It was strange, the more Quinnlash spoke, the more she revealed about herself, the less Roaki felt like she knew her. There were gaps in her story, but they didn’t feel intentional, they weren’t [i]lies[/i] like she was used to, they were omissions of…grief? Anger, maybe? She didn’t know, she wasn’t used to seeing people act like this. She’d heard them break down over comms, she knew what pathetic [i]sounded[/i] like, and while Quinnlash certain didn’t sound like the warrior she’d been in Casoban, Roaki couldn’t bring herself to see this display as [i]weakness[/i]. 

What she did recognize was self-loathing. Roaki hated Quinnlash, instinctually in the way a hunter hated its prey, but also deeply and personally. She knew hate, she was good at hate. She’d clocked it perfectly at the [i]Henkersmahl[/i] and she was reading it just as clearly now. 

No one hated Quinnlash Loughvein more than Quinnlash Loughvein. 

“[color=ffe63d]So we started to lean on each other. And Besca took care of us, so we both leaned on her.[/color]”

“[color=ffe63d]We're a family now, that's all.[/color]”

Roaki sucked air through a tight cage of teeth. Days in the cold, too tired and beaten to muster anything more than a glower and curt words, had dulled her. It was whole moments before she realized just how furious she suddenly was. Fucked that she didn’t have the energy—or the means, really, anymore—to [i]do[/i] anything with it. She could still hardly sit up without the aches and exhaustion laying her out flat. 

It should have been great news. Quinnlash was doomed, hopelessly and completely. It might take weeks, or months, or maybe years, but if what she’d said was true—and more and more, Roaki was starting to doubt that Quinnlash knew how to lie at all—then there was no avoiding it. 

So why did she feel so compelled to warn her? 

“[color=ec008c]You’re a moron,[/color]” she spat, unable to stop herself. [i]Idiot, you’re helping the girl who killed you.[/i] But she went on. “[color=ec008c]They don’t need you. They hate you. They’ll turn on you the second they get the chance, and if you let them do it because you think you need them too, then you’re a moron. You don’t need them.[/color]”

It was true. Quinnlash Loughvein didn’t need anyone. Roaki was so sure of that. 

“[color=ec008c]You’re strong. People are afraid of that—even if they say they aren’t. If you let them, they’ll take all that strength away from you. Know where you’ll be then? Six feet under. Or worse, you’ll be right where I am. Fuck's sake, don’t…[/color]” her jaw clenched so tight it popped. “[color=ec008c]If you’re gonna beat me, don’t [i]be[/i] me.[/color]”