[ 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.
[You know, he's gone over how to do this probably a dozen times, now. Went through at least two dozen plans that involved chocolates, flowers, even a stuffed animal at one point.
But in the end, this is all that's coming out: ]
Hey, Tex, uh-- I need to get away from Tweedle-Me and Tweedle-douche. There's a restaurant in downtown Heropa, but they completely fucking misheard me and marked me down for two.
[Church that is legitimately the worst excuse ever]
So uh. Heropa. Six o'clock. [.....] Maybe wear something that's not your armor.
[a package addressed to T shows up in the mail. there's no return address or sender info, and the deliveryperson just shrugs.]
[the wrapping is just plain brown paper, but the box inside is a gilded godiva box, without the plastic. it's obviously been opened already, and the contents make the reason apparent: a few of the chocolates have been removed, and replaced by trinkets of about the same size. the missing ones are the plain milk chocolates or nougat, and in their place rest three shiny bullets. definitely not edible, but maybe actually usable.]
[another delivery, another misshapen package with lazy wrapping and loose string keeping it together. """"anonymously"""", of course. the contents are put together with a great deal more care than the presentation: it's about half a dozen rifles, arranged into some military parody of a french spiral bouquet. the ribbon holding them together is satiny black, and twisted to look like a bowtie instead of a classic bow.]
[ Did... Did he seriously get her guns like she was talking about? She stands at her door for several minutes after she gets the crappy wrapping off to inspect her prizes. She can't imagine Church spending this much on her and her conversation with Epsilon about how she still needed weaponry is fresh in her mind.
And he actually came through with it. Huh.
It'll be a while after the gifts are obtained that she sends him a message. It takes time to inspect and find places for them in her room, after all. ]
[ She's busy. And the fact that his calls have reached double digit makes this almost a game of chicken. Who is going to crack first before a real message gets sent.
She's still busy when she finally hears the alert. She had a feeling he'd crack first. Maya's dead, but at least her body is somewhere safe.
Whether he likes it or not, she's texting him back. And no, she didn't listen to his message. She hates listening to those damn things as much as he hates leaving them. ]
[The morning of the 24th, taped right to Tex's (guest) bedroom door is a motivational poster by the one and only Caboose, adorned with stickers and glitter galore.
Find attached: a slightly more legible version for the OOCly curious]
[ She has the map downloaded and is already getting ready to head out. The trip won't be horrendously long if he's intending for them to meet nearby in the city she lives. ]
[ She's not even texting back. Maya is getting a call and the first thing that's going to be said when the girl picks up the line is: ] Where the fuck were you?
You really think I'm enjoying being in a cramped room with a bunch of-- [ Are people listening to her? Can they hear her? Ugh whatever better to be semi civil. ]
Miles is determined to pay a visit to Lucifer in power-nullified prison in Maurtia Falls, at the RISE facilities. Would you please accompany him and make sure nothing unpleasant happens?
[If you want it, ask me for it. On a private channel. he's trying not to snoop, he really, truly is. but he's also dragged into tucker's drama, and... well. an invitation is an invitation.]
[Mabel agonizes a little bit about Tex's valentine-- is it cool enough? Is it punchy enough? Is sending her this thing going to encourage or discourage her from trying to send Mabel to school? Eventually she realizes she's thinking about this too hard and just go with her heart. The card is selected and delivered by pig, with a chocolate bar attached to the back. There's a note written under the candy:
Happy Valentine's Day! I hope your day goes great. Thanks for always checking to make sure I'm alive and offering to teach me how to hit people. That's really cool of you.]
[ It takes him a few days to sort out his feelings. Another few days (and lectures) to pin down what he wants to do on top of that ... and how to move forward. ]
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