IC Contact

[tacticalvisor]

For network, messenger bird, or other such IC contact. Also works for actionspam as needed.

Comments

[nanoscope]

We need to have a talk, Jack.

[That sure is a Disappointed Mom tone if there ever was one.]

[tacticalvisor]

[...]

About?

[nanoscope]

I have a feeling you know what about.

I spoke to Reinhardt.

[tacticalvisor]

[There's a delay in response. Physically, 76 notices a rust spot on the tool he's been working with- which is odd, since it seemed in relatively good condition. Or it would be if he couldn't connect such oddities with this place. He takes a good few seconds to get his thoughts under control, and then finally answers Ana;]

He'd have learned sooner or later.

[But the general feeling attached is that he'd have preferred it to be 'later'.]

[nanoscope]

Yes, he would have. But you did not have to drive him to such sorrow.

[You made the old man cry, Jack.]

[tacticalvisor]

Not exactly a happy story, Ana.

[nanoscope]

You're right, it's not. But he was your friend, Jack. Don't you think he deserves an explanation that doesn't involve you treating him so harshly?

[tacticalvisor]

[He almost, almost answers with 'he deserves a decent commander'. It doesn't quite make its way in to words, instead a brief flare of indignation-anger-disgust, but even that lasts less than second before Jack snaps it back under control. Takes another second for him to reply, though.]

What would you have wanted me to do?

[nanoscope]

Something that wouldn't have reduced him to tears, to name one thing.

I know how you feel about yourself, and about what's happened. But that does not justify lashing out at those who are on your side.

[tacticalvisor]

I didn't 'lash out'. All I did was tell him I wasn't his commander anymore.

[And that the explosion wasn't an accident.]

[nanoscope]

And you really expect Reinhardt to have reacted well to that?

[There's a flash of irritation tinged with mild exasperation. If it were anyone else, they would have been upset, sure, but they would have been okay. But this was Reinhardt. He was emotional on the best of days.]

It's one thing to admit you have changed. It's quite another to make him see you as a stranger.

[tacticalvisor]

I don't see why he shouldn't.

[nanoscope]

Because he was your friend, your ally. That hasn't changed, Jack. Treating him like a stranger is unfair to him, and you know that.

tacticalvisor

[tacticalvisor]

He was friends and ally with someone who's not here anymore, Ana. What's more unfair to him, making him realize that or trying to put on a show? You want to talk about being cruel, you think about him finding out how much of it is a lie.

I could've handled it better, maybe, but I did the best I could do for him.

[nanoscope]

[There's a pause from Ana, and though she doesn't say anything, the emotional bleed from her end speaks enough. Irritation at his stubbornness, frustration at his self-depreciation, a hint of sorrow over the fact that he believes his own words, the small flame of anger as she wants to defend Reinhardt. They're brief, and Ana does quickly reign them back under control, but the frown on her face can practically be felt over the connection.]

The only one here who truly believes that Jack Morrison is dead and gone is you, Jack. Your personality may have changed, but last I checked, you were still you.

[But hey, at least he's admitting he could have handled it better.]

Well, your best ended up hurting him. How do you intend to fix that?

[tacticalvisor]

[Sorry not sorry, Ana. Even here, without a known shadow threat, he clings to the security of his mask and number over the risk of open exposure. Nevermind it's not a risk at all.]

Keep my distance, give him time to take in everything while all that scars over.

[nanoscope]

No intentions of apologizing for being the one who caused him all that trouble? He's your friend, he deserves that much.

[tacticalvisor]

[not really no]




You're going to insist on it, aren't you.

[nanoscope]

I'm sure you know the answer to that.

[Translation: Damn straight she is.]

[tacticalvisor]

And you're not expecting things to get worse in the process.

[like he knows you have faith in him and he appreciates that despite how grumpy he may be, but um???]

[nanoscope]

It's my understanding that heartfelt apologies usually make things better, not worse. Isn't that what they teach you in preschool?

[tacticalvisor]

 
 
 
 
 
 
Fine.
 
[Eventually he'll do it. BUT NOT TODAY.]

[nanoscope]

Good. You'll do fine, Jack.

[She knows he probably won't do it that day. But a couple days later she will be pinging him again.]

Well?

[tacticalvisor]

[You cannot escape Ana. It's an inevitable fact.

You can, however, stall by playing dumb-]

Well what?

[nanoscope]

I think you know what, Jack.

[She can sense your stall tactics, Jack.]