[Misty - for all her willingness to entertain the idea of rebellion when she's talked to Barge folks about the subject - has been doing her level best to bury any personal negative feelings about her new situation. It's not for practical purposes: she's pretty good at putting on a game face regardless of what she's feeling inside. It's simply that the idea of confronting the magnitude of her loss, and the outpouring of grief that it could bring on, terrifies her. Better to just brute-force cheerfulness, work with what she's got - whether that means working on getting a deal here, conspiring to help prison-break so that they can get back to the Barge, or playing both sides at once so that she'll come out okay no matter how things shake out - and not let the world and all its setbacks get her down.
But Taylor's words hit her, unexpectedly, like a physical blow, and her face cycles through several emotions in quick succession: anger, hurt, sorrow.]
Don't say that.
[She whispers, curling her arms more tightly around herself.]
[Taylor doesn't look away from her face fast enough, and the hurt there saps the stiffness out of her shoulders.]
... Sorry. I know. I'm just- I didn't get demoted. I just got- forked. And I don't want to play along with it, and that- [A gesture to the file under Misty's arm.]
Rags and I never even finished reading it. I don't want to share it with anyone else.
[Taylor can't send her reaction into the swarm, so the resigned hurt is there for a moment for Misty to see. She's not surprised. But she didn't want this. Her lips press thin, and she nods once.]
I can't get you your deal here, Assistant. They've forked you too.
Fine. Whatever. You read the worst part already. Enjoy.
[Hands on her knees, Taylor pushes herself back to her feet, with a slight stagger.]
Word of warning - there's another Assistant, a little blond girl named Riley. She's in that file. If I see you talking to her, we're never speaking again.
... Where are you going? Are you leaving? And why is what I read the worst part?
[She can't be leaving, right? This is her cabin. Then again, if she's leaving, maybe that'll give Misty a chance to look around. The lack of locks in this place is honestly a godsend.
But does she want that opportunity more, or does she want Taylor to stay more?]
[Misty jumps up too, her hand overing over the paralyzation button on her wearable. She could press it, she could press it so easily, and then Taylor wouldn't be able to leave. She wouldn't have a choice.]
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But Taylor's words hit her, unexpectedly, like a physical blow, and her face cycles through several emotions in quick succession: anger, hurt, sorrow.]
Don't say that.
[She whispers, curling her arms more tightly around herself.]
You didn't even know him.
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... Sorry. I know. I'm just- I didn't get demoted. I just got- forked. And I don't want to play along with it, and that- [A gesture to the file under Misty's arm.]
Rags and I never even finished reading it. I don't want to share it with anyone else.
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[She says, her voice quivering. ]
Besides, I already read some of it.
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I can't get you your deal here, Assistant. They've forked you too.
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[Don't look at her like that, gosh. ]
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[Misty looks around for a place to sit - taking a seat, if she finds one, and holding the file on her lap.]
It's better than doing nothing.
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[Misty says, forcing a smile onto her face.]
What do you need? Are you--
[She lowers her voice conspiratorially.]
Rebelling?
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I'd be a liability to any effort.
How much did you read?
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Can I have the file?
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[She curls her fingers around the edge of the file.]
Are you worried I'd betray you, or wouldn't support you?
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[She eyes the file, and it's plain she's thinking of snatching it away from her.]
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[Misty frowns, tightening her grip, her nails leaving little marks on the paper.]
If I give you this, you'll shove me out the door and avoid me for the rest of our pairing!
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Fine. Whatever. You read the worst part already. Enjoy.
[Hands on her knees, Taylor pushes herself back to her feet, with a slight stagger.]
Word of warning - there's another Assistant, a little blond girl named Riley. She's in that file. If I see you talking to her, we're never speaking again.
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[She can't be leaving, right? This is her cabin. Then again, if she's leaving, maybe that'll give Misty a chance to look around. The lack of locks in this place is honestly a godsend.
But does she want that opportunity more, or does she want Taylor to stay more?]
Taylor, just-- I want to talk about this.
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[And she's heading out, a few butterflies lifting off of various perches to follow her.]
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[Misty jumps up too, her hand overing over the paralyzation button on her wearable. She could press it, she could press it so easily, and then Taylor wouldn't be able to leave. She wouldn't have a choice.]
I can freeze you! I-- I'm going to freeze you!
[She does not freeze her.]
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Do it and we'll never speak again, Assistant.
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