forgivetheinsubordination | IC Contact

For all I know, trolls have some ability to leave their heads. [He sounds a bit playful, though he's also concerned.]

But you're welcome. You're a friend, you needed help. How're you doing now?

No, no more than other species do. Applying soporifics does help, though. [And she does try joking back a little, though it would have been funnier if she hadn't really needed a couple of stiff drinks after those few days in the storm.]

Better. Definitely better. More worried about some of my friends - it hit them worse than me. Are Tali and the others okay?

[His voice is gentle. He understands.]

Glad you're doing better. And I'm working on finding that out. It got... It wasn't easy on everyone from the crew. Not a lot you can do sometimes. Gotta try, though. Wasn't even sure you were gonna remember things.

They're a little blurry, but I remember most of it. If the others need anything and I can help you'll let me know, won't you?

You're pretty close to Tali, near as I can tell. Might not hurt to drop by, or send her a message in her head.

[A beat, and then there's the faintest trace of humor in his voice again.]

She'll be there, in her head. Just so that question's answered.

Mm...yes, I'd like to think so. I'll check on her, then.

[There's a soft huff of breath, an echo of a laugh.]

I'll let her know you told me she'd be, shall I?

Couldn't hurt. She might like the vote of confidence, after the week she's had. You sure you're good, Di? Anything I can do?

It sounds like things were pretty rough on her too.

Yeah...well, I will be. I've moved on so much since I used to be that way, I never thought I could be returned to it so easily. And Psii isn't coping well with what happened to him either.

I just...I don't know. Are you feeling up to being clung to by a troll for a while?

They were. And... yeah. You can come over. Just don't cling too hard.

[A beat.]

Not... That didn't come out right. Got injured. Nothing serious. But I'm sore.

Oh! Oh no. I'm sorry to hear that. Are you okay? Can I bring anything that might help?

I'm fine. Got shot, then got a little... Had an encounter I didn't see coming. But I'll live.

I promise my hugs will be gentle, then. But there are going to be plenty of them!

Plenty. Used like this, it's a troll word meaning 'I'm pretty much gonna smother you whether you like it or not.'

[His voice is dry, not irritated.]

You know where I live.

Lies and slander! I guarantee that you will like it.

[She giggles.]

That I do. I'll be there soon.

Yeah, yeah. Guarantee all you'd like. We'll see what the results are.

A hug back, I'm hoping.

I might be able to swing that.

[He might even need that. But Garrus isn't saying.]

That is extremely kind and generous of you!

[Why is she still talking to him here, she's right outside his door...
Is that a knock?]

[He opens the door to see her there, and his mandibles flare.]

Can I help you? If you're selling something, we've probably got five. Humans. They like to acquire stuff.

[His voice is rich with teasing, but there's something raw lurking in his eyes that undermines it just a little. Garrus steps out of the way to let her in the house.]

[Di smiles back, easily hiding her worry at the way something is clearly off with him just now. She steps in, resting a hand on his arm.]

Oh, no, I only sell my lasting wares to trolls. The piles they make! You should see them. I'm sure humans have nothing on them. But right now I have a very special all-you-can-grab offer on perishable goods! Hugs, to be exact.

Piles?

[That's new. And Garrus is pretty sure he's got his emotional turmoil successfully hidden, too.]

And I don't know. Do they come with squeaks? Because I was starting to like the squeaks.

Haven't I shown you one of our piles yet?! Oh, I have to fix this!

[Di is super-sensitive to her friends, Garrus. It's going to take a hell of a lot of acting to hide something like that from her.]

They might come with squeaks. [And yes, that's a bit of a blush as she giggles.] I believe squeaking happens the most when they're being reciprocated, though.

The hugs being reciprocated? Or the squeaks? I can do one. The other's not gonna happen.

[Garrus has never been a good actor, but sometimes he fools himself into thinking he's got a decent mask going. The door is closed behind her and Garrus takes a step closer, fully expecting to be basically tackled at any time.]

And unless you're talking about the stacks of pillows you had going on in your living room, I can't remember piles.

I meant the hugs, but if you insist on giving me ideas like that...!

[Tackling is only fun if he's not expecting it! So Di bides her time for now.]

That's right! That's only one kind, though. Trolls will make piles of just about anything they like. Psii's tend to be stacks of computer hardware.

Never let it be said I didn't give people bad ideas.

[He tilts his head.]

But why stack hardware? Why not use it?

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