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Cigarettes and Nervousness
In terms of work, the LCCB was considered a bloody stepping stone for most. Which means the people who work there are generally considered to be average in terms of experience.
Vanessa wasn't really the time to scream at the sight of blood. That was always what she told herself, and it was true to some degree.
Except...
Gregor
Sinner #13
Hey, bud. You having a break?
...For that one time. Or rather, the last few instances.
Turns out she can't exactly handle the sight of death like she thought.
Vanessa
LCCB Employee
...I am.
Vanessa takes out her lighter and a pack of cigarettes. She always kept them on her in case Gregor wanted to join.
As she does, her hands shake a little too much for her liking. Enough for him to notice.
Vanessa
LCCB Employee
Would you...care to join me?
Gregor
Sinner #13
Yeah. Yeah, of course.
Gregor takes the cigarette and waits for Vanessa to light up hers. When she does, he uses her stick to ignite his own.
That was usually how he did it, after all. He inches closer, leaning over to ask the question now stuck in his mind.
Gregor
Sinner #13
You feelin' alright? Your hands are shaking.
Vanessa
LCCB Employee
Mmm...
Gregor
Sinner #13
Talk to me.
Vanessa wonders if telling him would reveal too much. They were in public, the others could see. Maybe from an outsider's perspective this was just a normal conversation.
It wouldn't hurt to open up just a little.
Vanessa
LCCB Employee
I think...
Vanessa
LCCB Employee
I dislike the sight...of you dying.
Gregor
Sinner #13
Oh, huh.
She didn't mean to word it like that, so she elaborates, describing the last incident.
Vanessa
LCCB Employee
When you died to those thugs, somehow, I was next to you.
Vanessa
LCCB Employee
I know...I shouldn't worry because you can come back.
Vanessa
LCCB Employee
But your body was cold, and it made me feel...
"As though I had failed to protect you." She doesn't say. Her hand struggles to keep still, and she clenches her fist.
Vanessa
LCCB Employee
I didn't like it, is all.
The sinner blows some smoke, nodding. He's not sure how to feel. On one hand, dying wasn't pleasant at all. He knows that very well.
His free hand holds Vanessa's fists, making sure his stick is away.
Gregor
Sinner #13
Know what? I get it. I've had my own share of people dying in my arms, or...just dying in general.
Gregor
Sinner #13
Especially when it's someone you care about.
Gregor
Sinner #13
I can't really say it gets easier, cause to be honest? I dunno if it really does.
Though his eyes are looking away, his face has a little blush and his words, awkward as they may be, reach Vanessa's ears with love.
Gregor
Sinner #13
What I can tell you is that, uh...As long as I'm able to, I'll come back.
Gregor
Sinner #13
So even if it does hurt like hell, at least I'll be here to smoke with you the next day, right?
Vanessa herself looks down towards her hand being held. She opens it and intertwines with him. It's uncertain if she will ever get used to this.
Her job, and the sinners being able to escape death so easily. If anything, he should be the one worried because Vanessa wasn't like him.
Perhaps he was, and he's just not admitting it to her face.
Vanessa
LCCB Employee
...Yes. You'll be here. With me.
Gregor
Sinner #13
Exactly. I'll be here with you.
As long as they were together, it'll all be okay. She'll keep telling herself that, for sure.