All Avery had to do was put on some common clothes and it had taken her upwards of a half hour to do so. Viv's patience was running thin but she suspected that was why Ava had her waiting for so long. They were going to be late to Fingen's, and while it was not something she was looking forward to, they had to be there. And if they had to be there, they might as well have gotten there when the action for the night was starting.

It had been several hours since Theo had left and in that time, Viv had done nothing but trail behind Ava around town and to dinner before her appearance at Fingen's was necessary. She was never invited into the fold, instead, she hung back with the guards following them. It left her plenty of time to think about Theo, which was never a pleasure. So, for the entire aftermorning she was both bored and thinking through all her regrets.

If Viv was honest, she was in a foul mood. Theo had hit the nail on the head, swiftly and with skill. She could still see right through Viv and that pissed her off. In all honesty, she did feel trapped. She had never been in a position of such power and at the same time had never been more restricted. She did have to assume eyes were on her at all times. Not only was she now working for the Vaiths, she was working with the revolution.

One wrong step and her life was over. All of her work and efforts could be for naught if she made one slip up. She wanted nothing more than to go enjoy Niveal her way. Check on people, buy things that were not allowed anywhere else in Baethos, visit her house, maybe find a job on the side.

But she was stuck. Her hand itched to reach into her pocket to sketch, to keep her mind off things, but Avery could walk out at any moment. She wanted to avoid questions about it at all costs, not that Avery was inclined to talk to her. It had been a long sun of silence, anytime she managed to get close to the noble, all teasing and all serious comments were left unanswered.

Which wasn't all too fair, it had worked out for Avery in the end. She got Theo, she got her spot in the revolution, she got her father's ear, and she got whatever else she wanted. So, if it all worked out why was blame over nothing falling on Viv?

Granted, she kept probably the single most important thing from Avery. Even a singular letter from Theo would have changed everything. In the same vein, it would have changed everything. Avery wouldn't be sitting where she was with the knowledge or influence she had. Viv had done that for her.

Of course, she didn't actually believe the justifications she was giving. They were true statements but not reasoning that could have righted her wrongs. But in case she was pressed on it, she would have her case. Some may have thought that she never understood the things she did and the way she manipulated people or situations, but she was fully aware. It was probably more accurate to say that she was not capable of guilt.

Except she was. Very rarely would she feel that way but she had felt it. She knew what it was like and had experienced it enough to know she hated the feeling. But for this, for hiding letters, she had a hard time finding a fuck to spare to reflect on her wrongdoings.

Avery finally pulled the door open and Viv turned to her with a slight laugh, "You look like a peasant boy."

Avery faked a laugh and then quickly shut up, flipping her off. Viv laughed once again, unable to help the slight joy that she got from messing with the noble.

"Let's go, don't want to miss the best Fingen's has to offer," Viv prompted them forward.

"You've been?" Avery finally broke the silence that had lasted all sun.

"The princess speaks," Viv teased and ignored the question, she guided them through the inn, out the door, and into the streets of Niveal, "now that we are past our secrets, I think we should approach this partnership from a clean slate. No fibs, nothing hidden, all above board."

That piqued Avery's interest, her posture straightened a bit and Viv noticed how she had to stop her head from turning to face Viv. It had to be handed to Avery, she was willing to make a partnership work– especially one that was to her benefit. Viv had hooked her.

"How about I tell you something, in the spirit of honesty, and then you can provide some of your own information," Viv proposed and Avery's lack of answer was the permission she needed, "My first ever mission was at Fingen's. It's an initiation for most girls at our academy. Easy place to get a job done, usually a lot of clients want to track someone there or listen in to their conversation. Easy missions go to the greener girls. I was no different, that is where I passed my first test."

Avery glanced over at her and it looked like she was trying to keep interest off her face. Of course, it was a lie. Not that it wasn't a typical initiation, it just wasn't hers. Fingens was too low for her abilities, even for her age. Her first mission was at a Mithren event, her target was one of the Mithren children.

Most of Viv's admissions to Avery had been lies, but not all. And it was always telling the truth that she always immensely regretted it. Lies came to her more easily and with less guilt attached.

"So, now it's your turn to divulge something. Perhaps how it went with Theo," Viv said.

