Voicetesting and maybe going to a_facility eventually

[stillfamily]

You can't keep me here. I have things to do, people to find. [She has to find her family and stop her dream from happening.] It's unlikely that I'll find them all here, we both know that. So what you're doing is a waste of my time.

No, you cannot send to me to that torture place where you have all of those other people. He's there and that's more dangerous than anything you could possibly think of. [Pause.]

It doesn't matter that the Inspector's there alone. [Except that it kind of does.]

There are plenty of other people you want to go there so send them instead.

Comments

why must sleep happen

[stillfamily]

[Yes it is - unless he's suddenly delusional this week. Which is not the experiment.

Great, just what she needs...enabling muns.]

You are not at fault for your mun's words or mine's actions. [Tevak will just be angry with the puppet masters.]

I would not wish it on you but it seems you've been there quite a while.

Re: why must sleep happen

[inspector_link]

More than three years now. I have... grown accustomed to it.

[stillfamily]

[Okay that almost makes her want to go too.]

No one else is there besides you? [Those exorcists don't matter.]

[inspector_link]

[Nuuu, that was not his intention. :\

He seems to understand the meaning behind her question, shaking his head.]

There are other members of the Order, but none of us.

[stillfamily]

[It never works that way. Even though they went separate ways, Tevak can't just leave him.]

Now there might be two. Apparently my mun started the application last night.

[inspector_link]

[Yes, she can. Link would insist on it, in fact.

He sighs, an edge of frustration in his voice.]

There must be a way to discourage her.

[stillfamily]

[Just because he's all grown up and can make it on his own doesn't mean he should have to. They looked after each other once, they can do it again.

A shake of her head.]

There doesn't seem to be one.

[inspector_link]

[But he's already failed Tevak. More than once. What right does he have to be looked after?]

You're giving up quickly.

[stillfamily]

[He's still family and that's all there is to it.]

This is not a battle I can win at the moment. There's no chance of her being able to send me there this month. Given time she may lose interest or decide on a better candidate.

[inspector_link]

... I truly hope that she reconsiders.

[stillfamily]

[A long pause before she suddenly leans into his personal space to rest her forehead on his chest.]

Would it really be so bad -- being together again?

[inspector_link]

[Link stiffens, but doesn't back away. Not from her.]

... No.

[stillfamily]

[She stays like that. There's no need to move really.]

Things were better when we were together.

[inspector_link]

[He's not sure what to say to that. Back when they were together? When they were all simple orphans struggling to survive? When they were inducted into the Order and turned into child soldiers?

But still...]

... I would be lying if I said I didn't miss it. Then.

[stillfamily]

[The situations never mattered. Not to her. They were together and that was everything.]

We can't go back now.

[inspector_link]

[And it never used to matter to him. He's had a lot of time to... think.]

I know.

[stillfamily]

[It shouldn't matter now then either.]

If I come you have to be the one. [The one to kill her if things go to hell in a handbasket with Alma.]

[inspector_link]

[He stiffens again. Him? TThe inspector, destroy the third exorcist? Link, destroy Tevak? The closest thing he's ever had to family...

The inspector is silent for several long moments before he lifts both arms to embrace her lightly.]

It won't come to that.

[stillfamily]

[It'll be hard but if she has to die and she can't live through the other third exorcists then better to die by the hand of someone who cares for her.

His embrace is surprising but she doesn't hesitate to lift her hands and curl fingers into his shirt.]

Anything is possible.

[inspector_link]

[Don't mind him. He learned hugs while he was away.

He holds on, his grip light, but still firm.]

It goes both ways in that place. [There's always another option.]

[stillfamily]

[She knew that the capability to learn them was possible.

It's comforting, to be held.]

You have to promise. [It doesn't matter if it never happens, Tevak just needs to know that she can depend on him.]

[inspector_link]

[It hurts to think about that happening in the facility. To not have been able to save her once, and then be her end himself?

But... it's better than letting her continue that way.]

... I promise.

[And Link does not break his promises.]

[stillfamily]

[At least she won't be omnommed by anyone.

Nods against his chest then she shifts back. Gushy moment over.]

You better be alive when I get there.

[inspector_link]

[Aaaaand now we're back to formal/slightly awkward. He lets his hands drop to his sides.]

Have you no faith in me?

[stillfamily]

[Formal/slightly awkward is fine with her. Tevak takes another step back to get out of his personal space.]

You, yes. It's your mun I don't trust, she devious and wicked.

[inspector_link]

[He sighs in a bemused sort of way.]

I believe I'm safe for now. She seems... content.

[stillfamily]

I won't be surprised if she changes between now and when I can get there.

[Her mun thinks it would be kind of horrible to show up on Christmas and just in time for his birthday but there's no way she can wait that long.]

[inspector_link]

[And his is highly amused by the idea. It would be the best/worst birthday present ever. Shame it's so far off.]

... Nor would I, but her focus seems to be elsewhere for now, and that's the best I can ask for.

[stillfamily]

[Careful because it could happen, if patience holds out.]

I suppose it is considering where you are.