Audience: Harrowhark Nonagesimus

[probe]

Comments

[bonetiddies]

It may not be a good thing, either. But it is what it is.

[But she thinks about this for a moment, trying to get her mind around a way to say what she feels she needs to without saying it.]

. . . I suppose, in the abstract, it would depend. If something terrible can be changed, improved, countered in some way, it would be important to know about. If there is nothing to be done, I suppose there would be little harm in leaving it to lie.

[probe]

I don't know if anything can be done, but that uh. That doesn't mean that's a hundred percent guarantee, you know?

[bonetiddies]

I think I would tend to see it that way, whether or not it was a hundred percent guarantee, if it was some terrible thing that was endangering those dear to me.

Which has me. . . calling into question, now, many times that I have been told by one of you that something is not worth the effort to look into.

[probe]

It's not that it's not worth the effort, for this. I just don't want you or anybody to get punished, Harrowhark.

[bonetiddies]

I'm willing to take that risk. I don't want to cause anyone else to be punished, but I do not fear it myself.

[probe]

Yeah, I know you don't. [... sigh.] I think that's all I can say about general topics, boo.

[bonetiddies]

Very well.

[She'll accept that, even though she doesn't believe Lup is taking her declarations very seriously, and it's the second time in a week. Almost like they think she's a reckless teenager or something?]

I shall see what I can learn on my own.

[probe]

I know you're stubborn and smart enough to figure out what you want to. ... Did you need anything else?

[bonetiddies]

I don't really want to trouble you further. I thought I should at least confirm there's no way to get Gu Yun his medicine. And that perhaps I ought to argue and insist, despite knowing that if it were so easily done you likely would have already done it?

[probe]

[her ear twitches.] I've been trying to find something. [:(] Nothing turned up.

[bonetiddies]

I'll take your word on it, but it doesn't fill me with confidence that it is somehow possible if one does a murder and otherwise impossible. I believe you - it just unsettles me.

[probe]

I'm not happy about it either, Harrow.

[bonetiddies]

I know that.

[It just doesn't feel like it adds up with other things that have been said about the reasons for murder, that's all.]

[probe]

[she rubs at her face, tiredly.] It's not up to me. Or he'd have it.

[bonetiddies]

I know that. I don't think you're being dishonest or withholding something you could give to him. I just find the fact that it works this way incredibly disconcerting.

[There's a reason why she skipped the step where she demands they try harder or do more.]

But that can be a discussion for another time. I appreciate your speaking to me about general topics.

[probe]

[a pause, and then she reaches over and brushes harrow's hair out of her face a little.] You're welcome. I'm sorry I can't answer all your questions yet.

[bonetiddies]

[She just looks awkward like she always does when she gets some physical affection - but she's less jumpy than she used to be about it.]

It's all right. I'll figure it out.