portolan | Open Post

[how many compliments are you going to make him matrix-dodge, bro, jeez]

through your work?
i am very much in favour of that.

[And always forgetting anniversaries, which he is not about to volunteer.]

we do most things through our work
it's been a good system

[ Is he starting to feel that he's aging and she isn't? Yes. He's aware they're going to have to start dealing with that this decade. ]

oh really
i seem to recall someone coming perilously close to scolding me for being enmeshed in work just minutes ago
was that you or some other pirate

[ He grins. Well. It's been awhile since he was properly called out. ]

I'm afraid you've got me there.
Though maybe I should clarify she's my work partner.
I like to take long vacations and long baths.

baths are simply necessary.

[Staring for a moment, thumb tapping,]

but you needn't clarify.

I should have assumed you were clever enough to figure that out.
You'd be surprised how many people argue with me over that fact.

argue with you about your own partnership?
how unusually presumptuous.
i would definitely enjoy watching someone argue that point with mine.

clearly you spend too much time in your lab if the behavior of regular people is surprising to you
but I wont' chastise you because I think I'm jealous of your blissful ignorance
it is indeed great fun to watch people try to tell Fran this. I think she's cracked a few spirits with her gaze alone.

i happen to spend the correct amount of time in the lab, thank you very much

["a wizard arrives precisely when he means to"]

but yes - she does have the look for it
like a steel edge

I might not respect your work life balance, but I certainly respect your cohesive value system, that much I'll give you.

She has an impressive high kick, too.

[Now there's a mental image. That one gets him.]

my partner does not.

Fran isn't hume. Human. We can't hold ourselves to her ability and expect to retain any shred of self-worth.

[ He has tried. ]

trust that i am in no danger of that
long ears might suit you, however.

[After this message, he will not respond for at least ninety minutes. Will he indicate this in advance? Of course not.]

[ That gets a laugh, and Fran gives him a look from whatever she's doing quietly. ]

perish the thought they'd ruin my silhouette

[ Not that he wouldn't adapt fashion is just artistic theory applied and he's excellent at color and shape.

The gap in time doesn't bother him. Honestly he's surprised he got so much undivided attention for as long as he did. ]

[Balthier has public transportation to thank for that. Yes, the gremlin left his occult lair for a while, alert the media. (The media does not care.)

Ninety-six minutes later,]

did you drop this

[Attached is a snap of a random earring lying on the sidewalk.]