crossmyheartandhope

...nah, s'my fault.

I'm not so great at stuff like this.

... Would you be open to trying to improve upon it with a little guidance? I feel like I'm definitely missing most of my memory related to this kind of thing, but I'd like to offer what advice I can. Of course, it's up to you to decide what would work best for yourself but I think it helps having someone to talk over some things with.

What, like... how not to suck at serious business talks lessons?

I don't know if I'm that good, but I'd be willing to work with you to figure out comfortable ways for you to approach those kinds of topics. No one really likes doing them, but maybe we can work out a way to make them more bearable.

I mean... sure. I guess.

If you wanna.

... I think it's more important to know if you want to do it.

I don't want to pressure you into something you don't want to do.

[He's quiet for a long couple of seconds, picking at his nails.]

...I don't really want to.

But I probly should.

... Thanks, Hurricane. For being willing to give it a try.

I'll keep this confidential, and we can meet outside of Heart Soldier's dorms, if that makes you more comfortable.

Yeah. If that's... if that's okay.

Of course. It's about making you comfortable, after all.

Ah- let me tell you one more thing ahead of time, so I don't catch you by surprise later.

I've been working out a coded communication plan for Heart Soldier. It's not ready yet, but... I figured you'd might like the heads up now rather than when a meeting happens.

...got another one coming, huh?

Not for a few days, maybe, but soon.

... I don't want to linger on the past with it. Everyone knows what they need to at this point. What I'd like to do is try to work out a future where we can all move and act freely and comfortably.

Yeah. Okay, cool. Yeah.

Like I said, s'better to get stuff like that out of the way. So.

Ah, more like... it seems like we never know when something will happen? So getting a plan in place sooner would be better. But at the same time, I'd like it to be as well thought out as possible. Because if I mess this up, it's the people around me who'll be hurt by it.

[Pauses, and glances up at him.]

Sounds like you been thinking about it a bunch already.

I honestly felt kind of useless through that whole thing... I mean, I wasn't even aware of most of what was going on. If I can contribute via a semi-secure means of communication, then I might as well put my all into figuring one out, right?

You pull this off, we'll be in a better spot for next time, that's for sure.

Didn't really expect everyone to get split up.

Preparing for the unexpected like that will be the toughest part.

...yeah.

[He's quiet for a beat or two, like he's thinking about some things. Then:]

You gonna try and get everyone on the same page with it?

I was thinking of at least getting everyone in Heart Soldier informed on the plan. I don't really think I can speak for anyone outside of the unit right now and whether they'd be open to something like this, but most people I've talked to on the unit have expressed interest in some form or another of being able to communicate with each other safely and efficiently.

Yeah, well. Add me to the list.

Woulda been nice to have something like that, a couple days ago.

We just have to keep learning from our past. Every scrap of information's useful.

[He seems to deflate a little - sinks down, so that his arm's flat on the table and his chin's on his arm.]

Everyone keeps saying that.

I'd say it's because it's true. Better decisions can be made with more information... there's whole networks dealing in just trading info, from what I can recall. It's a profitable business.

[Any other time, a mob joke would go here. Instead, he just kind of deflates a little more.]

...yeah. I guess.

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