there’s a slight lift to her brow, amusement falling away instead to something almost like curiosity. she’s starting to think that perhaps widowmaker isn’t joking, though she’s surprised by the prospect of potentially attending dinners with her; all previous interactions in talon have made it clear that her freedom will be limited if not non-existent.
she responds with a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes and a mock salute, even going so far as to shoot the woman a wink, laying it on thick.
“ don’t worry, ma’am, i’ll be on my best behavior. “
when she’s announced that she’s ready, she half expects the door to remain closed. the anticipation of punishment still lingers, or to even just have a cruel joke played upon her. that is all she has come to expect at talon, and so it’s a surprise when the response comes almost instantly and she’s let out into the hall.
standing at attention, she listens, giving only a short nod as show of understanding, though she immediately interprets the invitation to share problems with widowmaker as some form of trap. she knows by now that no one here cares about the extensive, ongoing human rights violations. she doesn’t expect that to start now, even if the woman seems different from those she’s known here so far.
she ignores the bloom of warmth that rises in her as widowmaker’s fingers trail along the line of her clothes, adjusting them to her liking. but she can’t block out the waft of that perfume that hits her, even stronger than the lingering echo on the uniform she was given.
a small frown tugs at her lips, barely noticeable but still present. though she’s already figured her room is bugged, that doesn’t make hearing it out loud any less unpleasant. there is no privacy here. not even in her own room.
she doesn’t want to think about whoever is watching.
her eyes lift to widowmaker’s, holding her gaze. for a moment she is silent, simply inspecting her, watching every feature, every detail of her expression. she needs to know how much is true, but as honest as the woman seems, chronos knows only time will tell.
“ yes, ma’am. ya don’t gotta worry- i already know how it works ‘round here. “
she does not know chronos very well -- nothing more than what was provided to her in the documentation -- nor does chronos know her. she stands at her side, several inches taller, close to a stranger yet entrusted with all of the authority. as her handler, widowmaker needs for chronos to trust her.
she does not have any other option.
“ very well. i shall hold you to it. “
no smile, just a nod of her head.
she tugs harder on the fabric, a futile attempt to shape it into something more flattering, more fitted, yet it will not cooperate.
in seconds, widowmaker has given up. talon pays no attention to such small details.
( but she does. )
she walks quickly, always in front of her. owes it to protocol or perhaps habit. talon throws many of the rookies into her hands; widowmaker shows them leniency and protection. never has she been loyal to talon’s agenda, but certain aspects of protocol must be followed to avoid a more severe punishment.
widowmaker glances over her shoulder to ensure chronos follows her.
the halls are not difficult to navigate, yet they are long, inundated with strange faces, hostile ones, she can imagine.
vaguely, she remembers her first days free from the labs.
“ do you? well, since you seem so confident, i assume you understand the expectations of your relationship with your handler. is that correct? ”
she turns her head, meeting her eyes -- stern but not scolding.
widowmaker has stopped before a door, slightly larger than chronos’s, labeled with a surname she no longer responds to anymore.
lacroix.
( here, she has little choice. )
“ when i am on base, you can find me here. typically, i do not spend a lot of time here, but until talon trusts you to leave the premises, here is where i will be. i have agreed to spend more time on base until you are fully acclimated. you are, after all, obligated to stay close to me. in the meantime, i want you to work hard to prove to talon you can be trusted by my side outside of here. i will do the same. ”
2087
izzy806
gummygunk
jimmyeatworldofficial
gracieabrams
ellievsbear
