#why are these idiots behaving as if i am the one going around screaming “RICE BAG RICE BAG”

[hindulivesmatter]

why do you hindutvas call christians “rice bags”? don’t try to deny it lol i’m active on twitter and i’ve seen my christian moots get called that atleast once a day by you lindutva losers. not to mention actually threatening churches and christian communities irl too. and you claim YOU are oppressed? and yall do realize that someone converting for a rice bag says more about the value of hinduism/hindu culture right? so hinduism = price of a rice bag? which is like, what Rs 100 at best? LOL

Me after I go to Christian houses to call them rice bags:

I have never called anyone this in my life pls 😭

"I'm active on twitter" Well that explains this. As if calling us “lindutva” yourself is not Hinduphobic?

Also, the fact that Christian missionaries are actively going around to poverty-stricken people and offering them rice in exchange for conversion is so fucking insidious. Holding food over someone's head to make them convert has to be one of the worst fucking things I've seen. Desperation will make people do anything. And don't even get me started on the proselytising that starts when kids are in SCHOOL. My own sister witnessed it.

And let me flip your question and ask YOU this. Making someone convert to get a rice bag says more about the values of Christianity, right? Why the fuck do you need to blackmail people into converting????

[canirove]

Rice, Rice, baby | Chapter 7

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Masterlist

“Olga, do I really have to go with you? I want to go home, I'm shattered.”

“It'll be just a minute. I'll check if I left my wallet in the kitchen and then we can go” she says. “And stop complaining, Liv. You are turning 25 tomorrow, not 80.”

“Feels like it” I sigh. Because today has been chaotic. 

There was a double training session and some meetings going on, which means that I've spent most part of my day making coffees for everyone, going up and down the stairs to deliver them to the offices, and taking meal orders since one of the waiters called in sick and Olga needed help. And as if that wasn't enough, since the game at the Emirates I've been sleeping like shit, constantly having nightmares where my dad finds out about me and Declan and kills him. Literally. In last night's dream he used an axe to do it. 

“I promise I'll be quick” Olga says, opening the cafeteria’s door.

“You better” I reply, following her. 

“Happy birthday!” everyone screams as I walk in.

“Bloody hell!” I yell, my heart on my throat. “What the fuck?”

“Language, Olivia” Madders says. “This is a birthday party!”

“A what?”

“Surprise!” Olga says while hugging me.

“You… you… what?”

“I know your dad said that you don't like celebrating your birthdays, but you only turn a quarter of a century once!”

“Wow, those are some big words for you, Maddison” I laugh.

“So funny, Liv” he replies, rolling his eyes. “Everyone is dying to wish you happy birthday, you know? Sonny made you a card, and I think a certain Spaniard even got you a present…”

“You all seriously need to stop with that.”

“I was talking about Bryan, Liv” Madders smirks. 

“You… Idiot” I say, hitting him in the arm.

“It's not my fault Spanish dudes love you!” he laughs. “Though you prefer them half Irish, don't you?”

“Shut up!”

“Half Irish? What did I miss here?” Olga asks.

“Nothing. James is talking shit as always.”

“Yes, I am” he laughs again. “Anyway, are you coming or not? I can't wait to try the cake. Alex told me it is your favourite, and knowing how obsessed you are with anything with chocolate, I'm sure it'll be amazing.”

“Wait, Alex is here too?” I ask.

“Yep.”

For the past few weeks he's been behaving super weird around me, basically ignoring me, and I still don't know why.

We've known each other our whole lives since my dad and his are best friends and  we live close by, and even though we've had our ups and downs (especially because of my dating life and him not liking any guy I did), he had never been like this. 

“C'mon, Liv. Let's go say hello to your guests” Olga says, linking her arm with mine and walking towards where everyone is. 

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“Happy birthday, dear Olivia… Happy birthday to you!”

“Don't forget about making a wish!” my mum says.

“Done” I smile.

For my actual birthday I'm having a small gathering with my parents, Alex's and him, the usual every year. After partying way past midnight with everyone at work, it is what I needed. Something chill and at home where I can wear my pyjamas, have crazy hair, and where no one will give me a weird look. Though this year my mum forced me to actually look nice since it is a special number.

“I can't believe my baby is 25 already” she says while hugging me. Or while squeezing me against her. “Where has time gone?”

