never_francesca | IC Inbox

[ It seems way too simple, so Natalie asks, deadpan, ]

You're telling me that soccer is what'll help me graduate.

[ A game she still loves but can never play the way she used to, can never compete in again, can't even teach because who the fuck wants an addict with anger issues and a foul mouth teaching their kids. ]

[She gives her a bit of a look for that in return.]

If it could be powered on sarcasm we'd have graduated six of you by now. But maybe. Or it might be something else. Something new. Point is, it works. God knows it's what is keeping me going.

[ God. If only sarcasm could get her out of here. But no, Franky is right and should say it.

Natalie chuckles wryly. ]

This really is rehab. I need to find a purpose. [ And not an unhinged one. ] Isn't yours to graduate your inmate?

Yes, and I want to do some good on this tub before I go. But the Admiral offered me a deal didn't he? One I can use to tip the balance in the war that's coming back home. Bit of extra motivation to get through the day, that.

[She gives Natalie an appraising look.]

Could use good pilots back there. Women, specifically, to remind the men that just because they have bollocks doesn't mean they know up from down.

That an offer?

[ She's going to take it as one. ]

Mm. Gotta graduate first-- that's a few years out. Then I get to decide if I'll leave or if I'll make a wish and stick around until I can help some other poor fuck redeem themself. So. It'll be a while, Commander, but I'll keep it in mind. I'm a great shot.

[ It's tempting, honestly. If she didn't think every country back home needs to sit down and stop fighting senseless wars, enlisting would've been a viable way to get out and build a future. As it is, she's not exactly gung-ho, but if she graduates without regaining the will to keep living...

Well. That's years away, like she said. No point worrying about it now. ]

[She nods.]

'Course it is. You've got guts, and that's rare. At least, the right sort of them. And who the hell cares about a while - the Admiral makes temporal deliveries.

[But she can see a lot of what bothers Natalie. She's seen people like it, over the years. The ones who took up the cause as a convenient way to die. The trick was to make it into a way to live.]

Also doesn't mean I can't teach you the skills on the way.

[Because flight has a sort of magic all its own.]

[ "The Admiral makes temporal deliveries." That gets a little smirk. Maybe she will join Franky in her fight. Who knows. ]

Yeah? I do need a new hobby.

[ It comes out almost thoughtful. She's interested, certainly. ]

Though if I need both hands to do it, I've still got a few months of physio to go before I'm back in business.

One, dextrous, is quite sufficient for most of the required tasks.

In any event, flying...it gives more than it takes. Especially if one might like to find highs that are less...problematic.

[ She gives a quiet, self-deprecating snort of a chuckle. ]

Probably something I should look into, then.

[ Misty would certainly be glad to hear she's found a better way to uplift herself. John too, she thinks. ]

All right. I'm interested.

[She nods, standing up slowly, lifting a boot to stub out the cigar for the moment, to finish the latter half later.]

Then when you're ready, seek me out in the enclosure, we'll start covering the basics. Until then, keep your nose clean.

[She pauses]

And a chessboard might not go awry, too. You can learn everything on a chessboard, you know. Both about your opponent and yourself.

I will.

[ Challenge-- and perhaps motivation-- accepted.

Chess, though. Ugh. She'll think about it. ]

Thanks... I think. See you at my next shift.

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cw vague suicidal ideation

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