bryces_pup | Driftfleet Inbox

[Riona's brow raises for a moment not having expected the offer. She had thought about asking him, at least to see if he was holding up okay without one. She's been worried but she'd held back. Partly to not overstep bounds, but also in memory to Allen, and perhaps the distant hope that he might return. But that doesn't seem likely now.]

The ship HAS gotten pretty packed lately. I know it feels like a betrayal to Allen, but he wouldn't want us falling behind because of him. I'd be honored to be your First mate.

[He manages a smile, it's small and tired, but it's there. A tension that's in him fades away, his shoulders relaxing visibly. ]

Thanks. There's no one I'd trust more with the job. And I know Allen would have felt the same way.

I hope he would. If... he does come back, and he wants it, it's his. But until then, I'll do my best.

[She smiles, though there's a touch of concern in her eyes.]

So, as your new First Mate, my first order of business: why did you avoid my question?

Or I could just be greedy and have two of you. I mean, if ships can have two captains, they can absolutely have two first mates.

[Plus it would be two of them to try and dispel the general chaos that comes from working with Sokka. At her comment his smile drops. Balls.]

Beeeeeeecause I chose not to answer it.

[That works, right? ]

Wouldn't that make one of us a Second Mate? I believe that's a thing. It's been a long time since I heard much about how a ship is run and the hierarchy. [Her mother used to tell her stories about her adventures at sea, as the Sea Wolf during the rebellion. She misses them.

Sokka, be prepared. You're getting The Look.]

And why did you choose not to answer it?

Maybe? Who even knows if Atroma stick to those rules or not.

[He winces at The Look. There's no escape from that. His shoulders sag as he exhales slowly. ]

Because it's not a good answer. I'm doing lousy.

Want to talk about it? I know things were pretty rough during the evacuation and everything that happened.

[He shrugs, gaze dropping downwards. ]

I don't know. I wish I could have done something more. Maybe I missed out on something, or...I don't know, seen them still out there. Got them back to the Fleet before it hit.

[He folds his arms, frown deepening. ]

I should have known Looma would have done something crazy like that.

[Ahhhh, so that's what's bothering him.]

I'm sorry, Sokka. But you have to know it wasn't your fault. They knew it was coming, they chose to stay behind. You can't be responsible for everyone in this fleet. And I don't think Looma or any of the others would want you kicking yourself over it.

[His tendency to believe he has to protect everyone he cares about is absolutely rearing its ugly head. ]

I should have known she'd do it. Just...try to stop her, all of them. Or get another ship to them or- something. Anything. And now they're just gone.

And how were you supposed to know what she was going to do?

[Riona's no stranger to emotional reactions; she's done a fair share of them herself. And she knows the best way to fight them is with logic, as much as it might not be wanted.]

[Good plan, Riona. Beat this with logic until he finally gets it.]

I know what she's like. I know her. I should have known it'd happen.

How? Did she hint at it? Have you developed the ability to anticipate everyone's thoughts and actions before they happen?

She'd do something like this. It's what he people do. So I should have anticipated it, yeah.

[He's pretty damn determined to put the blame on himself for this one. ]

So you were supposed to magically anticipate that Looma would do that, on top of everything else going on, know when she was going to do it, know that she wasn't back on her ship, be able to reach her AND be able to talk her out of it? And everyone else? [Sokka plz.]

[DAMNIT DON'T YOU THROW LOGIC AT HIM. ]

I don't- okay, no. But I just- I don't know. [His shoulders sag. ] I just feel so helpless. Like I could have done more.

[TOUGH SHIT, ALREADY DID.]

It's an awful feeling. Unfortunately, sometimes we're just... helpless. People we care about do things, we can't stop them, and we have no choice but to watch the consequences unfold.

[He hates it. It makes his chest feel tight and just brings awful, swirling memories back of Yue. How he had to stand back and let her do what she did to save all of them. How his own mother did what she did to save Katara. It's not fair. ]

I know. It just... it just sucks a lot.

It does.

[C'mere, Sokka. She's pulling him into a hug, albeit a bit gingerly given her injuries.]

Never been great about that feeling, either. Helplessness never sat well with me.

[He'll return the hug, nice and gentle- no need to break her any more than she has been recently. ]

I really hate it. I know I can't save everyone, I get that I just- ...I just hate it.

I do, too. I wish I had easier words, but I don't. Just try to remember the people you have saved, and know you can only do so much. They won't hold it against you.

I know. I do.

[He manages a weak smile in her direction. ]

Thank, Riona.

Driftfleet Inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject