#like here obviously i go by sophie so that's what i'd expect. but if im giving a dean my government name they'd better use it

[readingloveswounds]

so i go by sophia professionally and truly i don't really mind what people use when speaking to me. HOWEVER. when someone i don't know uses sophie when i have either corresponded as sophia or sent them documents w sophia on them, i do not love it when they then put sophie in writing. that's not my name. we don't know each other like that. you gotta see me in person to have that permission.

[fitz-avery-vacker]

At All Costs

IM BORED, OKAY?

"Stay out of the water for now. Not until the ocean's safe to swim in again." __________________

Tam's arms are crossed. He's glaring at the other side of the battlefield.

"You only stand with the Black Swan for your sister." Alvar said, taking a step forward from his place behind Lady Gisela. "What would you do if Linh joined us instead?" he goaded.

The Black Swan members who were present looked at Tam expectantly, some of them nervous for an answer.

"I'd go with her." Tam said, lacking any and all forms of hesitation. A few surprised gasps sprouted from the Black Swan's side of things. There. That said it all. The Black Swan was somewhat shocked, though at the same time some expected the answer.

But the members of the Neverseen could only grin and murmur among themselves. There weren't many people around. Only a few people from either rebel group were gathered together, both teams respectively on either side of the field. Only Marella, Tam, Linh, Sophie, Wylie, and Keefe were there. On the Neverseen's side stood Alvar, Lady Gisela, Fintan, Vespera, and a figure who still had their hood up. A few minutes prior, Alvar, Fintan, and Vespera had all de-cloaked themselves, revealing their identities while Gisela had just shown up like that.

"So where do your loyalties really lie? Isn't it time to feel passionate about something not related to your sister?"

Fitz's stinky older brother really sounded like a walking 'Join-The-Neverseen' advertisement sometimes.

"I am passionate about other things. Just not joining the Neverseen." Tam said plainly.

It's not like Tam knew much else. Protecting Linh was practically the only thing he'd been doing his entire life. Hell, he'd even allowed himself to become Exiled from the Lost Cities with Linh when he was barely eligible for Foxfire. He'd looked out for her at Exillium. He'd looked out for her when they returned to Foxfire. He looked out for her even before all of Foxfire, and Exillium. So he'd look out for her here too.

But Alvar only looked frustrated.

"So you really don't feel for either of our causes? To fix the Council's issues? To make sure no one has to suffer again like we have? Does that mean nothing to you?" He demanded, obviously trying hard to keep the rage from his voice. Now Tam could see where Fitz got his anger issues thing from.

"Sure, things could use change. But neither of the groups are doing it the right way. The Black Swan's too chicken to get their hands dirty enough to actually be able to do something and cause change, and the Neverseen are always on the verge of losing their members to guilt and sanity shatters." Tam huffed. There.

Now it was all out in the open. Tam could feel the stares of his teammates on his neck, prickling him with discomfort and uncertainty. But it also had felt like a weight had been removed from his chest. He felt as though he could breathe easier. Like things were less tense and tightened in his chest.

Even if it meant a long lecture from his sister later. But that was fine. She knew how Tam was.She knew why he was with the Black Swan. For her. He was only there to keep her safe. Keep her protected. Keep her out of trouble. Like he always had. Ever since she'd first manifested as a Hydrokinetic, and the water beckoned her to it's edge. Tam slowly moved her away from the waters edge, leading her back inside to where they wouldn't cause trouble.This was similar to that. Yet so much more complicated at the same exact time.

You will regret not joining us, Tam. This is your last chance." Lady Gisela spoke up. Keefe's horrendous mother. Who just so happened to be the leader of the Neverseen as well, so points to her.

"And how exactly will I regret it?" Tam challenged, raising an eyebrow.

"We'll make sure of it." she promised, the look of a predator glinting in her eyes. The look that made Tam nauseous but want to defend himself at the same time. Which just made the situation feel all the more fragile. Like one more misstep would cause threats to surround them and shatter what little thought of safety they had left.

"..I don't like where this is going." Tam said, speaking what was practically on everyone's mind. "What do you mean, you'll make sure of it?"

"I mean worse then what you're thinking, Tam. If threats are the only way to get you to join our cause, I can manage. Not all of us can have the same skills as Sophie." Lady Gisela's eyes drifted to the Moonlark, who was standing next to Wylie with her gloves on. Sophie pursed her lips defiantly, though would not be backing down. Lady Gisela only seemed amused, like a cat toying with mice before it attacked.

But Tam was glaring at Lady Gisela, his fists balling up at his sides. His shadow drifted closer to her, though it was barely noticeable to everyone else. It crawled up her cloak, whispering like ice in her ear.

'Don't touch Linh.' The shadow seethed.

"I won't if you make the right choice. We all know the Black Swan can't protect her. Maybe you could by yourself, but..." Lady Gisela trailed off with a smirk. "The days where things were simpler are gone now, aren't they? She has friends now, doesn't she. She doesn't want to be left out of the fight, doesn't want to leave the more difficult things to her twin brother. No, she wants to be part of the battle too. But you know that she shouldn't. You want to keep her safe and bundled up in the fantasy that everything is okay. But I hope one day you can truly join our cause, without threats being needed."

