IN THE END IT DOESN'T EVEN MATTER // CotC trespasser

[michael t.]

ALL I FOUND THE SPACE BETWEEN THE SPACES
STANDING IN THE NOTHING, AND TIME RECLAIMS YOU

The Coalition of the Condemned. That alone was enough to make Michael wary about returning the kid back home. But Aphra? That was Oleander's mother? The dealer couldn't help but wince, a soft sigh leaving him involuntarily. Was it really a good idea to return the little dragon to where she had come from? It was pretty well established that Aphra was a terrible mother, and there was no telling how the Coalition influenced kids... it all just seemed like a bad idea to him. Still, Roxie seemed like she was on board with returning Oleander, and he wasn't about to argue with her – at least, not on this particular topic. Instead, he just gave a bit of a strained chuckle before he muttered to Oleander, "I think it should be fine for you to stay here tonight... but it's probably best to get you right home in the morning. We don't want the Coalition thinking that we took you." Not that The Typhoon would ever do such a thing. Stealing kids was a lot more of the Coalition's line of work.

After reassuring the young girl, Michael turned his attention back towards Lutum, lowering his voice a bit as he questioned, "Really, Lutum? Aphra? If you were gonna sleep with someone, you could've chosen someone a bit less... toxic." That was pretty much the nicest word he could think of to describe her, and he only made sure to keep somewhat "nice" in case Oleander heard. Although, he kept his voice down and his head turned away so that the child hopefully wouldn't catch on to what was being said about her mother.

— Reggan