Maybe The Dead
Warning: Contains talk of abuse, and heavily implied sexual assault/rape
“Surprised? I do live here, y’know.”
“R-Right,” Meritt laughed nervously. “Th-that’s Baya for you. D-Didn’t even see you there, wow!”
“Mmhm.” Baya pulled up the last available chair and leaned in casually, carefully towards Blueten. “So what’s this ‘bout Tora? You interested, luv?”
Blueten didn’t respond. She was occupied with Baya’s voice and posture. Both seemed perfectly relaxed as always but… Baya’s shoulders were tense, and her voice had a hint of something -something dark. She couldn’t put her finger on it.
“Was it his pretty face? Didja fall fer him?” Baya gave her a sly wink. “You two would make a cute couple, I think. Want me t’set ya up?”
Meritt gave another nervous laugh at that but Baya ignored him, her eyes poring into Blueten intently. Blueten’s eyes narrowed in thought behind her mask. She didn’t know how much Baya heard, but nothing Blueten spoke of indicated romantic interest. The way Baya asked suggested she was teasing, but the hint of darkness in her voice seemed stronger. What was that?
“Well?” Baya insisted.
Ah. Blueten finally caught on. A threat.
“No.” She replied. “…I was just a little upset at being shoved…”
Baya laughed, perhaps too hard, and relaxed back into her chair. “Is that all?!” The darkness retreated, taking the stiffness in her shoulders with it. “I’ll ask him t’be more careful next time.”
Blueten watched Baya carefully. If she was only mildly interested in Tora Zollun before, she most certainly was interested now.
And now that he was on her radar, he was much easier to watch, though admittedly it still took effort. She quickly realized how he’d escaped her scrutiny the first time – the boy was a shadow. If Baya was around, he tailed behind her, quiet and unassuming, easily lost in the gathering of members that followed Baya wherever she went. If she wasn’t around, then either he wasn’t there or he was aimlessly hanging about the house in its darkest corners. He was present when others were around, but always just out of view. It took a bit to find him, but he was usually there.
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