[Zetta grins slyly.] It's like you can read my mind. [Even though he didn't, not entirely. She'd been actively trying to not get her hopes up for that, since she knows how unlikely it is, but... christ. If only.
Riley's eyebrows shoot up his forehead in amusement -- and surprise is definitely there, too, since he knows how high of a statement that is coming from her.]
Yeah, I guess I should come clean. Back when I was eight, I was kidnapped by this weird shady group who implanted some experimental tech in my brain. Ever since then I can sort of read minds. Not, like, word for word, but I can pick up impressions. Totally useful in my line of work.
It... First it was just his voice -- your voice. It was the other you. And then... I guess he shared a memory? That must've been what it was. I saw where they live. And it was the three of us -- of them... just, being together. The way we used to be, before the war.
It was overwhelming, [he admits with a small laugh.]
It'd be nice, wouldn't it? Being able to share minds like that.
[Riley knows they should be vigilant right now, but he can't help himself from reaching out for Ferran's hand. He's smiling softly, unaware of Ferran's sudden concern.]
[He starts at Riley's touch, having been lost in his thoughts, but he quickly grips Riley's hand and squeezes, flicking him a small smile.]
I don't think you'd really want to see everything that's inside my mind.
[Or maybe Riley would, because Riley tends to think better of him than he probably deserves. But Ferran doesn't want Riley to know that he's actually a far worse person than Riley probably realizes. Riley knows about his old job, of course, but he doesn't know the details. And he doesn't know all the things Ferran got up to before that job either.]
[Riley is grinning, but the self-conscious feeling hasn't gone away. He kisses Ferran's cheek in return.] I don't get it.
[Zetta can pick out the undertone to his voice, can tell that he's taking it personally, so she takes mercy on him.] We're teasing, love, don't worry about it.
Teasing is my way of admiring. I think it's awesome, you and your youness.
[And he understands why Riley wasn't able to herd Zetta and Ferran, to be their moral compass. It takes an element of hard edges and ruthlessness to do it, and Riley just doesn't have ruthlessness in his nature.]
[And now Riley's going from "worried he actually did something that made them uncomfortable" to embarrassed.
But before he can respond -- and it'd likely be with an apology, for misunderstanding -- There's a quiet rumbling from the ground. The reason why becomes quickly obvious as a mole rat bursts out of the ground, then another.
Zetta is sighing and drawing Deliverer, but Riley throws his hand up.] Hang on -- Wait, wait. I want to try something.
[With the others staying back, and Riley closest to the mole rats...
... the mole rats aren't attacking. The larger of the two gives Riley a beady-eyed stare, but the other is starting to snuffle at some nearby foliage.
Zetta watches warily.] Riley...
It's alright, [Riley tells her, but he's using the voice he talks to dogs with. Zetta's seen him calm down a spooked stray, even enough to have it follow him into the house, but this isn't a fucking dog. Still, she holds her fire, even as she's clenching her jaw in preparation for things to go south.
But they don't seem to be, even as Riley lowers into a crouch and shifts closer to the larger mole rat. It continues to stare at him, shuffling back somewhat, but it doesn't appear to be coiling up to attack. It just isn't sure if it can trust him.] It's okay, buddy. We're not gonna hurt you. [He edges closer. The mole rat doesn't move.]
[He's still keeping his pistol up, just in case, but he's never seen mole rats pause before attacking, and these mole rats are definitely just chilling right now.]
... Riley is close enough he can reach out and touch it. And he does. Slowly, he extends his hand and brushes his hand over the top of the mole rat's head. The mole rat snorts, pulls its head back and snuffles at his hand...
... then pushes its nose into his hand. Riley is beaming now.]
[Deacon is leaning forward like he wants to run over and start petting the mole rat, too. But he thinks startling it would be a really bad idea right now. Riley needs his hands. They're good hands.]
[The other mole rat is looking at the larger one like it's crazy, but as Riley continues to give that one attention, it's starting to get jealous. Finally, the smaller one decides it's had enough, and charges at Riley. Riley startles and Zetta snaps her pistol up, but the mole rat doesn't attack -- just aggressively jumps half into his lap, half onto his chest.
In his surprise, Riley starts laughing.] Okay, okay.
Jesus fucking christ. I should fucking shoot that thing anyway for giving me a heart attack.
Oh, don't, [Riley says, still laughing but he's wrapping an arm around the smaller mole rat protectively all the same. Zetta rolls her eyes.]
