IC Voicemail, Driftfleet:

[tothefly]

[There is no recording, just a few clicks and a beep.]

[Leave any IC voice messages or texts for Natasha here.]

Comments

[tothefly]

если я должен...

[If I must, she says, but more to herself than to him. He isn't forcing. He couldn't. But she has to make this choice. Most people wouldn't look at it this hard. It's just a language, just lessons. But she knows what he's going to do with them.]

My classes aren't easy. Sure you can keep up?

[A callback to their earlier lightness, though neither of them forgets any of this.]

[redactions]

[ He smiles, crookedly. ]

No. I'll do my damn best to. That's a promise.

[tothefly]

Gonna hold you to that, Captain.

[Still the one name that's safe, the one identity she can keep separate.]

Twice a week. Name your place.

[A gesture she's sure he won't miss, honestly, but there are few places he goes that she doesn't as well.]

[redactions]

Your office, on the Windrose.

[ Hopefully she won't see it as charity, but another part of the bridge they're (re)building. ]

[tothefly]

[Not charity. Just familiarity. She might have misread it, another time, but she's learning to take as much as she gives. A dance requires two people, after all. It's a conversation.]

Fine with me. Come by tomorrow, if you have the time.

[redactions]

[ He nods. ]

I will. I'm going to move him to my ship, in case you ever want to visit.

[tothefly]

...You're encouraging the cats and dogs to play together??

[Wry humor, there. He has to know at least a little what he's risking by making the suggestion. Though she guesses it could be a warning, as much as anything.]

[redactions]

[ He smiles wryly at her, something worn and old creasing his brow. ]

I have faith.

[tothefly]

Guess that almost counts as a plan.

[She returns that smile with the ghost of one of her own. They'll see how it goes, won't they?]

I'll see you tomorrow, Captain.