007 -- video;

[jilt]

[ irene's wearing her tweed suit, buttons opened at the collar, waistcoat undone. there's a large golden lab sitting beside her, glorying in the way irene's scratching behind his ears. ]

It seems Baron Vladimir Harkonnen has left us. A true shame. He may have been the only man aboard this ship who properly appreciated the opera, and it's always lovely, finding someone with whom one shares a common interest.

[ there's a pause. the dog's mouth opens, tongue lolling out. irene smiles at that, before addressing the device again. ]

I've been here a year, with this passing jump. More than I thought I would, when I last onsidered the matter. I'd had several suggestions as to what to do to celebrate, if celebrate is the word I should use. None of them are quite to my taste, though I'm not sure such a dubious milestone should go unappreciated.

[ she gives a quiet little hum of thought, then raises her shoulder in an uncharacteristic shrug. ]

But I digress. Tell me, is the owner of this fine animal aboard anywhere? I found him in my doorway, but I doubt he's the ship's way of congratulating me on my stay. Majestic though he is, I'd say the menagerie this ship's acquiring really doesn't need any new additions roaming loose.

Comments

[deprecate]

Jesus. That's a long fucking time.

[jilt]

Depressingly so, I'd say.

[ but better than what she has to go home to. ]

[deprecate]

So're you going to have a party?

[jilt]

I hadn't intended to. Should I?

[deprecate]

Absolutely you should. You could give a performance.

[jilt]

Would you bring your beau, if I did? I always want to see more of him.

[deprecate]

'Course. He'd not so much as have a say in the matter.

[jilt]

Excellent. That's just what I like to hear.

[deprecate]

D'you find an owner for the pup, then?

[jilt]

It seems so. Have you heard of a man named Peter Burke?

[deprecate]

Nope, 'fraid not. Shame, that's a beautiful dog.

[jilt]

I'll hunt his owner down, one way or another.

[deprecate]

[ a chuckle. ]

You're a dangerous lady, Irene.

[jilt]

And you're a very smart man, Cillian.