Mnf... Oh! What's up, babydoll?

Extra-sorry about the mess we left in your cabin that morning, but I just couldn't help myself. You were out like a light, and we'd kicked the sheets out of the way, and I did say "all night and the next morning."

The boys and girls on Shasta got me fixed up somethin' special with those Credits you were tossing around. They threw in a fresh coat of paint, can you believe it? I'm starting to really like Baffin! I caught some weird looks when I finally picked up my Stiletto, but the dock crew didn't give me a hard time. Even snagged two of their little amulet-y things, in case you want one! Good people.

Super sucks that you felt like you had to take off so quick, though. I don't know what was up with 'Becca. Yeah, I mean, I sorta' kinda' almost very nearly ran her over, but it was an accident! Doesn't really justify trying to kill two people while they're cuddling! I'unno, maybe she's in need of a hug, too. Lotsa' people are, nowadays.

"I do not want you to get hurt." No wonder you're so popular with the ladies, boo. Talking like that is a sure-fire way to melt some hearts. Tell you what: figure out where you intend to hang out for a while, and I'll make a special trip out. Just. For. You. Then we can talk everything over in person! Sound good?

Wait.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

Now, listen, boo. I know 'Becca has you running scared. Heck, I'm a little spooked after our incident, too, but... Hired someone to take care of the problem? Are you, um, are you really sure that's the play? I know you've already, erh-. You once-...

Yoshiko lets out a heavy breath, her barely-contained chest rising and falling.

I'll lay it on you straight, 'cause everyone grows up sometime, much as I hate to say it. That means more than just runnin' around the galaxy handing out some of the best sex I've ever had. Is this something you want on your conscience? I know firsthand what "taking care of the problem" can do to a person, 'specially when "taking care of the problem" becomes normal. I can handle myself alright in a scrap, but I've never un-alive'd anyone. Or, at least, anyone that didn't really, really deserve it. I don't know 'Becca all that well, but just reading her, she doesn't seem like a bad gal. She just hurts.

I could round up a few guys and gals from the Union and talk to her, before we do anything drastic.

Another sigh, a scratch behind the neck.

Everyone's gotta' to grow up eventually, baby, but I don't want it to happen too quick. You deserve to keep whatever innocence you still have.

I-... Hmnh. Hold on, the hat needs to come off for this. Time for less girlfriend energy, and more big sister energy.

That sounded better in my head.

Let's have another go-round: I can pretend to know what's happenin' in other people's brains all day long. That doesn't mean I'm right. Just like everyone says, I'm not a shrink, I don't have a degree, I, hnf-.

Nope, not working either. Ever have one of those nights when you can't string the right words together? That's now. I never was much good at sending mail. Usually I can talk, and talk, and make people feel good, even if it only lasts a little while. It doesn't hit right like this, so I won't try to sugarcoat what's about to come out.

You said you "wasted" your money, and I'm gonna' disagree. You got an answer. It might not be the one you were hopin' for, it might not be the one you wanted, but it's somethin'. You're a step away from where you were yesterday. Ahead, behind, doesn't matter. At least you stepped, and nobody ever got anywhere without movin'. I don't have all the answers, nobody ever does. You've gotta' find what works for you, grab that bag, and run with it.

Scared or not, you are alive, and I want to see you stay that way for as long as you possibly can. Sirius isn't a nice place. I'unno if it ever was, really. It makes people like Rebecca. If I died tomorrow, I'd die happy, knowin' I could be a lil' ray of sunshine for you, or for Rook, or that funny Agent that liked grav-lev trains. That's why I do what I do, that's why I'm not... Taking what happened to heart. I wasn't trying to pretend your fears aren't real, I'm not tryin' to play it off. I can't afford to be a shoulder people lean on, cry on, and be worried about what tomorrow has in store. I'm here for right now, 'cause right now, right this very second, is the only time that matters. If you need me to spend that second with you, well, the damage Rebecca did to my Stiletto is nothin' compared to what I'll do to it to get to you, and give you that shoulder to lean on.

Lemme' give you somethin' to chew, Lev', before you make a call: you've got a reputation. I already told you what I think about reputations. You mighta' taken it to heart, mighta' not. But, maybe, just maybe, all these people are surroundin' you not because you can lay pipe with the best of 'em, but because you're freshest breath of air this galaxy has sucked down in a long, long time.

I'm sure your shoulder will do just fine, Levan, bones 'n'all. I'll see you when you get here. Oh, and one more thing before I go:

Okaerinasai. Welcome home.