"That is not an equal thing to share, your information was lame. And, actually, it's none of your business," Avery snipped.

"It is my business. Apparently, she had been over for a while by the time I arrived. I asked Arnelo about it and he said she spent the night. So, what's happening between the two of you?"

"Why so curious?" she pushed.

"Wanting to know what you got up to," Viv shrugged, "need to know if I need to clean up any messes."

"No need to clean up, we stayed in the room," Ava crossed her arms.

They were forced closer together as the streets became busy walking toward Fingen's. To avoid bumping into her, Viv adjusted so she was slightly behind Ava, bringing her hand up to push her along by her lower back. Avery didn't protest and Viv noted it. Allowing her to touch was interesting, perhaps things had gone sour between the two. But Theo looked happy with Avery when she walked in on them so it likely meant nothing.

"Did she say yes to the mission?" Viv asked.

"You know what? We didn't explicitly mention it," Avery laughed, "You interrupted us. There was a lot left to speak about."

"I'm sure you'll find your way to her in the next few suns. The ship isn't done yet."

Avery turned back to look at her with scrunched eyebrows, "We are staying for longer?"

"We are. The repairman is trying to swindle Lord Cooker out of his coin for a faster job and Lord Cooker isn't budging. That man has an ego, it's a fault of his," Viv criticized.

"It's always the ugliest people that have the biggest egos," Avery bit.

"Princess," Viv laughed, "was the sex so bad that you are bitter after it?"

"I'm not bitter. It's true. He is an unattractive man," Avery argued.

"You think all men are unattractive."

"I have eyes and perfect vision, Vex," Ava shot a challenging look her way, "I know when it takes someone's wife a few drinks to even entertain fucking."

"Maybe tonight isn't a great night for Fingen's. You have some vitriol in your tone that can't slip when we are there," Viv warned, "can you handle being civil, princess?"

"I'll be fine. No words will come out of my mouth. I will be entirely silent," she assured.

"I truly doubt that you can manage that."

Avery turned around and stopped in the middle of the street, the mass of people flowing around them, "You always pretend everything is alright. It's not. You lied to me."

"And? What are we supposed to do, dwell on it forever?" Viv raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms with a bit of a chuckle, "You lied to me about something worse and gambled with my life and my future. You involved me in the revolution by involving yourself. When I found out, you knew I was upset and your way to solve it was to come fuck me."

Avery's mouth dropped open and she searched for words but Viv had stunned her. She smiled and relished in her small victory, leaning in.

"Are you surprised I caught onto your tactic? It was obvious, princess," she took Avery's chin between her fingers, "You had to clean up your mess, doing so by opening your legs and inviting me in as a distraction was your choice. And it worked. I ignored what you had done. Now, I am just throwing it back your way."

"I will let you clean the slate and ignore everything if you answer me a question," Avery jerked her chin away.

"I will grant you passage if you answer me a riddle or two," Viv pitched up her voice as she mocked Avery then shook her head with a laugh after she was fixed with a cold expression, "what is it you want to know?"

"Are you jealous I fucked Theo?"

"Yes. Of course," Viv's smirk didn't break, she just shrugged, "I didn't know my last time with Theo would be the last time. Before then, it was a spring that never dried up. What was I to know that I needed to fill my canteen one last time before some big city man with dreams for an estate in the countryside would demolish my spring."

"And I am the big city man in your scenario?"

"You are. And now, my canteen is empty and you have an estate."

"If Theo is the spring, then my estate would have destroyed her. Your comparison makes little sense," Ava said.

"Still stands. I'm jealous that you get to sleep with her and I don't. No use in hiding that."

"Hm. I thought you would be jealous at the fact that my lie was forgiven and yours wasn't," she smirked, knowing she had hit a nerve even before she registered Viv's reaction.

Theo couldn't have seen this side of Avery. She never experienced the terror Avery could cause and just how sly she was. She was a Vaith at heart and it felt like Viv was the only one that could pull it out of her. More than just pulling it from her, Viv probably equipped her with the skill to make use of her heritage. Instead of giving Avery what she wanted– a sour face and reaction– Viv just shrugged.

