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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]

[ She smiles faintly as she watches him work. This is the first time she's ever been someone's art subject before. ]

And which part is yours?

[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.]

[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?

[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.

[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. ]

[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.

[use_everything]

Hm. [The wordless sound was speculative, but pleased.

He turns his attention more fully to the picture. The clothes drawn on each fit the form with little attention to folds and shadows, leaving something of empty spaces even with all of the shading. On the other hand, the lines of the walls and the banister leading up are done with a steady, precise hand, even freehand.

It's no quick process, working almost in layers, one after another. Each point where one might have called it complete just seemed to be the bridge to the next.

Until finally, he leans back rubbing his chin (a smear of graphite streaks his cheek and chin, having used his own hands to blend shades here and there.)]

I think... that will do.

[The pages perforated already, the heavy page pulls free of the binding with just a little trial and error.]

[failureisntachoice]

[ She's content to watch him work, not needing to fill in the silence. The steadiness of his hand and focus on his task brings her a sense of calm making things comfortable even in this setting.

There's a smile as she watches the graphite make a mess out of his face. She debates whether or not to tell him before finally making a vague motion with her hand. ]

You've got something on your face.

[use_everything]

[His brows lift, and he rubs about where her hand indicates.. and just ends up smudging along his jaw.]

[failureisntachoice]

[ She snickers and moves to get up, but not before snapping a quick shot of his face with graphite on it. ]

Yeah, you're just getting more pencil on your face. Let me get you something to clean it off with.

[use_everything]

[He waves her on, the look of consternation giving to a mumbled "A harder lead would negate the issue entirely."]

[failureisntachoice]

[ That earns him another snicker as she heads out. She's gone for only a moment before returning with a dampened paper towel. ]

Want me to get it?

[use_everything]

Thank you. I should be able.

[He takes it, and DOES manage to get most of it blind, for a wonder.]

[failureisntachoice]

[ She shakes her head, thoroughly amused as she watches him. ]

Almost all of it. Keep scrubbing.

[use_everything]

[He brows pinch, and he frowns deeply, after a few swipes at his face, and puts aside the pad to get up and find a mirror.]

[failureisntachoice]

[ She makes herself comfortable in her chair as she watches him. ]

You know it would have been a helluva lot easier to let me do it, right?

[use_everything]

[There's a vague, disgruntled noise at that.]

I'll need such attendance if I manage to get to an infirm age. There's no need to rush it.

[failureisntachoice]

'If?' I thought you had highly trained guards to make sure you did get that far.

[ Or that's what she thought armsmen were anyway. ]

[use_everything]

Ah, in my time, most are my father's.

... Also the position I am in is quite a bit more than twenty men can handle. Some attempts have been downright inspired.

[failureisntachoice]

Regent, right? For Gregor? I don't even want to know the kind of trouble that gets hauled onto your doorstep. I've heard some of Cordelia's stories already.

[ And part of that had been from before his time as Regent. ]

[use_everything]

Four bloody planets. A pittance next to the power conglomerates of your own universe, but a damn handful for me. Only fools want to rule.

[He shakes his head.]

... It is a shame you couldn't return with us. Though if there is a means discovered, you're quite welcome to a place.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She shrugs. ]

Gregor offered to let me come along if a way was found. I told him I'd think about it. [ And it's been a while since that first offer had been made. ]

I'm leaning towards 'why not?'

[use_everything]

That is good to hear.

[failureisntachoice]

You're not worried about what introducing an AI would do to your planet?