Work Text:
ACCESS: RESTRICTED
DECRYPTION KEY: L5P2Y6BM80$IKO-006
REP#: 086-ATHENAEUM-DERELICT-AUDIO
AGENT(S): AUN-326
SUBJ: VIP#1316 AND ERI-223 INTERACTIONS - PSYCHO
RECORDING 81007.1
[BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]
“Hey there, knife edged truth, what's up?”
“Rat.”
“Ooo I'm Rat again today. I like it. I musta done something. Tell me what I done!”
“Did you visit Immaru and intimidate him?”
“I did pay that little shit a visit, yes. I was just curious. If he was intimidated by it, that's on him. I didn't say nothin'.”
“And it was not some sort of ridiculous attempt to defend my honour, correct?”
“Your honour don't need defendin’ and, if it did, the best person to be defendin’ it is you, not me. I don't do honour. That sorta shit gets you killed.”
“That's what I thought you'd say. Immaru seems to believe you threatened him.”
“Immaru believes being the ghost of the mass civilization-murdering hive god of lies is a reasonable life choice. I don't think his beliefs are ah… how would you put it…accurate reflection of reality here.”
“Hmmm…”
“Although if at some point you don't need him any more, I'd love to take him apart. Slowly. For Science, of course.”
“Hmmm yes, for Science. I doubt Ikora would permit that.”
“I ain't askin’ her.”
“She was quite concerned you found your way into where she’s been keeping him.”
“Was she? Well, it’s true I’m normally a bit more discreet about how much I come and go in Hidden spaces. Ha.”
“You may find your infiltrations more challenging in future.”
“You know me, I like a challenge.”
“Have you ever considered joining?”
“The Hidden. Me. Join the Hidden.”
“Yes. Your skillset is rather ideally suited for the work, and you and I could work together.”
“We work together now just fine.”
“It would mean we could work together more.”
“Yeah, I'll admit that would be very tempting, but joining the Hidden would mean following orders and I just… I can't… you know I can't. What's that you said before? I have uh… issues with authority.”
“Hmmm… You certainly do.”
“So do you. It's one of the many reasons I like you so damn much.”
“Sometimes I do, yes.”
“I help you, though. And if that's Hidden work then I guess I'm already doing it. And if Ikora asks you to do something, and you ask me to come along, well then what’s the difference, really?”
“I suppose that is one way of looking at it. I shall let Ikora know of your willingness to help without helping.”
“I mean I did already tell ol’ Rayray myself that if she needed anything to help you, to ask me and it'll get done. I think I made it clear to her whose side I'm on.”
“Of course, the same side you’re always on: your own.”
“Yours, actually.”
“I did not expect you to say that to her. To me, yes, but you’ve always told everyone you don't pick sides.”
“Didn't really pick this one. More like fell. Hard. But you knew that.”
“Yes.”
“Also made it clear whose side I expect her to be on, too. I might’a pissed her off a bit, but I don’t think anyone needs to worry about that. She’s solid and she’s got your back. That’s what counts.”
“She is a dear, dear friend.”
“I know. So… not that you need a reason, but is that all you’re calling about, Moondust? Immaru crying like a little bitch ‘cuz mean old Drifter went and stared at him for a few minutes?”
“Like ‘a psycho,’ apparently.”
“Ha! That’s rich, coming from him.”
“I have grown accustomed to being able to consult with you and collaborate with you much more often than we are doing now. I functioned alone for so long and have found your presence obnoxious, frustrating, and profoundly irritating for most of the time we’ve worked together. And yet, now that you’re there, and I am here, and there is not the time nor the capacity for such ventures, there is no irritation in my memory, only fondness sharpened by absence.”
“You just said a lot of words there, but what I heard was that you miss me.”
“Yes. I miss you, but I also find myself smiling at the fact that I do.”
“Ain't that a mood.”
“It is indeed… a mood. “
“Say, when was the last time you ate an actual meal, bane of the swarm? Not like unwrapping rations and gobbling them to keep going, but real food?”
“I think it was what you made for me, but there hasn’t been time to…”
“Dammit, Moondust, that was over a week ago. What’s Ikora doing not makin you eat?”
“Ikora has been a pillar of strength for me.”
“I’m glad for that. Hand on my heart, I am. But I wish she was also a pillar of food. I’m bringing you dinner.”
“I don’t know that I’ll have time to eat it.”
“Then I’ll just have to make you something that’ll still be good after it gets cold.”
“I don’t know that I’ll be here when you arrive. There’s not time to…”
“So what? You’ll still get dinner. And I’ll get to know everyone’s favourite hive god has had a decent meal. Admit it, you’re already looking forward to this.”
“I… yes. I am. Thank you.”
[END TRANSCRIPT]