[ better than anyone, if she's being honest. his daily schedule, his inability to keep to the time. their life back in central seems lifetimes ago, too far to even reach. she can hear the anger in his voice, which almost makes it worse. ]
But you always make it in time.
[ and that, in the end, is what matters. what saves them, every time. she closes her eyes and listens to the pained noises from jade and ruby, the low creaking of a building existing, and laments in how close they might be to finally leaving.
the clarity in his voice jerks her out of it, pushing her back into a moment of knowing. of being aware. who she is, what she's doing. there is purpose in his voice, and in that purpose is riza. ]
Understood. [ purpose, motivation, energy. she feels it, right on the edges. closer than it's felt in days. ] We'll be ready.
[ he nearly says no, I don't -- because he doesn't always make it in time. sometimes, he is too late. for hughes, roy was too late. but saying that to riza will hardly make her feel better, and while the lecture would almost be welcome at this point, roy doesn't want her to waste her energy. ]
I have your gun.
[ so: ]
I need you to watch my back. You only need to make it through the next hour. Start counting, Colonel.
[ ordinarily, he would tell her to listen for explosions. but, now, roy has to stealth with likely disadvantage. ]
[ she could argue, if he wanted to argue, because she has opinions and thoughts and could stand her own against him. but he doesn't bring it up, and it's probably for the best. ]
Don't break it.
[ a moment of light banter between all of this. just a bit of proof to him that she is still here, despite the quiet tone to her words. the weakness to it. ]
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no subject
[ better than anyone, if she's being honest. his daily schedule, his inability to keep to the time. their life back in central seems lifetimes ago, too far to even reach. she can hear the anger in his voice, which almost makes it worse. ]
But you always make it in time.
[ and that, in the end, is what matters. what saves them, every time. she closes her eyes and listens to the pained noises from jade and ruby, the low creaking of a building existing, and laments in how close they might be to finally leaving.
the clarity in his voice jerks her out of it, pushing her back into a moment of knowing. of being aware. who she is, what she's doing. there is purpose in his voice, and in that purpose is riza. ]
Understood. [ purpose, motivation, energy. she feels it, right on the edges. closer than it's felt in days. ] We'll be ready.
no subject
I have your gun.
[ so: ]
I need you to watch my back. You only need to make it through the next hour. Start counting, Colonel.
[ ordinarily, he would tell her to listen for explosions. but, now, roy has to stealth
with likely disadvantage. ]no subject
Don't break it.
[ a moment of light banter between all of this. just a bit of proof to him that she is still here, despite the quiet tone to her words. the weakness to it. ]
One hour, then. See you soon, Brigadier General.