006. aftermath [audio]

[jurisfictional]

[Thursday's voice is light, but there's an undercurrent of barely suppressed anger there.]

So.

That was a flood, I suppose.

What an utter bitch. If I insulted anyone or anything during...all of that, consider this a formal apology. If there's any way I can make it up to you, please tell me

Comments

[audio] [private]

[young_idealist]

Madame Next, she did not harm me terribly much. A few bruises and a wounded ego. And I did guess that she wasn't quite you.

Are you... perhaps we can meet for a drink or something? I know recovering from being affected by a flood can be troublesome.

Re: [audio] [private]

[jurisfictional]

She is and she isn't. It's not technically her fault--she was written that way--but everyone had to suffer the consequences. It's difficult to explain.

I...would like that very much. Shall I meet you at the bar?

[audio] [private]

[young_idealist]

Did you write her that way?

But yes, I'll meet you there.

spam?

[jurisfictional]

I don't believe I'd be able to live with myself if I had.

[and click. She's switched off the feed.]

[spam!]

[young_idealist]

[Instead of answering as well, Armand pockets his communicator and hurries off to meet her at the bar. He doesn't run, so it's possible she'll get there earlier.]

Madame Next? [He looks to see if she's already there.]

Re: [spam!]

[jurisfictional]

[Thursday walks briskly--she wants that drink rather badly--and arrives just before Armand does. She's hovering by the bar already, and she waves him over with an attempt at a smile.]

M. St. Just. Call me Thursday, please--Madame Next is my mother.

Re: [spam!]

[young_idealist]

[Armand sees her just before he hears her answer, and waves as he walks over.]

I wasn't certain you wanted to stay informal, Thursday. Call me Armand. [He drops his chin.] I tend to get more formal if I'm nervous. What are you having tonight?

Re: [spam!]

[jurisfictional]

Armand it is, then. I've never held much truck with formalities. I suppose it would just muddle up the apologies more.

[She pauses to have a look around.] I'm not sure--I've not been here before. What have they got?

Re: [spam!]

[young_idealist]

[Armand gives her a grin, happier now with that behind them. If he is hurt, it isn't anywhere visible for her to guilt over.]

They have almost anything. I prefer wine, but people drink spirits and beer, too.

Re: [spam!]

[jurisfictional]

[The tightness around her eyes fades a little when she sees him grin. Evidently he doesn't blame her for what happened, and she's grateful for that.]

I'll have wine, then. Any recommendations?

Re: [spam!]

[young_idealist]

It isn't a national specialty, but I think zinfandel is very good. It's light, and there's no need to drink anything too heavy this time of day, yes?

Re: [spam!]

[jurisfictional]

Of course. [She offers a real smile at that.]

How long have you been here, Armand? You seem to know your way around quite well.

Re: [spam!]

[young_idealist]

[Armand orders a bottle for them and two glasses, but he blushes a little at the question.]

More than two years. I ought to have gone home by now. I am terribly out of place here, so I work hard to know my way.

Re: [spam!]

[jurisfictional]

Two years! [That comes out more surprised than Thursday intended it to, but there's a hint of respect there, too.] I'm sorry--that's quite a long time. [She pauses.] And...a lot of floods.

Re: [spam!]

[young_idealist]

A few too many. [He hates to make that admission, not to Thursday.] And breaches, and ports and wrecks. This flying circus spends more time in disarray than not. [Another attempt at a smile, but this one failing somewhat.]

Re: [spam!]

[jurisfictional]

And this Admiral doesn't do anything to stop any of the above? You'd think a Barge with the sole intent of reforming the misguided would have done something to prevent the chaos by now.