“She was a tiny loud baby not that long ago, and now look at her. My darling is a beautiful, intelligent and wonderful woman I'm very proud of” my dad says.

“Oh, stop it” I say, trying not to get emotional. 

“Should we start with the presents before everyone starts crying?” Alex's mum chuckles.

“I told you I didn't need anything, guys.” 

“This is just a little detail” she smiles.

After opening a few more presents, it's time for my dad to give me his.

“I'm a bit nervous about this” he laughs, giving me a small box. “Hope you like it, darling.”

“Thank you” I say, slowly opening it. Inside it there is a car key, one that obviously has a Tottenham keychain. And under it, there is a note. “Look out the window? What does it mean?”

“It means exactly that. Look out the window” my dad says, nodding towards the big one in our living room.

“Ok…” I say, walking towards it. And then, I see it. It can't be. “Dad, is that… Oh my God, is that a Mini?” 

“It is, darling. Your Mini.”

“What?”

“It's yours, Olivia” my mum says.

“But I… you… how?” I mumble, looking from the car to the key in my hand.

“You've always been obsessed with that car for some reason. So much, that when you got your driving licence, I bought you a small replica of it” my dad says.

“You did, yes” I chuckle. “I still have it in my room.”

“Do you remember what I told you when I gave it to you?” 

“That one day… Oh, dad!” I say, running towards him and hugging him.

“I told you that one day I would buy you the real one, not just a toy. And that day has come” he says, hugging me back. “It isn't new, we couldn't afford it. But it is better than that thing from the Pleistocene you were driving.”

“It is perfect. The Mini, I mean” I say, moving to look at him. “It seriously is. I love you so much, dad. You too, mum.”

“Oh, Olivia” she says, joining our hug. 

“Did you film all that?” I hear Alex's dad say.

“I did” he replies. 

“I probably look so stupid” I laugh.

“You look beautiful, Liv” Alex says. And that was… odd. But whatever. 

“Why don't you kids take the car for a spin?” my dad suggests.

“Now? What about the cake?”

“You and your cakes, Olivia” my mum replies, rolling her eyes. “It will be here when you come back. Just be careful, ok?”

“Ok” I smile. “Thank you. Again” I say, giving my parents another hug. “I love you.”

“And we love you too. Now go, darling” my dad says.

“And Alex, don't let her go too fast.”

“I won't, Mrs. Chapman” he chuckles.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“Liv, what did your mum say?” 

“Shhh” I reply, speeding up a bit more. 

“If you crash your car on the first day…” Alex laughs.

“That won't happen. I'm gonna take care of him as if he was my son.”

“Is it a boy?”

“It is a boy” I smile. “The most beautiful one.”

“You'll have to give him a name, then.”

“Urgh, I suck at choosing boys names.”

“Is that why all your pets growing up were girls even if they actually weren't?”

“Yep.”

“Then you better not have a son in the future” he laughs again. 

“Yeah” I smile. “I've missed hearing you laugh. Are you ok?” I ask him, slowing down now that we are back in our neighborhood. 

“Uh?”

“You've been avoiding me, Alex.”

“No, I just… I've had a lot going on and to like… Organise my feelings and thoughts.”

“Oh, I see. But is everything ok?”

“Yeah, don't worry. Park over there, I want to give you my present.”

“Ok” I say, doing as he has asked me.

“So… ummm… Liv” Alex says, nervously playing with the small box in his hands. “There is something I have to tell you.”

“I'm all ears.” 

“I… You… We…”

“C'mon, Alex” I say, playfully hitting his arm. “It's me.”

“Yeah, I know. That's why saying this is so difficult. Because it's you.”

“I don't understand.” Why does he look so nervous? I think the last time I saw him like this was when he dared to ask out the hottest girl in our class and she… No. No, no, no, no. He isn't going to…

“I love you, Liv.”

He is. Oh, my God, he is doing it.

“And not like the way you love your dad or a friend. I love you like something else.”

“Alex, I…”

“When I told you that I was trying to like organise my feelings and thoughts, I was talking about you. About what I feel for you. Because I… because I've realized that I've always been in love with you, Liv. That if I've been a prick and disliked all the boys you've dated or been around, it's because I was jealous. Because I wanted to be them. Because I love you.”

“Alex, listen…”

“This is for you” he says, opening the little box and showing me what is inside. A ring. He got me a freaking ring, and one that doesn't look cheap. 

