text | un: kovacs

[kovach]

[ after attempting to follow some small footprints from the dining room, kovacs briefly hears some strange and suspicious laughter that echoes out for only a short time before it's gone.

— the fuck? ]

Has anyone heard some creepy fucking kids giggling in the hallways?

Or seen some tiny feet trailing around?

Comments

[bossily]

I'm a bit offended you're questioning exactly what my distraction technique would be.

Actually, you know what? Not the topic to be discussing in the middle of a mission. Are you in the mood to turn your solo exploration into a task for two?

[kovach]

[ oh, he knows exactly what it is. ]

What, you want to come join me on the ghost hunt? Think I might have hit a dead end with this one unless you're some kind of kid whisperer.

[bossily]

I was a teacher back on Earth. Before that, I was a nanny. I'm almost positive even ghost children would love me.

[kovach]

Should've known. You do have that reprimanding authoritative parental thing about you.

[bossily]

I'm choosing to take that as a compliment.

[kovach]

You should. I like you bossing me around.

[bossily]

I'll be sure to remind you that you said that if you ever decide to change your mind.

[kovach]

I hope you do.

[ what was said about inappropriate topics during the mission? ]

So what would be your strategy with the ominous ghost kid?

[bossily]

Someone told me once that every lonely monster needs a companion. Something tells me even the angriest and most mischievous of ghosts won't refuse someone to play with. Especially when that someone comes with stories to tell.

[kovach]

[ every lonely monster needs a companion. those words run deeper than he expects them to. ]

Yeah, I don't think I'm the play companion type, so this definitely sounds more like a job for teacher-nanny Clara.

[bossily]

You're not meant to be the companion. You're meant to fetch the ball I'm bringing along with me. And it's probably best that you keep me from getting myself killed.

[Again.]

[kovach]

[ considering what he knows has already happened to her — ]

So basically I'm backup to keep you from doing anything too stupid.

[bossily]

That, and just keeping me company in general. It's a very important job.

[kovach]

You have pretty shitty taste choosing the village asshole for company.

[bossily]

Yeah, thing is, you're not ever an asshole with me. You're far too wrapped around my little finger for that. Admit it.

[kovach]

[ is she right? yes. but she doesn't need to call him out so publicly like this. ]

What can I say? It's a cute finger.

[bossily]

[look, everyone else is so busy being tortured or is asleep. She's pretty sure no one will notice a thing.]

It's about time someone admitted it.

[kovach]

[ ever the optimist. ]

Sounds like this was just a roundabout way to manipulate out some compliments.

[bossily]

Hardly. I'm just being polite and keeping the conversation going while I wait for you to get on with telling me where you're currently located.

[kovach]

Really? And here I thought your Tak senses would just tingle and you'd find me on your own.

I'm outside the dining hall.

[bossily]

Are you accusing me of being a stalker?

[kovach]

I was trying to interpret it as good instincts.

[bossily]

Try to interpret it any way you like, the end result is still calling me a stalker. Lucky for you, I take no issue with keeping tabs on the people that I care about. How else do you think I'm always in the right place, at the right time to save the Doctor?

[kovach]

In my defense, the word stalker keeps coming straight from you.

When it comes to that guy, though, I'm pretty sure you don't need a tracker. If he doesn't just come barging in on you, you can usually hear him hollering or setting something on fire a few miles off.

[ either version of him. ]

[bossily]

Talking like that, you sound like part of the family.

[She'll politely drop the stalker subject. But you can bet your ass she's on her way.]