voice | ❝ all the bad you've got ❞

[avicula]

( this isn’t subtle, exactly, but sometimes the direct approach is the most effective. her tone, when dutch addresses the network at large, is crisp, pointed. ) I got the welcome speech loud and clear, but here's two questions for you anyway:

One, who here has heard of the J, the Quad, the Company, or Reclamation Agents? ( if they were telling the truth, the answer should be no one, or hardly anyone. dutch isn’t sure what outcome she’s hoping for: that they were telling the truth, or that this is a slaver ship or one of khlyen’s schemes. no, that’s a lie. she knows exactly which outcome she’s hoping for, but it’s a grim kind of hope. ) Two, I’m going to assume some of you know how to fight. I’m looking for sparring partners, so who’s ready to get their arse kicked?

( dutch has some frustration to work off, and there’s only so much a punching bag can do. )

Oh, and lastly? ( it’s a long shot, but still her tone shifts, something chiding that can’t hide the affection underlying her words. ) Johnnyboy, if you’re here, stop drooling over new tech and find me.

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voice.

[fibrosis]

[ it's voice bc you used voice, okay ]

Dutch?

[avicula]

Alvis. ( it's a greeting and confirmation both, wrapped in relief. )

[fibrosis]

Gotta say, it's nice to hear a familiar voice. How'd you get wrapped up in all this?

[ not that he really understands how he did, but who knows, she might have a better picture. ]

[avicula]

How does anyone?

( she has no clue, and she hates it. )

[fibrosis]

[ Well that answers that. Also I totally forgot we decided to make the tdm thread canon I'm sorry it was late. We can just pretend it happened uh. At some point later? Not too long after this maybe? Shh. ]

You still need a sparring partner?

[avicula]

( let's go with it happening a bit later, we can roll with this. )

Are you offering?

[fibrosis]

[ awesome, ty ]

I could use the exercise.

[avicula]

I'll go easy on you.

[fibrosis]

I appreciate it. I'm pretty fond of being able to walk.

[avicula]

Are you now?

[fibrosis]

I like hanging around as much as the next guy, but after a while it gets a little boring.

[avicula]

I promise not to hurt you. ( there's amusement in her tone as she continues. ) At least not in a way you won't enjoy.

[fibrosis]

Promises. Just let me know whenever you feel up for it.

[avicula]

Always.

[fibrosis]

[ he would ask if there was any sign of the jaqobis, but there's no need to bring it up if the answer will be no, and if it isn't then he assumes he'll learn about it soon enough. neither one of them is particularly subtle or uh. quiet. ]

You good?

[ and yeah he's not necessarily expecting a really truthful answer, or like. one at all, but he can hear her and he can hopefully discern at least a reasonable percentage of the potential bullshit about to head his way. ]

[avicula]

( dutch is glad he doesn't ask. they aren't subtle or quiet, alvis is right, and dutch has specifically asked for johnny — and yet, nothing. they're not here, and dutch is glad they weren't abducted, too, but she's not happy about their absence nonetheless. it's a strange push-pull of feeling. )

Never better. ( that's about 70% bullshit right there. )

[fibrosis]

[ he'd call her on it if either of them were in a position to a. do anything about it, or b. able to stand on solid ground right now anyway. bullshit is probably gonna be necessary for a little while here. he doesn't mind, he just wants to get a gauge for how things are. ]

Glad to hear it. [ "Let me know if that's ever not the case." tho ]

[avicula]

What about you?

( dutch tends to withdraw when she's afraid or stressed, but she's not so far gone that she doesn't care about him or his state of mind, especially given what he just happened on westerly. )

[fibrosis]

[ This is where Dutch gets more from him than others might. Everyone has to have someone they can be honest with, right? Scarbacks, revolutionaries, strangers, company - it's just safer for everyone involved if he keeps to himself, but he'd put his life in her hands in a heartbeat. Maybe that's asking too much of her, but oddly he feels that it's the less selfish thing to do. Too many people keep secrets when they don't need to. ]

I'll uh.. I'll let you know when I figure that out.

[avicula]

( dutch doesn't have to think about her response to that, but there's still a pause before it comes. ) Fair enough. ( he isn't all right. he's quite possibly even less all right than she is, if what happened in westerly was any indication.

dutch may claim that she has no home, but she has a team. she has friends, people she cares about. alvis is one of them, and if he wants to put his life in her hands, she'll make sure to keep it safe. )