A Tinker's Job

Chapter 13

"after our fight was over and he was semi-unconscious before slipping into a coma, he said your name. not just once or twice, but at least five times. he cried a little too."

"tch how embarrassing," scaramouche said to himself.

"i see," you said.

"now {name}, dig deep within yourself, and admit the truth."

scaramouche could hear your heart from the way you talked, the way you always treated him well. at first when he heard from the lesser lord about your involvement, he grew bitter and cold. all he could think of was how you did this because you pitied him and looked down on him. but, when you started talking to him about your day and any news from sumeru, his thoughts changed. and when nahida visited, any thoughts that he had that you were doing this out of pity blew away with the wind.

"balladeer, i know you can hear me. your consciousness is still present."

"you want to talk to me after you humiliated me? tch," he scoffed. "if {name} hadn't exploited my weaknesses, i wouldn't be like this."

"she didn't do it because she wanted to. if you think about it, she was following the law. the fatui and the grand sage imprisoned me for years. i didn't even get a chance to rule. but if you think about it, she saved you too."

"huh? how did that traitor save me?"

"you would have been a tool for the sages," nahida said simply. "if you had gone through with it and defeated me and the traveler in battle, you would have been another tool that the sages can use for their own selfish purposes. i'm sure {name} has discussed it with you before? she's not an engineer because she got lucky; in fact her hypothesis is quite accurate."

"tch."

"i know you're bitter and cold, and your past with the electro archon has made you upset. how about we turn over a new leaf for you?"

"huh? redemption? i'm in no need of saving."

"you're scared to be alone," she said. "that's why you separate yourself from any potential friends. but {name} saw through you, didn't she. do you want to cause her more pain and anguish by hurting people again? or do you want to try and show you can be a better person."

"..."

"i'll leave you with that choice."

"scaramouche," you said, voice broken and slightly begging. "if you could hear me while you were in a coma, then can't you understand that i didn't do this on purpose?"

"then, in order to prove you're not a traitor, i have a special request."

"a request? what is it?"

a/n: everyone ready for the finale that drops tmr? i know i am :)