first ♢ voice

[versusnurture]

[Abigail's voice quavers, as though she's uncertain of the connection, like someone making their first long-distance call. She starts out firm and then peters out into uncertainty, the tail end of her first sentence almost a question.]

My name is Abigail . . . Hobbs.

I'm not sure how I got here, but I'm here now. [A pause; who to ask for?] I'm looking for Dr. Alana Bloom. She's tall with dark hair. She was supposed to check in with me this morning, but instead I'm here.

Are there - [And here she inserts a little more tremor than necessary into her voice, because she doesn't know what else to do right now - ] Are there letters home? That kind of thing? How does this work? Because I need to talk to my dad.

Comments

[versusnurture]

Why not?

[lastrat]

He's a bit of a prick.

[versusnurture]

[Which - well. Okay. She'll laugh at that, a delighted little-girl laugh at hearing a grown man swear. It cuts through the tears nicely.]

Just a bit?

[lastrat]

[Fortunately he has no weakness whatsoever to girls crying. B(]

Strange as it is, there are worse people about.

[versusnurture]

There usually are.

[lastrat]

You know you're dead. [There's something a bit like curiosity there.]

[versusnurture]

I know.

[lastrat]

Your father, too? [This is what passes for gentleness with Bond. spoiler: Hannibal is probably better at it.]

[versusnurture]

I'm not sure.

[Yes, and no, but she hopes so. Or else doesn't.]

[lastrat]

[That isn't vague at all abby.]

No one else by the name of Hobbs, here. Not-- [Maybe that's mean, he cuts himself off.]

[versusnurture]

Oh. I know he could still be dead. I know that.

[lastrat]

[He likes her if only for the pragmatism.]

And you've got the chance not to be.

[versusnurture]

A second chance. Somebody already said.

[She doesn't sound particularly hopeful about it. And she's so tempted to ask about her other family, but - if he's here, he'll find her.]

What if I waste it?

[lastrat]

Do you plan to?

[versusnurture]

People don't ever plan to waste anything.

[lastrat]

I wouldn't say that. If you waste it, you disappear or stew here for years.

Probably better not to waste it.

[versusnurture]

Probably.

[Bond do u think she's dum]

[lastrat]

[Gosh he is just being sarcastic, you brats will drive him to drink (more).]

Who's Doctor Bloom?

[versusnurture]

My keeper.

[lastrat]

Interesting way to put it.

[versusnurture]

How would you put it? Given that you don't know her.

[lastrat]

Oh, I wouldn't want to make assumptions.

[versusnurture]

Then how do you know it's interesting? It might just be accurate.

[lastrat]

Or you might be a liar who's very good at crocodile tears.

Difficult to tell, on the Barge.

[versusnurture]

Probably best to assume the worst.