A week and a bit has passed since their conversation about Nari, and Va'ynna has not brought up the topic since then and whenever asked it's always been in the near future -- to a being that can live for a thousand years.
#FreedomFalls – March 13, 2025
It's morning on the 14th of January and Va'ynna is being walked to work. The air is nippy in the morning with temperatures just under freezing, but there is little wind and no precipitation. The snow has gotten to melt a bit in the last days, which leaves it a bit hard and slightly slippery in patches.
Va'ynna tenses up a bit as their walk takes them by the convenience store Arix'. She's not as bad as in the early days, but the memory of the kidnapping that took place here is still strong. She looks thoughtful, though, as something is definitely on her mind.
Victoria is wearing her standard winter apparel of coat, beanie and boots being the most noticeable articles. As soon she notices Va'ynna tense up, Victoria moves her hand to hold Va'ynna's. Seeing the thoughtful look the asari currently has, Vicky speaks up. "A credit for your thoughts?"
Va'ynna takes a moment to gather her thoughts, but she accepts Victoria's hand; it doesn't appear to help much to ease her tension. She then gestures ahead of her with her free hand. "I thought... I'd eventually get over being so afraid of walking to work."
"It is still a pretty recent, and horrible thing that happened to you." Victoria gives Va'ynna's hand a squeeze. "It does take sometime to get some normalcy back, after something like that."
Va'ynna looks ahead as they cross a side street. It's early morning, and they're alone for the next few blocks at least. "We... know it's going to happen again, though," she says, the fear very present in her voice. "I can hope she's... given up, but... I don't know. I don't even know what she wants."
"If they do, they will have to get through me this time." Vicky keeps a hold of Va'ynna's hand. "I won't let them get you again, I promise you that." She turns her head to look at Va'ynna. "And I haven't broken a promise to you yet."
Va'ynna looks over at Victoria as she speaks, tilting her head. "I do... believe you," she says, "but... you know, if... if she comes prepared...." She doesn't finish the thought as she averts her eyes and looks ahead again.
Victoria lets go of Va'ynna's hand and quickly wraps that arm around Va'ynna's shoulders. "Don't worry about it, I'll be able to handle." She finishes her sentence by giving the asari a quick peck on the cheek.
Va'ynna leans to the side as she notices the peck on the cheek, and there's a very brief smile on her face at it. "I... want to believe that," she says, "but... I'm worried. What if it's... too much to handle?" Va'ynna usually prefers distracting herself with idle topics on these walks, or other serious matters like Nari or the Respite. This isn't the first time she's considering this, but she doesn't like talking
Victoria continues walking down the street with her arm around Va'ynna's shoulders. "Well they gotta get through Redrock and my crew." She offers Va'ynna a reassuring smile. "So we will be able to handle it."
Va'ynna walks slightly closer to Victoria as they continue down the street. "I... guess," she says, not sounding entirely convinced. "It's... just... she gets to choose when and where, and... you can't all be ready at any time. And... I can't ask that of you, either."
Victoria gives Va'ynna a squeeze. "Oh sweetie, I use to be a frequent visitor to Omega. I'm ready whenever, you learn a lot of tricks from a place like that." Her last words carried a joking tone.
Va'ynna nods weakly at her words, still looking ahead. "I... I also don't want you to get hurt," she says. "We... barely know... anything about her."
Victoria leans over to give Va'ynna another peck on the cheek. "The best piece of advice I can give you at the moment, is just focus on the moment." She offers another reassuring smile. "Best not to let the worry get to you, and just go with the flow." Vicky knew she wasn't the best advice giver, she was just hoping her words eased Va'ynna at the moment.
Va'ynna does not seem very much helped by it, and while she does admire Victoria's confidence, it also worries her for reasons she's just mentioned. "I... understand," she says, "just...." She sighs instead of continuing. It's useless to speculate anyway, when they'll be forced to improvise should the time come; to go with the flow as Victoria puts it. "If only I hadn't gotten so attached when I learned I could... have
Victoria nods "It ain't much of a life if you don't make attachments, and sometimes life likes to throw a mean uppercut once in a while." Victoria pulls Va'ynna closer for a moment, before loosening her grip and letting the asari go back to her original position. "But all you can really do is, just do what is best for you."
Va'ynna tilts her head as she ponders it, then nods. "Yeah, but I had attachments too," she said. "It was one... close friend and a lot of boring jobs, but... but I... could walk to them without being scared." She gently pats Victoria's back, as she adds with a slight defensive tone, "I'm not... thinking of going home. My life... is here now, and... if... this all all turns out fine, I might be here until Litae...
Victoria goes to say something at first but reconsiders her words and remains silent, she leans over again to give Va'ynna another peck on the cheek and a smile.
Va'ynna lets out a sigh as Victoria holds her words, her worrying mind taking a guess at it, causing her to feel a bit uncomfortable. "But... that is too long into the future to think about," she says. It's also too long to be taken for granted, especially out here. "Today is... another day holding the Miner's Respite together, and... another night with you after it. That's what matters."
Victoria gives a smile at Va'ynna last words and with her free hand pokes Va'ynna with a finger in the sides. "See now you are starting to get it, and we both know the nights are wonderful." She finishes her sentence with a chuckle.
Va'ynna gives a small sound of surpised at being poked in the side, but it's not enough to get a laugh out of her after the weight of the conversation prior. "That... is true," she says with a small smile. They've reached the last street to cross before the Respite now.
Victoria keeps the same smile on her face. "Hey gotta give you something to look forward to, after taking care of this place all day." She gestures towards the Respite with her free hand.
Va'ynna stops as they cross the street and arrive just outside the entrance to the Respite and turns towards Victoria, and takes her other hand. "For... us to look forward to," she corrects with a small smile, as the tension continues to fade. For all the trouble there's been in the Respite, she feels safe there. "You do important work too, even if... I don't always understand all its nuances."