scrapdraught | Ashlyn Banner

[ can't argue with this because it's way too logical. but she holds herself to insane standards so like what the fuck? no, why wasn't i, a 15 year old normie, randomly better than most full teams of investigators and detectives who have months and more evidence and no magic? ]

I... guess so.

[girl...

Camille would love to tell her it'll be okay. It won't. Their situation is grim, and it was grim even before they were tugging up bodies. So what's left? Shitty platitudes? Depressive silence?]

It's better than it could have been. We did a lot. You did a lot. You're a smart cookie, you know that right?

[ she is once again not sure whether to take this as sincere or condescending. ]

Every theory I came up with was wrong.

But you had theories. And they came from grounded places. Reasonable doubts. It's not a stupid guess just because it turns out wrong.

[ mn. she nods, but doesn't like lingering on being comforted. ]

So what do you think happens tomorrow?

[Smooth.

But she'll back off. Ashlyn is hard on herself, and there's only so much pressure you can apply in the opposite direction before the line get cut. She never liked being coddled either.]

That, I don't know. [She thinks a moment. Another line of text scribbles down her arm. Quit chasing your sisters.] I'd rather not be there for it. I'm not a fan of gruesome spectacles, even if it's "justice".

[ hmm. perceives that writing. does not comment... ]

But it's information gathering.

[Camille looks to Ashyln.]

I know.

[How much does she want that information? Enough to test her stomach? To hit her limit on witchcraft and cruelty?

Can she do it without a bottle in hand?]

Guess it'll be a test of my character, then. Are you going?

[ ash thinks... they were sort of compelled to go to trial, so they might not get a choice about whatever happens next, either. but still. if it was a choice: ]

Yeah. But what do you mean? [ test of character how? ]