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

[gilding]

Patience is always an admirable trait. But I'm sure there are some that would say a year is far too long.

[jilt]

Some may. But most don't understand the virtues of taking their time.

[gilding]

Well, there is always the risk of simply slipping into stagnation.

[jilt]

Are you saying I'm stagnant, good sir?

[gilding]

Are you concerned at the possibility?

[jilt]

I'm concerned at the implication, less so at the possibility.

[gilding]

One could take that to mean you care more for your reputation than your actions.

[jilt]

A woman is nothing without her reputation. Or so I was endlessly told when I was a girl.

[gilding]

You'll forgive me my doubt that you listened to much of what you were told.

[jilt]

Oh, I did listen. Whether or not I heeded it is up to your interpretation.

wow wtf is with my phrasing on that last tag

[gilding]

I think I've made my interpretation quite clear.

koke i've lost track of this conversation

[jilt]

Have you?

[ because srsly gold you seem like the kind of guy who likes double meanings. ]

ends it before it spirals into confusion and mystery

[gilding]

Perhaps I'll leave that to your interpretation.

[And then he hangs up.]