“I can't accept it.”

“It is just a birthday gift, Liv. Nothing else.”

“Nothing else?” I laugh. “You just told me that you love me and now are giving me a ring, Alex. This totally looks like some kind of proposal.”

“Well, if you think about it like that… Then yes. It is a proposal. Liv, do you want to be my girlfriend?”

This can't be real. This has to be another of my nightmares. They all start the same, with something really good happening, and then boom! The killing starts. 

“Alex… I… No.” 

Have you seen that episode of "The Simpsons" where Lisa is dating Ralph, she breaks up with him while being live on tv, and when they are watching it again Bart says something like, look, if you slow it down you can see the exact moment where you break his heart? Well, that is happening right in front of me. 

“I'm very sorry, Alex. But I don't love you. I just like you as a friend.”

Wow, Olivia. Wow. You just delivered the most cliché line ever. 

“I see…” he says, closing the small box and putting it back in his pocket.

“I'm sorry.”

“I heard you the first time, Liv.”

“Ok, umm… I should drive us back home.”

“Is there someone else?”

“What?”

“Are you seeing someone?”

“Maybe...” I say, biting my lower lip. 

“Is it the Spanish guy? The one everyone keeps talking about at work.”

“Who, Pedro?”

“Yeah, him.”

“He isn't anyone from work or related to it.” Which is a lie, but it is best if he doesn't know.

“Oh, ok.” And those are the last words he says to me for the rest of the day.

[undergrounddweller89]

(I was tipsy when I wrote this fell asleep finished the last bit when I woke up hope it isn't horrible more Walter Killian stuffs)

Walter came in late after finally having his first party, like real party.

Lance and Marcy had helped set up something for his birthday, it was a few days after it as spy buisness had kept them from finding the time to do so on the day, Walter's concentration was lack there of as he giggled stumbling through the door, obviously he'd been dropped off outside his house where his house mate lived with him, Tristan Mcford, he fumbled in the dark going to the kitchen, mmm he remembered he still had some cake in there...cake sounded sooooo good right now.

He opened the fridge door the soft glow filling the kitchen frowning at the empty space where the cake had been, he patted the shelf as if It'd make it appear.

He pouted oh yeah he'd eaten it at lunch...a snack bar would suffice instead.

In the door way stood a tall man, wearing nothing but a shirt and boxers , Killian had not gone to the party, loud events such as that made him uncomfortable, he was not one for socialising unless he had to, though Beckett was the exception, at least he knew not to talk to him until he'd had his morning coffee.

He leaned a shoulder against the frame watching Walter just giggle and search for the snack box, perhaps he should help him, he had wondered what the scientist would be like with a few drinks in him, it made him relax to know he was a giggly sort of drunk.

He walked over reaching up onto the top shelf, of course he'd put it up there without thought, he was pressed up against Walters back as he grabbed it off the shelf, it was just a moment of contact, he didn't know how to tell him how he felt...how did you tell a man as sweet as Beckett that you felt something for him, when you were someone who could kill with ease.

Walter turned around and looked up at him grinning, ohhh he could feel all of him and he liked it.

"Triiiistan, you look pretty in the moonlight."

Killian moved back, clearly seeing what was going through Becketts mind and he was not the type to have someone in this condition.

"That's the fridge light Beckett, you left it open."

He replied flatly.

Walter peeked around Killian, giggling,

"So it is, did I pull you out of there cause you look like a snack."

If Killian had been drinking something he might just have done a spit take or spat his drink from laughing.

"Walter you're inebriated, you should go to bed."

"Well if you lay down, I'll get into you then won't I."

Beckett winked, leaning forward and drawing invisible circles on Killian's chest.

Oh dear god Walter was a giggly horny drunk....he took Walters hand and shook his head

"No, I am not going to take advantage of you Beckett, you need to get to bed..."

Killian replied firmly, letting go of him and went to close the fridge door only to feel Walter wrap his arms around his waist and nuzzle against his back.

"Fine but only if you cuddle me to sleep, I demandeth the snuggles or I will find a way to remove your boxers."

Tristan stood up straight, what in the god damned hell of all being, this...this wasn't fair, he inwardly pouted because yes even reforming criminal master minds could pout when something they wanted was so close and yet circumstances made it so far.

His jaw clenched and he sighed

"Fine, but if you put your hands anywhere inappropriate Walter I will be putting you in your bed and locking my door."

