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[the_adjutant]

INBOX text / voice / video / action You've reached Riza Hawkeye. Leave a message. art credit code credit

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[the_adjutant]

My dog, yes.

I understand perfectly. It was a trying time for everyone, I think.

[wearenumberone]

Yes, it was. We appear to be on the same page.

At some point, I confess, I would like to meet with you once more.
We have some things to discuss, after all.

[the_adjutant]

I'd be happy to get together again now that things have calmed down.

[wearenumberone]

Is that so?
I will admit, someone being happy to hear from me is a new feeling.

[the_adjutant]

Calling you kind might be stretching the truth, but you helped me. You've given me good advice. Of course I wouldn't be unhappy to hear from you, One.

[wearenumberone]

If only more saw things as you do.
My sister's disciple is gone, now, and I doubt he would have minced words were I not nearby.
And my eldest sister largely only seeks me out to throw insults my way.

It is still better than our old ways, I will admit.

[the_adjutant]

What were those old ways, if I can ask?

[wearenumberone]

Her attempts at sororicide.
Or filicide, depending on how you wish to view it.

[the_adjutant]

Not a very close relationship then. I'm sorry.

[wearenumberone]

It is what it is. There is no sense in regretting such things.

Besides, my hands were hardly clean in the matter.
She may have been the one to kill our sisters.
But I sat by and watched as she did.

[the_adjutant]

It sounds complicated.

[ Complicated familial relationships. She's all too familiar with those. ]

[wearenumberone]

Does it?
It is the only life I have known, after all.

[the_adjutant]

When something drives that sort of divide in a family, it usually is in my experience.

[wearenumberone]

And if your very birth is the divide?
What could be more simple than that?

[the_adjutant]

I see.

I don't know that I have an answer for you on that one.

[wearenumberone]

No matter. In truth, none is required.
We ended each others' lives, and we have come to a truce in this new world.
All that matters are the actions taken from this point out.

Do you drink tea?

[the_adjutant]

I'm more of a coffee woman myself, but I do enjoy a cup of tea.

[wearenumberone]

I am pleased to hear it.
Are you free tonight? There is a tea shop eight city blocks from the residence area. I feel you might appreciate it.

[the_adjutant]

I am free. Not much to do tonight, to tell the truth.

--> action?

[wearenumberone]

There is always something more to do.
That said, who knows? Our conversation may yet prove productive.

[ beep! she drops an address for riza. ]

I will be waiting at eight PM.

Re: --> action?

[the_adjutant]

[ Riza arrives at eight PM< promptly. She's the punctual sort, after all, and it wouldn't do to keep someone like One waiting. ]

[wearenumberone]

[ she'd fully expected riza to be the punctual type, so she's not surprised when the woman shows up. and she's not pleased, precisely - after all, this is a simple modicum of courtesy, isn't it? the bare minimum. but she's not displeased by a long shot. so she nods to the woman as she comes in, indicating the chair across from her. ]

Take a seat. This pot is nearly done brewing. [ a beat. ] It's one of the more fragrant whites they have. If you'd prefer something else, I'll handle the expense.

[ inside, it's easy to see why someone like one likes this place: softer lighting, a middling temperature, and no sounds blaring over a loudspeaker. the only sound in the room comes from the workers at the counter - a single dominant and submissive pair - and a small stream of water running around the edge of the room. like this, one can speak just above a whisper and be heard perfectly clearly. ]

[the_adjutant]

No, I think that should be fine.

[ Riza settles into her chair, folds her hands into her lap as she looks across the table at One. She looks so much younger here, in the light of this tea shop and out of the dimly lit bedroom that she'd laid in while One helped her work through the horrid drug that had been effecting her. ]

It's good to see you again.

[ Might as well get the pleasantries out of the way. ]

[wearenumberone]

And you as well.

[ it's strange, watching one do something as mundane as pour tea for the two of them. if it weren't for the way she carries herself, she'd easily appear fifteen at best - but like this, with absolutely no awkwardness or hesitation in her actions, her age is nearly unidentifiable.

she doesn't sip from the tea she pours, setting it down on the saucer instead. make of that what you will, riza. ]

I take it you've had less need for the meditation these past few weeks? [ dryly, with something approaching humor in her voice: ] Unless you've learned to hide it as well as I have.

[the_adjutant]

Thankfully I've been able to avoid any other, ah. Exposures.

[ Riza reaches out to pick up her tea cup. She lets the scent of the delicate tea fill her nose, then sips at it. Delicious stuff, this. There's a small smile, then the teacup is set down again. ]

You've been well, I hope?