exsilium | → text (a little bit forward dated)

[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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[And here, he's chuckling.]

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

[Kelsier pls]

Has anyone told you flattery will get you nowhere?

[Scandalous gasp!!]

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

[Well she can't really argue that.]

It'll get you nowehere in this sorta situation.

[aka flirting]

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

What situation?

[oh welp she might have misread this]

The whole... being charming thing.

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

[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?

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

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

Yes.

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

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

How do you do it at home?

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.

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.

[It is courting, but to him there's very little difference.]

I'm happy to continue, if it is comfortable. [Wistful:] I do have a wife.

[She's about to say something more about flirting, but the comment about a wife draws her up short.]

I'm sorry.

[Because he's here and she's not.]

What's her name?

Mare. [He gives a short description, and there's love and laughter in every word, more real than he's ever shown.] A daughter, too. Vin. About your age.

[Thinking about them makes him feel a bit more normal, that there wasn't pain and strife in all their lives, that he built some kind of future for Vin.]

[It's sweet, to hear him talk about someone like that.]

She sounds nice. [It's a simple statement, but her tone is warm and sympathetic.

The mention of a daughter gets a huff of a laugh, though.] Well, now I know for sure you weren't flirting with me.

[Not that you know. age gaps aren't a thing (hahah) but she's pretty sure most dudes don't flirt with girls who are their daughter's age.]

[At the other end, he chuckles. She's right, he's messing around the same way he would with Vin; for fun, with parental affection.]

It's all clear now?

Crystal.

[And she's only a tiny bit embarrassed, which isn't that bad in the grand scheme of things.]

Well, then, what time should I meet you?

How's tomorrow evening sound?

Perfect.

I'll practice evasion.

It won't help.

[There's a cocky grin in her voice.]

I'll see you then, Kelsier.

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