Five might wince, but Number Three's eyes narrow in an all too familiar gesture for that age. The uncertainty that so much easier leans into the red. That relies on sharpness and anger more than allows for uncertainty, for the acceptance of mistakes. She might have even been about to open her mouth --
-- but then Number One said that next.
There wasn't time. He'd explain later. This was the next step of the plan.
It doesn't leave, but it rolls back one step. One. Because even Number Three knows when to take her orders, what can wait, that this situation being handled is more important than the unexplained details. The flicker of sharp emotion smoothing out into effortless, empty coolness. A blank slate of an obedient expression. She always was a better actor than the others. Better at her control, except when she chose not to.
(The way she never chose to do so for their Father. She lived in every petty and outright rebellion there.)
She doesn't like any of this, but she believes Space. If he says he'll explain later, he will. If he says she has to wait, she will. Not forever. But long enough so they aren't still in the field, with all these passing strangers, occasionally whispering and pointing at them. She doesn't like it, but she'll do it for him. Without complaining. Without hesitation.
Five just rolls on, saying where he thinks he should be headed next, and Allison find her five cents have to point a knife tip somewhere, and if she's denied her first choice. Then. "And, then, you'll find us, how?"
no subject
-- but then Number One said that next.
There wasn't time. He'd explain later.
This was the next step of the plan.
It doesn't leave, but it rolls back one step. One. Because even Number Three knows when to take her orders, what can wait, that this situation being handled is more important than the unexplained details. The flicker of sharp emotion smoothing out into effortless, empty coolness. A blank slate of an obedient expression. She always was a better actor than the others. Better at her control, except when she chose not to.
(The way she never chose to do so for their Father.
She lived in every petty and outright rebellion there.)
She doesn't like any of this, but she believes Space. If he says he'll explain later, he will. If he says she has to wait, she will. Not forever. But long enough so they aren't still in the field, with all these passing strangers, occasionally whispering and pointing at them. She doesn't like it, but she'll do it for him. Without complaining. Without hesitation.
Five just rolls on, saying where he thinks he should be headed next, and Allison find her five cents have to point a knife tip somewhere, and if she's denied her first choice. Then. "And, then, you'll find us, how?"