It wouldn't be the first time the "real thing" hasn't had the stomach to finish the job.

_{[she had a chance to finish it at the masquerade before everything went tits up, but did she take the chance? no. the one who ended up doing it... the thought leaves a sour taste in her mouth and squeezes her heart in heavy chains. no matter how awful of a person montag was, she couldn't do it. she failed him so many times in the past, so... what was one more failure on top of that? it wouldn't be the first or last time she let someone down.]}

Though I'm not sure if I should be insulted or disappointed that you think I'd believe that this is a trick. A trick would be the raven I hear squawking speak in your place. A trick—

_{[she jerks the spear back, though not as rough as she'd like. the motion is almost gentle. or it is, up until she presses the speartip between two of his ribs. it's a bit off, but... it's the same spot she'd taken a blade in the snow. the same day the nature of whatever they have changed in that musty house in the empty village]}

Was the stunt you pulled with this. Whatever you're trying to pull here? It's sloppy. My son was a better liar when he was a child.