"Yaaaay cuddles, mmm what do you like to drink Trillian?"

Walter asked still rubbing his cheek on Tristans back making contented sounds.

Oh yes he was indeed smashed.

"Walter, you literally just mixed up my alias with my name you need sleep...come on now, let's get you upstairs to beddy night night."

"Killian I told you not to say it like that."

Walter whined, gently headbutting Killians back, still not letting go of his waist.

"Yeah I know, but it's just too much fun teasing ya."

"You're a big meanie."

Beckett whined, lightly biting at him.

"Oi, now what did I say about no inappropriate touching."

Killian chuckled

"You still want that snack pack?"

"Yes I dooo."

Feeling Walters hands trying to go down he grabbed them

"Not that snack pack Walter, behave, I'm beginning to feel my virtue's at stake here."

He pulled out of his grasp and handed him the opened packet, Walter took it and huffed

"The only risk here is -

He took a bite and continued talking with his mouth full

"Is my virtue being in tact forever because you won't bend me over and take it."

Walters frustration was soon forgotten though as he cuddled up to Killian again.

Killian was internally flailing, screaming whatever you wanted to call it, how long had he felt this way, had he been missing the signs?

"Walter if you wake up feeling the same, sober where you have a clear mind and consent then I assure you I'll nail you more firmly to that bed than -"

Walter had reached up and started messing with Killian's hair

"You know you look good with messy hair, you want some?"

Killian's mind just stalled, he wasn't entirely sure if Walters mind had wandered because he was drunk or maybe changed his mind on wanting him to bed him, well if he had then at least he wouldn't need to worry about the cuddles Walter wanted, he leaned forward biting into the offered Marshmallow and rice treat, lips pressed against finger tips, he stole only fleeting moments like that where he was not so abrupt.

Killian shivered, it was cold in the kitchen at 2am after all

"Alright, we ate something, I'm tired, it's cold, bed's warm."

He took Walters hand and found the scientist very compliant as they went up the stairs, one of the reasons he'd agreed to the cuddles was because he was concerned the idiot might fall asleep in his own vomit if he were to bring it up in the middle of night and the idea of finding dead terrified him.

He stopped by his room and pulled a shirt out for Walter to wear then told him to get changed in the bathroom.

"Ooooo I always wanted to wear one of your shirts it'll be sooooo big on me, just like I know you'll be so big in-"

"Walter, bathroom get changed, piss and make sure to wash your hands."

Killian interrupted him, pinching the bridge of his nose, if they were in a relationship he'd help him change...he might still need to as Walter stared at him blankly as if everything he'd just said went right over his head, right well it was purely an innocent act of help, didn't need Beckett to make a mess all over the floor, he could only imagined how embarrased the young man would be in the morning if he remembered doing that.

He helped him remove his upper garments, Killian swiftly pulled the grey shirt over his head, looking away when Walter pulled down his pants, giggling

"You can look if you want you naughty man."

"No Beckett...not like this."

Mcford kept his gaze on the bathroom wall, thankful it was only the moonlight that lit up the room, he actually blushed, thee Killian, Tristan Mcford....robohand blushing at being called naughty in such a mischievous manner.

His robotic eye did flare though in brightness momentarily but thankfully and so very thankfully Walter had made it to toilet himself and even remembered to pull up the shirt, last thing he needed to deal with was a soaked shirt and having to give him a new one, he might actually tear Lance and Marcy a new one for leaving Walter like this.

Walter was clearly falling asleep now, Killian knew this because when he asked if he was done he heard a soft snoring and looked back to see Beckett leaning against the wall.

This wasn't the first time he had to handle a drunk man, he'd had friends on the team he'd lost who ended up like this.

He leaned forward and patted his face

"Come on Beckett, you'll get a stiff neck like that."

He grumbled, sighing as the younger man made a sound and sat up so abruptly he smacked his head on Killian's chin.

"Ooww I hit my head Killy..."

He leaned forward and rested on Killian pouting

"Kiss it better?"

Tristans nostrils flared, yes he was gonna kill Lance, Marcy politely though, a gentle man never made a mess of a woman's death...it was only a half threat he made privately perhaps if it'd been some months earlier he might have actually tried it.

"Fine."

He placed a quick kiss to his forehead

"There all better, now let's get your hands washed and put you to bed."

