chroma | catchall for vin

[countermeasures]

i haven't had coffee yet so this won't be pretty yet

Comments

[countermeasures]

Oh! Yes, of course.

[she smiles]

What is it, Miss Vin?

[allomantic]

[a pause, a little awkward.]

May I ask for your secrecy about something?

[countermeasures]

[she looks surprised for a moment, then nods.]

Of course.

[allomantic]

The... water. What you mentioned yesterday.

[a beat.]

I would like to help, but I don't want anyone else to know one of my colors is marine.

[countermeasures]

Oh! That's easy enough.

[she smiles]

You can go through me to provide it. I doubt anyone will question where it came from, but... mm, if they do... [she hums, thoughtful.] ...a secret for a secret, shall we? One of my colors is crystalline.

If anyone asks, I'll tell them I used that to make it. I don't think they'll look too closely at the amount, since we're pooling it all.

[allomantic]

[she looks a little surprised that jiuqing told her in return with no prompting, but she nods regardless.]

Do you have a container?

[countermeasures]

[honestly she figures vin will feel a little better about jiuqing's ability to keep her secret if she gets to hear one of jiuqing's in return.]

I've got a cup... we could put it into that and contribute it that way, or if it would be easier, I could pour out some of the water from my own bottle to make space for yours, we could put what you make into that bottle, and then we can make it look like I contributed it if we want to be extra careful about your secret.

[allomantic]

[she does! but she didn't expect the reciprocity all the same.]

The cup is fine.

[countermeasures]

Then we'll use that.

[she'll rummage around among her things to find that, then... and voila! here it is. it should hopefully be enough to hold vin's water if i remember right it's supposed to be like a cupful.]

[allomantic]

[indeed! and she takes the cup, concentrating for a moment before a burst of marine comes forth, and water pours into it. also, while i continue to backtag an audience:]

Shale told me that they could exchange favors for food. One meal for an hour spent helping in their garden, but the meal could be split between two light eaters.

[countermeasures]

That's good to know.

[she smiles]

Shale made a similar arrangement with me for some medicinal herbs, as well. They really do seem to be trying to help us out.

[allomantic]

...They seem like it, yes.

[her none trust kicking in again.]

[countermeasures]

[honestly, she gets it]

...sometimes I catch myself wondering how genuine it is. I'd like to trust that it's sincere. But I don't think there's anything wrong with giving them a chance to prove themselves, as long as we keep our guard up.

[allomantic]

It would be good if it were sincere.

[but her voice betrays that she doesn't think it is.]

[countermeasures]

[very gently: ]

Yes, it would be.

[allomantic]

[a beat.]

But their claim to not know why we are here, and their story that they have lost their memories... It is very convenient.

[countermeasures]

...it certainly is.

[she purses her lips slightly.]

If it is some sort of an act, they've all coordinated very well with one another. I've spoken to all four of them, and they do seem to say similar things, in their own ways.

[allomantic]

Yes, but...

[she frowns.]

I have wondered if that might be part of it. Not remembering their past is an easier cover story than a more detailed explanation of where they came from and who they are.

[countermeasures]

Yes... and it's a little concerning, too, that there aren't other people for us to talk to. Any other beings we've encountered in this place have been, well...

[she shrugs]

Not much for conversation.

So there's nothing to contradict them...

[allomantic]

[ah... she hadn't thought about that, but she nods.]

I hope that as time goes on, we will find a source other than the four of them that can tell us about this place.

[countermeasures]

I hope so, too.

...and I do hope that they're being genuine. For the most part, they've been easy to get along with... I'd hate to think that was faked.

[allomantic]

It's not unpleasant to talk to them.

[a beat.]

Is it... rare where you are from? People being dishonest or untruthful.

[countermeasures]

[she's quiet for a moment, and then she shakes her head.]

It isn't as rare as I would like.

[allomantic]

Then... Perhaps it is best we do not get our hopes up. It seems unlikely that they are genuine.

[saying something like that is her idea of kindness, unfortunately.]

[countermeasures]

...

[she nods slowly]

I'll give them the chance to prove themselves one way or another, but I'll try not to hope too hard for a positive outcome.