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[scathe]

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text @stacy

[internship]

I'm not sure I took you for the pop pilates personal trainer type.

[scathe]

wow what gave you that idea?

[internship]

Just a hunch.

I think it's pretty cool that you're teaching self-defense, actually. And Zumba.

[scathe]

I'm not teaching fucking zumba whatever that is

@blackrock00

[temporicide]

If I go out to meet somebody tomorrow, can you check in on me after a certain amount of hours?

[ "Somebody", sure. ]

[scathe]

if you tell me who it is

[like he doesn't already have an inkling, like he wouldn't check in regardless.]

[temporicide]

👨‍⚕️

[ There's a story here that she's been trying to tell since she was nineteen. This time it will be true, Roza thinks. This one will be different. ]

I'm just going to dance for him.

📦 delivery.

[begot]

[ She shows up at the appointed time, and for all that she smiles and laughs with the other trainees before classes start— she sharpens, when it comes to the actual act of learning.

It takes her by surprise, the first time he takes her to the floor, and there's something in the blue of her eyes that goes black when she looks up at him. Not just the part of her that needs to be the best at everything she tries, but the part that's attuned to surviving— no, not just surviving, but killing.

She doesn't flinch, doesn't complain. She only sets one rule. You don't touch my face. I don't care if that's not what would happen in real life, I'm not walking around this house with a black eye. And if you train me right, I won't ever have to worry about it, anyway.

The rest, she takes as it comes.

And a couple of weeks after they start, a little bag finds its way to his door, containing a plush keychain and a note written in Amy's neat, looping hand: ]

Something for your water bottle.
:)

text — un: HYSSOP

[knelt]

hi.
wanna be my date to a company party?

1/3

[scathe]

[a company party???????]

[scathe]

[is this a normal thing people do? is this a normal thing girls like isolde do? elias is the last person to be at a company party, or wanted at a company party. is this a mistake.

maybe she texted the wrong person. he leaves her on read for a few hours as a test, wondering if she'll correct herself.]

[scathe]

[okay, not a mistake.]

what's this about

[knelt]

( might as well cut to the chase — )

i dance at the pink slip. they're throwing a christmas party for the employees. i get a plus one.
i want you to come with me, if you want to go.

@private.eyes

[expositus]

I'm still trying to find someone capable of making marks on me last until the next day, let alone the next week.

[scathe]

What kind of marks

❄️

[temporicide]

[ Delivered early on the day: a pair of black Alaskan 'bunny boots', made for contending with the worst of snow and cold and wet (and she knows his size, because of course she does), a bag of Sativa (Green Crack), and a Polaroid camera, with film. The associated note is a short one.

I missed you a lot, you know?
Roza ]

🎁 delivery

[internship]

[ On Christmas Eve, delivered to Elias’s suite: a plastic-wrapped plate of assorted cookies, including one gingerbread man with a little icing mustache, and a cold mini-jug of milk. ]

I would have given you a cookie if you’d asked, you know.

Merry Christmas!
- Gwen

🎁 delivery (dated 12/25).

[begot]

[ On Christmas morning, a large box sits outside of Elias' door, wrapped neatly in shiny gold paper. Peeling it away reveals:

— a black leather duffle bag,
— a white handwrap roll, and
— a multitool.

Pressed between the gifts is a simple piece of off-white card stock, upon which has been written: ]

Elias,

In case you were wondering what in my bag was meant for you.

Merry Christmas,
Amy

✉️ text — un: amy.

[begot]

what is it?
the illegal thing?

[scathe]

A move you shouldn't use unless you wanna fuck someone up for a long ass time

[begot]

sounds fun.

[ She refrains from adding an emoji, though she does consider it. ]

start me on it next time?

@stacy

[internship]

Hey, Elias.

I got Amy some flowers? There’s a card, if you want to sign it.

1/2

[scathe]

MESSAGE READ✓✓

[scathe]

[several hours pass and he responds.]

I'm good

[internship]

Yeah, I figured. Three hours ago.

[ normally, she might say something like ‘didn’t take you for the hero type,’ but it’s not really funny right now. and it’s not her place to say thank you, so: ]

I’m glad you helped.