you could walk straight through hell with a smile Who: Genevieve Albrecht What: An interlude Where: The remains of a shop in the Theatre District When: Tonight into tomorrow morning Rating: PG-13 Status: Complete!
She has taken shelter from the battle that wages in the streets. It is not hers to fight, and she would be more hindrance than help. (The thought rests ill at ease, as though she ought to be out there, doing whatever she can, but she is pragmatic above all else, and she remains in the hollowed out remains of what was once a store.) Many of the accessories that she sells, the scrolls – they remain at the tavern in their locked box. She does not know if they will still be there when the quiet falls or if she will have to start anew, gathering that which she had spent months amassing.
The ring that she had nearly died for rests on her finger, a heavy weight that reminds her of her choices. She has chosen this path, the one of least resistance. The one that affords her the most comfort for the lowest cost to herself. The rewards outweigh the risks. (She thinks, sometimes, that she may have been a decent gambler – her entire fate rests on luck’s shoulders and cunning. Without it, she would surely be dead.)
It is early morning and her communicator is at her side, messages typed and awaiting confirmation to send. Her concern is not for the city or her tavern – it is for the people for whom she loves. Aspel she knows to be safe, but she has heard nothing from Audrey, from Juliette or Magnolia. She has stores, caches around town; they could protect the people who fight for the city should she disclose them. But their disclosure is also her own disclosure, and that is not a risk she will take.
The message is modified, and she sends it.
Outside, she hears the screams and the crashing of the world around her. Inside, she is safe.