"I'm not jealous of the fact you were forgiven. It makes sense. You now have immense power, it would benefit her to befriend you again," Viv began to walk them down the path again, "I don't envy your position. Must be hard to navigate whether or not Theo's intentions with you are genuine."

"They are."

"Access to the top through an heir, someone on her side at the table with the revolution, some pleasure in stressful times, what is not to gain from stringing you along and making you think all is good?" Viv whispered to her, leaning in as they walked.

"You are trying to get into my head."

"Is it working?"

"No. I have faith in people."

"Unwise and unfortunate. You haven't learned at all, have you?" Viv laughed.

Avery was silent for only a moment.

"You said you have a house. Is it in Niveal?"

"It is not."

"I think it is. Where else would it be?"

Fuck. Why was she like that? She couldn't just leave something alone. And now if Viv was not careful with her reaction, she would give away that Avery was right.

She just chuckled and shook her head, "Yes. My house is here."

"So, can we go see it?" Ava laughed, playing along.

"Absolutely not. You will never be allowed in my house, that is here, in Niveal."

"Right. Take me to your place, here, in Niveal," Ava continued, "it will be a treat to make up for what you did. Consider this your way of apologizing."

"You said if I answered your question I would make up for what I did," Viv said, "clean slate."

"If your house is not in Niveal, where is it?" Ava pushed, having believed her diversion tactic.

"I will never tell you. It is isolated and I would prefer to keep it that way," Viv leaned in to whisper.

"Oh, whatever," Ava huffed, "Will you just go back to being quiet?"

"I wasn't being quiet, I was just not being talked to. The blame here is on you."

Avery rolled her eyes and disregarded the last comment. Viv laughed to herself. If Theo and Avery got to be happy, she did too. And this brought her unbridled joy.

They were nearing Fingen's and as they approached, Viv spotted a group of clearly out-of-place men. Guards dressed in plain clothes, mulling about until they had orders. Viv whistled them over and soon enough they were surrounding the pair.

"The Lady and I will find a table. I need two of you at a table near us, keeping an ear out for any threats. I need two standing a dozen or so feet away to watch for any moves being made against us. I need the rest of you walking around and for fucks sake, don't be obvious."

Each of them gave some sort of signal that they understood her. She looked around one last time.

"Everyone, stay alert. We never know what can happen in there. Be ready to get the Lady out safely."

Ava scoffed a bit, "They aren't animals."

"The people that have eyes directly on us stay here, the rest scatter. Find your places among the crowds," Viv commanded then turned to Ava, "All men are animals, princess. They've got a cute noble girl to fuck with, so, they likely will."

"Since when have you become a man hater?" Ava asked as she began to lead them toward the building at the start of Stumbler's row.

"I don't hate anyone I just distrust everyone, Lady Vaith, have you not caught on to that yet?" Viv joked.

Avery left the conversation, shifting her attention to the entrance of Fingen's and marching forward. When they arrived, Avery walked in first– Viv only one step behind her. She took visual stock of the place. The interior had not changed much in the length since she had been by. She glanced around to find familiar faces. Members of the Scorned Woman's crew were littered about. So were some people she screwed over, others that had fucked her on deals, and old friends. She knew far too many people in Niveal; no one had ever said too much time on the island was a bad thing but it was.

Viv had hoped that they would have missed Cooker's speech, she had heard the long rants one too many times. But given the energy of the room, the loud Eloxian had yet to take the stage.

Without being riled up, the political know-it-alls of Fingen's were lounging in their chairs and at their tables, taking up all empty space on the first floor. But having at least some friendly faces paid off. Viv's eyes got caught by someone waving them over. She began to walk over and she greeted her old acquaintance with a shake of his hand.

"How you doing, Vex?" he chuckled. An old client, easy jobs with decent pay.

"Good," she pat his hand, "nice to see you."

"Here, take my table. I was just about to go anyway. That tattooed woman is speaking and you know how I feel about her kind spewing their pirate, off-kilter, radical ideology up there."

"Oh, I know. You always find a way to bring it up, my friend," Viv chuckled as he waved her off and walked away. Viv sat down, letting Avery pull out her own seat.

