frontierbashir | IC Contact

Neither of us can avoid working with others in our jobs and I don't expect you to send me the info for everyone you meet. Only those you plan to spend time with outside of usual customer transactions--such as going to a bar with someone, for example.

Doctor. If this is some sideways attempt to discover how I gather information because you'd like to have more training, you needed only to ask. Otherwise this is still a great deal of information. I intend to tread less... well-regarded roads and I would like to not face Starfleet sanctimony while I work.

Should I feel a situation may get out of hand I will tell you the pertinent info. But I won't have scowling at whatever contacts I may make as you judge them.

[Even though those judgmental scowls are so pretty.]

And you may pass me whatever information may be at all pertinent.

That wasn't the original intent of the message, but if you're offering I'd like to learn, actually.

Also, when it comes to your safety here, I need to know what's going on. Please. I can keep opinions to a minimum.

I appreciate your concern, my dear, truly. But we already share an apartment and a bed. I must have some room to myself from time to time. A little space to breathe, if you will, and operate the way I have been trained, free of possible well-intentioned or accidental meddling by someone whose idea of spying is kissing women and firing wine corks at enemies.

I will teach you a little, I will notify you if I believe something is going wrong, but you are not meant for anything remotely like I am, Julian. Sloane has no idea what sort of a miscalculation he's made.

[Julian tries several times to think about what he's feeling re: Garak's reply, and deletes several messages, so it takes a bit of time before Julian replies.]

Fine, then.

I trust you and your judgment on when to tell me if things are going sideways enough that you need help, or at least my awareness of a situation or person.

And trust me, I've never been more aware of how ill-suited I am for a particular occupation.

[He's a little nervous when it takes so long for Julian to reply. He rather hopes he's not misread as not wanting to share the doctor's bed, and he's fairly surprised and relieved by the eventual answer.]

And here I was thinking I'd taught you at least a little something already. If you can say you trust me we may have to start at the beginning all over again, Julian.

You always told me I was too optimistic.

And I am always right.

Are you saying I'm a fool for trusting you?

No.

And yes.

Well, which is it?

Please, Doctor. It's obviously both. You humans with your need for clear delineation.

I feel as though your ambiguity is not something I could generalize to all Cardassians.

Forgive me. I forgot your copious amount of time in the company of other Cardassians.

You're a pretty unique person.

As we both know, my dear, flattery can get you anywhere. The question is, where do you want this particular bit of flattery to get you?

Only into your good graces, Garak.

[ it's replied with a casual air to it, still their brand of banter, but Julian is panicking slightly on the other side of this conversation. ]

A dangerous place, Julian. But I can only give so many warnings to a man who will not heed them.

7 years' worth.

I'm almost worried that I'm losing my touch.

Or perhaps you've finally run into someone as stubborn as you are.

A challenge? I'll keep that in mind, Julian.

Surely you realized that when I wouldn't let you die because of the Wire?

Some of us are forgetful, what with the imperfect memory.

Well then, I'm always here to remind you.

(no subject)

plainsimple - 2020-09-18 03:01 (UTC) - Expand