed.

She's not running to duty, she's only using it as a handy excuse to run away from a situation she's too weak or flawed to take anymore.

Raven merely reaches over and ruffles her hair.

"You will do well, I think. And you will come back. And should I grow impatient, I will find you, perhaps. It is not so difficult a thing."

He grins.

"The wings are very helpful."

She smiles at him, a weak sort of trembly smile. She's still not flying level, and probably won't, while she's allowed to sit and stew.
"I don't deserve you."

And while part of Raven flinches at that, because he truly is not a safe thing, the rest of him just smiles, and hugs his sister.

"I do not deserve you, either, perhaps. But, on occasion, luck is very kind."

Ace is notably fond of not-safe things. Much to the dismay of various persons.
"Yeah, an' t'think. The first time I metcha, I did all but tell y'flat out t'bugger off."

Raven laughs softly.

"It is wise to remember that, perhaps. 'All but' telling me off has never worked yet. It is the almost that causes problems, I think."

"Yeah, but I bet actually tellin' you does very little good either." Ace points out pragmatically.

"It is a marginal thing."

Someone is smirking.

It might be Raven.

"... What, do you ask for a demonstration or sommat?" What? With Raven, it's a logical question.

Raven considers.

"It is an interesting idea, that. Mostly laughing serves as well."

"Mmm."

She considers this.

And very suddenly he is glomped. Blame it on the instability.

"I'm sorry I can't stay." She can see how it would be. It could be fun, and good... if she had the wherewithall to stick it out.

Raven hugs her back, not quite bone-bruisingly tight, but for a moment it is very close.

"I do not build cages, Ace. You do what you must, and I shall do what I can, and we will meet in the middle, yes?"

"Yeah. I'll look forward to it."

There's a pause.

"An until I go? I'll be the best bloody mascot y've ever seen."

Mabe she can't do it long-term. But as a temporary thing, where it's needed? She can do.

Raven's arm tightens again momentarily. He is, at times, grateful for what he can get.

And he would rather not see her trapped, so.

"I do not doubt it, Ace."

It is enough.

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