It was silent as they settled into the table. Avery was looking around, taking in her first time at Fingen's. Viv took that opportunity to also take another look around. She made a mental note of their exits, of potential threats, and locating where their men were. As she scanned the crowd in front of them, nearing the stage she saw a familiar face. Theo had come along after all, a small band of pirates at the table surrounding her. Among the companions was Cooker, slated to speak that night.

She always had a way of stirring up debate and along with it, adding kindling to the tense fire that always burned on low. The scoundrel in question took that moment to get a good look at her potential audience. Turning around in her chair to see the back of the room, Cooker's eyes almost immediately locked onto Viv.

She had made a mistake in not disguising herself too and she cursed herself for the oversight. It was a testament to being pulled too thin. Having to follow Lord Cooker, watch her back, and keep an ear out for Avery's whereabouts in the past few nights had her distracted. Viv nodded in her direction and Cooker smirked, picking up a hand and wiggling her fingers as a poor excuse for a wave.

Cooker turned to Theo and nudged her which caused the Captain to turn around and look their way. She turned back around, a frown on her face. Phenomenal acting.

It wasn't a surprise that they had been made by the crew– given that Theo knew they would be there– but Viv needed to act like it was a notable shift from their plan. She looked over to a guard that had taken up a spot near them and gave him a nod, indicating that they had been spotted.

Besides that, the night started off quietly. The speeches given were not groundbreaking or particularly interesting. The speakers didn't take much time, most of them were off the stage within five minutes. There had been the occasional heckle but nothing too mean. Viv had seen grown men cry at things that were said to them while on stage.

When the barmaid came around, she ordered them drinks and Avery whispers a slight thanks to her.

Eventually, Cooker's speaking slot was announced and she took the stage. The room came alive as if the host of a party had finally come back from having to check in on the kitchens. The polite and reserved conversation had ceased and the fun could begin. Cooker inspired energy and excitement even just coming onto stage and there was applause that didn't end until Cooker held her hands up.

Viv had never had a bad relationship with Cooker but the woman could get on her nerves for no particular reason. Like that moment. The only way to keep herself from shouting something she should have in response to Cooker's droning, she tuned out. Instead, she enjoyed another show.

Viv watched Theo observe Cooker with a slight smile on her face. Seeing Theo happy made her upset, she clenched her fist trying to keep her body from reacting. It was illogical and cruel but if Theo was smiling and it wasn't because of her there was a deep jealousy that was awakened. But she would keep that side of her at bay, there was no sadness or longing. She was doing splendidly and being in a room with Theo was not driving her insane.

Telling that to herself, and working through the initial punch to her gut had worked, oddly enough. She had a moment of clarity, it was fleeting but the answer was obvious. She was jealous and that wouldn't change but couldn't she also be happy? Viv was not good for Theo. No matter how much she wanted that to be false, it would always ring true.

And if Theo couldn't be with her, she would have rather it be Ava. Theo was a romantic at heart and she was bound to fall for someone else. Viv should have realized how lucky she was that it had been Ava and not another sick fuck like her. If one thing was learned about being around Ava it was that she loved Theo. Probably more than Viv was even capable of.

So, if Theo was happy and Theo was loved, then that was all that mattered.

Fuck. What had happened to her?

Seeing Theo always scrambled her head. She was usually able to keep affection or care out of the front of her mind though. This time was different.

"You stare any harder and I'm afraid you will banish her to another plane of existence," Avery laughed over to whisper.

"Pay attention," she shot back.

She should have been taking her own advice because she was wildly unprepared for what she heard next.

"-when nobles pretend they know what we stand for, and know what we need. We get the disastrous policies that our dear friend Lady Avery Vaith so kindly advised her father on."

Viv shook her head with a frown, fucking Cooker. She was going to get up and take Avery out before Cooker pointed them out. No one had caught onto where Cooker was going with the speech but Viv had seen the clear path that Cooker was running down. She was going to expose them for being there. But when Viv tried to get Ava to stand up, she didn't budge.

"I want to listen to what she has to say," Avery challenged.

"And what did those policies do? It created a division within us. It made us turn our heads away from the real goal and squabble between us. Some believe The Center, they accept the presents the cruel lords have to offer. Some believe they are lying to us and want to continue to fight. There are fruits dangling in front of us, that is for sure. But whether taking a bite of the fruit will kill us is of much debate. And it is paralyzing the movement. But that was what they wanted all along. They thrive from our divisions. They sniffed out that we were talking of rebellion and had dreams of once again rising up and they made concessions to attempt to lure half of us back into submission.

