greatoldjohn | TLV Inbox

Oh, for Nat; that's cool.

[Says Misty, whose face betrays some mixed feelings. Wanting Natalie to have an involved warden when it was all just hypothetical is very different from being faced with her having an involved warden for real, and she's not not struggling with feelings of jealousy.]

[ Yeah, he can see. Which is the other reason he's putting it away. He won't ask about it or 'guess' but... he's guessing a little. ]

So. We're in person.

We are!

[Her tone is forcibly upbeat, and she strokes a finger gently but restlessly over the rat's back.]

So, how has your week been so far?

All right. Natalie and I are learning to cook together. It's part of... everything.

I think we're not going to have any more problems like before at this point. New ones, but not that one.

I think you're probably right. What are you cooking?

Whatever the kitchen offers for supplies that day. Lark liked the idea so he's been dropping things off.

Last one was a stir fry. We're still working on getting it right.

Oh, well, I'm good with stirfrys! I could help.

[ He's trying to figure out a delicate way to put this but he doesn't find one. Delicate isn't his strong suit.]

The ultimate goal is to make a nice meal for Arthur as an apology. If you wanted to be a part of that, maybe we could. But I don't want to pretend that isn't... the goal.

I'm not opposed.

[She says carefully, studying his face.]

I mean, just because my feelings are complicated doesn't mean I didn't shoot him. I'm willing to do something nice to make up for that.

Well, we're going to talk about your feelings. So let's put that aside for the moment to... do that.

[Misty finally moves to sit, careful not to unbalance the rat as she does so, pulling her legs up onto her chair to sit crosslegged.]

Well, did you have any specific questions that you want to start with?

I'd like to hear what you have to say. And then I'll ask questions.

I don't think either of you deserved to be hurt.

[The rat lets out a little squeak, and Misty quietly shushes her, still lightly stroking her back.]

But at first, I had trouble regretting trying to help out Nat.

[ He isn't trying to be difficult, but he doesn't really move. Instead, there's a soft noise that almost seems to be a simple affirmative. Okay, all right. ]

Anything else?

Well, obviously I've discussed this extensively with Pagan. We talk a lot about my desire to do things for Natalie, even when they're not in her best interest.

...so this is all about Natalie.

Obviously there were other factors, but when you get down to it, yes, it was about Natalie.

I see.

[ His tone is very very neutral. ]

All right.

What?

[She asks warily, scooting her chair a half-inch closer.]

That's... all you wanted to say in person?

No, John.

[She says, blowing out a frustrated breath.]

I want to have a conversation. I didn't prepare a speech.

Okay. Well. What would you like to talk about?

I-- is that a trick question? What happened, obviously.

No, it's not a trick question. [ That comes out just a little huffy. ]

But you're the one who said you wanted to discuss things in person. That there were things you wouldn't discuss over the communicators. So... let's talk about them.

I want to have a serious talk about what happened, but you're totally brick-walling me, John! It's not a conversation if you're just sitting there saying "Okay" and "What else?"

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