tushanshu | 006 || Audio

Entry tags:

006 || Audio

[ Sharon knows the consoles are compromised, but she's concerned and wants answers now. She'll just be careful with what she says. ]

This is Sharon Carter. Anyone with information concerning Monet St. Croix, please see me in WA-1D. Please do not post any information on the consoles and see me directly.

Thank you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[That name.]

[...the request was specifically for people who had information. Midii had a strong feeling she knew what that meant, but she had to be sure. The consoles were out. They were too compromised. She had to be discreet. Fine. She was good at being discreet.]

[WA-1D. It wasn't hard to find. She was good with maps.]

[Making sure nobody was following her, Midii found her way to Sharon Carter's quarters and knocked softly on the door.]

Ms. Carter?

[ A knock. Good. Sharon had been hoping one would come, and she's at the door shortly thereafter. She opens it a crack to check who it is before opening it wide. ]

Hi. What can I help you with?

[ It's a neutral question. It could mean anything. Unless they knew Monet, in which case they might know what it really meant. ]

Actually...I was hoping you could help me.

[Her voice was hesitant. Small. Betraying her young age, even though she tried to keep her head held high. What if she was turned away because she didn't have the information this lady was looking for?]

You mentioned somebody. Monet.

May I ask why?

[ So far, the conversation is promising. And if this girl is a threat sent by the Enemy, Sharon suspects it will be more of a mental chess game than a physical threat. Unless she's armed with poison or something else Sharon hasn't seen before.

She'll be careful, but she also wants information, and she thinks the girl might be able to help. ]

We were working together, and she missed one of our appointments.

[Midii's lips pressed together in a thin line. She suspected, and while it wasn't a confirmation of anything, it certainly only fueled those suspicions of hers.]

Have you checked her quarters recently?

When people...leave... ['are sent home'] ...the kedan can usually be seen clearing out all their belongings soon after.

Yes, but I'm not looking for her possessions. I'm looking for information about Monet.

Would you happen to have any?

[ Either she has valid information about Monet, or she's a spy for the Enemy. Sharon suspects the former. ]

I know her.

[She glanced back up at Sharon, suddenly confused. Maybe Monet wasn't missing after all...?]

Do you mind if I ask why?

The project we were working on together. I'd like to know what happened in regards to the project on her end. I was hoping someone else who might have been working on it with her might come by.

[ Her grin twists with wry amusement. ]

Would you happen to know anything about that?

[ Yes, she recognizes Midii. Sharon had noted that the Enemy could use the girl's obscene intelligence, but also knew the girl could be crucial to defeating the Enemy. If Monet hadn't used the girl after all, Sharon would eat her boots. ]

[She shook her head. Hesitantly, but only because she was desperately trying to wrack her brain through every conversation she and Monet had shared. Searching for a hint of what Sharon might be talking about.]

I'm not sure. [If nothing else, she was being honest.] I can't remember her ever mentioning your name when we talked.

I doubt she would have. She was good at keeping secrets.

[ Sharon rubs the bridge of her nose. Damn it, damn it, damn it. This might be harder than she thought. ]

Do you know when she disappeared? We didn't meet every day, so I'm not sure of the exact date and time.

No.

That's why I came here in the first place. I was hoping...you might have known. Since you asked about her in the first place.

[ Well, damn it. Sharon might be out of luck after all.

She shakes her head. ]

I'm sorry. But I haven't seen her in days. That's why I was hoping someone else had heard something.

[She nodded. Disappointed, but understanding.]

If you do hear anything...do you think you could let me know?

And if there's any way I might be able to help... [She trailed off, not quite knowing how to finish that sentence. Midii knew she was smart, but there were varying degrees of just how useful a "smart" twelve-year-old could be, depending upon the project in question.]

Certainly.

[ Sharon gives a faint smile that gathers a strength after a moment. ]

I'll let you know. I'm sorry I didn't have more information for you.

I should be saying the same to you.

[Seeing as how she came all this way to bother her for essentially nothing.]

It's all right.

[ She hesitates. Things are dangerous out there, and she wouldn't be happy with herself if something happened to the girl after leaving Sharon's place. ]

Where do you live? I can walk you home.

No, you don't have to do that.

I'm used to wandering the city myself. I'll be fine.

[Midii wasn't stupid; she knew it was potentially dangerous. But she still preferred to travel on her own, if only because it was easier for her to go unnoticed that way.]

[ Sharon frowns. The girl had gotten here safely enough, but that didn't guarantee a safe return. Still, she can't force herself upon the girl. It would only draw more attention. ]

Are you sure? There's been more gang activity, and with the Enemy making moves...

[ Of course, the plan is shaping up to be tailing Midii. From a distance. To make sure she got home okay. ]

[Well, Sharon wouldn't be the first to do so....]

I'm sure.

It's still safer than the world I came from. Besides, I know where most of the gangs tend to gather. None of them go near any of my usual routes.

[ Following it is. ]

Did Monet mention any friends? Maybe I can ask them directly, see if they know anything.

No, she didn't.

Most of our conversations usually involved strategy games, or things happening around the City. She was somebody I knew I could go to when I needed help.

Strategy games? Like chess?

[ Sharon steps out and locks her door behind her. Sorry, Midii. You're getting a companion for the way home. ]

[Stubborn.]

[But so long as it appeared under the guise of continuing their conversation...Midii wouldn't say anything. Yet.]

That was our main game, yes.

My papa taught me how to play when I was a little girl, but I hadn't gotten the chance for a long time before she offered.

If you like, I haven't played in a while, but I could use the practice. If you wouldn't mind playing against me sometime, I mean.

[ She grins. ] At this point, you're likely better than I am.

I wouldn't mind at all.

We won't know until we actually play, won't we?

I trust you won't hold back.

[ Sharon doesn't get the impression that Midii goes easy on people. ]

My victory wouldn't be as sweet if you did.

[ Ha. If she wins. ]

I never hold back.

Just like I never want people to hold back when they play with me. It's patronizing.

I swear to you. I will never hold back with you.

When you kick my ass, it'll be for real.

...we are still talking about chess, right?

I don't actually know how to fight.

Yes, we're still talking about chess. There's ass-kicking in chess if someone loses badly enough.

[ Which there's a chance Sharon will be doing. ]

I don't think Papa ever taught me that part of the game.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

006 || Audio

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

Re: action

action

action

action

action

action

action