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The little rest areas in the Mirror Dungeons were always a welcome sight. Even if she felt that Dante was a bit stingy with their usage, Rodya could always appreciate a little time to rest and recuperate. They usually weren't there for long, and sometimes she didn't even get to sit comfortably (or at all, really), but a break is a break. And she was always willing to take one.
The same couldn't be said for the woman currently slung over her shoulders. Outis grumbles as Rodya makes her way to the single armchair in the room. Rodya had been carrying her for a little bit now, and it was obvious that the older woman was feeling anything but grateful. She was probably embarrassed about the whole thing, saw it as demeaning that she had to rely on anyone to keep herself on her own two feet (not that she was walking right now, anyway.). She probably hated that it was Rodya too, if she was being honest. Rodya knows she's a bit too silly for Outis' taste, and the fact that she was currency the only other Sinner capable of carrying her this easily probably pissed her off.
But, it wasn't about that right now. It was about setting Outis down in this chair so that whatever weird laws this place ran on could fix her up in a jiffy. Which she does, of course, but she can't help but smile at the agitated scowl Outis gives her as she draws back.
"Don't touch me more than you need to," she snaps.
"Geeeeze~" Rodya feigns offense, her hand going to her chest. "You're so mean to me, Outie."
Outis winces at the nickname. Rodya makes a mental note to keep using it.
"Anyway, just sit in that chair and rest up~ You'll be in fighting shape in no time." Rodya leans on the wall next to her, her eyes wandering over to the other Sinners and Dante. They were currently trying to tell everyone else something, but it seems like the combination of identities was making it difficult. She can only chuckle. "And make sure not to get hit so hard on the head again, okay?"
"Do you have to be this irritating?" Outis hisses, her sights locked onto their manager. She almost looked hawkish. It was a shame she never seemed to relax. "You talk and talk and nothing of value comes out."
"My words have plenty value. Maybe just not to you," Rodya replies coolly, trying to keep the teasing edge out of her voice. She wasn't really looking to rile Outis up, especially when Dante was having trouble keeping the other part of their current party under control. "I'm just saying. It makes me feel pretty bad when our cunning commander gets put out of commission."
Outis sighs, her agitation clear as day. She reclines in her seat, gaze quickly flicking up to Rodya. "I was only put out of commission because you were being reckless, Rodion."
A misplaced sense of pride wells up within her. Yeah, it was her fault Outis got knocked on her ass. But Outis chose to come rushing to her aid all on her own. No instructions, no request, not even a single debt needing to be repaid. Just Outis running to her side and shoving her before she could get a bo staff to the back of the head and a concussion. Rodya doesn't know what Outis' angle was. Obviously, she didn't benefit from it. And Rodya was smart enough to know that Outis didn't respect her enough to think it was worth having her in her debt. So the only conclusion was that Outis came to her aid because she was worried about something.
A moment of weakness, maybe. But Rodya loves pushing her luck. “You could’ve let me get hit, you know.”
“It would be a hassle to carry you. Meursault is not with us, and you are the tallest person here.”
“I’m sure Heath could carry me?”
“Not when he’s in that battle crazed identity, he can’t.”
“Hm.” Rodya tilts her head, eyes wandering briefly to the rest of their group, then back to Outis. “So you just weighed your options, then?”
“Exactly. Having you die before we finish would just make the whole thing more tedious for us.”
“Die?”
Outis freezes, shock now evident on her face. Rodya’s grin widens ever so slightly as the older woman looks up to her, her expression shifting in that oh so familiar way of covering up a mistake. Unfortunately for Outis, Rodya was a bit of an expert when it came to wedging words in between a blunder and a recovery.
“There’s no way a hit like that could have killed me, Outie~” Rodya nearly purrs, watching as Outis’ shock gives way to stronger agitation. “But it’s nice that you worry about me like that.”
“Don’t kid yourself. I’m not worried about you.” An angered huff, followed by Outis crossing her arms. “My only concern is with the success of this excursion. Had your death allowed it, I would have left you.”
“Again with the death! I wasn’t going to die.” Rodya folds her hands next to her cheek and leans towards her. “Do you think I’m that fragile? Or, maybe you’re looking out for me? Are you worried about me?”
Outis seems to squirm in her seat, brows furrowing as her second slip up registers in her head. She looks Rodya up and down, expression unreadable, before grumbling and waving her hand dismissively. “Enough. You’re giving me a headache.”
That was it, then. It didn’t seem like she could push Outis any more for now. A shame, since she wanted to keep teasing her, but she was familiar with the way the veteran would shut down conversations she didn’t want to be a part of.
Still, just because she ended the conversation, it didn’t mean Rodya wasn’t able to make herself a nuisance just one last time. She gives an exaggerated sigh, throwing her head back and whining “Fiiiiiiine,” before pushing herself off the wall. She looks back to Outis, who was watching her with narrowed eyes, and winks.
“Tell us when you’re all ready, dear.”
Outis rolls her eyes. Rodya laughs and trots off, joining Dante and the others and maybe helping to make the situation a little more bearable for them.
What she doesn’t see is Outis’ expression softening, and her small, tired sigh.