"She doesn't come out much," Dahlia mused. "She's more nervous than I am." * * * Victor frowned at her disapprovingly before relenting, his shoulders slouching. "Ten years is longer than most deer mice get. I'm grateful for the time I had."
She laughed slightly. "Yeah. If you don't get executed first." * * * He looked over at her, looking a little awkward. "What?"
"I won't get executed. If I was, you wouldn't be laughing." *** She turned away inconspicuously. "Nothing."
She raised an eyebrow, pursing her lips. “You stole from my family,” she replied sharply. *** He squinted before looking off into the horizon. “He had babies that are growing up. I’m training on of the littler ones right now.”
He quieted, looking down for a moment before looking up at her. "Oh? Say you can say I'd be executed so lightly, still? Laugh a bit while you say it? Because it's such a joke." *** She brightened again. "Really?"
She blinked in surprise, her brows furrowed. There was a silence before she stood up, brushing off her trousers as if she were about to leave. *** “Mm. Not nearly as obedient as his father, but...” Victor shrugged. “We’ll work on it.”
He didn't say anything, clearly quite upset. *** She hesitated, looking unsure, before shaking her head. "Well they sound cute."
She got to the stairs and hesitated before looking over at him, her head tilted. "I am the only one fighting for you," she said quietly. "Your tribe sent you into this mess and my tribe wants you gone. If you were going to be executed, it would have already happened. Have a little faith, please." She was quiet for a moment before speaking again, an edge to her voice. "I'm not the one who betrayed the trust between you and I." * * * He laughed, a little sheepishly. "They are."
His fists clenched, and he didn't say anything, his shoulders trembling slightly. *** She sighed, getting up. "I should probably head back.."
She crossed her arms defensively, heading up the stairs two at a time. * * * He looked over, raising an eyebrow. "Return to your world?" he teased.
He got up, going to the cell door and testing it with a frown. *** She rolled her eyes playfully. "Right."
Hours passed. The stairs creaked as the man from earlier walked down. Knowing that he was Dahlia's father, he would definitely be able to see similarities. His hair matched Dahlia's, and the way he set his mouth was similar. His eyes were different, though. Dahlia's were a golden brown. His were dark grey. "So. We have come to a decision." * * * "Alright. Bye, Nascha."
He looked up, his expression rather tired, if not a bit nervous. *** "Bye, Victor," she said, before disappearing below.
He was quiet for a moment before speaking. "You will be set free to return to your tribe. We will help you for one week. One week. In that time, you will call upon the other tribes of the house, asking for support. After the week has passed, my tribe and your tribe will no longer interact." His gaze hardened and he raised an eyebrow. "That includes my daughter. You will not see her again. If any contact is attempted, we will consider it an attack, and we will respond accordingly. Understand?" * * * (Zoop?)
He scoffed slightly, crossing his arms. "This... this game you're playing with her has fooled her. But I will not let you continue to manipulate her into providing you insight into our tribe. How else would you have known where to go? She is young and she is naive, but I know your moves. I know your intentions. You will not see her again." * * * (Woop toop?)
