→ text (a little bit forward dated)

[controlledvariable]

[The message today is in text, because she doesn't want anyone to hear how her voice shakes or see how exhausted she is.]

I know there's a lot going on right now, so I'll keep this quick.

Anyone who knew Ellie Linton, she's gone back to her own war, about ten days ago, so if you were worried about not having seen her around, that's why. Sorry for not contacting people privately, it was a little hard to keep up with who all she knew.

[And maybe there's part of her that just didn't want to deal with having the same conversation over and over again.

This is easier.]

For our new arrivals: my name's Steph, welcome to our temporary moon base, feel free to get in touch if there's anything I can help with. This is my tenth month since arriving, so I know a thing or two.

I also wouldn't mind some sparring partners. Or if anyone wants to learn how to fight, I know about twenty different martial arts styles and I'm happy to teach people to defend themselves. Anything to help keep busy.

That's it from me, have a nice day, everyone.

Comments

[1/??]

[troublemancy]

skjbdvksjvGUG

[2/??]

[troublemancy]

Ste

ph

[3/4]

[troublemancy]

[It switches briefly to video and Kelsier's eye is too close to the camera, before he pulls back, and then stares at the device, turning it around and around.]

Hello!

[4/4]

[troublemancy]

[Somehow he's got it on audio now.]

Hello, Stephanie! I'd be happy to spar with you.

audio; private

[controlledvariable]

[Oh, Kelsier.

She'll use audio just for you.]

Hey, Kelsier. [there's a smile in her voice, even if she sounds tired.] You know how to fight?

[She doesn't sound too surprised, considering how he moves, how he handled that knife, but it doesn't hurt to double check.]

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[troublemancy]

[Not only fighting, but killing. It was what Mistborn were - assassins. Hunters. Kelsier had taken to it with ruthless efficiency, he'd already been an excellent thief, all that was added to his arsenal were knives and a thirst for vengeance.]

Ah — yes. My style is very unorthodox.

audio; private

[controlledvariable]

Describe unorthodox.

[ (unsure) ]

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[troublemancy]

[Apologetic (well, a little):] I can dodge... effectively.

audio; private

[controlledvariable]

[That is a bullshit answer, sir.]

I guess I'll find out what that even means when we actually spar, huh?

audio; private

[troublemancy]

[Mistborn needn't make sense! Or tell the truth 8D. Honestly, even at home, they aren't open about their status as Allomancers. It makes them targets, and they are meant to be the hunters.]

I suppose you will. Do we have keeps around here, or do you use these small rooms?

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[controlledvariable]

I've been using the virtual simulation rooms, you can create whatever you want in them.

[She's gonna have to explain how they work again, isn't she?]

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[troublemancy]

[Luckily he adapts quickly.]

That's very useful. You can practice keeping vigil.

[Look he made a funny 8D]

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[controlledvariable]

[There's a huff of a laugh, and she's totally rolling her eyes.]

I don't need to practice.

[so very smug, but it's put on]

audio; private

[troublemancy]

[And here, he's chuckling.]

Oh! So my instincts were correct. You are perfect.

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[controlledvariable]

[Kelsier pls]

Has anyone told you flattery will get you nowhere?

audio; private

[troublemancy]

[Scandalous gasp!!]

It gets me into the houses of noblemen, and to their treasure. I would say it is very useful.

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[controlledvariable]

[Well she can't really argue that.]

It'll get you nowehere in this sorta situation.

[aka flirting]

audio; private

[troublemancy]

[Unfortunately, this isn't how one flirts in the Final Empire, and thus, he's genuinely confused.]

What situation?

audio; private

[controlledvariable]

[oh welp she might have misread this]

The whole... being charming thing.

[thank god this is audio because she's totally blushing]

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[troublemancy]

[Kelsier stares. The problem with him sometimes is that he isn't always aware what kind of effect he has on other people. (Well, he is. He's just a little fish out of water where time's concerned, and not quite connecting the dots yet.)]

Does it mean something different, in the future?

audio; private

[controlledvariable]

[She's just gonna rip the bandaid off.]

Is 'flirting' a term you're familiar with?

audio; private

[troublemancy]

Yes.

[There is a long pause, and then, very ruefully:] This is not how we do it at home.

audio; private

[controlledvariable]

[Okay well he's not laughing at her, so that's nice.]

How do you do it at home?

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[troublemancy]

Ah — [well he'd bring her the pelt of a nobleman :'D] I'd steal something valuable, like atium, and present it as a gift. Or, we use handkerchieves, but that is less fun.

audio; private

[controlledvariable]

That sounds way too involved.

[She'd call that courting, probably.]

Flirting tends to be a little bit easier these days, though it probably means less. Or, like... [how to explain?] You can flirt without meaning anything by it, it can just be having a little fun.