003 ✫ Voice

[useofaswhat]

I've been on some pretty odd worlds in my time but I never saw one like that before. Somethin' new every day on this ship, huh? [On the whole, he sounds pretty pleased about it.] Anyone out there know how to patch up spike holes in leather?

[Private to Natasha]

Appreciate the expertise back in the wilds there. How'd you know how to deal with big cats?

Comments

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

[She almost says she's just peachy, no need to keep checking in on her, but. Wait a tic.]

I wouldn't say not to having my Bite back. [She did not name the stupid things okay.] My wrist-weapons.

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

That's an interesting notion. Got a persuasive reason why I oughta arm you?

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

Next time it might be a bigger cat.

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

Jaguar defense. So next time the Barge turns into an ancient jungle wonderland you want your Bite weapon? Think I can agree to that.

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

I was thinking more along the lines of now, in case of next time.

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

That depends real heavily on what you plan to use it for. Woman like you with skills like yours, seems to me she'd handle herself fine, Bite or not. [He speaks from experience. Saffron had been... brilliant. Ruthless. Incredibly talented, not to mention a master at weaving new identities for herself. Mal didn't need to be told not to arm a woman like that.]

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

If everyone here was human? Maybe. But having too much faith in your abilities is a good way to get yourself killed.

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

So this is purely a precaution.

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

Strictly preventative.

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

[He sobers a little bit; seriously now.] Anyone been tryin' to give you trouble?

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

No. [But she's heard enough about what's going to go down with Loki, and that's enough to keep her hackles raised. Not that, you know, she'd volunteer that infor for Mal.]

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

Anyone been givin' anyone you know trouble? [Probably a wiser question to ask. The answer could give him a good idea how to best help her now; he just wishes he had some way to make her tell the truth.]

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

If someone had been giving me or mine any trouble, do you really think that would still be a quiet issue?

[Yes, actually, because she doesn't really like to make big stinks about things but she's banking on Mal not realizing that.]

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

I think you're even better at keepin' secrets than your file says, and I'm betting you think if I didn't have that you could play me for a cloudheaded fool. [After all, he's sure she'd gotten a bit of trouble over the Winter Soldier thing, and she'd kept that quiet enough, hadn't she?]

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

[A bit is putting it kind of mildly. She's quite for a few breaths, then decides to just bypass.]

Are you going to give my weapon back, or not?

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

Sure. Just as soon as you tell me why you want it.

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

Are you armed?

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

What do you think?

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

Tell me why.

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

Habit, for one, which we ain't trying to break me of. And on a ship full of thieves, I don't much fancy the idea of leavin' it in my cabin.

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

I'm on a ship full of murderers. Do you think I fancy the idea of being unarmed?

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

Right, I can see why you wouldn't wanna be. You are unarmed, right? After all you've only been on this ship, what, three months now. How could you get a weapon in that span?

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

You don't believe me? [She will hide that knife okay, you jerk.]

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

Should I? [Hey, who's the one lying, jerk. :|]

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

[Hypocrisy is not in her vocabulary. :|]

Do I need to prove it?