foo_bar | office hours: round 1.

Of course I wouldn't be keen!

[ She throws her hands up in the air. ]

I just woke up to find myself bloody kidnapped, after the worst day of my life, when I should've- sh-should've been--

[ Not now. She won't let herself show weakness in front of him, even with the sound of Ashton's fist at the wall, the scent Isabella's blood choking her-- ]

Wh-when I had s-so many other things to work with!

[ Unresolved arguments. Every time she sees that, on her profile, it's like a knife twisting in her stomach. ]

And now he wants us to-- [ Just. Turn away, turn away to compose yourself, Rebecca. ]

[he notes the change, and... well... he feels a little bad now. yes, he was dealing with his own things. but so were they.

their lives were all in danger but... He stands up, and holds his hands up in mock surrender]

Hey... I- yeah. I know. I'm sorry, I just. I don't know. I don't know how to stop it-- or even how to get through to Hale. But I'm working on it.

[ She glances at him, just out of the corner of her eye, but keeps trying to look away. She doesn't want him to see them, the tears pricking at her eyes. ]

I just want to get home to- to be able to mourn my best friend properly. If- if you can get me there, then I- jeez, I've nothing to do but hope--

[ No, she doesn't want to be spilling her guts to him. Not him. She shuts her eyes tightly. ]

Th-that we're all really on the same side.

[he... takes a step closer to her. he isn't sure what to do-- he wasn't sure what he was expecting. but this wasn't it? It was like earlier... With Max.

He exhales softly, and then places a hand on her shoulder, letting the pressure sink on slowly.]

I'm sorry-- this is... this is really awful.

[he doesn't even know what about, but he knows it is, just from a base perspective.]

[ He'll find she's tense, but also that her shoulders are shaking. That everything that's happened has started pressing down on her, and she hates it.

Her voice comes out in a hushed rasp. ]

You don't even know the half of it. [ And an eye opens, almost critically. ] You don't, do you? Not about us.

[he looks a little apologetic as he answers,]

No... Not really. I wish I did.

[ She breathes out quickly, trying to wipe away just how much all of this is hitting her. ]

It's fine. [ Clipped. Curt. Closed off. ] It means- if you're- [ She shakes her head once. ] It means you aren't the bawbag I have to punch for those...profiles and little morning gifts.

I'd recommend not punching anyone. Just in case.

[and then... he puts his arm around her, and offers her a brief hug.

He didn't expect to come out of this feeling bad-- at least not bad like this.

But he keeps his hug brief, just in case she rears back to punch him for that.]

[ While she doesn't shove him away, Rebecca also doesn't return the hug. She stays tense, though that may not have anything to do with him. Right now, there's simply nothing to be relaxed about. Nothing at all.

When she lifts her eyes to his, they're puffy but dry. As if they were only irritated by a stray bit of pollen. Still, she refuses to show weakness. ]

The... The others. They have to know. If you're getting something done- they have to know, if we aren't just sitting ducks.

[his demeanor changes, and he looks worried-- almost insistently so]

You can't. Don't-- the more people who know, the more likely it is I won't be able to do anything.

You're joking. I- I can't be the only one who knows this! I... I still don't even like you!

Rebecca, you don't have to like me but you can't do this. Please.

[he runs a hand through his hair, and then sits back at his desk, tapping his knuckles against the wood.]

You think this situation is dangerous-- what happens when they discover a mole in their process?

[ She approaches, placing her hands on the desk, almost desperately. ]

How do you know they haven't already-- I haven't a single idea how to trust you, I can't just do so with something this big.

Because they don't know to look.

Rebecca, I'm serious. I'll find a way to show you I'm trying, but you can't out me.

[tap tap tap, he looks up at her, equally as worried.]

[ And she turns away. ]

I need to take time to think about this. It's... It's not at all what I expected.

Please.

[he asks one last time, his face definitely shows some sign of anxiety. oh no.]

[ What she'd expected... She's speaking before she can help herself. ]

We- we get out of here a-and- and you owe me...alright? [ It's shaky. What would she even- ] S-something, I- I don't know what, but I'll- I'll keep this secret, if--

[ They're in the future. Who knows, what they could do. Maybe... Maybe something to help- with that stupid letter. ]

If what?

[he's not a mind reader.]

Sorry, what do you want from me?

[ She turns back around and- god, she looks...even more desperate. ]

We're in- what, the 2200s? You have amazing technology here, enough to snatch people from all centuries, different realities, so-

[ Crazed eyes. Pleading. ]

Megumi said it would be like no time had passed. I don't want that. I want...to return before I left. If it's possible, even if it could be possible, only by...a day, just a single day.

There's someone I need to save.

[he's so out of his depth here, but... he'd want to help, even if she wasn't extorting him.]

Rebecca, I'll find away, okay?

[ She shuts her eyes in thought, and Isabella's own empty ones bore into her.

I'm sorry, Belle, I'll fix it, I SWEAR I'll fix it--

And they open, and she's...somewhat close to composed. ]

Then... I believe we have a deal, Mister Young.

[ For the first time, the way she says his name lacks any venom or bite. ]

office hours: round 1.

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