He managed to get that done without much hassle until Walter wrapped his arms around his neck and went all but limp

"Carry me, or I will sleep right here."

Killian was feeling a little done with this, not because he didn't want to, all he wanted to do was kiss him and tell him how endearing he was being, he didn't even argue he was tired and did want to get back to sleep, lifting him bridal style he carried Walter to his room, it seemed Walter was aware enough though to realise it was the wrong room and put a hand on the door frame looking at him

"Noooo that's my room, we gonna snuggle in yours rememberrr oh my god you're so pretty."

He giggled nuzzling Tristans cheek.

Why him, why did he have to be the one carrying the cute scientist at nearly three am, he would sneak out of the bed and sleep on the couch once Walter was asleep.

"You're an idiot Beckett at times I swear."

Killian retorted going down the hall to his room, he set Walter down who before he could even tell him not to take the left side of the bed had already settled into it.

"Mmmm comfy be comfier when you get in hurrrry need snuggle wuggles."

"I'll give you fucking snuggle wuggles in a minute."

Killian muttered under his breath, no he wasn't some huge softie, he could still feel aggravated, but when he looked down and saw Walter reaching out for him sleepily his annoyance melted away...alright maybe he was a little soft when it came to Beckett.

He climbed in and wrapped an arm around him, letting him snuggle up to him, he stroked along his spine just from the neck and down between his shoulder blades, feeling him settle completely into asleep, Tristan found himself too relaxed now to move, sleep was beginning to find him to.

"I love you Walter Beckett."

He whispered softly, gently kissing the top of his head and burying his face into his hair, he was finally confessing for the first time to him in a moment he felt safe and thought Beckett wouldn't hear him, the warmth of just holding Walter made Tristan wonder if he'd gone to heaven.

Walter woke up barely for a moment asking him if he'd said something, Killian only chuckled affectionately

"I said good night Walter."

"Oh...good night..."

Beckett smiled against his neck and kissed it lightly

"Love you to."

And fell promptly back to sleep.

Killian however did not sleep a single wink that night.

Damn it.

[pitofghosts]

AFITS Chapter 35

She’s Important

Warning for what is essentially fantasy police violence! (and also spoilers if you care about that sorta thing <3)

Taglist: @ratracechronicler (this is that scene in full you wanted to see) and @yearlyaquariace <3

Zalizinch was nothing like he had pictured. When Kai Fen thought of railroad settlements, he thought of the long sprawling towns that followed the track across the flatlands. He'd imagined Zalizinch in a similar fashion, stretching long and skinny in a valley between towering mountains.

He was right about the mountains, at least, but that was where it ended. Zalizinch surrounded a gulley, with the city sloping down the mountains to come reach the water in the centre, where ferries made their slow paths across. Heila remarked on how closely it resembled the rice terraces of a farm she'd worked, but stretched huge into streets and passageways. The description meant precious little to Kai Fen. The intermingling of tall, rectangular buildings with equally tall trees was what stuck out to him. The structures here looked constructed rather than carved, and the buildings had sides painted in vivid blues and green. Tall stacks of smoke billowed from two of the mountain tops, which Saoirse explained was the result of factories or mines and not volcanoes.

"The only volcano in Vwos is way up north," he'd said. "And that thing's been inactive for lifetimes."

As they approached the city, Kai Fen got a front row seat to the slow, steady fall of Saoirse's expression. His own face copied.

"What is it?"

Saoirse worried his lip between his teeth and looked over his shoulder at both Heila and Kai Fen, and then let out a nervous laugh. "Unless you two have Vwosi documents I don't know about, we're in for a bit of trouble."

Kai Fen groaned and leaned his head forward against the wood. Had no one thought anything through?

While being under the blankets with others was warm during the night, doing it during the day was hot and stuffy. Kai Fen hend his sleeves tightly in his balled up fists, trying to keep his breathing steady. He loathed dark, crowded spaces, and with Heila shoved next to him and bags piled on top of them, he was beginning to weigh the odds of facing the Vwosi guards and responders against facing the claustrophobia.

"Who's even heard of a checkpoint," Heila muttered. "I still say we should just go in."

"Anywhere secure has them," Kai Fen shot back at her. Even if he wasn't pleased by the situation, he at least understood it. He didn't like the Vwosi for more than just a handful of reasons, but safety precautions during an invasion and onslaught of refugees wasn't one of them. Heila's shoulder caught him in the chin, and he glared. "Maybe you not hearing about them is why Yshtral fell so fast. Be quiet until we get through."

