ic contact;

[athiefalways]

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[athiefalways]

Wouldn't be surprised if he'd got us on speed dial.

[ There was a beat before he responded. ]

So which was it, den? Archangel or you?

[serendipitously]

He ordered it done. I had several chances to prevent it and couldn't bring myself to take them. I accept that I have some responsibility for it happening.

[athiefalways]

[ He shakes his head. ]

If you didn't hesitate to stop him, Betsy, I'd be more worried 'bout you. Sounds like that sort of thing should be an easy choice, but I know it's not.

[serendipitously]

More than five thousand people were slaughtered in an instant because I hesitated. That doesn't take into account the people that came before when he was slipping or after.

[ Regardless of how hard it might have been to do to, something still should have been done. Nobody can deny that inaction had been the incorrect move here. ]

[athiefalways]

I know, and I know no one person should have that weight to bear. I ain't saying don't feel responsible. I'm just sayin' it's easy to judge a body after de fact, whether it's yours or somebody else's and I ain't in a place to.

[serendipitously]

[ she pauses for a while before bringing the connection back ]

Thank you. Now you know what happened though.

[athiefalways]

Reckon I do, oui.

Where are you, 'cause I know it ain't anywhere near here.

[serendipitously]

Exile. I'm trying to work some things out.

[athiefalways]

Like Tabula Rasa, or something else?

[serendipitously]

[ She's silent for a few minutes again. He's really the only person here from her world, the only person that also knew Warren, that knew their history. Besides that he's someone she knows has plenty of experience with complicated all by himself. ]

I miss Warren. I don't think I've felt a pain quite like knowing someone's still... there in some way and yet you can never have them again. That you mean nothing to them. Something has left me thinking about it a lot.

[athiefalways]

[ So does Remy, if he's honest, but this isn't about him. ]

I can't imagine, Betsy, but I know it's hard talkin' to him like he's not a body you know.

[ After a beat. ]

What's that somethin'?

[serendipitously]

I know everyone's having to adjust to it.

[ But she is the only one that slept every night with him. It's a bit different. Still, she does feel selfish for only thinking about how it impacts her. ]

Something I'll figure out. I'll let you get back to sleep.

[athiefalways]

It ain't the same.

[ He knows that, and he knows visiting the school at all has to be one of the hardest things she's ever done.

He frowns. ]

D'accord, mon cher. Be safe out dere, eh?

[serendipitously]

I always am.

[ no, she's not, but she does end the connection. ]