#v (delta)

[parablcd]

“ i don’t need a goddamn babysitter, i’m fine. ”   ( early DELTA. )

“Lucky you. You’re not getting one.”

For the billionth time in the span of- how many days had the new kid been here now?- she found herself glowering at the back of Clementine’s head, resentment rising in her chest that it was her she was tasked with orienting to the Delta, and not–

She sighed, pushing down the dull ache in her chest that still throbbed at the thought of her past life.

“I’m just here to make sure you don’t get eaten by the pigs.” Or make a stupid break for the horses. Either or. “If you don’t want my help, fine. Pretend I’m not here.”

[parablcd]

  ❛  i can’t go to hell   ,   i’m all out of vacation days  .    ❜

“God, you really don’t know when to shut up, do you?”

Try as she might to keep her cool, every word the new girl spoke seemed hand-picked to needle its way under Minerva’s skin. It might’ve been almost impressive, if it didn’t make her palms itch with the desire to grab the girl by the shoulders and shake her until the stupid fell out. She reined in the impulse in favour of closing the distance between them, lowering her voice until it was a hiss forced between clenched teeth.

“Get it through your thick skull: I’m trying to help you. If Lilly or Dorian catch you pulling this shit, your life is going to be much worse, so just stop. It’s over. This is your life now. Be grateful you’re still alive and make the most of it.”

[parablcd]

⭐?? 💓

Delta

Though it took time for them to warm up to each other, their developing friendship renewed a spark of hope in Minnie - though not, perhaps, the type Clem might’ve hoped for. Building a friendship and connection with someone her own age felt to Minnie like the first step toward building a life in the Delta; a sign that, in spite of everything that happened to her, she could still be genuinely happy and still have agency over her life - the caveat being, of course, that her happiness is bought and paid for by her loyalty to the Delta.

Borderlands

Early in their friendship, Minerva made matching braided friendship bracelets for her and Clem. It seemed like something silly that might make Clem smile from the ridiculousness of it all. Years later, the colours are faded and the braid is fraying, but Minnie still wears hers - a keepsake that reminds her of her youth, their friendship, and that there’s always a reason to smile, even on Pandora.