silverking | ✖ IC CONTACT #3

[Behold, Priscilla. She is sitting at her desk, surrounded by papers, and wearing one of those yellow nightgowns and a robe.]

[...there's a yellow bird on her shoulder.]

Um. Isley?

[Walls of books surround Isley when he answers. Evidently he is in his library.]

Priscilla.

You look quite busy.

[Well, here it comes. She rubs her face.]

This is a little awkward. But no matter how many times I do the partnership list, I can't come up with anything else.

I'm not certain I understand.

Unbalanced numbers have never been cause for concern in the past.

I know, but he just got back, and he needs to do things, and besides it's not as though I have a partner, and it would only be temporary.

I mean... if you don't mind.

...I would need to know what you mean in order to know if I minded, Priscilla.

...Senji. He doesn't have a patrol partner.

[For a moment Isley's brow furrows, but the expression does not last. Perhaps Priscilla's manner softened the blow, but either way a smile touches his lips a few seconds later.]

It makes sense now...

[He closes the book in his lap, but his finger continues to mark the page.]

Is there a reason I should mind?

[she blinks twice, and then tips her head, and then smiles a little. A very little.]

No, of course not. It's just always been a little... well!

...touchy!

If he requires a partner, it ought to be someone he can work well with, correct? And it would be counterproductive to upset the balance of current partnerships unnecessarily, especially given the recent state of the weather. You need to have confidence in the teams you've put together, in their ability to cooperate with each other and effectively balance each others' strengths and weaknesses, particularly in times of crises, big or small.

From a strategic standpoint it makes sense that you two would partner with one another.

...I agree! I...

You really don't mind?

I really don't mind.

[He nods.]

I don't like it, but I don't mind. Besides, I would sooner you work with someone you can trust to have your back than someone you could not. If anything can be said for Senji...it is that when it comes to you? He will undoubtedly be reliable.

[She smiles again, all warm and melty like.]

Mm. That's very true.

...I haven't had a partner in so long. It's a little odd to think about.

After everything that has happened it isn't a bad idea for you to have a partner. I...may even need to thank him.

Mmm. I can handle myself.

I know, but it cannot hurt. Especially as I cannot be there myself...

Mmrph. You don't need to worry about me so much, you know.

I'm not going to let myself get killed.

I understand that, but I enjoy being by your side regardless. I miss that, in fact.

I don't know how you could; you see me all the time. Almost as much as you did then, except, I guess we were sort of living together at the time, but other than that.

It's not as though I spend a lot of time at home, anyway.

I meant that I miss patrolling with you.

...I know what you meant. But I'm not sure why.

It's not as though you've ever been very enthusiastic about protecting the city. And if it's just fighting beside me, we do that sometimes anyway.

I wasn't in the beginning, it's true. Initially it didn't mean very much to me at all. Even being a partner to you was something of an inconvenience. I felt like you were monitoring me...and maybe you were. But, rightfully so, as it turned out.

Although, it's almost been a year since then. In that time I've helped defend the city a number of times. It means something to me now, living here.

I do miss fighting along side you, too...but it's more than that. I regret not supporting you before, or supporting the Alliance which is important to you.

...if it was so inconvenient then why did you volunteer in the first place?

[face rub forever.]

Maybe it doesn't matter, now. I mean, there isn't much point in lingering on the past.

I did a lot of things for the wrong reasons shortly after arriving...you know that better than anyone.

[He tilts his head.]

Do you mean that?

I know. But it doesn't always make sense to me. Why volunteer and then be annoyed about it? I don't know.

[...she tilts hers, too.]

Well, yes. I just mean... if I let myself think about all of that all the time, I wouldn't be able to be here, would I? There are always things that everyone regrets, I guess. But they are... what they are.

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