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We pick a table at that little café at the Zocalo and I order coffee for both of us. She seemed friendly enough when accepting my offer, but hasn't said a word since. In fact, she's not even looking at me. I manage to keep a sigh of frustration inside, but it's a close call.
Two steps forward, one step back.
"You're not going to make this easy for me, are you?" I ask, not ready to give up.
She seems startled and her eyes finally meet mine. "You should know that making things easy for other people is not usually one of my top priorities."
You don't say. More like two steps forward, two steps back then.
Our coffees arrive and I realize the next few minutes are going to be awkward at best. What on earth made me think this was a good idea in the first place? But then I see her smirk a little and feel myself relaxing.
She goes on to explain, "I was just thinking about Alisa, really."
Alright, being distracted certainly is an improvement over being annoyed. And being able to tell gruff but amicable Ivanova from hostile Ivanova is a skill I definitely need to acquire.
Two steps forward, no step back? But I'm probably getting ahead of myself there. How about focusing on the conversation for a change?
Alisa took quite the chance, I'm not sure I'd have been brave enough to do the same.
"You really think she'll be alright?" I ask.
Ivanova nods. "I do. The Minbari are a strange bunch. But if I had to go and live with any of the council races, they're the ones I'd pick." She gives a small chuckle, then adds, "If you had told me this only a year ago, I'd have figured you for insane."
She has a point, I think. They're definitely strange, but it may just be the good kind of strange from what limited experience I've been able to gather. I add, "She also did get a glimpse into Ambassador Delenn's mind. Which was more than enough to rule out the Narns. So, yes, she should be okay."
I really hope she will be.
Ivanova is fixing me with an intense look. I have no idea what's going on in that mind of hers, so I decide the safest course is not to interrupt and just ride it out.
Finally, she speaks up again, "You really do care."
Really? That's your big epiphany? Ah well, as long as we're getting anywhere at all, I probably shouldn't be too picky.
"It's not what you expect from someone with the Corps?"
I find it hard to believe she'd lump us all together like that in spite of her history. I can only hope my tone will convey the honest curiosity because antagonizing her really is the last thing I'm hoping to achieve.
She's giving me that look again and I find myself longing to peek into her mind. It's strictly forbidden, of course. Also, she'd kill me where I stand if she ever got wind of it. Most importantly though, I would never violate anyone like that, yet alone her. But this? It's driving me insane. I realize I'm hyper nervous because what feels like minutes to me can't have been more than a few seconds.
Finally, she answers, "It's not one of my initial assumptions about anyone, actually."
She has me speechless for a moment or two. It's been obvious from the get-go that she isn't exactly the most trusting person around, but this … Well, I guess, this means I've just been promoted to a slightly better than average human being in her view. It's something. It's quite a lot, actually, considering where we started out. Even so it's ridiculous just how happy the realization makes me feel. Trying to get a grip on myself, I flash her a smile.
"I'm happy to disappoint then."
She keeps a straight face for a few more seconds, but then she returns my smile and it's the first time she's ever smiled – really smiled – at me and just like that I feel myself melting all over again. For a moment I am almost certain she knows exactly what she's doing to me. Then she starts to get up, saying "I need to get to C&C." She gestures towards her cup. "Thanks again for the treat."
Before I even manage to reply she's gone. Only when she's out of sight do I take a deep breath.
Oh my.