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

[jilt]

I'm afraid my suggestions might be a little out of date, or so I've been told.

[showmance]

Certain music is timeless, and you have excellent taste, so I wouldn't be so sure.

[jilt]

You know just how to flatter, Miss Berry. That'll serve you well, in your chosen career.

[showmance]

[ slightly flustered. yes, she's a bit of a suck-up, but. ] I was just being honest.

[jilt]

[ that's how you get a good husband rachel let irene teach you. ]

Are you a terribly honest soul?

[showmance]

[ she already has finn ok. what more could she want. ]

Not always. [ ain't that the truth. ] Show-business isn't all fun and games.

[jilt]

[ is finn rich? dumb + rich = perfect rachel come on. ]

What else could it possibly be?

[showmance]

Well, it's hard work. And only the best make it, so you have to better than the best, and, well, squash the rest.

[ said brightly, but with an unsettling steely edge. ]

[jilt]

And you will, of course.

[ irene doesn't find it unsettling at all. perhaps because she has an edge like that all her own. ]