Mask or Menance IC Contact Post

[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.

Comments

[use_everything]

Ah. Something overdue.

[He hands both packages over to her, looking pleased and just a trace nervous.]

I've owed you these.

[keep_nothing]

And we're hoping you could model them for us. [ A beat. ] Well, I'm hoping you can model them, but I think Aral would also enjoy it.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She takes the packages with some confusion until Cordelia's words register. ]

The uniforms. I was wondering when you'd have them made, [ she says as she clears off a space on her table to open them with care. ] I have to make sure they fit.

[use_everything]

[MIGHT BE A BIT RED IN THE EARS, yes.]

It would be good to make sure the tailor had the sizing. My apologies on the delay, none the less.

[Action]

[use_everything]

[The nicest part about having the small guard house on property is that Aral doesn't have to deal with texting. Knocking is way, way more his speed.]

[failureisntachoice]

[ A visit from Aral while not unwelcome is entirely unexpected. And he's alone. She steps aside to let him in. ]

Hey. Didn't think you'd be coming over today.

[use_everything]

I hadn't made plans, I admit. [He steps in, pause just inside.] I assume you have taken note of Miles' affliction.

[failureisntachoice]

Given that he's almost a full foot taller? Yeah, it's hard to miss. Did you need help wrangling him?

[use_everything]

Not so much. I left him with Gregor. If he can handle sixty Counts, I imagine one Betan Vorkosigan should be easy enough.

I've a more serious question, actually.

[failureisntachoice]

[ Her snicker is stopped before it even starts at his last words. Not an emergency if he didn't use the link. Someone else affected by the bullshit going around maybe? ]

What kind of serious question? Everything all right?

[use_everything]

Ah. Fine, they're fine just... [He frowns and takes a moment to reorganize his thoughts.]

I would like an honest opinion from you, as that means quite a great deal to me.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She folds her arms over her chest as she regards him. ]

Honest opinion over what?

[use_everything]

[And he has the floor.]

I know Cordelia's mind almost as my own, but I am still learning with you.

[He clears his throat.] There is an opportunity for me to begin relations with a man of some quality. I wanted to be sure that such an action would not cause harm or offense.

[failureisntachoice]

[ There's a flare of jealously over the link that she immediately tempers. Instinctual and not at all deserved given how they're still working out their own arrangement.

Still there's tension in her figure as she watches him. ] Can I ask who it is?

[use_everything]

[He straightens at that sensation, alert, cautious.]

Colonel Roy Mustang. You'd worked with him in the rescue.

[failureisntachoice]

Yeah, I remember him. [ A beat then, ] With the fire magic, right?

[use_everything]

[He's not going to defend it as science. HE REALLY CAN'T. He also really doesn't... actually remember much with the barbecuing.]

Indeed. That would be the one.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She's frowning as she considers this, keeping the link tightly shut. Whatever's going through her mind she's maintaining guard over it.

She finally says, ] It's your choice. I don't know him beyond that to give any real opinion on the man.

[use_everything]

It is.

[He wasn't good at reading people to begin with... if there was nuance on her face, it was elusive to him. All he had to go on was when Cordelia approached him about Tex herself as what she might be feeling.]

But it is not decided, nor does it need to progress.

[failureisntachoice]

[ That catches her by surprise and she stares for a moment. Did she really have that much influence in this? She frowns as she glances away. ]

I'm not going to tell you what to do, Aral. Are you sure he's trustworthy?

[use_everything]

That one thing I am quite certain of. Both his word and deed have held integrity.

[failureisntachoice]

You're not certain of anything else about him?

[use_everything]

Not quite what I had meant.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She sighs and runs a hand through her hair. ] Then walk me through this. Because if you trust him, I want to know more.

[use_everything]

I believe that fair. [He considers and then, gauging the waters, not so much of the subject but how she feels about him at the moment...]

Shall we sit, first?