Shenanigans!

[phaselocknroll]

Comments

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He nearly walks right into her when she spins abruptly, and he jumps back in surprise. That was-- well. It's about the reaction he expected, actually, so he takes on that calm demeanor again. Or as best as he can, anyway -- she's making him nervous. ]

... I'm pretty sure we both know I wasn't in the hangar just for fun.

[phaselocknroll]

And all of this is because of that little boy?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He's quiet for a moment, then, ]

You ever heard of the phrase "the straw that broke the camel's back"?

Imagine it was like that. Only-- more of a cinder block than a piece of straw.

[phaselocknroll]

I... see.

What would you have me do, then?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ That makes him fall quiet again, because-- is she actually listening to him? Really? ]

What, about the contract? I dunno. We just-- set an end date. When that time rolls around, we-- discuss what happens then, whether we terminate it or we renew it.

[ Terminate, for sure. There's no doubt in Peter's mind. ]

[phaselocknroll]

[ Or she's attempting to mollify him so he doesn't run away again.

... it's probably that one. ]

And what seems reasonable to you?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Simple little Peter. It doesn't occur to him that the Siren might lie. So much for growing out of his naivety. ]

One more month. [ He's been here for several months already. It's way beyond time for him to move on. ] After that-- we'll talk it over, I guess.

[phaselocknroll]

[ There's a long pause as she considers it (though she's not considering it at all) ]

Very well. One more month.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Yeah, okay, he's surprised, and he peers at her carefully. It's only now that it occurs to him to be suspicious. ]

... Really? That simple?

[phaselocknroll]

... Perhaps it's time I learned that not every problem can be solved by brute force.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He regards her again, and-- well, okay, this is an interesting change of pace, and the corner of his mouth twitches up a little in a small smile. He nods slowly, then holds out his hand. ]

Deal, then?

[phaselocknroll]

[ Oh. Well. She's never really seen him smile before. She savors the moment, because she knows she'll likely never see it again.

Come tomorrow, she's having his ship dismantled.

But for the moment, she flashes him a smile in return, and takes his offered hand ]

Deal.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ When he pulls his hand away, he actually looks somewhat pleased. Maybe she can listen to reason, maybe she isn't the lost cause he thought she was. Granted, it's not as though he's the best moral compass, considering all the decisions that brought him here, but-- better than nothing, right?

He takes a deep breath, nodding. ]

Well. At the very least, then, you've got me for another month.