homophonic ❆ nahri

[bindings]

nahri

You're not just a memory.

CODE

Comments

[bindings]

I talked to one of them.

[a small frown.] And I watched you leave. Did they say something to upset you?

[does she have to kill an npc]

[ashmark]

No.

[ she's usually better at lying than that, and while shenhe doesn't seem like the badgering type, nahri wants to clarify anyway. ]

I thought this was going to be a con, or that I'd be able to negotiate a way out of here if they were the kidnappers. I didn't think we're all actually dead.

[bindings]

I know.

[which might be rude to say, but she doesn't mean it to be.]

But I think we must be. [...] I'm sorry.

[ashmark]

[ everyone knows, so that doesn't sting. she should have known! she should have been smarter about it! ]

I have to get out of here, Shenhe. People are going to die.

[ because oh boy there are serious implications back in daevabad with her being here. ]

[bindings]

[she hesitates.

and then she moves a little closer, resting a hand on nahri's hand. there are no stipulations like that for shenhe - she thinks that this is as good of a place as any for someone like her. but there is something that gets her quiet, locked up heart to ache, and it's this.]

Then let me ask you a question. Would you object to teaming up with me?

[ashmark]

[ she looks from their hands to shenhe's face. there's still an apparent sadness in her expression, but behind that lays a quiet determination. she's used to surviving, and this is just another thing that she has to get through. ]

No, I wouldn't.

[bindings]

[there's a certain amount of relief in the way shenhe's shoulders slump. just for a second. and then she straightens back up.]

Good. Then I will help you get back. [she says, with a fierceness that might be surprising.

... though.] I do not know who else will join us, but this can be a start.

[ashmark]

Thank you, Shenhe. [ this seems to perk her up quite a bit. ]

We have a couple days left. It doesn't matter who joins.

[ maybe this is like some military strategy thing but that isn't her strong suit. ]

[bindings]

... You're welcome, Nahri.

[and okay, this is a very serious conversation but shenhe's expression gets a little disgruntled.]

It does matter. We will not join forces with Rang Lee. [this is her only protest]

[ashmark]

[ it's something a little different in terms of shenhe's usual expression, so nahri can't help but smile. ]

What did you do?

[ she is taking this seriously, honest. ]

[bindings]

[WHAT DID YOU DO, SHE ASKS okay, fair.]

... I hit him with my sign and broke his arm. [:nyeh:]

[ashmark]

[ ok smile gone ]

You really can't stay out of trouble, can you?

[ this is more exasperated than like, actually being upset ]

[bindings]

He started it.

[NYEH]

... He also asked me to do it again. [it was horny and she hated it]

[ashmark]

[ just




the flattest look possible ]


Please refrain from beating people to death.

[bindings]

...

... I will refrain from beating people to death.

[this is oddly specific]

[ashmark]

[ nahri is aware this is a perfect rules lawyering opportunity - and in some sense, she half expected it - but she's appreciative for the tiny smidge of cooperation from this troublemaker. ]

Thank you. In exchange, I won't ask Rang Lee to team up with us.

[bindings]

[she absolutely is going to rules lawyer this but like, listen. at least she'll keep her word on this front.]

Thank you.

[she sounds genuinely relieved.]

... I suppose we will need to look for trustworthy people.

[ashmark]

[ she reclines a little a she contemplates. ]

There was one guy I met on the first day. I didn't catch his name, but I don't think he's trustworthy. He wore a cap.

It seems too early to know who to trust with your life. Or un-life, I suppose.

[bindings]

[she thinks about that for a second, trying to figure out who she might be talking about.]

Yes. I agree. [hmmm.] I have found the company of a few people enjoyable. There are two people from my world here, as well, though I hadn't met them before dying.

There are also a few people I know that have already paired themselves.

[ashmark]

Enjoyable doesn't always mean trustworthy. We don't really know what anyone is like. They could be lying.

[ yes she realizes that this is applicable to them as well but like. too late now. ]

I've gotten along with most of the people I've talked to. It just a lot to ask someone 'hey do you trust me to play a game so you can live again.'

[bindings]

[this is fair. sometimes she forgets that people can lie because she doesn't ever really do it herself. she stretches her legs out and frowns at the floor.

and then she glances up at nahri with a neutral expression.]

I asked you, and you agreed. [ok you little shit]

[ashmark]

[ she walked right into that though ]

Maybe I'm secretly a monster and you have no idea.

[bindings]

A real monster would recognize another. [she says, amused.]

[ashmark]

Please don't tell me I've made the second worse mistake of my life by pairing up with you. [ also amused ]

[bindings]

The second worse mistake. [she repeats, lips twitching.]

No. I think that your fate will stand tall and bright apart from mine.