( it's a small point of pride, honestly. to think she's come to know rita well enough to guess just how the other girl would describe that happenstance, and clarke dutifully recites: )

They knocked.

( loudly, with magic, destruction, and goading.

clarke is trying to swallow the rising wave of disappointment pushing at the back of her throat; they've parsed that the captain might not be a god, that venti is one in some regard, and that really feels like it should be the final nail in any plan of attack. they should have all the tools necessary to unseat something powerful and threatening, but all venti seems willing to do is talk.

all venti seems capable of is talking. and while that wasn't a bad place to start — it was indeed exactly what clarke had suggested a few days ago — she'd still held out hope for something a little more... actionable. final. )

We should go about it a little differently, at least. That can be planned out, if you really think you've got this in you.

( he's charismatic, absolutely. but it took two months for clarke to get tired of his bullshit, and she can't help but imagine the captain's got even less patience. )