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| Details |
| Author: | Luridel |
| Summary: | Shun cleans knives and broods. Estel volunteers some solutions. ~500 words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
It's late in the evening in the Paw'don inn. Shun, rather than sleeping, has been meticulously inspecting, cleaning, and sharpening every single knife in his possession. Ever since he heard of what had happened at the temple, a dark cloud has been steadily forming over him.
It didn't get any better after the White Squad's last outing for diplomacy. He's been restless. On edge.
Estel, curled up in the pandaren-style alcove bed, asks, "Are you almost done?" She's already dressed for bed and has been waiting with gradually dwindling patience.
Shun pauses to look up at the bed, then shakes his head.
"No. Not really. I still have more to check over."
He's double checked a few of these blades already.
Estel hums assent and closes her eyes. In another minute, though, she looks over. "Hey! You already did that one."
"… I needed to be extra sure," he mutters.
That gets her attention. "Anxious?" Estel asks, sitting up in bed.
Shun draws in a slow, deep breath as he closes his eyes. There's a moment of hesitation before he answers, "I feel… underutilized."
"Underutilized? Even with the Syndicate stuff you got going on?" Estel slips out of bed and goes to sit down on the floor next to Shun.
Shun grunts, "I am mostly on standby with the Syndicate shit. But I am more referring to my role out here."
He lifts one of his daggers up to examine its edge carefully in the light, "A whole lot of diplomacy to do. And I am no diplomat. While we go around collecting spider silk and fallen leaves, others tackle the darkness steeped in this island."
His brow furrows, "But that is perhaps, also by design."
"We can go tackle some darkness if you wanna," Estel offers. "Go to the site of the eruption, fight some sha."
Shun looks to her, blinking, "We can just go there? We do not need any special clearance or anything?"
Estel nods. "It ain't through a portal or anything. So… yeah, it's an 'at your own risk' sorta situation."
Shun considers this in silence for a few moments, "Perhaps that will… put these thoughts at ease, then."
"Great." Estel pats his shoulder. "You said 'by design'? You worried somebody's, like, giving you boring jobs on purpose? Cause it ain't like that."
"…I am a liability here after all," Shun utters.
Estel tugs on his arm. "Oi, no you're no more of a liability than any of us. I'd tell you if I thought you were, yeah?"
There's only a grunt in response.
"You've already gone over these once," Estel says firmly, gesturing to the blades. "And you don't cut corners, so if this is just an anxious habit at this point and you're just restless, would you rather be tied up instead?"
"Well that would certainly keep me busy," Shun replies.
"Yeah? You want me to?" Estel double-checks.
There's a moment of consideration, then he nods.
Estel kisses his cheek, then rises to her feet. "Clean this up first," she says, indicating the collection of blades.
"Of course," Shun nods as he goes to carefully put every single knife away.