It has helped no one! On the surface, sure, some families now have money to get wood for their fire. But even then, it only benefits those nobles in their castles. It put the cost of caring for the poor on the greater and lesser houses. It gave only women with money and status the ability to hold power and titles, and the rest of us that work in the fields and tend to our partners' lands see none of the luxuries that the Ladies of Baethos will see."

There was a pause as Cooker scanned the room and then shrugged.

"You know. These are some bold accusations I am making. Perhaps we would like to hear from the mastermind behind it all. Care to answer any of these claims, Lady Vaith?" Cooker fixed her stare straight at their table and held her hand out toward them.

The whole room erupted into gasps and chatter. Viv sat straight up and looked to each of the guards near them and sent them a nod to get ready if shit went south. Ava didn't react much, she just crossed her arms with a frown and stayed quiet as promised.

"Of course, that was a rhetorical question, my Lady," Cooker chuckled and paced the stage once again, "I would not willingly share the floor and give up my time to you. You have enough of a stage to speak on back at Aubermasse. I had heard you were in Niveal but never thought you would have the gall to show up. I do need to give you props. Thanks for joining us tonight Lady Vaith, that is a nice try at a disguise and not at all an insult to our intelligence."

Cooker paused for laughs, which were awarded to her. She nodded then bowed, "We hope you take something back from this."

"Fuck having women in power if that woman is you!" someone heckled from the top balcony.

"Witless, half-baked policies," a shout came from behind them.

Avery's face was stoic. Glancing over to Theo, however, told a different story. To anyone else, the scowl would be thought to be toward Avery but Viv knew it was because of the jeering toward her. Cooker was ballsy, sure, but calling Avery out like that had to have been run by Theo. But why would that be allowed? Theo would have stopped that. Unless, she had okayed it.

Viv turned to Ava and leaned in close, pulling Ava in.

"You asked for this, didn't you?" Viv laughed a bit, "you told Theo to hang you in the town square."

"Helps me sell that they hate my guts," she shrugged.

"Clever. Next time, give me a heads up because now, you really are in danger. These people hate you," Viv pressed her thumb slightly into Avery's arm where she hand found her hand resting, "this was irresponsible."

"Let it happen. I have a dozen guards and you. I can manage to slip out unscathed. Helps my father believe I am on his side even more if I'm attacked here. He wanted this to demoralize me, let him think it did."

She had a point. She was frustrating, yes, but also deceptively sly.

Cooker resumed her speech and settled down the hecklers. It was still tense but relatively quiet until the end of Cooker's set but Viv did not pay attention to the words. She was looking at everyone in the building. Cooker stepped off the stage and the host for the night stepped on but by then, people had already burst out of their seats to speak about what had happened.

Things were busy. They were bustling. People were getting up, switching seats, and shouting across the room. Many of those shouts were insults that were lobbed at Avery, who seemed to take it well. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Theo standing. Some people went silent to watch what happened, others were too distracted.

She walked over slowly, coming to stand in front of their table for a moment before leaning on it with both hands. She bent forward to whisper something in Avery's ears and through the commotion, Viv couldn't make it the words. All that was showing was a deep frown on Avery's face, which was absolutely fake. But it was a good performance for those that had stopped to watch.

After a moment, Theo pulled away and Ava was scowling. She bent forward and spit at Theo's feet then looked up and raised an eyebrow at the Captain. Theo only chuckled and slowly walked to the exit. By then, most of the room had gone quiet and watched the captain intently. Theo paused at the door and turned around, taking survey of the room then she nodded.

The action was clearly read by everyone in the room. It was permission to do whatever they wanted to Avery. Word had gotten around that the two had been entangled before and no one would have acted without her go-ahead.

But Theo had just given them the permission they needed to harass the noble she was once charged with protecting.

As soon as Theo nodded, Viv jumped into action. She pulled Avery up by the arm and motioned for the closest guards to surround her. It was easy enough to get out of the room because no one had thought through what to do or how to block them. She kept her hand on her handcannon as they shuffled outside. As they left, more guards joined them from around Fingen's and there was a crowd of them surrounding Avery as they walked down the street. Viv handed her off to them, watching them surround her, and sent them off to the inn.

