[That offer nearly stalls Rinzler halfway. But he forces the line to complete, and when he does, her obvious relief gives at least some reassurance. The enforcer's processing isn't nearly so clear. Questions tie themselves in little loops, chased by ifs and shouldn't and the sick pressure of error that rises like a wall. He wants to know. He can't. She can't be a priority; he shouldn't pretend, and lying to Yori with that kind of hope will hurt her far more deeply than he can allow. But he wants to know—he wants, and isn't that the problem?
Later. Rinzler defaults gratefully to redirect as it presents itself; the information he came here to deliver holds priority over any other questions that might come. And there's an important datapoint Yori still needs to know. He nods acknowledgement to her stated intent, and if Rinzler's eyes linger a little on that forced smile, he doesn't comment.]
no subject
Later. Rinzler defaults gratefully to redirect as it presents itself; the information he came here to deliver holds priority over any other questions that might come. And there's an important datapoint Yori still needs to know. He nods acknowledgement to her stated intent, and if Rinzler's eyes linger a little on that forced smile, he doesn't comment.]
Additional update.
Phone contact no longer viable.