Hey. I think I already found your gift on the table.

I don't know when you got back but there was a flood while you were gone. I completely missed three days. Ben was good before the flood started but after that...no clue. I haven't been able to touch base with him yet.

Uh...there's also a note from Sarah here.

I know. I ran into her. [He sounds a little disappointed.] She looks good.

Good. [This is weird.]




Uh...she orders me to not feel too guilty, or to wallow and brood--her words.

There's a letter for you, too, but I didn't open it.

I'll come look at it. [He leaves to go to Dylan's room.]

Before you're back on the dinner shift, how'd you like to join me for something a little smaller-scale? [It isn't 'I'm glad you're feeling better' in so many words, but coming from Perry the offer may as well be.]

I usually cook dinner for Kozak and myself in my cabin. You're more than welcome to drop by.

I wouldn't be opposed. I have things for you both. [He likes not being in a murderous rage, and also having seen his daughter.] What time?

Six-ish, today or tomorrow. Whatever works. [Kozak hasn't missed one of these meetings yet, so it's a safe assumption that he'll be there either way. Perry shrugs, though being an audio transmission it's more of a pause.] Door's open.

I could use the distraction. [He's going to be saying good-bye to Dylan. In what he is sure will be their final parting (not that he expected to meet him this time). But it's depressing enough that he reminding himself that he does have more friends now will help.]

Welcome back - I'm in my cabin, if you want to drop in. How was your trip?

Relieving. I needed it. [Or he's sure that he would have murdered someone.] I found something you might be interested in.

Well, don't keep me in suspense.

I'm glad it went well.

[In about twenty minutes he's knocking on her door. He has a flexi in his hand, half rolled up, and is generally looking more upright than he does when he's angry and skulking about.

Which is a bonus.]

...I'm okay, but some bad crap went down. It's the Barge. Uh. How was your trip?

I'm in my room studying.

With the flood, or with what happened before?

The mess with Lua and Ladd.

Gaheris, I am so sick of being thrown in the same category with people like him and Morgana. Someone needs to lock those monsters up for good. They just keep hurting people.

I don't want to talk about it right now. [He's just got over his murderous rage. He doesn't want to be put back into it.] You're not in their category, anyway. Everyone knows it.

About a week. You want to come see me? [She's trying, and not entirely failing, to hide some relief. Somebody leaving that sudden always means there's the chance they never make it back. "Later" means "never" often enough for her that she looks for it hidden in what other people say.]

[It actually took a lot for him to come back. But particular conversations helped.] Of course.

[He looks down at his hand in surprise, but then up at her in sympathy. In the other, he just offers her some flowers.] The planet I'm living on is still mostly undeveloped. I know that it's not poisonous, and they're a bit like lilies. [And with the taken hand, he gives one of hers a small squeeze.]

[Here's something new; Ben is genuinely pleased to hear Rhade is back, enough that he reaches out despite his general paranoia about the network in general.

He sounds excited and pleased, his voice thrumming with it, though he doesn't say much.]

You came back.

I did! I brought you something. [He's pleased to see that he seems happy.]

[He is - and then abruptly, all the curiosity.]

Shall I come now or are you occupied?

I'll be here. If I'm occupied, you're free to join me anyway.