deuceoftears | TLV IC Inbox

Oh, I'm fine! What, um-- what ship were you on?

The Galley. I was one of the few that survived to the end there, it feels like.

Oh, yikes. Warden or inmate? Or, sorry, prisoner or advocate?

Prisoner, for treason and assassination.

[He says this without any qualms whatsoever. Despite his personal grief, it was the right thing to do.]

Where were you?

The Clipper. I started out as an assistant, but I got demoted.

I don't really regret it, either.

[Though she'd had mixed feelings at the time, when going home had felt tantalizingly within reach.]

Congratulations.

Do you mean that?

Yes.

I mean, I'm only guessing why you got demoted, but I'm a good guesser.

Oh, really! Okay, make a guess.

I think you liked the system there. I think you were good at it, using that kind of power. But in the end, you were treasonous too.

How close am I?

It was too sugary-sweet for my tastes.

[But beyond that, no, he absolutely isn't wrong.]

What do you think I did? How do you think I was treasonous?

There were fights, and eventually you chose our people. It was mostly that, not principle, I think. But choices matter.

[God, this guy is freakishly good at seeing her. She's not sure whether or not she likes it, but it is a draw either way.]

Specific people. Not just anyone.

Why do you think I'm calling you right now?

That, I'm not sure.

[Fondly, but also dryly.]

Are you trying to get out of whatever Pagan's assigned to keep you busy, or are you released these days?

I'm not off the hook. I'm death-tolling.

And you're interesting. I like the things you have to say.

I think you're interesting too, Misty Quigley.

Even though I'm not sorry I investigated your notebook?

I think that makes you less likable, less ethical, and less trustworthy.

[Mildly, honestly.]

But not less interesting.

Well, it's not like you liked me or thought I was ethical or trustworthy before that, right?

Did you, um-- you heard about the robbery thing?

Before then, I would have given you more benefit of the doubt.

[This is a bit more solemn, maybe even a tiny bit sad? Maybe it's nothing. And the dry amusement returns.]

And yes, I did.

Would you have given me more benefit of the doubt before that, too?

Not really. It was impulsive and a little callous, but not particularly cruel, as far as I know.

What were you even trying to do?

Just get some things that my friend needed. I wasn't trying to be cruel with the notebook.

I know you weren't trying to be.

[Extremely mild. She was, though.]

And that seemed like the best way to get it because...?

Do you really care why?

[Telling the truth - to herself and to others, using a mix of her own insight and other people's insight that's felt like it rings true - gets a little easier each time. But if her reasons don't really matter to him, she'd just as soon give a flippant non-answer.]

TLV IC Inbox

audio

Re: audio

audio

Re: audio

audio

Re: audio

audio

Re: audio

audio

Re: audio

audio

Re: audio

audio

Re: audio

audio

Re: audio

audio

Re: audio

audio

Re: audio

audio

Re: audio

audio

Re: audio

audio

Re: audio

audio

Re: audio

audio