[There's a long, tense silence on Rey's end for a few seconds, as she mulls over her next words carefully.]
Were you aware of Shadow's history of violence? Of assaulting civilians unprovoked, as well as harassing and blackmailing them? Am pretty sure that at least one of those things was made very public for everyone to see.
[Referring to the incident with Kain, that is. One that Shadow had no qualms to imply was done intentionally.]
Was told this in confidence, so am not at liberty to give you the full details. Mostly because the concerned party was afraid of what Shadow might do to them.
Think this goes without saying, but you probably shouldn't use Shadow for any "contingency plans" anymore. It's bad enough that he has attacked and intimidated someone into silence. Not to mention his naming you in front of the one person we don't want going after the Guard again was stupid and careless and puts us in a shit position.
[Sigh. Her tone gets lower, changes when she continues:] He's your friend, but as long as someone like that is connected to the Guard in any way, I don't want to be a part of it. Shadow is a liability we can't afford to have.
[Maketh doesn't say anything for a long time. There's nothing to say. She made a mistake in trusting Shadow. He's dead and the Guard is in bad position now. That's only the truth.]
[Honestly, Rey was expecting more pushback, considering how Maketh reacted to Shadow's death, so she finds herself surprised to be in ready agreement. After all, it is very much like rubbing salt into the wound.]
Thanks -- for listening. For what it's worth, I'm sorry it ended up this way. It's a shit thing, what happened, but we need you to keep a level head.
["Unless you'd like to stab me again" -- except that even Rey has the sense not to joke about that right now.]
I see. Perhaps he merely waited for me to arrive first.
[Henry falls quiet, then sighs heavily after a moment. He didn't think that Maketh and Shadow were so close that her desire for vengeance would be so furious.
So perhaps there is more to it. The conversation he had with Nick before coming here has made him question his doubts about the whole incident that started this.
He wishes he did not have to ask, and hates that he cannot be certain without doing so.]
...Maketh. Be there more to Sato's accusations than mere falsehood?
Shoot him in the head with a small caliber weapon. Then cripple him. Put you in command.
[There would be no place in the Guard for her after that. But someone had to teach Sato a lesson, so he'd know they were serious. So he'd know he couldn't attack her men.]
[The term puzzles him, but that does not change his opinion. He frowns, worry in the gaze that he rests upon her.]
Sacrifice should be one's absolute last resort. I am [he pauses, searching for the right word] dismayed by how hastily you turn to it at the expense of all other options. Your determination to act alone...
[Henry says it precisely because he loves her, and because she makes that same decision again and again. Even now she seems to think that she can keep the Guard safe only at cost to herself, rather than fighting alongside them.]
[She bumps her head against his shoulder. Stars, she's tired. All these things have spiraled out of control and she fears raising her head to see where they have finally fallen. And she's disappointed Henry again. She made him worry.]
[Henry continues to stroke Maketh's hair tenderly. For a brief moment for what, precisely? sits heavily on the tip of tongue, and he can all but taste the bitterness of those words. But she is vulnerable and he does not truly want to hurt her, so the dissipate as quickly as they formed.
He nods instead, acknowledging her apology.]
No vile deed was done. That is what matters.
[It's not exactly all right — this has become a terrible mess of a birthday — but it is what it is. He will take care of her because he wants to. His deep affection for her is not conditional.
But no small part of him wishes that he was in France, tipsy and laughing with Edward, or in Northumberland, utterly drunk in their private rooms and tussling with Ralph while Alan and Margaret placed bets.
Anywhere than this wretched city.]
Rest, sister. Enough has happened today. Our remaining concerns can wait.
[I'll be better, Maketh wants to say. I won't do it again, I'll find another way. But those words ring too close to empty and she's not certain - not really - that she won't falter again. She hates knowing that about herself, that she hesitates when it matters most. Either she cannot commit to an act or she swears to the wrong one entirely. She wants to do right by the Guard and Henry - stars, she wants so badly not to disappoint him - but--
Well. What she intends is not always what she does. And that is entirely on her.
She's sorry. She even told him so, for all the good it does. Apologies are confusing things for Maketh - why would words change things when the deed has already been done - but she tried, nonetheless.
Perhaps it helped.
She closes her eyes.]
Edward would be proud of you.
[For all that he is and for all that, when it really matters, he refuses to bend.]
When someone who first earned my respect with her quick analysis and negotiation is neglecting basic essentials for functioning, I find that very concerning, Maketh.
[Because this is a far cry from the clever Maketh she first met.]
Are you planning on going after Sato for what he did?
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