Catalyst: A Preview

Catalyst: A Preview

“I don’t think I have to remind you of this-”

Then don’t, Tuyen thought, quelling a groan.

“-but while we’re talking to him, before you open your mouth, try to think about what you’re saying.” Lanh’s boots clicked nearly in time with her own as they strode down the hallway to the cafeteria. The effect was more impressive than she felt.

“You say that like I have no brain-to-mouth filters,” Tuyen said, failing to hide the roll of her eyes.

“Like y’ ever did,” Sorin snorted from somewhere behind them.

“I thought I gave you today off.” She gave him a withering look.

“You’re kiddin’, right?” Sorin huffed, fingering the hilt of his sword. “If y’ thought I was gonna let you near that whackjob without me, you’re crazier than I thought.”

“She’s not exactly going alone.” There was a hint of petulance in Lanh’s tone.

“Yeah. Well.” Sorin shrugged. “Someone’s gotta watch her if you get carried away, sir.”

Tuyen didn’t know where Sorin had gotten the courage to talk back to Lanh like that, but when she wasn’t so preoccupied, she was going to take a long moment to savor it. Following Sorin’s lead, she said, “You said I could help, didn’t you?”

Lanh set his jaw, but nodded. “I did.”

“Good.” She forced a grin. “So I plan on it.”

As they turned the corner into the cafeteria, they were noticed immediately: starting at the table closest to the door, every soldier and researcher dropped their voice to a low murmur. It occurred to Tuyen that she and Lanh weren’t together often outside of the cell; people were nervous enough around her. If they were scared of her, she could only imagine what kind of reception Lanh got.

It didn’t take them long to find him. He’d remained seated, pretending to be absorbed in his mashed potatoes, and when they approached, he looked up as if just noticing them. “Well now.” Aurel smiled. “Afternoon, Lanh. Little girl.”

Tuyen bit back a don’t call me ‘little girl.’ He would undoubtedly come up with something worse if she protested. “We’d like to talk to you.”

“Whatever about?” Aurel raised an eyebrow, directing his next remark to Lanh. “Didn’t I tell you I had nothing to say?”

“Oh, not about that.” Lanh’s expression didn’t stir. “We already know everything we need to know.”

Tuyen averted her gaze a little bit - even if the lie didn’t show on Lanh’s face, it would show on hers. While her conversation with Lev had helped, Aurel knew more than anyone save the higher-ups themselves. And if I tried to beat it out of General Kaur, they’d have to give my remains to Lanh in a jar.

It didn’t matter. “That’s sloppy for you, Lanh.” Aurel took another bite of his lunch. “If you knew everything, you wouldn’t be talking to me. Unless you’ve decided you want to be friends, after all.”

“You-” Tuyen started to yell, before catching herself, taking a step back as she smothered her tirade. “After all the stunts you pulled before,” she began again, painstakingly controlled, “you’re shutting up now?”

“And I’m truly sorry for that,” Aurel laughed. “But I don’t owe you anything.” His stare shifted to Lanh, and a grin flitted across his face. “How about it, Lanh? You think that if we had a rematch in here, we’d take the place down?”

“We’re talking seriously here!” Tuyen protested, glaring.

“No, that’s a good idea.” Aurel stood, rolling a shoulder. “Let’s have a little rematch, shall we? Just for ten minutes. I might be more inclined to give you an answer then.”

Oh God. Tuyen could hear Sorin groan softly behind her, and she agreed with the sentiment fully. She couldn’t even list all the reasons why that was a bad idea, and worst of all, judging by his expression, Lanh was considering it. If she didn’t intervene, they really would bring the place down.

“I’ll do it instead.”

As she clapped a hand over her mouth, she vaguely registered that that wasn’t what she’d had in mind for an intervention.

“You?” Sorin exploded. Had she not been in shock, she would have been offended.

Aurel’s face echoed Sorin’s outburst. “… that’s very cute, little girl,” he said, “but you wouldn’t last five minutes.”

He was right, of course. She hadn’t lasted thirty seconds last time, what was she saying? Even if Aurel didn’t tear her limb from limb, Lanh was going to-

As Tuyen turned to face Lanh, her mental processes came to a screeching halt. He was looking back at her with an expression he hadn’t worn since he was thirteen.

“How do you know that?” Lanh asked, turning back to Aurel.

“… you’re not serious,” Aurel scoffed. “You know as well as I do that the little girl-”

“I probably should have told you this before.” Lanh stepped aside, giving the shell-shocked Sorin a light shove. “You’re very good. But she’s better.” Tuyen turned to face him, wishing fervently that she could close her mouth somehow. Her friend smirked. “Don’t let it go to your head. If it starts to go badly, we’ll switch places.”

“I-I will, too,” Sorin piped up, with a firm nod.

She nodded, turning back to Aurel. She’d know how to thank Lanh and Sorin later. Probably.

“… well,” Aurel sighed, flexing his fingers and looking bored, “looks like it’s you and me, little girl.”

Tuyen stared hard back at him. “You’re not as crazy as you pretend to be,” she muttered, clenching her fists.

Aurel’s grin dared her to prove it.