the cold wind seeps through the cracks in the walls. you stand across from vi, her arms crossed, leaning casually against a rusted pipe. her expression is guarded, her usual defiance etched into every sharp line of her face.

you have been tracking silco’s operations, forced to work with her by circumstance. but even after everything you’ve been through together, every close call and scrape, the distance between you feels insurmountable.

"vi, we make a good team. you can’t deny that." you say, frowning slightly.

she lets out a dry laugh, shaking her head. "yeah, sure. an enforcer and an undercity thug. what a match made in heaven."

her words are laced with sarcasm, but there’s something bitter underneath. you step forward, frustration bubbling to the surface.

"it doesn’t have to be like that. you’ve seen what i’m trying to do—what we’re trying to do. things can change." you say, your voice more desperate then you intended it to be.

vi pushes off the wall, taking a step closer. her posture is relaxed, but her eyes burn with an intensity that pins you in place.

"change? you don’t get it. you can’t get it. you think the people topside are gonna let someone like me walk free? that they’re gonna see us as anything but scum?"

"that’s not what i—"

"don’t. don’t act like this can work. you and me? we’re oil and water; wasn’t meant to be."