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“Him leaving the colony was the worst move he could have played - short of getting his mates to clip him… I suppose.” Viriya proceeds to rant about all the other plays he could have made to keep himself from suspicion. He could have stayed there and got people to dispose of his collections. He could have called me! He could have gotten away with it all if he was good, maybe fined if he was not, possibly retired quietly, but no, he - had! - to turn this into a potential manhunt.
“I had some hope he would retain some of the things I imparted onto him… what disgrace.“
She pauses to let out a deep sigh.
After her breath fills the room, then came silence, and only silence for a long while. We both know there is no chance of wiping out the stain of criminality before it becomes apparent, but the color could be lightened.
"… we are sending him back, yes?" I knew it from the moment we entered the room, but I ask her anyway.
“Mhm.” She nods.
“Well…..”
“You will escort him back. And answer a few questions - worry not, I have planned it out. I spent half the day with him on instructing which to say and which to not. Your part will be a lot shorter. The heart of it is: He arrived at the residence seeking sanctuary yesterday - begging for his father’s favors - and you told him to leave. I got everything down. It should take no more than this afternoon. Do it well and that tumor gets severed. And we all go freely.” Viriya delivers me my task with much unconcern.
"…. and."
"what will -you- do." My contempt leaks through each word as I glare back at her. I am to be tossed into the frontlines and die yet again while her ilk hangs back. Yes, I am incensed and she will know about it.
“Do.”
“Not.”
Viriya starts to raise her voice, but stops to lets out a huff.
“You are not alone in this game. Noot. My colleagues will dispose of the stashes - whats left of it - and I will get everyone’s stories to line up right. We will -all- get questioned soon due to our acquaintance with him. I - and everyone else - will play our part soon after yours.”
“Play your part.”
“.. and things -will- go well.”
“I assure you.” The air still feels heavy, but her answer does dispel much of the divide.
