light_mischief | [come sail away] ic inbox (season 1)

[He almost immediately responds, to say yes, of course, but -- he does have other obligations during the excursion. He has no idea if he'll even see the beach that the rest of the passengers will visit. He hadn't even thought about it.

Stupid. He could kick himself over how many things he hasn't thought about lately.]

I'd like that. [Not able to make a promise, he goes for honesty instead.] I may have some things to deal with when the excursion arrives, but once that's sorted, it would be nice to comb the beach with you.

[ Admittedly, she's a little disappointed, having her hopes up, confident that he would respond with a definite yes. But she understands. There's still plenty of other chances for them to spend time together.

If he doesn't get to see the beach in the end, then well, she'll just have to tell him all about all the animals she counted and named... and collect as many seashells as she can to shower on him as little gifts later. ]

...I understand. I'll just get a head start collecting all the seashells until you finish whatever you need to do!

[Better mild disappointment now, than real hurt from a broken promise later. But still...]

I hope you won't clear the entire beach before I can catch up to you. I'll make sure there's time for me to come with you. [Somehow. He'll figure it out.]

You're busy investigating a bunch of things, right? [ "A bunch of things." She's not too sure what his focus is these days and she doesn't ask for too many details. She's been content knowing the people she cares about are still here... ] Like the Captain, the ship, and... and how we can all stay together?

[ Maybe? And maybe a solution to her sporadic nightmares. Though lately, Fio doesn't know if she wants to get rid of them anymore... ]

Most of all, how we can stay together.

[More and more, all of his goals seem to connect back to that one desire. Starting with making the ship habitible, leading to the hope that they might be able to find a reality safe enough to stay in -- and behind all of it is the Captain, with an entirely different sort of mystery than Skulduggery had originally anticipated.]

Right now, I'm... hoping to find something that will make living on the ship less frightening. [Which is as much as he can say without risking her asking too many pressing questions.] I don't know what it is, exactly, but I hope it will help.

[ And of course she continues to share that same desire to stay with everyone. There's nowhere else for her. Even living on the ship with how things currently are is far better than where she came from... ]

You're the smartest and the bravest, Duggy. [ In this little girl's eyes! ] I'm sure you'll find something.

[ Spoken with certainty, despite not having a clue either. She's trying to be optimistic. ]

And I'm sure there's lots of people that'd help you!

[It's high praise no matter who it comes from, but doubly so coming from Fio. It adds to the already overwhelming pressure to succeed, but it also encourages him to push forward, come what may.

And she's right, after all. He does have help. Lots of it, if they'll be willing to hear him out...]

You're not wrong, there. Ava, Jade, Darcy... There are more helpful people aboard than I could list. All of them are at least as smart and brave as I am. And you've helped me, too. Thinking about you keeps me focused.

I have?

[ Good thing he can only hear her voice and not see how flustered she looks. Ah, but Fio's never been very good at hiding her feelings. It might be easy enough to picture her surprise and delight. After a short pause, there's a giggle over the phone. ]

I'm glad I've been helpful. [ Yet, she still wishes there was more that she can do. Someday, she wants to be able to protect others and him. ] Thinking about you keeps me doing my best!

Edited 2022-09-20 03:16 (UTC)

[come sail away] ic inbox (season 1)

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