[ He doesn't have to feel the pain to see it. The timing doesn't go remiss, either, and that twinge of paranoia's starting up again when the other voice interrupts. Mat's gaze finally drops from Kaji, one hand pressing to his temple as if to steady a headache. The pendant around his neck is still there, a comforting weight, but there's no tell-tale cold to give him answers.
His response to the question is delayed. Even after he looks back up, there's a wary pause as he eyes Kaji, leaning into the connection without really meaning to. The shock on his face is real, the bracing thought of something— a weapon? ]
No, it wasn't. [ It's probably the most straightforward thing he's said yet, no cursing and no accusation. There wasn't any threat in the message. If anything, it came with an inherent sense of trust that's only unnatural in retrospect. The thing is, having someone mess with his head isn't exactly new, and Kaji's confusion is answered by a kind of surety on Mat's end — a name, Finn, strongly linked to the idea of misplaced thoughts and emotions.
The first choice is always running, but there doesn't seem to be anywhere to run that isn't more tall, alien hallways. Mat still considers it in a way that's level, real strategy instead of cowardice; then he settles on something else. He's made two deals with the Finn. That at least makes him more prepared for a third. ] Are you going to follow it?
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His response to the question is delayed. Even after he looks back up, there's a wary pause as he eyes Kaji, leaning into the connection without really meaning to. The shock on his face is real, the bracing thought of something— a weapon? ]
No, it wasn't. [ It's probably the most straightforward thing he's said yet, no cursing and no accusation. There wasn't any threat in the message. If anything, it came with an inherent sense of trust that's only unnatural in retrospect. The thing is, having someone mess with his head isn't exactly new, and Kaji's confusion is answered by a kind of surety on Mat's end — a name, Finn, strongly linked to the idea of misplaced thoughts and emotions.
The first choice is always running, but there doesn't seem to be anywhere to run that isn't more tall, alien hallways. Mat still considers it in a way that's level, real strategy instead of cowardice; then he settles on something else. He's made two deals with the Finn. That at least makes him more prepared for a third. ] Are you going to follow it?