forum Find Me (Character Chat #4)

Started March 06, 2019 by Deleted user

tune

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He continued to watch, a smile akin to hers on his lips.

Someone cleared their throat from the edge of the cliff.

His head snapped around, scared shitless.

It was a bewildered but slightly amused and banged up Cinthia, wearing a dark sports bra and leggings under a semi-sheer kimono robe. Her skin glistened with sweat and smudged with dirt and sand. Her mass of curls was filthy. "Junia told me you were here," she said.

He winced, standing up. "If you're gonna hit me, please don't hit the face. I'm already missing a tooth."

She tilted her head and flicked a finger, replacing the missing tooth. "I'm not here to fight you. I just got done beating up Fassor for you."

"Aw, c'mon, I wanted to do that."

She looked like she wanted to smile, but didn't have the energy to. "Don't worry, he's still alive. At least until the War Games. Fatalities are uncommon, but aren't against the rules."

"Any way I can get into that?"

Cinthia ran her fingers through her tangled curls, shaking out the dirt and sand. "Join the school, and a team. One that qualifies for the War Games. You'd need a sponsor should you actually want to."

He frowned. "Nevermind then." He then addressed the elephant in the room. "Listen, about the things I said, I'm-"

"Fine. You're fine. You don't need to apologize."

"But I do. I threatened you, I made that poor girl you sent after me cry, I sent Tess into a fit, and I went off and pissed off half the world while I was at it."

She actually did smile. "You're still 17. You're whole life was flipped on its ass. If I'm being honest, I went on a rampaging massacre because the guy I had a crush on was killed in front of me. I was 16." She glanced at the dozing and oblivious Tessa. "And I was the one who sent her on a rampage. She destroyed the Bronze Giants's headquarters and their houses, if that makes you feel better."

"I honestly thought I ruined my chances with the shit I pulled."

She sighed, shoulders sagging. "We've all pulled some shit, one way or another. We can't afford to declare every person our enemy just because they go off on an emotional rampage and hurt a few of our feelings. I can't afford it." She glanced at Tessa again, then looked Runner in the eye. "Be careful with her. She may act tough, but she's as fragile as a vase. It took me three years to get her the way she is now."

"I can already see that," he said. "She burst into tears in a restaurant."

Cinthia looked impressed. "You're making faster progress than I did."

"I felt like shit, to be honest."

She cocked her head, spilling sand. "Oh?"

"I was talking about how I got over my problems and kept on rambling like an idiot even as she told me to shut up."

She nodded. "Honestly, I'd say keep pushing her."

"But I don't want to be pushed off a cliff."

She smirked. "She'd definitely do that. Then let you fall for a bit. Then she'd catch you because she'd feel bad. Trust me, she needs it. We were both train wrecks when we met, and we repeatedly pushed each other's limits to get us to overcome our ghosts and problems. I've been too busy with leading the Vanguard and being nominated for Queen to keep pushing her. Time to pass the baton."