[Traumaprom]

[tatsumi_textiles]

[WE LIVE, WE DIE, WE LIVE AGAIN]

Comments

[tatsumi_textiles]

Then we both gotta offer somethin' really important.

[He pauses, then sighs]

Hell if I can think of anythin' that big, though.

[eluvianathema]

You could offer your muscles. You've got a lot of them on you, I think.

[tatsumi_textiles]

Yeah, but there's no way it'd be big enough. I know these people, they're gonna be comin' up with crazy shit.

What're you thinkin'?

[eluvianathema]

...

The only thing I can think of... is my vallaslin. But if you say that's not enough, then that won't be enough either.

[tatsumi_textiles]

I think it's gotta be what's important ta you.

My muscle's are- hell, they're useless here. Ain't like I can fight any of the damn echos, and alla these games are won through smarts, not strength.

[eluvianathema]

My vallaslin connects me to my people, but to everyone here it just looks like a fancy tattoo. What's important to me are... my people... my team... and my memories. But those--I can't give those up... I don't think...

[an idea comes to her; she bites her lip]

What if I gave up a part of my body?

[tatsumi_textiles]

That'd work. Heal quests suck, but it wouldn't be that bad, not with yer patron.

[eluvianathema]

[looks down at herself, cringing]

My... arm?

[tatsumi_textiles]

[Already wincing himself]

Yeah, uh- that oughtta do it.

[eluvianathema]

Okay. Then, that's--that'll be what I'll offer.

[tatsumi_textiles]

[Hesitating]

Look, you really don't gotta, I've died before, I can do it again.

[eluvianathema]

I'd rather lose an arm than live with someone else dying for me.

[tatsumi_textiles]

-fine. If yer sure.

[eluvianathema]

I am. I'll give her an arm and an earful, too.

[tatsumi_textiles]

Yeah, I don't think that's gonna matter ta her all that much.

[sighs, and rubs the back of his neck]

Ed's gonna kill me fer this.

[eluvianathema]

He is?? That's horrible, I had no idea he could be so cruel!

[she's taking that comment literally]

[tatsumi_textiles]

I- what? No, I just mean he ain't gonna like what I'm thinkin' 'bout givin' up, 's all.

Don't think he could kill me, not 'less he catches me sleepin'.

[eluvianathema]

Oh... oh, you were saying it--oh.

What are you thinking of giving up?

[tatsumi_textiles]

Uh- well, these echos, they can take relationships, right?

[Crossing his arms defensively]

It's the most important thing I could think of, and I know our patrons can deal with that shit.

[eluvianathema]

Yes, that's right... the Yaksinis took Lark and Roc's relationship away. But that's awfully big, isn't it? That's not something you can replace.

[tatsumi_textiles]

No, but- you can quest fer it back. It ain't like it'll be gone fer long.

[It's said like he's trying to convince himself, all bluff and bluster]

[eluvianathema]

What will it do to the other one, though? How do you think he'll feel?

[tatsumi_textiles]

He- his mirror's almost full, and he's got people back home ta worry 'bout. He'll be fine.

[eluvianathema]

You underestimate what you mean to him, I think. If it's important enough to save your life, it must be as important to him.

But I don't think it's a bad idea.

[tatsumi_textiles]

Yeah, I- yeah.

[He falls silent at that, before nodding firmly.]

Besides, it ain't like people won't notice it's missing. At th' very least, Ed'll know.