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[evocation]

This is Kyna. You should just text me if you actually want me to answer.

Comments

[hardwearing]

...are you saying I shouldn't?

[evocation]

No, I mean... I don't know. I'm just wondering. It's not like Tucker doesn't like you or something.

[Probably?]

[hardwearing]

[ Wash shrugs a little. ]

They're important to you.

[evocation]

Oh.

[So what does that mean? That seems... significant. Maybe. Maybe she's overthinking it. She looks down, tracing one of the plates of his gauntlet.]

It's okay. They'll like you.

[hardwearing]

Maybe.

I'm not... good with people.

[evocation]

I'm not either.

[She could leave it there, and she almost does, eyes still locked on his arm.]

...You're easy to talk to, though.

[hardwearing]

[ They walk along quietly for a moment, before Wash speaks again. ]

I've been working on it, the past few years. Trying to be there for people beyond just having their back in a fight. It's not easy, and I've screwed up a lot, but... it's worth it.

[evocation]

[Kyna bites her lip, finally glancing up at him.]

How do you deal with it when you screw up? I feel like I do that all the time.

[hardwearing]

Accept it. Learn from it. Try again.

I've screwed up with you a few times already, but you haven't told me to fuck off yet.

[evocation]

Yeah, but... I don't know.

[She's not sure how to explain herself, but she thinks maybe he'll get it. Better than Harlan does, at least.]

It seems like everyone else has an easy time talking about shit. I suck at it.

[hardwearing]

Easy? No. I'm just not as afraid to make mistakes anymore.

What makes you think you suck at it, though?

[evocation]

[She scoffs.]

I piss people off all the time. Like, all the time. Or things don't come out right, or... I don't know.

[hardwearing]

I've been there too. York told me once that every time I opened my mouth I made things worse. I always said just the right thing to set people off.

Part of it is being able to read the room, and I've never been good at that. The rest is just thinking before the words come out.

[evocation]

[She makes a face at him.]

I suck at both of those things. I don't know how not to suck at it.

[hardwearing]

I mean, I don't really have any advice besides keep trying. If you want it enough, it'll take.

[evocation]

Yeah, I guess so.

[She looks down again, sighing.]

Try not to get too pissed at me if I fuck something up, okay?

[hardwearing]

What could you fuck up? You've put up with all of my shit so far.

[evocation]

Like what? Ephemera? That's not your fault.

[hardwearing]

I've made other mistakes.

[evocation]

[She raises her eyebrows.]

Like what?

[hardwearing]

I tried to push you away, and I didn't wait for you to handle your friends. I just beat Ephemera anyway.

[evocation]

Oh. That.

[Okay, that's fair.]

Yeah, I guess so. But... I don't know. I knew you were trying to help, even if it was stupid.

[hardwearing]

I made the wrong call. It wasn't the first time, and it probably won't be the last.

[evocation]

Okay, okay, I get it. I guess, um... This is like a pre-apology in case I fuck up.

[hardwearing]

Can we do that? Because I'm pretty sure I'll screw up again, too.