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[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.

Well, then how am I supposed to do my job , then, Taylor.

[She says, her voice quivering. ]

Besides, I already read some of it.

[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.

It's-- it's not just about the deal. I want to make sure you get out of here, too.

[Don't look at her like that, gosh. ]

I already graduated. They're not letting us out.

That's a little extreme, don't you think? You graduated on the Barge . I wouldn't expect a new place to abide by the same standards.

I barely trusted the Admiral. These people, I trust not at all.

I don't either, really, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to make an effort.

[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.

If a graduation only means something on one boat, it doesn't mean anything, Misty. It's just a distraction to keep you doing useless busywork.

Looking after you and making sure you're okay here is not useless busywork.

I'm not. They intended me not to be. Rubbing it in that I'm back to square one by assigning us like this is making it worse.

Well, then, I'll help you be!

[Misty says, forcing a smile onto her face.]

What do you need? Are you--

[She lowers her voice conspiratorially.]

Rebelling?

No. [Very flat, and Taylor takes a seat beside Misty, slouching and not looking at her.]

I'd be a liability to any effort.

How much did you read?

Up to when you helped the Undersiders rob that bank. Are you supporting any rebellion efforts?

Misty, if I am, why would I be telling anyone?

Can I have the file?

You could tell me. You should tell me; that's sort of the point of all this.

[She curls her fingers around the edge of the file.]

Are you worried I'd betray you, or wouldn't support you?

I'm not worried about you. But I don't have anything to tell you.

[She eyes the file, and it's plain she's thinking of snatching it away from her.]

Taylor.

[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!

[She exhales, rubbing her face.]

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?]

Taylor, just-- I want to talk about this.

I don't. I think I've made that clear.

[And she's heading out, a few butterflies lifting off of various perches to follow her.]

Taylor! Stop!

[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.]

[Taylor stops, as still as if Misty had hit that button. Red creeps up the back of her neck, and her voice is low and shaking with controlled anger.]

Do it and we'll never speak again, Assistant.

I have a name.

Fox off.

[And she's leaving, though she keeps a hand on the wall in case Misty does push it. She already knows what happens if you get paralyzed while moving at any speed, and she doesn't want to break her nose again.

Not when it already feels so hard to breathe.]

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citizendetective - 2022-08-17 14:53 (UTC) - Expand