Tam was quiet. His thoughts were racing, and his shadow retracted back to himself. He had stiffened up, and while his silence had become too much to bare, Keefe had begun arguing with his mother. What a surprise.

But Tam needed Linh to be safe. Despite all the emotional poking and prodding Lady Gisela had done, Tam knew he needed to keep Linh safe. It was his job.There was no way Sophie would be able to guarantee her safety. The Black Swan's protective measures had failed in the past. He wasn't going to risk his twin's life on a 'We'll try our best' from the rebel group that kept failing time and time again.

His shadow reached out slowly, again going unnoticed by everyone except the receiver. He couldn't have cared less that Lady Gisela and Sophie were still talking.

'If I go with you.. you swear to leave Linh alone?' The shadow ventured hesitantly.

"Hmm. Maybe we're not as far as I thought." Lady Gisela turned to face where the shadow had come from. "And I always keep my promises, Tam. Ask Glimmer."

Glimmer. Right. The girl who'd been introduced earlier. Keefe still couldn't hold back a snicker at the name. Glimmer turned to glare at him. Tam's gaze shifted to Glimmer, a questioning glint to the flecks of silver in his eyes.

"I believe you have to keep your promises. Lady Gisela has done her best." Glimmer responded, nodding encouragingly.

Tam could feel everyone's gaze burning through his skin. "Okay.. well, I don't really have much of a choice, do I?" he asked.

"Uh, Tam? I don't really like where this is going." Keefe pointed out from his spot beside Tam, where he held the note in his hand. He took a step forward, placing a hand on the Shade's shoulder. "I don't either." Tam admitted, shrugging Keefe's hand off gently.

"But- keep an eye on Linh for me, okay...?"

"Tam, don't do this." Sophie warned. Ever the leader. Tam had to resist the urge to roll his eyes.

"It's not your decision." Tam snapped. "It's mine. And I've already made it."

"We can protect her!" Sophie argued.

"Yeah, and your 'protection' has worked out perfectly for people in the past." Tam succumbed to the urge to roll his eyes.

"We'll work better. We'll get better. Please, Tam." Sophie said aloud, before transmitting 'There's always a choice.'

"For you there might be." He took a step away from the Black Swan's side of the field, walking over to Lady Gisela's side. He stood between her and Glimmer, trying to hide behind his bangs as if they could swallow his guilt.

"I've been there, dude. This isn't right. even if it seems like it is. It's not. Don't make the same mistake I did." Keefe attempted to sympathize.

"This is not the same." Tam snapped. "I'm not making the same mistake you did. You ran off because you thought you were clever, and you were cocky about it. I'm leaving because I'm making sure my sister is safe." But Keefe continued. "This is more similar than you think. You'll regret this if you do it, Tam." For once, Keefe was using his real name. He should've been proud. Maybe even teased Keefe about it. Maybe thanked him. But newfound anger found itself bubbling to the surface. "No, actually, I won't. As long as she's okay, I'll be fine here."

The Black Swan was at a loss for words. Linh looked like she was about to cry.

"If its worth anything, I think you made the right choice." Glimmer murmured in Tam's ear.

"I know I did." Tam whispered back, his eyes focused on the ground as the rest of his body shook.

"Keefe, now that your friend has joined, are you sure you don't want to, or will we have to continue this at another time?" Lady Gisela asked, tilting her head ever so slightly.

"I'm sure. Bangs Boy might've gone with you but I'm sticking right here." Keefe claimed proudly, taking a hold of Sophie's hand while she still tried to process what was going on.

Tam couldn't help but feel guilty. Luckily, Lady Gisela started talking again. "We'll come back for you, Keefe. But you will join. I promise."

"Uh-huh, sure I will." Keefe sneered.

"Tam-- Tam please don't do this. I can protect myself. They can protect me! But don't do this."

The one voice that Tam had been praying wouldn't speak up. The voice that Tam had been praying that he wouldn't have to argue with.

Somehow, Tam found the courage to speak up. "Linh, I'm not risking your life on a "we'll try better next time" from the rebel group that keeps on losing."

Once the words had left Tam's mouth, the humidity in the air began thickening. Small clouds began forming here and there. "I don't want to fight you Tam, and I especially don't want to hurt you. But if you stand in the way of saving the world...I'd hoped you'd be able to do the same." Linh blinked a few tears out of her eyes, and Tam's heart felt like it had fractured right then and there. "Just...just be safe, okay? I'll always love you, even if you make the wrong decisions."

"I love you too. Which is why I need you to stay out of danger, and just keep training. Don't get yourself hurt. I won't be gone forever. Just until I know you're safe." Tam said it like a promise. His shadow slowly slinked over to touch Linh's, whispering gently in her ear like a morning fog. 'Stay away from the water for now. Not until the ocean's safe to swim in again.'

Linh gave him a subtle nod, so subtle only he could notice it as he retracted his shadow from her's. The clouds slowly started to fizz out of the sky, but the air was still thick with moisture.

Lady Gisela made them leap away before the Black Swan would be able to attack them again.