Illuminated regrets

[Anastasia]

"I can make it happen," Jarem says, "I'll pull some favors, I'm calling in markers as it is anyway." He makes the slightest face at it, "Well, easy come, easy go."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa stops Jarem.

"Stop that. Don't do that. We're in this together, but favors... Those are rare. I'd rather spend money that we can replenish with effort than personal favors that can't. Don't burn your cards on my passing fancies, Jarem."

[Anastasia]

Smiling at that - a real, big smile, "Yeah. Got the message, clear as a siren's song."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa squints at him suspiciously.

"I swear I'll drag you naked through the front yard of the Red Knight's castle and hang you by your ankles from the gate if I find out otherwise. You know I can do it."

[Anastasia]

Still smiling, "Alyssa, breathe. You don't have to be suspicious of everything. Especially not me. I'm all in this, as insane as what lies before us is."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa snorts.

"I'm not suspicious of you. Your loyalty is unquestionable. But I don't doubt for a second that you wouldn't burn yourself up for this, and that's not what I want. Life will continue after this, and you'll be building your own... whatever you decide. Keep your pockets full enough for that, too."

[Anastasia]

"You kidding?" Jarem's smile returns, and in a lower voice, "We pull this off...well, I won't need favors to get what I want." Reaching out and laying a hand on your shoulder, "You could stand to lighten up a little bit. Being a leader doesn't mean never showing weakness to those you're close to."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa raises an eyebrow and smirks.

"That's only if you have weaknesses in the first place. More seriously, I understand. I'd hate to wind up with Madala's attitude. My projects have been a good outlet. My weapon has turned out fantastically, and the work with Professor Tinsel is almost finished."

[Anastasia]

"Good." A soft squeeze of your shoulder before Jarem lets go. "I'll work something in with the lizards to get moving as we get ready for this."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Jarem, think of it, though. A pack of Elemental Shocker Lizards. They'd be absolute chaos on a battlefield. And if they could infiltrate a structure..."

[Anastasia]

"I have nightmares that begin with that," Jarem banters back with an easy smile, "Anyway, we'll see if you can work it out, but I really am busy."

[Iron Dragoon]

"If you need help, let me know. I'm mostly idle at the moment."

[Anastasia]

"Yes, you can help me by..."

Okay, anything else to knock out?

[Iron Dragoon]

Just stopping by the family at some point.

[Anastasia]

It's easy enough to drop by the family and...

Go ahead and set yourself up there.