Zipper was quiet for a bit. Finally, she said: “I get it. I really get it, but there’s nothing left to say: save for your real last words. Last chance, no takebacks this time, Ray.”
And then Yana opened her mouth and told her a truth.
And then another.
Zipper responded with a cuss, but she didn’t scorch her head off then and there. They started talking, the ether missile coming perilously close a few times, but the spell never made its target. Partway through, Zipper took the book and put her in her pocket, and Yana did not object one bit. There was even laughter again, brief chuckles sandwiched between tense moments, and then nothing.
When backup arrived later, all they would see and report was a tussle -allegedly the first one- between the two women, followed by the archer escaping on a boat down to Foster’s after a brief but violent duel. The Bay’s authorities would be informed, of course, but it was done: Rayna was out of Etzos. Zipper’s injuries were extensive but not life-threatening; she had given her all for the state and came up short - humiliating but could you really fault her? She gave it her all.
No, she managed to fuck her way out of the army and into the Black Guard on her own half an arc later.
But every once in a while she would get a letter from Andaris from a certain R, and she would write back...
What were friends for, after all, if not to be used and used in turn?
And then Yana opened her mouth and told her a truth.
And then another.
Zipper responded with a cuss, but she didn’t scorch her head off then and there. They started talking, the ether missile coming perilously close a few times, but the spell never made its target. Partway through, Zipper took the book and put her in her pocket, and Yana did not object one bit. There was even laughter again, brief chuckles sandwiched between tense moments, and then nothing.
When backup arrived later, all they would see and report was a tussle -allegedly the first one- between the two women, followed by the archer escaping on a boat down to Foster’s after a brief but violent duel. The Bay’s authorities would be informed, of course, but it was done: Rayna was out of Etzos. Zipper’s injuries were extensive but not life-threatening; she had given her all for the state and came up short - humiliating but could you really fault her? She gave it her all.
No, she managed to fuck her way out of the army and into the Black Guard on her own half an arc later.
But every once in a while she would get a letter from Andaris from a certain R, and she would write back...
What were friends for, after all, if not to be used and used in turn?
