"I will." Honestly, he needn't worry, it's a fairly empty threat. Abby knows the irritation will burn off and leave behind the plain fact of the matter: if John didn't know they didn't know, he didn't fucking know. Not a whole lot she can do about that. She's on the back foot and she doesn't like feeling like that. That's all.
A sigh is heaved.
"Right. And I'm sure that will pass through the system by tomorrow, instead of in a couple month's time."
She should be angry, is the thing. She's right to be angry. He would be, in her shoes; so the reaction isn't unexpected, and doesn't go unsympathized. Besides, like, if someone goes to kick John's ass about this, he won't exactly be mad about it.
He shrugs, tone dry as he says, "Yeah, I'm talking to you because I'm a real believer in the system taking care of things."
Which isn't an indictment of Riftwatch, specifically, so much as any bureaucracy. Point is: he doesn't disagree. He wouldn't have felt so compelled to take up this job if he trusted that it'd get done, when it hasn't already.
This time, she snorts, and gives him a rueful look.
At least he understands. Can't be nice, having to have this chat with everybody. She can think of more than one Rifter that will give him shit in return.
... Does Ellie know?
Who fucking cares.
"You got a list to get through, or something?" How many people has he already spoken to, and how many more does he have to go? Mark her down as curious and nothing else.
Have you seen what happens when announcements are made to groups in Riftwatch, Abby.
If the answer comes a little unexpected, it's only because he's still trying to reconcile the evil alien army-leading Loki that Tony's told him about with the well-mannered man he's met here. It makes sense that Loki would know people, would've made friends, but the thought's still weird.
Though maybe it shouldn't be. He's found Loki pretty likable, despite himself.
"I've talked to him." He'd taken it pretty well, all things considered, though it's not like Jim has an image in his mind for what not well would look like. He hasn't talked to Astarion yet. "I don't intend to let anyone else be left in the dark for much longer."
Edited (changes my mind several hours later don't look at me) 2021-12-12 14:33 (UTC)
Also: bad people deserve to have friends too, don't be rude.
"Good." This is in response to both statements. It eases her a lot to hear that Loki already knows about this, especially because now Abby wants to gossip with him, "If I think of anything else I want to ask, can I contact you?"
Or would he rather fob her off. Left unsaid, only implied.
Answering questions, now or later, is just an extension of this responsibility he's taken upon himself. At least, as far as he's concerned. Any time may sound like a pleasantry, but Astarion (for instance) would be able to verify that he picks up his crystal at all hours no matter how late it is. When does he sleep? Don't worry about it.
"And if you ever want to ask me something in person, my room's on the fourth floor of the old mage tower. My door's usually open."
She's standoffish so it won't be readily apparent, but this answer does endear him to her.
"Okay," she says, adding, "Appreciate it," like it's an afterthought. She probably will come to chat with him in person, though it won't be on Astarion's recommendation thanks.
"I'd better let you go." Except that it's a clear dismissal, because she has a lot to process, and she'd like to do that off the training grounds where she'll only distract herself with her mace and some unlucky target.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
A sigh is heaved.
"Right. And I'm sure that will pass through the system by tomorrow, instead of in a couple month's time."
no subject
He shrugs, tone dry as he says, "Yeah, I'm talking to you because I'm a real believer in the system taking care of things."
Which isn't an indictment of Riftwatch, specifically, so much as any bureaucracy. Point is: he doesn't disagree. He wouldn't have felt so compelled to take up this job if he trusted that it'd get done, when it hasn't already.
no subject
At least he understands. Can't be nice, having to have this chat with everybody. She can think of more than one Rifter that will give him shit in return.
... Does Ellie know?
Who fucking cares.
"You got a list to get through, or something?" How many people has he already spoken to, and how many more does he have to go? Mark her down as curious and nothing else.
no subject
"I do." Then, "There someone you're worried about me missing?"
Is there anyone else from their home here? He hadn't even thought to ask Ellie about it.
no subject
It seems weird that this is happening on a case-by-case basis anyway. Why not gather everybody into one place and let them know at once?
no subject
If the answer comes a little unexpected, it's only because he's still trying to reconcile the evil alien army-leading Loki that Tony's told him about with the well-mannered man he's met here. It makes sense that Loki would know people, would've made friends, but the thought's still weird.
Though maybe it shouldn't be. He's found Loki pretty likable, despite himself.
"I've talked to him." He'd taken it pretty well, all things considered, though it's not like Jim has an image in his mind for what not well would look like. He hasn't talked to Astarion yet. "I don't intend to let anyone else be left in the dark for much longer."
no subject
Also: bad people deserve to have friends too, don't be rude.
"Good." This is in response to both statements. It eases her a lot to hear that Loki already knows about this, especially because now Abby wants to gossip with him, "If I think of anything else I want to ask, can I contact you?"
Or would he rather fob her off. Left unsaid, only implied.
no subject
"Of course, any time."
Answering questions, now or later, is just an extension of this responsibility he's taken upon himself. At least, as far as he's concerned. Any time may sound like a pleasantry, but Astarion (for instance) would be able to verify that he picks up his crystal at all hours no matter how late it is. When does he sleep? Don't worry about it.
"And if you ever want to ask me something in person, my room's on the fourth floor of the old mage tower. My door's usually open."
no subject
"Okay," she says, adding, "Appreciate it," like it's an afterthought. She probably will come to chat with him in person, though it won't be on Astarion's recommendation thanks.
"I'd better let you go." Except that it's a clear dismissal, because she has a lot to process, and she'd like to do that off the training grounds where she'll only distract herself with her mace and some unlucky target.