five ♥ video

[bitteraftertaste]

[Vesper doesn't look particularly rattled, but she kind of is. She knew this would be strange, and she knew it wouldn't be like anything she expected, but this was still hard to wrap her mind around, to think about living a completely different life.]

Well, that was certainly... different. I can't say I ever thought of myself as a teacher, and certainly not a history teacher. Mathematics was always my strongest subject.

[She almost looks like she's going to say something else, but hesitates and changes her mind before voicing whatever thought came to mind. It's better not to call too much attention to the fact that she'd been married to Bond, and she certainly doesn't want to admit that she'd been a spy, even if it hadn't really been here.] Does anyone have any suggestions on how one might pass the time, here? I haven't had this much free time since primary school.

[Private to Slade]

Check in, please, Mr. Wilson.

Comments

[Private]

[bitteraftertaste]

And what if that changes?

[Private]

[terminates]

[ Just. a lengthy pause here. ]

I don't think they will.

[Private]

[bitteraftertaste]

Maybe that's part of the problem.

[Private]

[terminates]

I know.

[ He's had a lot of time to stew on this, and he's always been pretty self-aware. He just doesn't see a way to fix things. ]

[Private]

[bitteraftertaste]

Can you tell me about what made the circumstances so unideal? I'll be the first to admit that my world seems a bit more boring than yours, and I wouldn't mind having your perspective on it.

[Private]

[terminates]

It's not the world itself.

[ The problem is entirely him. ]

[Private]

[bitteraftertaste]

Then what was it?

video;

[thirtyfiveminutes]

[Half-jokingly:] Considering how the ship works, we might end up stranded in a forest, in which case knowing about plants would be very useful. [He shakes his head, amused.] It's entirely your prerogative. An intelligent woman such as yourself can surely find something constructive to pass the time.

video;

[bitteraftertaste]

I appreciate the vote of confidence.

video;

[thirtyfiveminutes]

I wish you well in your search.

video;

[bitteraftertaste]

Thank you.

[greenarrowed]

Here I didn't think I could teach at all.

[bitteraftertaste]

What is it that you do, Mr. Parker? Or is it Queen? I suppose that had to be a bit strange. At least my name was the same.

[greenarrowed]

It's Queen.

I'm opening a nightclub. [And I shoot people with arrows on the side]

[bitteraftertaste]

I think it's safe to say you're the first nightclub owner I've met since coming here. Or ever, come to think of it.

[greenarrowed]

You must not get out much.

[bitteraftertaste]

Nightclubs aren't exactly my thing.

[Private]

[terminates]

[ Suppressing a heavy sigh, he pinches the bridge of his nose. He doesn't want to talk about this -- he doesn't even know how to talk about it.

How do you articulate that everything terrible that happened in your life was a result of your own choices. Your responsibility.

He couldn't ever change, and this is the hand he's been dealt.

When he answers, his tone is bland. ]

It was only a matter of time.

[Private]

[bitteraftertaste]

And you honestly believe there's no coming back from it?

[Private]

[terminates]

[ Just a faint, bitter smile she can't see. ]

Not especially.

[Private]

[bitteraftertaste]

I don't believe that. Just because you've done something doesn't mean you have to keep doing it.

[And it's probably some kind of minor miracle that her voice doesn't break when she says it.]

[toldinthebook]

I've never been a teacher either. Or thought of it.

[bitteraftertaste]

What do you do, back home?

[bloodyamericans]

I don't suppose shopping's an option?

[bitteraftertaste]

I'm afraid not, no.