action;
[ she hasn't been asked how she's doing, how she's feeling, since jean-luc and james' disappearances were noted and she's grateful for that. if she had to deal with that on top of ashley's birthday, she really would have lost it.
as it is now, she gives a soft laugh at his first comment. a little light seeps into her eyes and that joins the small smile to smooth out some of the rest of her coldness, the icy exterior sliding away to show a very vulnerable person on the inside. ]
If it is, I won't stop you.
[ the light remains in her eyes, small though it is and even though it's tinged with something else. sorrow, perhaps? she takes her time answering, gazing across the dome for a few moments as she listens to him and tries to decide how to answer, only looking back to him when she's come up with something. ]
I know all about the need for secrecy, Commander. My work demands it. You've no need to worry about what I might tell anyone else. Your world's business is your own, not mine. I would offer to tell you what I know, but as I've no idea where you fall into the timeline, I'd prefer not to cross history if I don't have to.
[ is that a small hint that she's crossed history before? why yes, yes it is. she's done the time travel / reliving years thing before and hated it. as for his offer, she pauses for another moment, gratitude seeping into her eyes now. she barely even knows him and already he's offering support. it's difficult for someone her age to accept something like that, particularly in the face of a crisis like this, but the sentiment is appreciated nonetheless. ]
...Thank you. [ she can think of a million things she'd like to ask him, but none that should be asked now. they're questions she would prefer to ask of jean-luc himself after all. ]
I would like to offer you the same that you have offered me. I see no reason to break off contact simply because a mutual friend has gone missing. You likely have questions about me and what I do. I think, given the circumstances, I can stand to answer some of them. [ her tight-lipped smile is back, a sign of sincerity and discomfort all in one, the latter being not at all related to the subject matter, more on how she initially presented herself to him. she does hope that they can make something of the olive branches being offered here on both sides. ]