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

[dendarii]

Probably not. But then again, I wouldn't even have been in that situation to begin with.

[ He'd have passed his entrance exam, for starters. ]

[failureisntachoice]

You never did tell me how you ended up with a fleet that large.

[ She turns more towards him, making it more obvious she's watching him expectantly as she tops off her glass. ]

[dendarii]

[ Aha. Should he spin a lie to make himself sound fantastic? Alas, as tempting as the thought may be, he'd rather stick with the truth. ]

Trickery, mostly. I started off with three crew and a jump pilot. Ended with the entire Oseran Free Mercenary Fleet.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She stares at him long and hard trying to determine whether or not he's pulling that out of his ass. The story sounds like a load of shit, but the way he says it... ]

And how the hell did that work?

[dendarii]

Our first job was an arms-smuggling deal. We encountered resistance - the Oserans were part of the blockade to prevent us from getting through. We took them by surprise, And then, I convinced them to join me.

[failureisntachoice]

You convinced a fleet of mercenaries to join you? [ With a crew of three and a pilot. How. ]

They could have just taken your cargo and made their own profit.

[dendarii]

They could have, but they didn't think of it. I had them fooled - pretended to be from a larger outfit, with rules and uniforms and everything. So we used them as leverage against a capital ship, and from there a space station, and from there the entire blockade.

[failureisntachoice]

[ The story sounds so outrageous she actually believes he's telling the truth. She snickers and reaches for one of the blintzes. ]

You make it sound so easy. Is that how you plan to build up an army here? By walking around like the Pied Piper with fake regs and matching outfits? You had to pay them sometime.

[dendarii]

Oh, I did. It's much easier to do so if you win, after all.

[failureisntachoice]

How are you going to do a repeat performance here? There's nothing to win that pays out.

[ Yet anyway. She's be annoyed at the government ever since she learned they don't pay out extra for any imPort help. ]

[dendarii]

... I admit I'm not sure. But - there must be something. We must only build up enough forward momentum to reach it.

[failureisntachoice]

You're going to have to hit the ground running then.

[ Or has he already been doing that? She finishes off her blintz and glances over at his little lean-to. She's not sure how much business should really be talked about on something considered a date. ] So, do you have anything hiding in there?

[dendarii]

[ Miles doesn't mind, anyway; it's all one and the same to him, as deep in his cover as he is. ]

A few extra snacks?

[failureisntachoice]

[ She looks at the lean-to with doubt. ]

That's all? No fireworks or sparklers hidden in there?

[dendarii]

[ Miles laughs a little at that. ]

Alas, I wish I had now.

[failureisntachoice]

Would have looked good over the water. [ Wine in one hand, she adjusts herself so she's leaning towards him. ]

We could go out and find a few. After we finish eating. [ How hard could it be? ]

[dendarii]

[ Ah. He can't help but swallow a bit at that, leaning in as well. ]

Finish off tonight by blowing something up?

[failureisntachoice]

[ She doesn't glance over when their shoulders touch and takes a sip from her glass. ] It'd be a good way to end it. Unless you want to save it for next time.

[dendarii]

[ He can't help but shiver lightly. Up until now he's been relatively smooth about all this; this is the territory that he gets a little more nervous about. ]

And do something else instead?

[failureisntachoice]

[ It's hard not to notice the shiver when they're this close together. Somehow, it's comforting to know she can have that effect on people other than Church. ]

I'm guessing you picked somewhere private for a reason. We're on a beach in the off season.

[dendarii]

[ He extends a hand, palm open. ]

I thought it wise to remain open to the full range of possibilities. [ A pause. ] Not - as any sort of expectation.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She rolled her eyes. ]

If I thought you were expecting anything, you'd be taking a cold bath far, far away. [ The threat is accompanied with a jerk of her thumb towards the water to make her meaning crystal clear. ]

[dendarii]

Should I take that as hopeful sign, then? The fact that I am not currently bathing.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She nudges his shoulder with hers and teases, ] Hell, I might even let you live long enough for a second.

[ If he even wants one. This is uncharted territory for her beyond her own, biased experiences with Church. ]

[dendarii]

[ That was the right answer. Miles immediately brightens at the thought, a stupid grin running from ear to ear. ]

I would be delighted.