ic contact; MoM

[coppelganger]

Hey, it's Sarah. Leave a message.

Comments

voice;

[coppelganger]

[ Sarah's been leaning toward this outcome herself, but she doesn't say so. She knows this has to be terrifying for Alison, and she'll hold off on making any kind of public announcement until she's sure there's no other option. ]

There might be some other story we can use. We don't have to make a decision right this second.

voice;

[subourbon]

Well, I'd just rather we make it than have Rachel decide for us.

[Because she is 100% sure that the pro-clone would absolutely delight in doing so.]

text;

[schwanengesang]

[ A few minutes? More like days. ]

No need to be so hostile.

I have funds to help with finding a cure.

voice;

[coppelganger]

That's true. So just... announce it over the network?

text;

[coppelganger]

[ WHY ARE YOU SO OBSESSED WITH HER ]

and you want to share with us?

voice;

[subourbon]

I don't know what other choice we have. We might want to coordinate with the local press as well.

text;

[schwanengesang]

[ She's only interested in her "biology". Obviously. ]

Yes. I'm sure Cosima has the knowledge to reach a cure even with the original gone.

[ By "sure" she means "hoping". ]

text;

[coppelganger]

why should i trust you, rachel?

voice;

[coppelganger]

Before we do anything, we need to make sure everyone's on board.

voice;

[subourbon]

Well obviously. I just also worry what it might be like if more of us show up who have no idea about it. Like Sarissa.

voice;

[coppelganger]

[ Sarah actually laughs at that. ]

More of us.

voice;

[subourbon]

[And Alison immediately sounds defensive.]

You know there are more out there.

voice;

[coppelganger]

I know, I wasn't laughing at you, I was just. Yeah.

[ Being a clone is exhausting. ]

voice;

[subourbon]

Anyway, we'll need to discuss it more with everyone else.

voice;

[coppelganger]

Right. I'll call a meeting.

[ In Sarah's low, dry voice, it's hard to tell whether she's being serious or just being wry. Maybe a weird combination of both. ]

voice;

[subourbon]

[Alison's suspicious about it, but she lets it slide. She needs to devote her nervous energy to something other than nagging at Sarah.]

Fine, let me know when you've got it organized.

voice;

[coppelganger]

I will.

text;

[schwanengesang]

Because this time you have the upper hand.

[ Is she serious? Is she bluffing? No one can tell. ]

text;

[coppelganger]

where'd you get these "funds", anyway?

text; rachel plz

[schwanengesang]

From Ferdinand's saving account.

[ Oops. She's trying to forge trust here. Dry humor doesn't really help, does it? A minute after that she'll get the next text. ]

An investor is interested in finding a cure.

[ Not going to mention it was originally for her to restart cloning and Neolution... Nope. ]

text;

[coppelganger]

ha, ha. who?

text;

[schwanengesang]

Mark Vorkosigan.
Satisfied?

text;

[coppelganger]

with you, rachel? never.

[ She's not going to mention that she doesn't even know who this Mark person is, shhh. ]

maybe i'll think about it.

text;

[schwanengesang]

take your time.

[ She doesn't mean this at all. ]

[oddbod]

Thanks.

[She takes the glass with a little half-crook of her mouth, looking slightly more despondent than when Sarah left. A large sip disappears immediately behind her faded lipstick. Swallowing is a complex process - she has to focus for a moment in order for the reflexes to kick in, but the reward is the familiar warmth of wine in her throat after so many months without it.]

Jesus, that's good. I haven't had a sip since... last November?