END GAME: THE COUNTDOWN STARTS

[sailmods]

[the prisoners wake up on cold, hard floors.

the lights are bright, glaring, a sterile cell with sterile bars facing a sterile hall. the prisoners with you, across from you, and no one else. no rocking of a ship in waves, nothing. just the prisoner and their prison.

time passes, one assumes. the rhythmic click of Friday’s heels down the hall. it’s almost like the ticking of a clock.]

Comments

[teethoftherisk]

He snorts. That's Valdis. He's glad she's still the same, even with so much of herself locked away or ripped out.

"I'll do what I can." Siffleur promises. He'd rather have Valdis with him than go alone. Even having her comfort Max would be good, though he knows better than to say that. It's hard enough for her right now, she doesn't need to feel like he only values her for the calm she can bring Max. "And I'll tell you everything I learn."

[redlightgreenlight]

They don't have time for her to lose her head, stress and anxiety do nothing to help in their current situation.

"I appreciate it."

Valdis takes a breath, Ruby's right that they can't lose hope. The Captain is still on their side, they just have to free him. And to free him, they need to free themselves, or at least free enough people to help him.

"Having someone on the outside who can deliver messages faster than ants will help us coordinate at the very least."

[teethoftherisk]

Siffleur bunts his head against her bars, as much of an assurance as he can give right now. "Yes. I can be very good at that."

It's an easy promise to make, bringing back all information he can to Valdis.

[redlightgreenlight]

"You're good at a lot more than that."

Valdis wants to escape, but she knows they may be trapped. Hopefully at least a few of them can get out and get help. Maximilien is talking to himself in his cell, but she doubts it's because he's gone crazy. Still, it's only a matter of time before some of them start to lose it.

"Tell Max I love him and find him as soon as I can. Then make sure you keep yourself safe, we don't know if we can come back from the dead anymore."

[teethoftherisk]

"I will. I won't throw away my life." Not unless he has to, not unless there's no other choice. "Max sends his love to you too, I know that's what he'll ask me to say to you."

[redlightgreenlight]

The very idea of having people die because she can't protect them hurts too much, but she won't voice it. Siffleur can take care of himself, he's been doing it for far longer than most.

"We'll get out of here, and when we do, Malin is going to regret it."

[teethoftherisk]

"Oh yes, she will." He grins, all those sharp teeth exposed for a moment. "Even without powers, we are hungry things who know how to tear and bite."

(He comes back one more time despite what he said, passing on a vital message from Max.

"He is protecting your heart.")

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis appreciates his return message, and holds it close, but she doesn't say more. Siffleur needs to keep moving. Hopefully they can all get out of here.