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[...and stuff.
Okay, might not be enough privacy for "and stuff" but a guy can hope.]
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Riley's eyebrows shoot up his forehead in amusement -- and surprise is definitely there, too, since he knows how high of a statement that is coming from her.]
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Riley looks thoughtful.] You know, I think that might've been the weirdest part of that whole alien visit. The telepathy, I mean.
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Ferran gazes at Riley as they set out.]
What was it like?
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It... First it was just his voice -- your voice. It was the other you. And then... I guess he shared a memory? That must've been what it was. I saw where they live. And it was the three of us -- of them... just, being together. The way we used to be, before the war.
It was overwhelming, [he admits with a small laugh.]
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[Which suddenly makes him wonder if his alien self had abused his telepathy when they were together and Ferran never knew it. That's disquieting.]
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[Riley knows they should be vigilant right now, but he can't help himself from reaching out for Ferran's hand. He's smiling softly, unaware of Ferran's sudden concern.]
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I don't think you'd really want to see everything that's inside my mind.
[Or maybe Riley would, because Riley tends to think better of him than he probably deserves. But Ferran doesn't want Riley to know that he's actually a far worse person than Riley probably realizes. Riley knows about his old job, of course, but he doesn't know the details. And he doesn't know all the things Ferran got up to before that job either.]
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That's alright. Whatever you'd want to share would be enough.
You see what we have to live with? [Zetta stage whispers to Deacon up ahead of them.] He's such a fucking sap.
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[Deacon's never known anyone who was so consistently and perfectly decent and noble. It's almost freaky.]
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What? I'm just being honest.
"Just."
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"Honesty" is a naughty, naughty word, [Zetta clicks her tongue.]
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[Deacon jokes, while Ferran playfully nudges Riley with his shoulder.]
Don't mind them, love. I like you just the way you are.
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[Zetta can pick out the undertone to his voice, can tell that he's taking it personally, so she takes mercy on him.] We're teasing, love, don't worry about it.
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[And he understands why Riley wasn't able to herd Zetta and Ferran, to be their moral compass. It takes an element of hard edges and ruthlessness to do it, and Riley just doesn't have ruthlessness in his nature.]
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But before he can respond -- and it'd likely be with an apology, for misunderstanding -- There's a quiet rumbling from the ground. The reason why becomes quickly obvious as a mole rat bursts out of the ground, then another.
Zetta is sighing and drawing Deliverer, but Riley throws his hand up.] Hang on -- Wait, wait. I want to try something.
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[He has his laser pistol drawn, but is waiting to see what Riley's planning to do.]
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... the mole rats aren't attacking. The larger of the two gives Riley a beady-eyed stare, but the other is starting to snuffle at some nearby foliage.
Zetta watches warily.] Riley...
It's alright, [Riley tells her, but he's using the voice he talks to dogs with. Zetta's seen him calm down a spooked stray, even enough to have it follow him into the house, but this isn't a fucking dog. Still, she holds her fire, even as she's clenching her jaw in preparation for things to go south.
But they don't seem to be, even as Riley lowers into a crouch and shifts closer to the larger mole rat. It continues to stare at him, shuffling back somewhat, but it doesn't appear to be coiling up to attack. It just isn't sure if it can trust him.] It's okay, buddy. We're not gonna hurt you. [He edges closer. The mole rat doesn't move.]
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You're like, the mole rat whisperer.
[He's still keeping his pistol up, just in case, but he's never seen mole rats pause before attacking, and these mole rats are definitely just chilling right now.]
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Riley is grinning.] C'mon... [Closer... closer...
... Riley is close enough he can reach out and touch it. And he does. Slowly, he extends his hand and brushes his hand over the top of the mole rat's head. The mole rat snorts, pulls its head back and snuffles at his hand...
... then pushes its nose into his hand. Riley is beaming now.]
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In his surprise, Riley starts laughing.] Okay, okay.
Jesus fucking christ. I should fucking shoot that thing anyway for giving me a heart attack.
Oh, don't, [Riley says, still laughing but he's wrapping an arm around the smaller mole rat protectively all the same. Zetta rolls her eyes.]
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[Deacon is lowering his laser pistol and slowly moving closer. Ferran rolls his eyes.]
Christ. We're going to end up with a pair of mole rats following us to Mercer, aren't we.
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