He could sense Heila's disapproval, but he didn't hear about it. She shifted again, and this time her elbow came careening too close to his nose for comfort. "Blankets and bags don't move," Kai Fen hissed. Heila turned her head and he caught her glare even in the darkness, but her movements ceased.

There were a few calls from up ahead in Vwosi. Kai Fen hoped that Saoirse would respond to them in Bridgespeak, but he didn't. Saoirse had spent some time teaching them phrases while they traveled, but it wasn't nearly enough to understand the quick natural flows of conversation.

The voices drew closer as the cart eased to a halt. Kai Fen squinted into the darkness and concentrated on picking out familiar words. Business, person, money, food, name. Saoirse made what sounded like a joke, and then said, "Sasha Minnet." There were a few more quick exchanges, Saoirse stalling on the answers. He made what Kai Fen assumed was another joke. No one laughed.

He didn't need to understand the words to know that Saoirse was nervous. Kai Fen would credit that he played it off well, but there was apprehension in his voice, and too much laughter. It could have been assumed to be a boy, journeying on his own for the first time, and nervous to be out on his own. Kai Fen noticed that his thumb was running over his sleeve and stilled it.

Blankets and bags didn't move.

A sentence with enough familiar words came from an unfamiliar voice. "Sasha Minnet. As in the Predstav's son?"

A laugh from Saoirse. The showman's laugh, Kai Fen noted. He understood enough to get the gist of Saoirse's words: "The one and only."

Shouts. The word people. A word that sounded eerily similar to the word "search" in Enyese. Kai Fen held his breath.

The blankets and bags were moving.

He closed his eyes and tilted his head forward, touching it to the wood, and he sent a silent prayer that he and Heila somehow remained undiscovered, but knowing his luck with prayer, he was only solidifying their capture. He didn't know what the punishment for trying to sneak past a Vwosi check point was, but he imagined they weren't about to get off easy.

The light that spread behind his eyelids felt like a death sentence. He opened his eyes just before a hand enclosed around the base of his neck and yanked him backwards. Kai Fen reached to grab the hand, to pull it away, but then a cold metal bracelet was being slammed around one wrist, and he was being dragged from the cart by at least two sets of hands.

He looked to Heila, hoping to find assistance, but she was in a worse state than him with both hands locked behind her back. He looked up at Saoirse, hoping for an answer, but he was staring at the two of them with completely surprise, and then he screamed something in Vwosi that Kai Fen could definitely understand.

"What?!"

Kai Fen's other arm got twisted behind his back, and yelled as his sprained not wrist was aggravated. He kicked as he was dragged back towards the building, hoping that his heels would find purchase with the ground. He twisted his head to look behind him, towards his destination, and got a sinking feeling that as soon as he was passed the door he wouldn't be able to do much for his position. He had to act fast.

Screw his pride. He hoped this Vwosi backwater didn't keep up to date on global politics.

"How dare you! Don't you know who I am?!" He lurched forward, but a firm hand on his bicep held him back. Heila looked at him with wide eyes, undoubtedly pleading him to shut up. He knew how what he was doing looked, but she'd have to trust him. "How dare you put me in cuffs! You will all be ruined once my father hears of this!"

Even Saoirse, good actor as he was, was struggling to hide his horror. The responders looked largely looked amused, with a few that looked annoyed or angry. Kai Fen begged whatever deity was listening that he get away with this.

"Tell us who you are, then," said the responder who was holding Heila, his tone light and unbothered. Kai Fen glared at him, eyes two burning slits. He used to emulate his father's expressions, his focus and intensity, and tried to will that same energy into his muscles now. All eyes were on him now, and he was beginning to understand how a place like Vwos fell and rose so quickly. Lying was just so easy here.

"I am Crown Prince Jin Zhihao Yang of the Blinding Righteous Enyang, and if you don't unhand me this instant you'll be lucky if my father kills you quickly." He kept his tone even but fierce. He might yell, might shout and demand, but that was not how a crown prince behaved.

Saoirse mercifully switched to Bridgespeak when he spoke. "It's true." All eyes snapped on to him, and for a second, Kai Fen thought he might falter. But this wasn't regular Saoirse, wasn't the boy who'd taught him laundry by the hot spring or drank sbiten before sleeping. This was Saoirse the dancer. Saoirse the musician,  Saoirse the singer, and most importantly, Saoirse the actor.

