It ain't hard to find a little trouble

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to say goodbye

Soh's regret was plain on her face, the knowledge that her own actions were what had brought them here a bitter tonic that she hadn't been prepared to take. It seared her throat, closing off any words she might have said, any pleas she might have made for forgiveness. She was many things, but she would not lower herself to beg for Colt's mercy - not when this was a simple misunderstanding that had clearly been blown out of proportion. There were things she could do to fix this, to put it right, but if Colt wasn't even willing to move past this...

Maybe she would be, one day. And maybe one day, Soh would have something to offer her other than empty apologies.

Colt turned her attention back to Zavien, leaving Soh to sink into her own mind. There was enough self-loathing there to keep her occupied, and she was barely aware of Zavien choosing her over helping Colt. She wished she could talk with him privately before he withdrew his support - knowing what she knew now, she would encourage him to make his own decision, keeping her feelings well out of it - but she also knew that her pregnancy would make it harder on them to be separated. And if she wasn't welcome in Hak Etme... well, then she supposed it made sense that Zavien wouldn't want to be there, either.

In any case, Soh waited until Zavien finished speaking before nodding. "As do I." It probably wouldn't be worth much to the rancher, not now, but she could do her best to offer it just the same.

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to die

Sohalia

COLT

I wish words were like little toy guns
No sting, no hurting no one
Just a bang, bang rolling off your tongue

"Mm," she murmurs, gaze already turning away in dismissal. "Of course not. Just as I did not mean any danger with the dagger, yet here we stand, me insulted, and you threatened." Little point in telling something the shape it should be when it's already settled into all its edges and curves. Who knew a cheaply purchased bit of metal would run away with their imagination so thoroughly. It's not as if her symbol of betrayal came soaked in blood or enchanted to stab them, and yet they treat the thing as if it arrived without a hilt, serving only to cut them.

That Zavien keeps a clear head, or one at least, is a regrettable thing to lose as potential at her side. She doesn't push though, she knows when a ride is worth sitting and when it's worth bailing on. Later, when the heat of all this has grown cold, Colt will appreciate their words of departure and her disappointment in Sohalia will thin into something akin to caution rather thatln rancor. For now though, theres all the burned edges of shit to deal with. "Good fortune for all," she tosses up with the departing salute of some fingers by her hat as she steps back into the woods, angling for a smoke in peace to avoid the awkward walk back to the skyships together.

[FIN]

No smoke, no bullets
No kick from the trigger when you pull it
No pain, no damage done