[The Marshal's relationship with Mako is entirely different than how he treats his mercenaries. Even if he won't let her out into the field, it's because he cares about her, not because she shamed him or is a gross disappointment.
Raleigh holds himself stiff for a moment before he returns her embrace, wrapping his arms around her.]
[ Mako feels the way he wraps his arms around her, when he finally relaxes after holding himself tense for so long, but pauses in surprise at his words. ]
[Why is she surprised? She's not the only one who notices things when they spar. She's an amazing fighter, an almost perfect complement to his style. She's working to buy his freedom. She's the first person to try to treat him like a person with feelings instead of a slave with a collar, even if they still hit some bumps about that sometimes.
It's getting better and he is pretty sure they made good progress with it today.]
[ Well, because he's never really mentioned it, and Mako never thought to ask. She enjoys sparring with him, spending away all the hours with endless rounds, appreciating the way their style melded with each other, where it became a dialogue all by itself, drawn out and wonderful.
It's getting better, and Mako's working on it without fail, because the last thing she wants to do is hurt him with thoughtless words. But Stacker -- ]
[Imagine that, they're both in the same position. The Marshal controlling their future, refusing to allow them into the fight for different reasons. Raleigh at least had his chance, even if he fucked it up entirely.]
[ They are, aren't they? But she knows that the Marshal keeps her leashed for a reason, and she respects it. She knows what he's thinking, and why he's not letting her out there -- vengeance and hatred is a toxic thing, and Mako knows this.
She looks back at him for a moment, hedging and wondering how much to tell him. ]
[He really doesn't need her help to jump to conclusions about the Marshal and right now, it sounds a lot like he's being closed minded and overprotective.]
He took me in when my parents were... robbed and killed by a band of outlaws. He fears that I will become undiscerning when I go out into the field. [ Vengeance, she's been told - clouds judgment. ]
[That sounds both just like and unlike the Marshal that it just pisses him off. It sounds like something he'd say but he also doesn't seem to care that much about vengeance and vendettas with his other mercenaries and Mako is so much better than half of them that he knew.]
That's such bullshit. I go, you're coming with me, that's the deal. He's just holding you back right now.
[ Mako frowns -- she doesn't like hearing disparaging things about the Marshal, not when she understands his reasons but gets impatient with him anyway, rails against his decisions and to hear Raleigh say that so honestly... well.
He says exactly what she's thinking, and she squeezes his hand briefly. ]
Maybe you should work on you getting back as a mercenary first. [ One thing at a time, right? ]
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Raleigh holds himself stiff for a moment before he returns her embrace, wrapping his arms around her.]
If he does let me, I want you to go with me.
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Do you mean that?
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It's getting better and he is pretty sure they made good progress with it today.]
Of course I do. I'm not going without you.
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It's getting better, and Mako's working on it without fail, because the last thing she wants to do is hurt him with thoughtless words. But Stacker -- ]
He won't let me out there.
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Why not? You're an amazing fighter.
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She looks back at him for a moment, hedging and wondering how much to tell him. ]
He feels that I'm not yet ready, that's all.
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What? What's he waiting for?
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[ Because no matter how frustrated and upset she is with the Marshal, Mako refuses to badmouth him, or leave anyone with a bad impression of him. ]
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[He really doesn't need her help to jump to conclusions about the Marshal and right now, it sounds a lot like he's being closed minded and overprotective.]
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He took me in when my parents were... robbed and killed by a band of outlaws. He fears that I will become undiscerning when I go out into the field. [ Vengeance, she's been told - clouds judgment. ]
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That's such bullshit. I go, you're coming with me, that's the deal. He's just holding you back right now.
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He says exactly what she's thinking, and she squeezes his hand briefly. ]
Maybe you should work on you getting back as a mercenary first. [ One thing at a time, right? ]