#innida

[razzle-zazzle]

902 Words; Gamzee Lalonde AU, 2003/six years pre-SBURB/SGRUB

@ceabu

“I—I just don’t think—”

“Duusna.” Innida’s voice was sharp, her hands on his shoulders, “I am asking you to think critically for once in your life.” Her eyes narrowed to slits. “Every troll is taught how to fight, and with more than just their choice of weapon. Our knowledge of the outside world is limited, structured. Almost nothing is known of Alternian culture and practically nothing is being done about it. And absolutely zero efforts have been made to integrate the Community into society.”

“Yeah, but—” Duusna wrenched free of Innida’s grip and stepped back, looking everywhere but at Innida, “That can’t—that couldn’t possibly—there’s no way it means what you’re—what you’re telling me it means.” He fiddled with his bracelet, running his fingers over the metal beads, his claws clicking quietly against them.

Innida snarled, pinching the bridge of her nose. This really wasn’t the place to be doing this—not here, in the middle of the hallway, just outside Crafts Room E—but dragging Duusna away to a more private area would no doubt draw more attention than Innida wanted. The door was open, for god’s sake. She could hear people bustling around in there and making use of the supplies.

God, did Duusna have to be so thick-skulled about everything?

Innida fixed him with a glare. “If the shoe fits, Duusna.” She hissed.

“Innida, that—that can’t—”

“What’s going on here?” Both Innida and Duusna flinched back at Anskra’s voice, though Innida, at least, was capable of maintaining some sense of dignity about it.

Even worse, Anskra was accompanied by Ardaxx, who must be helping her with whatever errands she was running. More people was… not optimal.

“Nothing—nothing you need to worry about.” Duusna placated, “Innida was just telling me something—something interesting.”

Anskra smiled warmly. It was no wonder she was seen as an authority figure in the Community when she had a smile like that—all soft features, mirth in her gaze, with a calculating mind behind it. “Well, if it’s interesting, then I’d like to hear it.”

Innida fidgeted with the fabric of her skirt, “I’m sure you and Mr. Yelnir are busy, Miss Collet.” Her lips were pursed, the texture of her skirt between her fingers a comfort, but her underdeveloped fins still flared anyway. “I wouldn’t want to waste your time.”

Anskra chuckled. “Nonsense!” She shuffled through the folders in her hands, handing one of them to Ardaxx, “Bring this to Admin for me, dear?”

Ardaxx nodded, “Of course, Annie.” He took the folder and continued walking, leaving the other three alone in the hallway.

Anskra smiled as he went, then turned back to where Duusna and Innida were fidgeting nervously. “I can’t spare more than a few moments, but I’d love to hear whatever it is you two are talking about. Unless it’s something personal~.” She winked conspiratorially, and Innida was viscerally reminded that Anskra was only thirty-five years old.

Innida let go of her skirt and opened her mouth, fully prepared to take the out offered to her. Knowing Anskra, she’d redirect them to somewhere more private, allowing Innida to stop worrying about making a scene.

Of course, before Innida could even speak, Duusna opened his mouth and asked, “I—I need to—to ask—” He fumbled, nervousness exacerbating his stutter, “Is—is it true—”

Anskra didn’t interrupt, placid smile plastered on her face as she waited for Duusna to finish.

Innida tensed, glancing towards the open door. Most of the occupants were younger than her—too young to be hearing what Innida had figured out. She’d just wanted to confide the truth in a friend her age, to feel less like the whole sky was bearing down on her. She didn’t want it spreading.

But before she could think of a way to interrupt Duusna that didn’t scream coverup, he managed to spit out what he wanted to say.

“Is it true that we’re all just—that we’re all just weapons?”

Anskra’s eyes widened, smile gone.

From somewhere in the crafts room, a paintbrush clattered to the floor.

Innida cringed.

“I—” Anskra’s grip on the folders tightened, green eyes darting every which way. “I don’t think that’s a subject one should be broaching out in the middle of the hall, sweetie.” It was clear she didn’t really know what to do with the question given to her. “Where did you even come across such an idea?”

Duusna cringed.

“I did.” Innida stepped in, her voice hushed. “It makes sense, though, doesn’t it? Why every troll has to go through several years of strife training, why the higher-ups are more concerned with understanding our biology than Alternian culture.” Her throat was tight, eyes narrowed to slits.

The trolls inside the room—Colton, Evalva, and Glaxal, if Innida remembered right—had all gone quiet, likely eavesdropping.

Innida found she didn’t particularly care, though. She stepped forwards, hands clenching into fists, the volume of her voice rising ever so slightly.

“It’s true, isn’t it? We aren’t people to them, just assets to hide away and groom into weapons, aren’t we?”

Anskra cringed. “I don’t know.” She stepped back. “I’ll—I’ll look into it, okay?” She fixed Innida with a searching look. “But in the meantime,” her voice was louder, here, clearly meant to carry far enough for any eavesdroppers to hear, “I don’t think this is a discussion to be had so… freely.”

As she hurried away, Innida wondered if maybe she should have kept her mouth shut.

[priejuros]

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