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[it's left at that, with whatever bitter swill of thoughts had leaked out stoppered back up as Scarlet gets back on task, encouraged by the variety of plants around. this is...definitely not Knife's bag - they're not a fuckin' druid - but the prospect of this particular quest...]

Naha--! Finally. [she plucks a sprig of yaupon and holds it up.] This is the shit I need. There better be a whole lot of it; it's gotta last the rest of this damn trip and maybe then some.

[ Pop the stopper out more often Knife, it's healthy.

Dion cranes his little dragon neck to peer at the plant with a rattling sound that might be a hum but sounds more akin to a cat's purr. ]

You need that much of this plant?

[ He shifts his weight, leaning on the elbows of his wings. ]

I can survey the area for more.

More's better'n less, you know? I gotta be awake this whole time! [c'mon, Dion, abet in this incredibly sound idea of never fucking sleeping.]

[ He squints up at her, though it may be difficult to tell on such a small face. ]

You intend to go without sleep the entire time?

[can't tell! not looking! busy plucking!]

If I can avoid it, yeah. It's not safe!

Can you not room with someone you trust?

[ The tallest order... ]

What, like you? [she shoots a sour look.] You and your weirdo roomie? In a fae building?

[ He didn't presume she trusted him, but since that door has cracked open— ]

That is an option. He is very deviceful, and you have seen a measure of what I can do.

[ Relatively safe, no? ]

I can't do that. I, I-I cannot do that. [she gestures, then flails a bit, losing some leaves from the gesture and scrambling to recover them and stuff them into a pocket.] We're all fuckin' compromised, so there's no solid, certain...I mean, what if someone else needs your goddamn help, huh?!

I am usually responsible for far more than a few people. My dragoons vastly outnumber our ranks.

[ Don't go imagining he has a skill issue in this department. ]

I've no doubt that he wouldn't object to your company, and that would allow for improved coordination.

I don't know him. I can't trust someone I don't know, are you kidding? Just because someone's decent to you doesn't mean it'll be the same for me! [never mind that it'd be her own self-sabotage at play. like right now. always within sight of an outstretched hand, but flinching away when they realize they're reaching out.]

I would not accept anyone mistreating you in my sight, as well you know.

[ If naught else, he has recent events to point to as evidence. ]

Nothing is to stop you from becoming acquainted... Or using the room when we are not in it, for that matter. But fatigue is dangerous. In my world, it can prove lethal.

That's why I'm doing this. [she plucks another leave and wiggles it by the stem before stowing it.] I'm not gonna get fatigued. No more surprises. I've seen these twinkly fucks doing tricks on each other in lapses of focus, and I'm not. Gonna be at the butt-end of one of the worse ones.

What will it do to your body, denying it rest?

[ Scarlet is built different, but the fact that she's planning to force herself to not sleep suggests she needs it. ]

Who cares, it'll stay alive if I'm awake enough avoid fae bullshit. [sound logic.]

What if you are too exhausted to react quickly to a threat? Being awake does not mean that you'll be at your best.

[ Dion should know what difference, given his position. ]

[sourly:] It's like you don't fuckin' trust me to know what I'm doing at all or somethin' here, Dee. What the fuck.

[ Patiently: ]

I ask you for information because I care about you and this sounds concerning to me.

Yeah, well-- [huff.] I've done sleepless stakeouts before. Without potions! [for a fraction of the time BUT--] And I'm still alive. And being complacent here is not the play. This is--

[Changeling shit. maybe if they think it enough they'll be convinced of it.]

For weeks at a time?

That would be deadly to people of my world.

[ And so he must ask. ]

Maybe your people are weak shit! Look-- shut up. It's fine! It's either this, or risk sleep and waking up hexed or something new snuck into my brain! I'm not havin' more fae bullshit in my brain.

[she's emphatic, stubborn beyond the point of irrationality. this is getting done, bad idea or not, simply because she chose it. she can control it. there's precious little she can. even if it's destruction.]

Why are these the only two prospects...

[ It's more lamenting to himself than anything, tail thumping against the tree stump much like an agitated cat. He doesn't like it, and some part of him must express the sentiment. ]

[why the fuck does he care so much!! augh!!! it's stressing Knife out! they're already stressed! why do they want him to like them!?!?

irritably, still not looking at him:] I'll do two-hour stints here and there, but I'm not risking long rests, that's-that's crazy. To me. I'm not okay with this place like everyone else is and asking me to be is, is-- [she snorts.] Well, whatever. Everything I do is wrong to everyone anyway, so why not this!

[ He already does like Scartigone... ]

I would not say I am okay with this place... Yet the thought of leaving others like us trapped here is unacceptable.

[ Because, of course, he is one of those. ]

Who tells you that everything you do is wrong?

[scoff. huff. well!!!!!!]

What, like you aren't already sounding like you think I'm crazy. And I'm no snitch on other people! Even if they're assholes to me.

[except Shadow.

but like.

shut up.]