( closed )

[whatdidisay]

Who: ivan vorpatril & elizabeth dewitt
When: afternoon of dec. 9th, after this
Where: the library
What: ivan has a solution for elizabeth's tea problem
Warnings: none, probably


With no luck on the search for Miles and still no response on his MID, Ivan figures it's best to leave the details of 'what the fuck do we do now' to Bel and Gregor. They're both competent, smart people who don't need him to get involved in the formation of any plan, just the carrying out of it. They'll call him if they need him, or won't even do him the duty of asking him if he wants to be involved before dragging him in anyway. It'll happen and Ivan won't have a choice - might as well enjoy his small window of freedom while he can. Which is why Ivan spends the morning after his conversation with Elizabeth rummaging around the kitchen. He finds what he's looking for in a cupboard that's filled with God knows what - a thermos. Slightly dinged but still capable of keeping liquid warm, even in this cold. Or so he hopes.

Taking his prize, Ivan bundles himself up further - thermals, work uniform, undress greens over those, and his dress green jacket over it, because Gregor has their spare and Miles took his. And he didn't get it back, now that the door to Miles' office is locked. Which okay, is a little extreme for Miles in his foulest moods, but getting a captain to unlock it is probably Gregor's job. Anyway, once he's attempting to be a little bit warmer than before, he sets off for the library, flourishing the thermos at the lump of blankets at the desk that Ivan assumes is Elizabeth.

"One thermos, as ordered."

Despite the cold and the question of what the hell Miles has gotten himself into hanging over them, his voice is rich and warm; grin wide. He likes spending time with Elizabeth -- she's beautiful, obviously, but charming in a way that makes Ivan wonder if she knows exactly how charming she is. Smart, too. Well, Ivan muses to himself, that doesn't say much when he's thinking it. Still, spending time with her is nice, and he could use the company.

Comments

[tearmeanewone]

Elizabeth laughs. "I suppose that's one way of looking at it-- but, to me, it's a story with a lot of messages. The importance of human connection over material gain, for example. How fleeting life is, and how it can pass you by if you don't take hold of the experiences it offers. And how it's never too late to change your ways and find happiness."

Elizabeth's expression becomes a little distant, but fortunately Ivan can't see it given he's settling her forehead against his neck. "Is there anything more scary than being made to realize you're alone in the world? And nobody knows you well enough to care if you die?"

[whatdidisay]

He can't argue with the last bit, though, because that is a fate he doesn't like entertaining. For all that he keeps himself out of the line of fire, he wants his family to have at least some shred of common sense that keeps them from it too. It's not going to happen, and it's not the moral of the story she's referring to, but he understands it on some level.

"I don't know, facing your own mortality is sobering enough," he says, voice low and surprisingly serious. He still remembers being trapped in the damp dark, beating his fists against the metal walls until his hands bled. Yelling until he couldn't anymore, until he was sure he would drown alone -- not forgotten, no. But certainly alone. "I'm glad he gets it right in the end."

[tearmeanewone]

Elizabeth half-closes the book and tries to look back at Ivan's face when she hears that uncharacteristic serious note in his voice. But given how they're laying next to one another, it's nigh impossible. Still--

"I'm glad too," Elizabeth says, closing the book and wrapping her arm across Ivan's chest and turning until her body was pulled against his side.

[whatdidisay]

He wraps an arm around her in return, holding her there but not constricting in case she wants to leave. "It's a good story." It is -- engaging enough even without the adventure and the bloodshed. "I guess that's the real gift he was given -- a second chance." To do it better, to avoid whatever fate had in store. Cryorevival only lets people who die young get something like that, and Ivan hopes to avoid knowing what that's like for his entire life.

Ivan still finds it within himself to grin, tone becoming more affable. "You're not going to kick me out if I fall asleep, right?" It's a real threat -- he's tired and comfortable like this.