>>5274738Rath may be gone, but should you wait for her to come back from the Ikean Fortress before you go westward. It makes sense, since she’s one of your heaviest-hitters, but she should have some bonding time with Behemoth. Maybe Tailor could whip up some new Relics to give your team a bit of extra insurance for the journey? You wouldn’t want to ask without offering something in exchange, though, so what do you have to bargain wi-
{Shu?}
Wait.
No, you need to circle back to Charon—you need to ask about the cult. If something was wrong, would they tell you? Hell, Charon didn’t even realize it was a cult until you brought it up, so if something was wrong, would they even *know*? Maybe you should check on them.
{SHU!}
Gina’s voice comes out of nowhere,the sheer volume of her shout making you jump.
[Jesus, yeah? What’s wrong?]
{I was about to ask you the same…} She says, voice taut. {You were zoning out something fierce, love. What’s the matter?}
[Huh? Nothing’s the matter, I’m fine. Are you doing oka-?]
A hand on your shoulder breaks your focus, something going hot in your chest as you look to your left and find yourself staring at your own reflection, thrown back at you by Sam’s chrome skull.
Your spine prickles at the face that glares back at you.
“Look, whatever you’re gonna say, I don’t wanna hear it.” Sam begins hotly, seizing your arm and spinning you around to face her, and in that moment it’s all you can do to stop from digging in your heels and slamming her face into the dirt here and now with Uzu’s Core.
{Shu?} Gina’s voice filters into your mind as gently as she can manage, but it’s still not enough to hide the clear concern in her tone. {Babe, listen to me, you need to take a brea-}
“What, Sam? What don’t you want to hear?” You demand, heart hammering in your chest.
“Any judgy bullshit, got it? Sure I lied to her, but it’s-” She stops when you hold up a hand, drawing in a trembling breath and every ounce of patience you possess before saying-
“I get it.”
She leans back, confused.
“What?”
“I understand why you kept that from her. It’s messy as all hell, and she’s clearly covering up for a lot. I know I'm already overreaching a bit with this and you probably don't want to hear my advice, but I think you should keep in contact with her." You calmly explain as you try and get your pulse back under control. “It's pretty obvious you want to be friends…most people wouldn't slaughter a bandit group over someone they don't care abou-”
You freeze when Sam’s luminous visor snaps to your gaze, leaving a streak of frigid neon in its wake.
"Go FUCK yourself, you self-righteous cunt."
(Continued)
