Written Wonderland

Yukiko's eyebrow raised slightly at "that b--"--she could think of at least one highly amusing possibility for what Trevor had almost said--but she kept it from influencing her expression any further.

"Mizu said the goddess is lenient on timing." That was the honest, just reporting the facts answer, but Yukiko pursed her lips slightly in thought; obviously, Trevor wouldn't have forever to be indecisive about it, and she wanted to give him a more deeply useful answer.

"The sooner the better for the cause, though, and I'll keep inquiring after other soldiers until we have the volunteers we need. I imagine you have at least until Captain Rutliff goes to see the goddess tonight, though. You may be able to ask him for more details; Mizu said I'm to send volunteers to him, tho it'll likely be a bit before he's up and about."

Trevor laughed at Yukiko's misunderstanding but then frowned. Maybe what he had asked was a stupid question. Maybe it was obvious that the goddess wouldn't be giving any of the volunteers back.

"'Lenient' isn't a way I would describe her," Trevor said, trying to find a way to bridge the conversation to what he actually meant to ask. "I've actually already had a chat with Evan," Trevor added tersely, although his smile did quirk again as he remembered talking to Evan about the goddess' lightning whip. Ha, what would Yukiko think about that?

"You'll have my answer by the time he goes back tonight. Is... is this a forever thing? Does anyone know what the goddess plans to do with the volunteers?" Trevor wondered if it was possible that the goddess would be worse to her volunteers--people who actually wanted to be with her--than she was to the thralls. What if she had some nefarious purpose in mind and Trevor was just walking to his death anyway?

Then it would be a death in front of her, Trevor thought, and a shot of adrenaline coursed roughly through his nervous system. Gods, yes, he wanted that. Or anything close to that. Fuck.

Amusement seeped into Yukiko's smile at Trevor's initial reply, and it only swelled when Trevor mentioned a chat with Evan. Ohh, goddness, what had those boys discussed, she wondered? The temptation to let her mind wander into some fantasies was present, but she sobered up considerably as Trevor carried on and had some rather pertinent questions. She even went almost so far as to frown.

"I don't know the answer to either of those questions, I'm sorry. Admittedly I assumed the goddess would want the same thing from volunteers as she's wanted from the men she's taken forcibly. In hindsight, I should have at least asked Mizu if she knew whether there was a duration, though."

She wanted to offer to ask Evan for more details if Trevor didn't want to, but her frown admittedly deepened. This was one of those moments where Evan's current regard for her actually stung. Maybe she could follow up with Mizu at least, see if Evan had passed anything along that hadn't come up when Mizu had filled her in.

"I'll see what I can do to gather more information and let you know later today, but there may be no answers to be had there."

Somehow, Trevor doubted that there was much more information on the goddess' demands. It was a good deal; why get stuck on the specifics? Trevor scoffed. What did a few men matter? What did he matter? He wasn't much of anything to anyone these days. Except maybe Yukiko. And that was extremely tentative.

"I might have been happy," Trevor said, looking up at the sky. "I might never have joined the army. Might've settled down with my own dog and some property. Maybe could have met a girl and gone to see my sister every now and again. Take care of aging parents..." Why was he telling Yukiko this? Because he didn't know who else to tell. And if he was going back to the goddess tonight, well...

"The king made sure that couldn't happen, though," he said, looking down at the ground and kicking it with one heel. "My folks, my sister, the dog... one of the goddess' temples was in our town. We didn't think much of it--thought they were lunatics, honestly--but when the paladins came through, my mom was walking by the temple and they..." Trevor swallowed.

"She told them she had a daughter as though that would protect her, but on the off chance that her daughter worshipped the goddess, too, they took her. I don't know whether or not she's alive. If she is alive... I wonder if she would rather not be. And my pop tried to stop them." Trevor made an angry, annoyed sound. He wasn't about to tell Yukiko why he wasn't there. Why he wasn't already dead.

Trevor paused, wondering what Yukiko thought about him saying all this.

"Promise me that you'll make every attempt to release my sister if you find her. Whether or not you win this war. Dark hair, stalky, outspoken. Went by the name of 'Stasia last time I..." Trevor swallowed again.

"Promise me that, and I'll go. For the cause." Trevor looked seriously at Yukiko now, awaiting her reply.

Yukiko listened to Trevor's story quietly and seriously. Sometime during it she sat forward, bringing one knee up for her hands to clasp over.

She nodded when Trevor finished speaking, but that was just reflexive and she knew it. What Trevor was asking wasn't necessarily an easy promise, however much she wanted it to be. Maybe it would be an easy promise to make just for the sake of reassuring Trevor, but Yukiko was very serious about her promises, and never made them lightly.

"I understand." She said, wanting to say something easily true while she thought on the truest thing she could say. Although, maybe it was okay to be vague and not focus on specific, unlikely situations where she'd have to choose between the cause and Stasia. Trevor, she reasoned, was almost certainly more interested in the core of the promise than on the gritty details. She felt better proceeding after having thought on it a moment first. She made sure she was meeting Trevor's gaze, and her expression was thoroughly serious.

"I promise I will do what I can to free her."

Though Trevor really didn't expect Yukiko to say no, he was relieved after she said yes, and he let out a breath.

"Good," he said, nodding and turning his head away. He felt lighter, and he supposed that made sense. He might never see his sister again, but... he wasn't responsible for her anymore. He'd given that responsibility to Yukiko. And, for as long as Trevor had known her, he knew that she wasn't one to go back on her promises.

"Thank you." And with that decided, the excitement Trevor had been holding at bay flooded into him. Gods, he really was going to see the goddess again. Still on her terms, sure, but...

And then there was Evan. The soldier frowned momentarily. Trevor wasn't sure that he would get along very well with any version of Evan who would be with the goddess. Especially if they were going to have to split her attention. But... then there was the cause to think about. Trevor wasn't just going there for himself; he was going for a purpose. For their cause. He was helping them achieve it. Gods, did that ever feel good. This might be the most confident he had ever been about playing a meaningful role in all this.

"I'll... uh... pack my bags," Trevor said with a smile he couldn't help.