001. open post // quiet little burials.

[mordechai]

Take a prompt, take your time, post whenever you like.

Comments

[inqdeirdra]

[ She smiles fondly at that. ]

Well, it was worth a shot.

[ Her gaze wonders up at the ceiling. ]

But hey, who knows? People change, right? You might come to enjoy them one day.

[mordechai]

Maybe.

[Hikaru used to complain about it often enough, at any rate...

Sigh. Hikaru.]

How's Gideon?

[And, the unspoken question: How are you and Gideon? Maybe he's a little concerned. Can't be easy, having a husband who will most definitely go ahead of you.]

[inqdeirdra]

[ She's still staring at the ceiling. ]

We're good. I've learned to walk leisurely now.

[ She has in fact, learned to slow down her pace so she can walk with him.

And okay, maybe there is a hint of hurt in her voice. She's still a young Riskbreaker, but she's already bid goodbye to a couple of friends. She never asked for them to stay longer, but it still kinda sucks. ]

[mordechai]

[Catching that, of course. Looking at her once again before going for his beer.]

Slowing down isn't always fun, but it has its merits.

[It forces you to take a look around, to think, to remember, to recalibrate.]

[inqdeirdra]

[ She's directed her stare at the cigarette she just lit up. ]

We slow down for the right people.

[mordechai]

Yeah.

[Still watching her, though.]

There's still time, Dee. And even when it runs out... you had a good run.

[inqdeirdra]

[ She eases up now. She doesn't particularly like expressing her uneasiness, even if she's loosened up a lot now. ]

Yeah. Tell me about it. I'm not worried.

[ She says that with all sincerity. ]

[mordechai]

Good. [A beat, and then:] I'd hit you if you were.

[He's only half-joking.]

[inqdeirdra]

[ She jokingly scowls at him, before smiling again. ]

You don't have to worry about me.

[mordechai]

Might as well while I still can.

[And he's not really referring to the possibility of him dying (that probably isn't going to happen), but of the fact that their own time together is limited.]

[inqdeirdra]

[ Slightly tilting her head to the side. ]

That only means that you should let me worry about you too, while I still can.

[ Right back at you, Mr. Mordechai. ]

[mordechai]

I might just be all right with that.

[Why not, right?]

[inqdeirdra]

[ Smiling now. Not like Alistair can do something about it, really. ]

Good. We're hard to shake off anyway.

[mordechai]

[Have a half-derisive, half-amused laugh right there.]

More like 'impossible'.

[inqdeirdra]

[ Smiling at that. He's right though. She's grown from not caring about anybody else to well... this. ]

Think of it as our annoying way of repaying you for everything.

[mordechai]

Annoying is right.

[But it's without heat. He's grown attached to all of you, and well... he's grateful. Without you, maybe Hikaru wouldn't be alive. Maybe he'd be even more fucked up than he already is.]

[inqdeirdra]

[ Teasing him further. ]

Well you are very much welcome.

[ Alistair didn't really say thank you, but it's already a given anyway. Not like she's gonna force it out of him. She be chill like that. ]

[mordechai]

[Shaking his head, then letting THAT drop. You kids...

Speaking of kids.]

So how's Allegra? I know how Rico's doing.

[inqdeirdra]

[ Smiling at the mention of the mention of the twins. ]

Still a lot like her father, unfortunately.

[ Yes Gideon, you can hear that. Your wife just indirectly insulted you endearingly. Tihee. ]

[mordechai]

[Chuckling a little. Yes, Gideon, he is amused by this. Still:]

You weren't exactly the poster kid for social skills yourself before, Dee.

[POT KETTLE BLAAAACK.]

[inqdeirdra]

[ Looking at Alistair now like REALLY? before breaking out a smile. ]

I wasn't talking about that aspect, but thanks a lot for being honest with me.

[ Punching him lightly on the arm. ]

I know that, okay? Besides, that earned your respect more, don't lie. You and I, we were alike. [ Lightly laughing between speaking. Funny old memories tend to induce that. ]

[mordechai]

Respect? Not too sure about that. Fondness? Maybe.

[Whatta softie dis Alistair guy.]

[inqdeirdra]

[ Grinning at him. Did not expect that. ]

Oh, fondness? Even better.

[mordechai]

Yes. A fondness that I had to be dragged, kicking and screaming, towards.

[You kids.]

[inqdeirdra]

[ Laughing at that. ]

Still the same thing. From what I recall, you like it.