She stayed back to see if anyone followed but they didn't seem to care enough to do so. She scanned the front of the building and did find Theo watching on. She was leaning against the building and lighting a cigarette. They locked eyes and Theo titled her to the side then slipped away and into the alley. Viv followed. She caught up with ease, finding Theo waiting in the dark corridor.

"Captain," Viv smiled as she saw Theo, using the nickname she had used even before Theo had found herself in command of a crew.

"Vex," Theo shot back with a slight smile playing at her lips, "I'll never escape you, will I?"

"No. I'm downright obsessed. Where you are, I am," Viv said and she smelled sard, which was ironic.

Theo laughed and shook her head, "So, what's the catch Viv? Why are you doing this? Why are you helping with the revolution?"

"Too many people have been asking me about my motivations lately and I dislike it," Viv said and held her hand out for some sard. Theo handed some to her, "I get money and power and the ability to choose a side when the war tilts one way or the other. If you are worried about joining because I am involved, don't. I'm not going to flake on the revolution unless you are already losing."

Theo shook her head but after a beat, she laughed, like she couldn't help it. It was momentary and Theo quickly regained a neutral expression, "But what else? The risk is not worth the reward. You have enough gold so it's not about the money. You have power no matter where you go so it can't be that. It just never crossed my mind that this would be something you agreed to."

"You know me. What other reason do I need?" Viv shrugged, it was true. There was no real motivation behind anything she ever did. It was a challenge and something to do, what other reasoning did she need?

Theo understood her better than most, because she didn't question her answer, "Suppose you don't need a reason."

Theo didn't meet her gaze, darting her eyes around the alleyway as she took another puff of her sard.

"Dare I say, you look worried about something else," Viv noted and raised an eyebrow. There was a certain level of concern emanating from Theo that had not abated since the start of their conversation.

"What will get you to keep Red out of your mess? You need to leave her alone," Theo asked, finally looking at her.

Viv raised an eyebrow, "That seems oddly possessive. My whole job is to keep an eye on her. And even if it wasn't, we work together. You can't keep her away from me."

"No, but I can try and keep your hands off her," Theo replied.

"Ah, she told you what occurred between us," Viv laughed a bit, not expecting Avery to have admitted to it, "So honest of her."

"Why? Why her? You had all of Aubermasse," Theo asked.

"You have an issue with it? How rapacious. She isn't yours to own."

"It is not out of jealousy, Viv. I know what happens to people that get caught up in your messes and I just wish you would have kept her out of it."

"Again, we are partners. She is involved in my shit whether or not we slept together."

"But now, she cares for you. On whatever level and with whatever intensity is not my problem, I don't have a right to know that but I do know what it's like to hold some level of affection for you and it's not a good outcome for her," Theo said.

"Oh yeah?" Viv rolled her eyes, "Fuck you. I'm not going to get her killed."

"She would probably do whatever it took to save you if your ass was on the line but you wouldn't do the same for her," Theo accused.

"How do you know? I could have fallen deeply in love with her during our time together," Viv challenged her assumption.

Theo pocketed the sard cigarette that had died out and shook her head with a laugh, "You would be foaming at the mouth at the thought of her in bed with me if you were in love with her. You forget how much time we spent together, Vex, and how well I know you. And despite what you tell yourself, you are scarily possessive when it comes to the few people you love."

"You got me there," Viv laughed a bit, "Avery is a good time, it's not at all about love."

"So, why then?"

"Because I wanted to see if I could. She's cute. Good in bed too. Why not?"

"She is the daughter of Umbar Vaith and you were in his fucking lair. It was a major risk you took. He could have found out and killed you," Theo argued.

"He found out and didn't kill me," Viv shrugged her off, "apparently, he's not as hateful of renouncers as the rest of the world believes him to be."

"You didn't know that when you first approached her."

