[at that small reach of a slender hand - a gesture that's mirroring back memories she's replayed too many times to count (every night in that shitty prison and many nights since) fine-boned fingers wiping away her tears something in violet just breaks. (a dam? a wall? lingering fear?) it's not a bad break - but there's a shift, and there's no going back from this. she's in. she'd always been in, since that day at the carnival - before that if she's honest with herself.

it only makes her cry more, but she doesn't care - because yeah, this is definitely a win. oh, it will still be work, but it would have been harder work at home - maybe even impossible when all's said and done.

it's not that powder is still in there, it's that no matter what name she goes by (powder fell down a well and jinx came tumbling after) - she is still and always has been her sister - nothing can change that, and well, she'll deal with the fallout as it comes.]

Don't be sorry. I thought a lot of things, sis. Thought the ocean took you, thought I lost you, thought this place took you just to fuck with me. Thought I scared you away, even.

But I never blamed you for leaving. It just happened.

[vi hadn't tried to come here when she showed up, hadn't tried to leave, or even come back - she just ...did. if something controls their arrivals - and it may well be the ocean, who knows - it sure as hell isn't them. they might be like sato said: puppets, toys being played with like a game. well, fuck that, too. she can't complain when today feels like winning.]

That's all you can do. I want you to stay, too. And I want to us get off this shitty ass beach. [no real offense mariana, she's just seen enough of it the past couple weeks.]

I've been keeping something else on me too. Just in case. [fumbling in her pockets, she pulls out four hair fastenings - not fancy, but strong.] You let me know when you're good to go, where you want to go, and...

...just tell me what to do, sis.