[WEEK 1, SUNDAY POST-EXECUTION: Jaffar and Nino]

[spinatalltale]

[she doesn't care]

[she!! doesn't!! care!! she's seen far worse than people losing eyes, and Nino voted for herself knowing full well the consequences of doing same. deep down, she feels a small bit of pride at the younger girl for following her heart with so much conviction, regardless of the consequences and regardless of what other people told her to do. and thus, since the loss of her eye was a product of her own actions, she shouldn't care]

[and she doesn't care]

[her lack of caring is why she seeks Nino (and Jaffar, actually) out once the horror of the execution has sunken in, and people are a little more level-headed]

[she nods at them both in greeting, but addresses Nino first]

Heya, kiddo. How are ya holding up?

Comments

[spinatalltale]

Oh? Do I need to watch one of my eyes around you now? I suppose it's better than having to watch my life.

[don't be so flippant about this, Magilou!!]

She's asking for you. Learn when to swallow your pride and stand down to care for your hurt loved ones.

[she needs you right now, Jaffar. it isn't the time to be making threats]

[killerfang]

[ even if he could try to put her cries behind him, he certainly can't ignore Nino clutching at him like that; he looks over his shoulder at her, profile softening just a little bit.

It's not like Magilou will attack her. She hadn't done anything that blatant. With that in mind, perhaps this isn't the time for retaliation. He doesn't want to make Nino unhappy, either. Fighting for her sake, but against her wishes - it's a complicated situation, but, ultimately, the thought of making her cry makes him stay his hand now. His arm drops away from his weapon, but his eyes return to their intruder. ]

... You are not as wise as you believe.

[ that's all he has to say. he turns away from her then, dismissive, letting his attention go back to Nino. ]

[learnings]

[Nino's definitely just going to lean against Jaffar quietly as soon as he really can, swaying a little, expression exhausted. She probably really shouldn't be back up on her feet just yet, but...

You know.

Jaffar and Magilou were being stressful.]

Please don't fight...

[spinatalltale]

[her smile fades, and her expression turns. . . completely empty]

I didn't say I was wise.

[she just knows what's important to her: freedom and agency, regardless of the consequences]

[the smile returns when she regards Nino, though]

Uho, don't worry. I don't think there will be any fighting now. Especially not while you're still recuperating.

[killerfang]

[ he doesn't respond to Magilou this time - he doesn't even look at her. It seems he's set on ignoring her now. Instead, he focuses on steadying Nino, gently taking her arms to try and sit her back on the bed.

He won't say anything about not fighting, but he won't do it here, at least. ]

[learnings]

[:(

Nino's obedient enough, at least, in going back to the bed with Jaffar--mostly because really, it's not time for her to be standing back up at all.]

...Miss Magilou...

[There's a long contemplative pause as she considers everything, and then--]

You feel really strongly about that, right? About...being able to follow your heart.

[spinatalltale]

[. . .]

Well, you know how it goes. In a situation where everyone has lost their agency, every little bit you can win back means something. Doesn't it?

[to her, anyway]

[killerfang]

[ good, don't let magilou stress you out!!! because it's not like jaffar was doing anything stressful, definitely not. Once she's down, he rests a hand on Nino's shoulder and turns just slightly towards Magilou - not fully enough to call him involved in the conversation, but more than enough to say that he's keeping an eye on her. ]

[learnings]

[... That strikes a chord in her. That was what they did with the Black Fang--wasn't it? They'd seized every bit of agency they could, despite how Nergal and Sonia had tried to take it all away from them...

And it had led them here.

So she nods, quietly, fingers digging into the folds of Jaffar's clothing.]

...It does.

[Does that mean Magilou had experienced something similar...?]

It means a lot, I think. Because...we have to decide how to live our lives. [Right, Jaffar...]

[spinatalltale]

Right.

[she exhales the word in a deep sigh, and there's something much softer about her smile. the soft look of someone reminiscing on a fond memory]

Take a hold of your own wheel! Don't let anyone else steal it away from you.

[killerfang]

[ is that wrong? no. Jaffar may not be the person to go to if you're looking for someone who's in control of his own life, but he's learned a little bit better. At the very least, he's no longer in the thrall of a dark mage, and he's found someone that he loves all on his own.

Still. Using it to justify Nino sacrificing herself for a complete stranger rankles him. His eyes flick to Nino, though his face remains impassive. ]

... If you decide to throw your life away, then I will stop you.

[learnings]

[... She nods quietly to herself, softly and thoughtfully. Seize her own life, don't let anyone steal it away from her--

But Jaffar's not wrong either.]

I know.

Because I promised that I would stay with you forever too. [So throwing her life away isn't something she can do.]

I won't break my promise.

...But I won't stop living my life, either. I think... I think that's how it should be. [Progress!!]

[spinatalltale]

[. . . oh]

[and suddenly, it all makes sense]

I see. So that's what it's like to love and be loved in return. Surrendering part of that free will for the sake of making someone else happy. . .

[she couldn't do it, she thinks. it's not her style. not the way she chooses to live her life. but if it's how Nino and Jaffar choose to live theirs. . .]

[she isn't one to judge]

[killerfang]

[ he actually looks a little relieved to hear Nino say that to his face when Magilou is in the room. Jaffar nods to her quickly, encouragingly.

He's not sure about love. He's never loved anyone before he met Nino. But if it means surrendering just a part of his free will... He doesn't mind. He spent his life a slave before he met her; it's a small price to pay for breaking his shackles. ]

[learnings]

[Jaffar may not be sure, but Nino is. This is love, plainly and simply--and so to Magilou's question, she nods quietly.]

Yes... I think so.

I think that's part of what it is, because... I owe Jaffar part of my life. Because I love him.

[She's worried about Magilou, a little...but she thinks...they can talk about that later.]

[spinatalltale]

[it's interesting. it's different. after observing and admiring so much hate, anger, and selfishness in Velvet and the rest of her traveling party (minus Eleanor, who was such a good person, deep down), it's very different]

[but not in a bad way]

Then I'd like to see how love can drive a person, for a change. [back to being the observational one, it seems] I suppose this means I'll be keeping an eye on you both.