[closed]

[katabasis]

WHO: Flint & Various
WHAT: Ye Olde Catch-all space
WHEN: Cloudreach
WHERE: Various
NOTES: n/a, will note in subject lines if applicable

Comments

busts in

[thereneverwas]

A light knock comes at the doorframe, and there's Barrow, peering in with a pleasant expression.

"Afternoon, Commander."

[katabasis]

Caught in what appears to be a rare moment of Not actively in the middle of something extremely pressing, Flint slouched in one of the chair in front of the fire marks the page of the open book in his lap with a page from a stack of papers.

He does not remove his boot from where it's hooked by the heel on a low footstool.

Note to self: reading breaks behind locked doors or in unsuspecting broom closets exclusively from now on. But sure, Barrow. You have his attention.

[thereneverwas]

Poor thing. Barrow knows that look, and makes a mental note to waste as little of the man's time as possible.

"Just had a thought the other day," he says pleasantly, "as you're the head of Forces and all, might be nice to have a little face time with the recruits, so they know whose orders they're carrying out. You know?"

[katabasis]

The blank look Barrow receives for his trouble is—exceedingly blank.

"And?"

[thereneverwas]

Barrow weathers the look blithely.

"Perhaps you could come and meet with them, one of these mornings. During arms training."

[katabasis]

His hand has settled at the edge of that sheaf of papers acting as a bookmark, as if any moment he might crack the book open again and resume reading.

"All right."

He cracks the book.

[thereneverwas]

Barrow waits just long enough for Flint to look back down at the book.

"Tomorrow morning, then?"

[katabasis]

There is a small mark on the paper between two lines on this page. He briefly regards it rather than any word.

"First thing," he says without looking up.

[thereneverwas]

"Looking forward to it."

Barrow remains in the doorway.

[katabasis]

He manages to stubbornly read five or six lines on the page in the hopes that the silence will induce the shape the doorway haunting the edge of his vision to withdraw. When no such luck manifests, Flint marks the page with his thumb and looks back to Barrow.

"Yes?"

[thereneverwas]

"All right, Commander," comes the cheerful reply, as Barrow straightens and takes his leave.