mental link, v important questions;

[narcissithstic]

(Tell me, have any of you spoken to Cathaway within the last two months.)

[The newer Hosts are the most likely suspects, but perhaps through the link—

Perhaps he feels nothing not because of distance, but because she's chosen to keep him locked out. The possibility is a nagging itch at the base of his skull; he'd rather know for certain.]

Comments

[nirsighted]

[Vague, absentminded, the sensation of doing other things.]

( I saw her and Prince when I went back. Carata probably did too? )

[narcissithstic]

[Yes, yes, softboy. He knows you're very busy and sad.]

(Did she say anything about us?)

[—about him.]

[nirsighted]

[Excuse you, he's great. Don't you know he's been holding hands with Aoba?]

( What like... specifically about us down here? )

[narcissithstic]

[Yes good job you made it to first base with a dating sim that was designed for home runs. Gold star.]

(Did she ask you to relay anything.

Did she mention our progress.)

[If he sounds frustrated for having to spell it out, spoiler alert: it's because he is.]

[nirsighted]

[Wow excuse you.]

( She always says good luck before we leave. I also gave her an updated file about stuff so she knows what's going on in case something goes really wrong and they have to send a new group of hosts in, but she doesn't usually have much to say about uh... the particulars of a mission I guess? Prince does sometimes though. Has advice and suggestions. I could tell you what he said. )

[narcissithstic]

[That suggestion earns a violent recoil from Kylo Ren's consciousness, the connection between them thrumming like a struck cord. Redundantly, he's happy to voice his discomfort just as soon as it subsides:]

(-No-.

No, I need nothing from him.

Return to your work; the sooner we're finished here, the sooner we return.)

[vocalis]

[ He could ask Nirad privately, but the connection is conveniently here. While he has no intention of giving Kylo Ren the time of day, asking about Cathaway did remind Aoba of something- ]

Hey Nirad, I've been meaning to ask... if you go back to the Station again, would you mind asking Cathaway about maybe getting another bottle of that medication she made for me?

[ The mission has gone on a long time. He's rationing what he has left more carefully than ever. ]

[nirsighted]

[There's a flicker of surprise, the sensation of something pivoting on it's base or heel or whatever as his attention shifts from Kylo Ren to Aoba. ???? hums for a moment across the link then-- evens as he parses the question.]

( Oh sure. I'll make sure Carata knows too. )

[vocalis]

[ There's a small sense of relief there. Aoba has no reason to believe he won't go back to the station sometime soon, what with all the trips he's been making. ]

Thanks Nirad~ ♥

[ A hint of affection, too. The first time he's been open about it on the broader network. A step. ]

[nirsighted]

[Where Aoba lets a sliver of affection slip along the link, Nirad responds with a wave of it: a clap of salt and sea air against some retaining water wall, all eddying tides and the tang of something raw and wonderful and familiar in the scent. He doesn't have a reason not to be broad.]

( Sure, no problem. )

[vocalis]

[ He gives an inch and receives a mile. It's surprising, (and a little overwhelming) but nice. Aoba says nothing back, but he doesn't ignore Nirad's feelings either - sends him a warm hum, one to match his frequency for a few beats. He then exits Kylo's link with an unspoken hint that Nirad is free to follow him elsewhere should he want to. ]