It's not snooping if they see you coming

[cutting_edgex23]

X is on her way back from the firing range, gun tucked neatly into a holster under her shirt.

She pauses when the wind shifts, attention pulled toward Nathan Stark.

And a few seconds later her own trajectory changes, directing her toward his position.

She stays silent, though.

At least at first.

Comments

[director_global]

"I don't know why I even come back here, I swear I don't," he mutters, hands clasped behind his back as he paces along the lakeshore.

Except that he does, of course. Nathan Stark would sooner die than back away from a scientific challenge, and the very nature of Milliways ensures that it's exactly that.

Among other things.

[cutting_edgex23]

"Because the door opens," X offers, from her position several feet to his left.

She keeps her arms at her sides. Carefully.

"And you walk through."

[director_global]

"If you want to consider it at the most simplistic, then yes," he responds, without missing a beat. Stark turns to face her.

"Hello."

[cutting_edgex23]

X shrugs, one-shouldered and quick.

"Hello."

Beat.

"You were talking to somebody? Here."

It is only polite to ask.

[director_global]

"Myself," he returns.

With perfect dryness:

"It's one way to be assured of an intelligent conversation, you see."

[cutting_edgex23]

"That is a monologue," X says, very seriously.

Very seriously.

"They are not the same."

[director_global]

A beat.


"Fair enough," he concedes, with something that might almost be surprised approval.

[cutting_edgex23]

X does not smile, but the set of her shoulders relaxes, very slightly.

Some people might classify that as amusement.

Then --

"You are okay?"

It is kind of like a segue, right?

[director_global]

He raises his eyebrows.

"Are you asking in your professional capacity, or out of personal interest?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X considers that.

Carefully.

"Usually they are not different. For me."

Beat.

"Your answer will change?"

[director_global]

"Not likely, but some of the detail might," he says.

[cutting_edgex23]

X tilts her head, studying him in silence for a few moments.

"Both answers are okay, too."

She will not quibble.

[director_global]

Stark gives her a pleasant smile.

"I'm fine. Thanks for asking."

[cutting_edgex23]

"That is not detailed," X informs him.

As if he did not know.

"But it is good. That you are okay."

[director_global]

"Oh, did you want detail?"

He's still smiling.

"And how are you, by the way?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"I am okay. There was a brawl here. Recently. I do not like when people are stupid. And it is quiet at home. Now."

She shrugs again.

"Detail does not have to be minute."

Beat.

"SARAH is okay? I have not seen her. Here."

[director_global]

"That's a characteristic we share, actually," he observes -- and then he smiles again.

This time, it seems warmer, somehow.

"SARAH's doing well, yes. She's been occupied with a few things."

[cutting_edgex23]

"I know," X says, matter-of-factly.

Then --

"Her cats are okay, too?"

She has a feeling Nathan is unlikely to explain what 'a few things' entails. But she does not think he is putting SARAH in danger.

He likes her.

[director_global]

"I believe so," he replies.

A slight expression of distaste crosses his face as he adds,

"Her residents, too."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Good."

X frowns.

"You do not like them?"

Beat.

"Sheriff Carter. And Zoe."

[director_global]

"I like Zoe just fine," Stark tells her. "She's a young woman with real potential."

[cutting_edgex23]

"I do not think Sheriff Carter likes me, either."

It's . . . kind of like fellow-feeling?

"Because I am a weapon."

At least he got a little weird about it when she told him, lo these many years ago.

[director_global]

"Jack Carter never was renowned for good judgment," he observes. "I wouldn't take it personally, if I were you."

[cutting_edgex23]

X's shrug is one-shouldered and -- this time at least -- awkward.

"He does not like you, either?"

[director_global]

"Trust me, the feeling's mutual."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Because you are both jerks?"

What?

[director_global]

"Ah, now there's the girl I know," he returns, with a sharp-edged smile.

[cutting_edgex23]

X tilts her head, studying him carefully.

"I do not think you know me very well. If you think that I have changed during our conversation. Now."

[director_global]

"No, not at all," Stark assures her. "It's more that you were being so polite, I wasn't entirely certain if there was something else going on or not."

[cutting_edgex23]

X looks a little startled.

"Polite is problematic? For you."

[director_global]

"I wouldn't say that," he replies. "It serves a purpose."

"But you're usually very direct, from what I've seen."

[cutting_edgex23]

"It is easier," she agrees.

"But I do not always want to make people uncomfortable."

Just sometimes.

When it is useful.

And when she means to.