"She approached me," Viv raised an eyebrow and stepped forward, uncrossing her arms and getting close to Theo. There was a slight shock that briefly passed through her expression and it made Viv laugh, "Does that bother you? Your sweet pirate princess propositioned me. Young, naive Red who needs saving was the one with control of the reigns. She has been controlling shit from the moment she stepped foot in Aubermasse. Your darling is quite guileful. Were you not aware?"

Theo shook her head with a light sigh and went to step away but Viv stopped her.

"Upset at the news?"

"No, I'm over this. I'm not getting anywhere with you," Theo tried to pull away again and Viv let her.

"Opening the conversation by trying to tell me what to do wasn't a great start if your goal was to get me to cooperate with you," Viv pointed out.

Theo stopped walking away and turned around, she threw up her hands, "You're right. So let's restart. What can I give you to keep her best interest at heart? Your partnership with her, as you said, is inevitable. You are the only one with a grasp and connection to the outside when she's in there so what can I do to incentivize you to keep her safe."

"She can keep herself safe," Viv rolled her eyes.

"She is one person. With the capability to hold her own–yes–but the people she is dealing with are not going to play by her rules, they will play by yours. Which means that she cannot protect herself alone, she needs help to do that. There is only so much one person can do when they are surrounded by enemies."

Viv had no answer for her. She wished Theo cared about her like that. She wanted to strangle someone. How was it that Avery–the daughter of the man who killed Theo's parents–had managed to be forgiven and she hadn't? And yet, she couldn't be that mad. Theo's concerned expressions, even if they weren't meant for her, touched her heart. It melted away some of the coldness she always felt. At the end of it, if Theo would find happiness with her royal fucking highness being safe, then Viv would have to make sure that happened.

"She will be protected. I will keep her safe," Viv promised.

"For what in return?"

"Nothing. I was already planning to do that. If she's alive, I'm alive. If she's gone, then my connection to Vaith and Brandon is gone. That is incentive enough," Viv clarified and the look on Theo's face was skeptical, "you don't believe me."

Theo shook her head.

"I won't even come on to her or anything. I reserve my right to fuck with her though, you can't take my only joy away."

"Why?"

"Because I'm a prick. It's enjoyable to me."

"No. Why are you saying yes to this yet asking nothing of me?" Theo asked.

"You care about her. You are asking me to do this. She benefits me too. I don't need another reason," Viv looked away, not knowing why she wasn't giving Theo a harder time. She shouldn't have given in and once she had, she should've been more of a dick about it. She was being entirely too nice and Theo noticed it too. She had been shocked into silence.

Viv didn't know how to resuscitate the conversation and they were stuck, staring at each other. Looking into Theo's eyes, she couldn't stop herself from being transported back to a time when smoking in the alleyway with Theo was normal. She fucked it up and that was her only regret in life.

But, the messed up part was that she would have done the same thing again if given a second chance. It was almost like she was not capable of maintaining anything that brought her true comfort. Sabotage it before it can sabotage her, that is what always ended up happening. She knew she had doomed herself to a life of reflecting on something she wouldn't and couldn't change but every time she was forced to face it, it was not pleasant.

Suddenly, she was very aware that she was in front of Theo after such a long time. Very aware that she was being agreeable. And very aware that she was uncomfortable at what she had let herself admit to Theo, hidden between her words.

"Enjoy the rest of your night, Cap," Viv turned to start exiting the alley.

"Vivexa wait."

Viv turned around, hope filling her belly but the look on Theo's face wasn't promising. Her heart had only a half a second but it had gotten ahead of itself, hoping for a confession or admission of love. That wasn't what was happening. Obviously. She didn't know where the thought had even come from. Theo once again looked at a loss for words. She didn't know what to say but she clearly didn't want the conversation to end.

"I'm sorry."

Viv didn't have to ask what for.

"Don't be. She is who she is, I am who I am, you need what you need and that won't change," Viv shrugged, appearing to not care but on the inside she was being crushed under the weight of unbearable sadness. Fuck loving someone.

Theo accepted the response and nodded but looked like there was more on her mind.

"We're here. Might as well get it all out there," Viv crossed her arms.

"Brandon, what do you think of him?"

Viv clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, "He operates from a place of fear and caution, which isn't bad but he needs people around him who are not fearful or cautious."

"That is no longer me."

"The weight of responsibility is shit. I told you that when you first said you wanted to be a captain," Viv laughed.

