reconnaissance | ic contact.

( That takes her by surprise. She wasn't too concerned for herself, figured Steph could watch herself. Hadn't realised Fi was talking to him, which would have made her see red. But this was different; this was vulnerable.

Her stomach tightens; it's not all nerves, not just worry and concern. )

Why?

( There's an odd note to it. )

[She doesn't know what to do with the way Ellie sounds, except answer the question.]

He kept calling me dyevochka. I told him little girls don't have little girls.

[Sometimes she guards her secrets closely, sometimes she uses them like weapons.]

Are you sure I'm the one who needs to be more careful with what I say? People use all sorts as weapons, Steph.

( Pained, really. Just as worried. )

He can't hurt her.

[And like her primary concern being for Ellie, all that matters to Steph in this situation is that no one can hurt her daughter, the one that isn't really hers.]

He can hurt you. Even if she isn't here, even if he doesn't touch you, people can use all sorts against you.

( Jesus, she feels horrified. )

Come on, Steph.

[It's funny, in a way, that the last person who really used words and metaphorical wounds to try to hurt her was someone she considers a friend. Enemies use knives, fists, bullets. Her friends use past.]

I'm a little tougher than that.

[But her tone is lighter than it has been for most of this conversation, her way of telling Ellie that it'll be okay, that she won't let him use it to hurt her.]

Yeah, I know. I still don't want it to happen, though.

( A little quieter than usual. )

It won't. [There's confidence in her tone, more than a simple reassurance for the sake of one. She won't put it past Nikolai to use it against her, if it came to it, but from the way he talked to her, she doesn't think it's likely.]

Okay. Good.

( She sighs a little. Much as she trusts Steph, she still worries. She constantly worries. The problem with people getting past your barriers was that then they needed to protect them, too. )

You're a worry, Steph.

( It's fond, but Jesus. She worries so much. )

I could say the same about you.

[But she hears the fondness, and she appreciates it for reasons she probably wouldn't be able to put into words.]

Be careful, El.

[With Nikolai, and with everything else, too.]

Nah, I'm all right. I come with a built in forcefield, don't you even worry.

( You see? Totally indestructible. )

Always am.

( hah )

I think you'd be a hell of a lot cockier if that was true.

[But she's happy with the fact the conversation feels easier now, relieved that Ellie is angry at her for the concern, and glad they she'll apparently listen to Steph's advice.]

Me? Cocky?

You've got the wrong girl. Me, I'm really modest. Level headed, even tempered, all that good stuff.

( There's a wry humour evident in her tone, and a more-than-healthy dose of self mockery, self awareness. Talking to Ezio has been good for her, but now her head has too much food for thought. )

Yeah, yeah. [She doesn't buy that for a second, apparently, but there's a hint of fondest in it.

And for all that she's content with how this conversation went, there's still some remaining tension about the whole thing, and she thinks she needs time to think it over.]

Look, I'll talk to you later, okay? These things are annoying.

[Any more conversations they migh have about this, she'd rather do in person.]

'Course.

( Her mouth twists a bit, unhappy, but it's something she feels stupid for, rubbing her hand over her mouth like she were rubbing away dirt. Even if Steph can't see. )

Yeah. Whenever.

( She wants to sound more casual, more relaxed than she actually manages. )

Look after yourself.

[There's something off in Ellie's tone, but she isn't sure how to address it, not when there's still lingering tension from the situation with Fi. Later, they'll sort all this out, but with her warning delivered, she decides not to question Ellie's tone.]

You too, El.

[And then she hangs up, but she's going to keep track of Ellie as best she can.]

Yup.

( She hesitates, just holds onto the device after Steph has hung up, before following suit.
Suddenly being alone in the Outlands isn't that much of a relief. (It was false therapy,anyway.) )

ic contact.

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→ audio; wow internet if you could hold it together for five minutes

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