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[failureisntachoice]

[ An automated voice speaks because someone hasn't bothered to set up a proper voicemail. The only part in her voice is her name. ] You have reached Agent Texas. Leave a message at the tone.

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[failureisntachoice]

[ Give her a few minutes, she might be watching that a couple of times. Because it's not every day you get to see someone owned that thoroughly.

When she sends back a reply, it starts off with a low, appreciative whistle. ]

How long after your time in the canyon was this?

[bestsword]

It's been about six years. Almost seven.

[He's quiet for a minute, just really thinking about how far he's come since Tex knew him.]

Happened just a minute or two before I got here.

[use_everything]

[He clears his throat slightly, and nods.

... Wasting money, essentially. From her...]

What I have in mind may not be too unalike. [He stands and straightens his sleeves, and starts for the door. This wasn't a place he was like to discuss it.]

[failureisntachoice]

[ She slides her wallet into her pocket and falls into step beside him as he heads out. ]

And what would that be?

[failureisntachoice]

Good to see some improvements came with that time.

[ Hell that was another lifespan for her. ]

Was that all from Wash training you guys?

[bestsword]

Eh, some of it. Some of it was just me being a badass all the time anyway. Fought off mercs in the desert by myself for months only a year after the canyon. Just got better with time, baby.

[Tucker stop while you're ahead.]

[use_everything]

[He winces at the sudden light as they step outside, but his pace remains steady. He thought he had seen something promising on the ride here...

In the mean time, it's a couple of strides along before he begins to answer. He hadn't eaten yet either, today.]

An offering. ... We have no religion, but we hold some traditions. Some burn it to grieve, others to banish the ghosts- burdens of another life, others merely to mark that they can move on.

I don't know if it would have much meaning for you, but.. I would like to show you. As an armswoman of House Vorkosigan.

[failureisntachoice]

[ Okay yeah maybe he hasn't changed that much. ]

Ha ha. Why were you stationed out in a desert in the first place?

[failureisntachoice]

[ She's about to speak again with another probing question when he finally answers her question. There's a small frown as she considers it and she watches him from the corner of her eyes. ]

What kind of offering? I was thinking of putting a grave marker somewhere.

[bestsword]

Eh, ambassador work for the Sangheili. There were some artifacts there they wanted me to check on, mercs showed up trying to take 'em. Killed all my security detail and no one came to help when I called for it. Fucking sucked.

[use_everything]

His luck, I fancy.

[His style is a bit rough, but not unflattering. It is perhaps interesting where he focuses, the lines of her neck are strong and defined, the lines around her mouth making the smile she's offering Cordelia reserved, perhaps a little nervous. But the posture, the slight lean that both had towards each other was engaged, almost intimate.]

[use_everything]

[His mannerism is composed, merely formal, as if explaining a cultural quirk rather than a rather personal ritual.]

It's traditional to burn a lock of hair. [... a memory, still hazy, almost gone, of Cordelia a few days ago...] Sometimes more, if lock doesn't seem enough. Items of worth, symbolic or otherwise, often are included, as well as incense.

Sometimes, words are spoken, memories, curses, sometimes, hopes.

And then most go out to eat- we fast, beforehand.

[failureisntachoice]

I can see that.

[ She's watching his drawing more closely now and frowns a little at that memory of her expression. God, had she really looked like that? Almost like a damn kid going on a first date. Going out with Cordelia has been some of her best times here and judging by the tone of his drawing, even he could tell that.

She murmurs, ] You remember that well?

[failureisntachoice]

[ She runs through a brief inventory of what little they have here and nothing suitable for burning comes up. Maybe Tucker would have something in mind...

At the very least she could get a marker. ]

Is there a certain time that you do these things?

[use_everything]

[He hesitates on something... the fall of clothes being a particular weakness.. and opts to work on Cordelia, the fall of her hair distinctive...]

Usually... perhaps not. It was striking, though.

[use_everything]

[He shakes his head.]

Dawn is often chosen, but any you prefer. Do you have something in mind?

[failureisntachoice]

Thanks, I guess.

[ She leans forward, elbows resting on her knees, as she watches. Cordelia's figure is coming out beautifully and she smiles as the woman's hair comes to life on the page. ]

You're really okay with all of this between us? [ The question feels sudden, but it's been nagging at the back of her mind since the timelines were shifted around briefly. Rightfully so, Cordelia had been keen on spending more time with her husband and she doubts the reason was kept secret from him. If either even remember. ]

[failureisntachoice]

[ She shrugs and shoves her hands in her pockets. ]

Not much. One of his good friends is still here, I thought he might want to join in anything I end up doing.

[failureisntachoice]

Sounds like a whole lot of bullshit. Did they not assign that much security? Or were they all crap?

[ Because seriously she'd think alien artifacts would warrant high priority protection. ]

[use_everything]

[There wasn't much traffic on this road, foot or otherwise. Most of the businesses on this particular collection of buildings didn't begin to attract attention until the sheer amount of rattling neon could replace the night streetlamps. The only other pedestrian their side by side monopoly of the sidewalk they had to move for was a man bundled up heavily against the cold spring breezes, moving briskly in the other direction.

As Aral's pace slows a touch, they've near privacy.]

It is a personal thing, as such, you can invite who you like. Just the two of you, if you wish.

[The suggestion is quiet, less preference and more respect.]

[use_everything]

[He honestly hadn't had much more practice with Cordelia, a few proper drawings and a number of quick, wispy sketches. But the details? He had all of those memorized.

The question causes him to still, pencil tip hovering over the surface.]

I thought I should be, at first. After all, it was myself who opened these conversations back home. But I've come to realize that is very different than "is." [He resumes his work, the curve of her smile, focused on the viewer, rather than Tex.]

I am, in truth, quite content with it, now. [There's a pause, a hesitation before a mildly offered.] I begin to see what she finds in you.

[failureisntachoice]

[ There's a small sigh of relief and tension that leaves her posture at that confirmation. There's been plenty he could have done to stop or sabotage this if he really wanted to yet he hasn't.

It still feels too good to be true, but she's slowly starting to accept it for what it is. ]

Thanks. [ A beat then, ] I can see what she married you.

[bestsword]

Little of both. Usually those assignments are just me showing up, telling everyone to calm the fuck down, settle disputes, walk away.

That one had a little more going for it, I guess.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She barely moves out of the way of the oncoming pedestrian, more focused on wherever it is they seem to be going. Or at least on going in general.

She's not sure what Tucker will want or if he'll even want to be there. Their relationship or whatever it was has only recently started to be repaired. Either way she's extending an invitation to him, but whether or not anyone else should be there she's not sure.

There's a small frown and a long moment of silence as she turns this over in her head before deciding. ]

I... wouldn't mind company. You and Cordelia. If you didn't mind.

[failureisntachoice]

You telling people to calm down? Since when the hell has that ever worked?