"I know," Theo smiled a bit and shook her head, "you were right."

"I usually am." Viv said, "but really, I think you are the revolution's best bet for it to not fail."

"You're saying that without me it's doomed to fail then?"

"No, I hedged my bets between the two camps knowing it wasn't a guarantee that you would be involved with the rebellion. I wouldn't have done that if I didn't think they had a chance. But their best chance at winning is with you."

"I just don't understand how a revolution can be so prepared if it hinges on one person for its best bet at success."

"I see your grasp on your skills and importance continues to elude you," Viv teased and tilted her head, "do you really not see it? You can't understand how capable you are to strategize them into success?"

"Viv, I am about as good as any other pirate or roamer will be. I am not the only person that has command of the seas and of revolutionary history. Neither is Cooker," Theo shook her head, "I'm going to do it, this isn't me trying to get out of it."

"But you don't want to," Viv said.

"Of course I don't."

"You were born into it though. As much as you want to ignore that, it runs in your blood," Viv pointed out and shrugged, "but even if you weren't the child of the leaders of the last one of these, you are the right choice, not some other pirate or underworld piece of shit. You've got a loyal crew, you've got people willing to listen to you, you've got connections in most of the areas they need, and you've got the best command of the seas that the revolution could hope to contract. Xyra, Cooker, Navi, Morgana, Iona, and apparently now Lee'Kaia being on your crew doesn't hurt either. You've got some legends on your crew but at the end of the sun, it's you they want. You were asked for a reason, Captain. This isn't just them going down a list of people hoping one will bite. They've chosen you and sought you out despite your protests."

"How can you know that?"

"I asked the same questions you are asking now. Why you? What was their reasoning? And they gave me an answer damn near what I just said," Viv pushed, "Stop being unwilling to accept that everyone is on the same page about you. Do you know how difficult it is to get everyone on the same page about anything?"

"What interest was their reasoning to you?" Theo raised her eyebrow.

"I was afraid of them having the wrong intention for picking you. Wanted to make sure they weren't leading you to your death and being alright with you as a sacrifice."

Theo scoffed and rolled her eyes, then laughed, "That's rich. You care about my well-being all of a sudden?"

"Of course. You dying is bad for my business," Viv laughed, it was a lie.

"How so?"

"I sell a lot of information about you. No you, no stream of gold coming my way."

"Fair enough," Theo conceded, Viv didn't know if Theo believed it or not, "Thanks for indulging me with some answers."

"Yeah," Viv shrugged, "going to go now. Got a noble to go babysit. But before that, answer me something."

Theo nodded her way.

"What did you whisper in her ear?"

"That if she managed to sneak out, I would be waiting for her at Marian's," Theo smirked.

"She's going to attempt it." Viv scoffed, "Why would you even encourage that?"

Theo laughed, "I didn't say that. I said that if she wanted me to come over tonight to see her before you all leave, she could leave a signal at the tunnel entrance to the inn. I minimized the risk for you. You are welcome."

Viv nodded, "Well, we're actually staying a bit longer than anticipated and I am positive she will want to see you so I will make sure the coast stays clear and no one goes into the room."

Theo looked taken aback.

"I can be selfless only once in a length, so you've used up your graciousness," Viv began to back away.

"I won't push my luck then," Theo laughed softly.

"And tonight is the only night I will allow for this. She needs to spend her nights out on the streets, convincing the spies on her that she is not involved with anything but having a good time."

"I will make sure to make it count, then."

"One more thing," Viv paused as she made it to the entrance of the alley, "What is going on between the two of you? Is it a thing?"

"No. I told her no. It's not the time or place," Theo leaned against the wall, "Just a bit of fun, as you say."

"Sure," Viv laughed, "you were desperate to make sure she was safe, that was all just a bit of fun."

"She still has my heart but there is nothing transpiring between us. It can't happen and we both know that," Theo frowned, looking at the ground.

Viv was conflicted. She hated seeing Theo hurt but at the same time, their not being together brought her a slight amount of delight.

"Sorry about that," Viv said, conveying no sympathy through her tone, "I'm going to go."

Theo waved her off and Viv walked away, feeling her stomach sink as it did every time she left the captain.