"He threatened me," Saoirse continued, and Kai Fen felt the hand around his arm tighten. He sent Saoirse a glare. Even when in his element, he was still an idiot. Saoirse noticed his screw up and flicked his eyes towards him, a brief apology that could easily be mistaken for assessment, and then looked back out towards the group. "They approached me last night and asked if I would give them a ride. I refused, I didn't want trouble like the one here, but I guess they came anyway." Saoirse looked between everyone and ran his tongue over his teeth. "I think they have legitimate business here, though. The Gorran girl. She's important."

"More important than a prince?" The responder holding Heila sneered. Kai Fen couldn't tell if he was mocking their web of lies, or if he was mocking him. Maybe being a prince in a nation that killed theirs wasn't a good idea. Kai Fen scowled down at his feet. Maybe Heila and Saoirse did have the right idea to send him horrified looks. He could have said anything else and this would have gone over easier.

His father had made him into a liar for the past four years and now he couldn't stop.

"Equally important," Saoirse said. He lowered himself from the driver's seat and took a step towards Kai Fen, but the responder at his right moved his hand to his belt. Kai Fen couldn't see, but he imagined there was a weapon sheathed there. Saoirse got the message and stood still, hands held palm up at his chest in appeasement.

"And what makes you so important, Gorran?" snarled the responder. Kai Fen irected his eyes onto him, and immediately stopped slouching. The way he loomed over her, bent over so his face was next to her ear, made Kai Fen see red. Heila didn't say anything, just stared down at her feet. The responder laughed, mean and dirty, and pulled the curved blade of a Vwosi sholve from its sheath and placed it at her throat. "Speak, Gorran."

She began to stammer something, but the words were incoherent and messy. Kai Fen's lips pulled back over his teeth. He lunged forward with more strength than the responders expected from him. He escaped the grasp of the right responder's, but the left one tightened and pulled him back before he could make any proper ground.

"Get away from her!" He screamed. Any thought of plans or identity or Zalizinch or some faraway capital with important people had fled his mind. He stared, wide eyed and angry at the responder's face.

"And here I though Enyese princes only socialized with their own caste?" He sounded so smug. He was right, some part of Kai Fen thought, but the sound of the blood in his ears and his heart against his ribs drowned it out.

"The mountains do things to you," Kai Fen spit. The responder considered him, eyes sparked with curiousity. His blade stayed still, his expression begged for a reason to inch it closer. Kai Fen's mouth was a desert. "She's important." It was as much a plea as it was a statement. He wished he had braver, stronger words, but he couldn't find them. There was no more rouse, no more ploy or Zalizinch, just a blade at his friend's throat. The words rung on his tongue and in his ears, buzzed around his head and under his skin.

She's important.

She's important.

She's important.

He couldn't lose her.

"She's blessed," Saoirse said.

All eyes turned onto him. Kai Fen's drifted from the responder and onto Heila. She was looking at him, too. The colour had drained from her face, the rich dark brown turned cold. He never thought she could look so small.

"A blessed Gorran?" The responder sounded rife with disbelief. He moved the blade a little closer, his fingers curled around it a little tighter. He wore amusement like he owned it. "Blessed by who? I can't think of one deity who would touch that place."

"Yshtra." Her voice shook, but she said it with conviction. The responder laughed.

"So if I were to cut you, you'd heal it?"

Kai Fen lurched forward again, only sending his feet backward. "Don't touch her!" The responder cast his eyes in his direction, had the audacity to smile at him, and then stood up straight and resheathed his blade.

"Alright, Prince," he sighed. "You get your way." The responder grabbed Heila by the shoulders and shoved her towards the building. He barked something in Vwosi to the other responders, and then Kai Fen was being grabbed and shoved along with her. He jerked away from each of their hands, but didn't fight them this time. As they neared the door, he turned his eyes onto Heila. Her eyes looked so empty.

Behind them, he could hear Saoirse yelling. First in Bridgespeak, but then in Vwosi. Presumably he was yelling the same in both languages, asking where they were taking them and what was going on. In another situation, Kai Fen might have noted the irony in the way he brandished the word predstav like it gave him an advantage. Kai Fen stole a look at him over his shoulder, and then the door shut behind him.