Curiosity kills

[force_captain]

[Private to Scorpius]

[She's so pleased, she's purring. And not just in her speech. She's actually purring softly with every breath.]

Tell me you heard.

[Private to Crichton]

Well, well, well. What an intriguing development.

Comments

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Scorpius is a fan of the purring, and if he was less reptilian in nature he might be tempted to do the same. As he is more scales than fur, he simply grins wide and deep]

I did. Not a few moments ago.

I can't help but imagine that there is something deliciously ironic in the Admiral's nature.

[Private]

[force_captain]

That or he's borrred.

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

If that's the case, then let's you and I find a way to entertain.

Preferably, though not requiring John's cooperation.

[Private]

[force_captain]

I'm surrre we can come up with something suitable together.

I saw you werrre paired as well.

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I was. Nothing to be overtly concerned about.

[Scorpius is incredibly dismissive; he's spoken to Gard, and this man, he feels is not much of a threat to his plans]

I would have preferred someone a little less observant, of course, but we all make do with the circumstances we are handed. It is your pairing in which I am chiefly interested.

[Private]

[force_captain]

Of that I'm surrre.

[She's very pleased by this turn of events. She enjoys being valuable.]

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Of course, moving forward with my goals may put you at a disadvantage if your hope was for a traditional graduation.

[Private]

[force_captain]

[Hers is a joyous laugh.]

Scorpius, you are such a delight.

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[He grins back, wide and happy in his own way]

As are you, Catra.

Tell me, what excites you most about this pairing?

[Private]

[force_captain]

Being invaluable, of course.

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

You are that already without being paired to John.

[Private]

[force_captain]

Such a silver tongue, but I prefer having concrete insurance of such things. You understand.

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I do. Purpose is its own reward at times.

If only he knew.

[neverfeltbetter]

Guess this means we will be spending a lot more time together.

[He will admit, this pairing is a little awkward after how many times she flirted with him. But it could be a lot worse. He's not too unhappy about this.]

If only.

[force_captain]

So it would seem. Not too disappointed are you, John?

[because she's clearly not.]

[neverfeltbetter]

Disappointed?

[He takes another moment to really think about it. The news is still fresh, but disappointed? No, he really isn't. They hadn't hit it off as badly as they could have before now. There's a chance he might really be able to do her some good. He's already got a little bit of an idea about her. He's sure the fill in some of the blanks, and he can ask her the rest himself.]

No. I'm really not.

[force_captain]

[Now isn't that an interesting answer.]

Well, then here's to more pleasant surprises between us, dear Warden.

[neverfeltbetter]

I'm not big on surprises.

But Catra, I meant what I said before: we can both get something good out of this.

[force_captain]

Getting something good is not necessarily getting what you want.

[neverfeltbetter]

It's not always about what you want. It's about what you need. They aren't the same thing.

[force_captain]

They aren't mutually exclusive, either.

[neverfeltbetter]

No they aren't. And neither are our interests.

How about we start by getting to know each other a little better?

[force_captain]

And how would you like to get to know me, John?

[She's flirting again. You did open the door for that one, John.]

[Private]

[neverfeltbetter]

[By now, he's figured out the flirting in just a thing she does. Guess the last couple of times he said no wasn't enough to deter it. This time he'll go for just ignoring it.]

Well, for starters, why does your file say a different name?

[Private]

[force_captain]

[Her attitude changes on a dime. She's so caught off guard, she doesn't even have the time to think to lie. ]

What! How is that possibly in there?!