use_everything | [IC Inbox]

[The pause before the reply really isn't atypical. Texting being Tex's favored means of communication and Aral's absolute least favorite. Though usually by now, there's a knock on their shared link or a call to reject.

Today, having choked on a sip of coffee he'd accidentally inhaled while reading the text there is that lovely distraction to deal with first.

He studied it like a general would study a map. First order, he knows damn well it wasn't Cordelia. It was complete devoid of those symbols she was favoring in each communication. So compromised communication is completely out.

Next, obviously, was analyzing the opponent's intent. It could easily be read either way... and knowing his armswoman and her guarded nature about personal statements, it was likely meant to be. If it was simply whether Cordelia was right - well that was a silly question. Or if ... she should be asking him...

Was it a bet, a curiosity or an honest inquiry?

Not enough data.

Which left his move...

He stares at the text far, far too long. There are a few attempts at a guarded, eloquent answer, but between fighting autocorrect and the absolute mess of typing in general, most of that came to utter frustration.

What ends up sending after this ridiculously long period is no paragraph, no careful inquiry as to her own feelings under the guard of Cordeli'a assumptions. No. It's just:]

yes

Edited 2016-05-02 05:26 (UTC)

[ That... Isn't the answer she's expecting. A good part of her had been assuming Cordelia was joking even with her prodding that Tex should ask anyway. The other part of her...

The other part of her is a whole mess of feelings she's not sure she wants to try to decode right now. But she has her answer and while it's not the one she expected, she finds it's one she wants. Which leaves her with what to do now that she has it.

There's a long pause on her end too. Not because she has any issues with texting, but because she needs to figure out how best to answer.

Instead she ends up with: ]

Time and location?

[In a weird way, he actually hadn't been expecting that answer. Or any answer really. Dear god this had a wholly Betan stamp all over it. He sets the comm down a moment to rub at his face and consider.

It certainly answered which question, and her intent. ... He... didn't find it displeasing in the slightest. More overwhelming than anything, perhaps.

For one, he'd never had to figure out a date in his whole damn life. Of course, there had been thoughts of what he should have done for Cordelia if he'd had the time, luxury and lack of pressing life and death situations at the time...]

1700 tues meet here

[There. A whole 24 hours to research and make sure it was entirely square with Cordelia.]

Edited 2016-05-02 05:54 (UTC)

[ If there was one thing she never thought she'd be doing, it would be getting involved with a married couple. At least when Cordelia had propositioned her, Tex knew exactly what she was getting into.

With Aral being thrown in, in any measure, it's a whole new situation. Deep breath. Meeting here means they're at least starting off in neutral territory. That should make whatever this is less rocky to start. Hopefully. ]

I'll be there.

[It's another awkward pause trying to decide how one answers something like this. Ranging from the vaguely positive to military neutral to Are you sure?

In the end, he set the comm down and left it there.]

[IC Inbox]

text FOR ONCE

still text sorry aral

you're not sorry at all

you're right i'm a dirty liar

and I respect that.