don't wait for a knight in shinin' armor, your savior's reflected in the mirror

[perpend]

[That sure was a fucking thing. That execution was a fucking thing. Those secrets are a fucking thing.

Cabanela retreats to his room, but not for all that long. Everyone will get a note eventually, written in very neat handwriting

I do not plan on bowing down to threats and intimidation. If you did not act, it means you were, like me, aware of the risk, but decided against it. Your reasons are entirely your own.

Join me in the dining room if you agree enough is enough, and that you won't acquiesce to threats. I don't plan to let this stop me, and neither should you.

-C

In the dining room itself, Cabanela has set up coffee and tea for those who want it-- there's no food, because to be honest, he doesn't know how to cook. Two more candles have been lit-- he wasn't really sure what to do about the whole... parasite thing... so Fern's candle will have to make due.]

Comments

[notaccurate]

Even though your secret is...

[Luca never thought that Estelle could have done something particularly bad, but that secret was especially worrying.]

[firstaid]

[At that she bows her head a bit.]

I... already knew all of this. It's just a fact I've accepted.

[And something she may potentially die for.]

[notaccurate]

But why is you being alive killing your world?

[firstaid]

My power. Every time I used it, it was only causing my world harm. I... didn't know. I... also killed someone with my power to heal others.

[A poison is what she is...]

[notaccurate]

Oh.

[That's...awkward.]

Though I suppose if it's just your powers that cause it, and not you, you could just avoid using your powers.

[He's not even going to address that 'killing someone' part because how the hell do you kill someone with healing?]

[firstaid]

I... I wish I could but it's such a habit now.

[Her friends try to stop her, and sometimes they do, but really... it's difficult to not want to heal someone in front of her.]

Do I just let someone injured stay injured where there's something I can do about it?

[notaccurate]

Do you not know basic first aid?

[Estelle. Estelle, honey. There's middle ground between 'let them suffer' and 'use magic to help.']

[firstaid]

I do, but it's beyond just basic first aid that they need usually. They need healing magic.

[She definitely knows the difference even if she'll use her magic to heal a scratch.]

[notaccurate]

Are there no other healers in your world?

[firstaid]

There are, but I'm healing artes are powerful and... I don't charge.

[Most healers charge a stupid amount.]

[notaccurate]

[He sort of just. Stops for a moment.]

You don't- you mean, you take food and shelter as a barter for your skills?

[Admittedly that would let her help more people, he could see her doing something like that.]

[firstaid]

[She shakes her head.]

Even that I don't take. If someone is injured... I-I just heal them because people should be kind to one another. People seem upset when I heal them at first because they think I'm going to charge them money, but that's not what I want. I... just like being thanked.

[notaccurate]

How do you stay fed and clothed, then? Don't tell me you use magic to make those sorts of things.

[firstaid]

Sometimes kind people do give us money for our services. Generally, when we're running low we will accept it or if we're honestly taking a job, then we will accept the payment.

[notaccurate]

[He nods in understanding.]

Alright, I see now. I was beginning to worry that you were helping others at the expense of your own security, but it sounds like you have a handle on things.

[firstaid]

Well, yes. Generally Yuri takes care of these things since sometimes I do rush into situations to help others.

[She'd be dead without him, really.]

[notaccurate]

[Of course she has someone to handle everything for her. Of course.

Luca sighs.]

It sounds like you need to learn a bit about taking care of yourself, then. As nice as it is for Yuri to look out for you, you still should know how to handle finances and such.

Fortunately, you just happen to know someone who speaks the language of bank accounts.

[firstaid]

Do I?

[She ponders...]

Yuri can be pretty stingy with money sometimes, so is he the one?

[I'm so sorry for her, Luca.]

1/2

[notaccurate]

[That. That short-circuits Luca's brain for a moment. Because nobody can be that fucking dense-]

2/2

[notaccurate]

[But no, it's Estelle. Of course she's that dense, she wouldn't troll him like that on purpose. So he sighs and runs a hand through his hair before answering.]

No, it's not Yuri. I was referring to myself.

[firstaid]

[For as smart as she really is, yes she can be dense at times. Like she could actually troll on purpose.]

Oh, are you rather good with finances? Perhaps I should learn from you, then!

[She claps her hands together like nothing was wrong and she didn't say anything wrong. Because she doesn't know she said anything wrong.]

[notaccurate]

[Guuuuurl]

Well, I did marry into a family of merchants.

[firstaid]

Oh, you're married, Luca?

[Well, that changed that conversation fast...!]

[notaccurate]

Yes, I am.

[He holds up his left hand, and look there he has a wedding ring on!]

[firstaid]

What's she like?

[She loves hearing about couples, kk.]