Ishtar Collective

Name

~~Classified~~
IV. Tether

Description

Eris let her eyes wander over the interior of the Derelict, wondering if Drifter had hastily tidied it before her arrival. Unprecedented, but he could still surprise her. They sat together as they always did when she came to speak to him face to face.
Drifter sighed and shook his head, flicking his coin absently between his fingers
"Sloane's in a bad way," he said. Eris nodded.
"And you believe my speaking to her will be beneficial," she replied. Drifter shrugged.
"Helped a few people already, didn't it?"
Eris considered this.
"It should be you," she finally answered. Drifter laughed at this but fell silent when her expression remained unchanged.
"Me?" His confusion was genuine. "Why would she trust me?"
"Trust is built, Drifter," Eris said, "and you have taken the first step."
He was pensive. The movement of the coin over his knuckles stopped. She continued.
"I have found," she said, her words measured, "that one is grounded by honesty. Not only in oneself, but with those around you."
He heaved a slow, hard breath.
"I don't know if I can," he said, his voice small.
"Yes. Honesty is a supplication," Eris said. "We ask to be seen. We are made vulnerable… but it is necessary to be treated with care."
Her explanation was met with one of his rasping chuckles. Drifter leaned back in his seat, arms crossed. He held his coin tightly between a thumb and forefinger.
"You always make somethin' so easy sound so freaky, Moondust," he said. Eris ignored this.
"Tell her what you told me," she said more simply. "The Deputy Commander's trust will not come without reciprocity."
Drifter fell quiet, looking down. She could hear his breath and see the strained shiver of his fingers where he clutched the coin. Eris reached out and placed a hand on his arm. He was tense to trembling, but her touch was light. Quiet. Comforting.
He placed his hand over her own.
"Y'know, some days I still wake up scared," Drifter said softly. "Even when I can't remember my dreams."
"That is what it is to survive."
There was a gentleness to Eris's voice. He nodded, then looked up and met her gaze.
"Hey," Drifter said. "You find that joy yet?"
"Soon," Eris answered. "Joy is built… but I have taken the first step."
Drifter withdrew his hand. After a moment, she did too. Eris stood, and Drifter's eyes followed her.
"Consider my counsel, Germaine."
She knew he would. Drifter let the silence linger.
"That's not my name," he said at last.
"That is what you let them call you."
It was a small link to his past. A link to a life he had picked for himself. He nodded slowly, holding her gaze. He would let her call him that too.

IV. Tether