008 愛 Video
[The feed starts and there's Inara sitting at a desk, practicing Chinese characters. She pauses and looks to the tablet.]
I'm not sure if any have looked at the board lately, but it appears as though Desmond, Maria, Altair and Ezio have all left.
[She glances down at the paper before her and sighs.]Though it is sad to lose friends, I do hope they ( Read more... )
I'm not sure if any have looked at the board lately, but it appears as though Desmond, Maria, Altair and Ezio have all left.
[She glances down at the paper before her and sighs.]Though it is sad to lose friends, I do hope they ( Read more... )
Or he's really over-thinking the whole thing. Yeah. Probably. And there was that video... Regardless he has never been good with this sort of thing so now seems as good a time as any to finally say something.
He keeps it simple, uncertain about her reaction, and offers a gentle smile.]
Friends of yours?
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Though, she wasn't going to let on to that. By the time she starts the feed, she's smiling slightly, twisting her calligraphy brush between her fingers.]
They were indeed.
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[And he isn't sure what to say, really, but he would lend her an ear if she wanted to talk about it. He just figures everyone will want to comfort her over the same thing.
He pauses, allowing that unsaid sentiment to linger, then really looks her over as if he wants to say something but settles for an easier way.]
How are you, Inara?
[There is an apology hidden in his tone. While he may not be certain she is completely annoyed with him, he knows he should have contacted her sooner.]
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[She rounds her shoulders a bit, turning the calligraphy brush in her fingers so she's able to tap the end of it on her desk. There's a lot of questions she wants to ask him, but over the tablet isn't the way to go about it.
But then he asks the question. Her lips press together and as much as she'd like to to point out that he'd had well over a week to ask that question, she's managing to hold her tongue.]
I'm well enough, thank you for asking. And you're settling back in?
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[There is a lot to say, none of which he is comfortable with saying, or sure how he should say it. He hadn't meant to avoid her.
He shrugs, trying not to look so obviously awkward.]
I could have done without the eight-legged welcoming committee.
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[But that pretty much went without saying.
She looks down at the paper in front of her for a moment, tapping the brush on the table. Finally she looks back up. She hates awkward, so this will probably be the best thing for them both.]
I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me... But I have to go.
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[Well if didn't know something was wrong before, he knew now. He genuinely looks hurt for a moment before nodding slowly and lowering his gaze.]
Yeah. All right.
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It takes her a few seconds to speak again, but when she does, her annoyance is creeping into her tone. She can't help it, she refuses to feel bad.]
Perhaps if you had contacted me earlier I wouldn't be so busy. I'm sure you understand.
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Is that what--
[Well he knew he should have contacted her and that was entirely his fault. But did she not know about...?]
Look, Inara... I'm sorry. I didn't- [he pauses- he could give a million excuses, but they wouldn't be good enough-] I should've contacted you.
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[She looks away and exhales slowly.]
You should have contacted me and yet you didn't. [She looks back to him, her eyebrows raising a bit. Her expression is pretty neutral, but she can't hide the look of hurt in her eyes.] Though, to be honest, I really don't want to hear excuses or even apologies.
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But he's at a loss for words. Never was any good at being honest with his feelings and perhaps he could tell her that, but that would be an excuse wouldn't it? What was he supposed to say?]
Let me make it up to you. Please?
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The easiest way for her to handle them was to pretend they didn't exsist or to run from them. There weren't many places in the Underworld for her to run off to... So that left pretending. Whcich she was very good at.]
That's sweet of you to offer... Though there's truly no need. It's just been a trying couple of weeks, and well... I shouldn't have been so short with you. I apologize.
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But just as Inara had done for him on numerous occasions, he would not press the issue further. If she wanted to talk about it then he was there.]
You really don't have to apologize. [he paused, flashing her a warm smile-] I get it...
But next time, when you're not busy, I'd like to stop by.
[He did have something to tell her, assuming he wasn't making the same mistake by not blurting it out now. It just didn't seem right to announce it over the tablet.]
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I'll let you know when things slow down for me.
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