>>5345000“I think…I’m good.” You declare, your fingers curling with resolve even as this opportunity slips out of reach. “I’ve already got the best and brightest in the Crucible on the case. There’s no need for further risk, to either of us.”
“Us?” Ozmas echoes, the word coming out of the Hexane’s mouth tasting like a strawberry covered in gasoline.
“Yeah. ‘Us.’” You reply with a grin in the face of her obstinance. "You know...this experience talking with you wasn't so bad."
Ozmas hesitates, and you’re fully prepared for a pissy dismissal before the Crucible’s former administrator hits you with; “Despite your insistence in lumping both you and I into the same lot, I will concede that this interaction was…not unpleasant.”
…You wonder if most alien tyrants are tsunderes.
"Before I leave, I think the next time we meet we'll talk about something less serious and more lighthearted.” You say, floating the possibility of an easier conversation after everything you’ve just covered. “How about...the time you first met the other Ascendants?"
“...We’ll see.” She replies coolly, and you take a bit of solace in the fact that it’s not a ‘no’ before Ozmas continues. “You’re about to be off, then?”
“Yeah, we’re going to try and make some headway towards the Cord. There will be nine of us, so I think our odds are pretty good, all things considered.
“Be careful.”
You blink.
“Excuse me?” You mutter, wondering if you misheard.
“You’ve come a long way.” The Hexane intones, her voice perfectly level. “It’ be a shame if your own carelessness were the death of you, now.”
“...Thanks. For that, and for all this.”
With that, the void pulls back from you as reality settles around your shoulders like an old, comforting shawl. Your eyes snap open, and the first thing you’re aware of is a pair of whispering voices behind you, furtive and familiar.
“How long have you two been there?” You ask, turning around in your chair to find GG and Rath sitting with their backs against your headboard, the armor you crowned them both with slimmed down to something a bit more comfortable against your pillows and sheets. Good to know they have the same level of control over their armor as you do, at least.
“Just a minute or two. Nothin’ creepy.” Rath grins, flashing white teeth that are lit from behind by her own internal fires. “But yeah, before you ask, you didn’t miss anything. The senpai’s ready to head out when you give the word.”
“But before that, how’d things go with Ozmas?” Gina asks, shifting position so she’s lying on her stomach, feet bouncing idly on the pillow she just occupied.. “I get the feeling the answer’s ‘pretty good’, but how’re you feeling after dealing with her again?”
(Continued)
