[ It is him. She's got the same glossed over voice that reaches her eyes when she switches to video. The sound of his voice soothing an ache shed try to ignore just like the last time they had to do this. The only difference is this time she doesn't have to focus on his safety and the safety of others. This time, it's just them. No one over her shoulder or his, no urgency that will force her to push her feelings aside. ]
Chris? It's Jill. [ Her expression twists, head tilted to slightly to the side. It's barely visible when she sets the coffee cup down, the light clink of glass to wood while she rushes the gesture to free her hands. She presses one down against the table off-screen, like she's physically able to lean into the screen and past it to touch him. ] Chris, I...
[ Wanted to see you, missed you, am glad you're here, am so happy you're safe, want to see you right now. Anything, everything, but it's all too much for her after everything.
Her brow tightens along with her smile, sharp and straight as that same look crosses her as the one she'd had back in the Monarch Room. Too much to say that she can't, the words incapable of forming for too many reasons. All she can do is look at him. She stares for a long moment, taking him in before a weight lifts and her look softens and her head tucks down against her chest, the light braided ponytail over her shoulder shifting with the gesture. Against the very bottom of the screen, brown fur can be seen and a wet nose, nudging against Jill's chin.
That's what makes her laugh waver into almost a cry. Trust her new pal to notice exactly how conflicted her feelings are. Her heart feels tight, like her rib cage is much too small and trying to make it burst into a million pieces inside of her. She tilts her head for a small nuzzle before swiping her thumb over the screen, like her fingers can brush his skin from a distance.
She missed him too much. Glossy, threaten to spill over, she lets out a jagged: ]
video.
Chris? It's Jill. [ Her expression twists, head tilted to slightly to the side. It's barely visible when she sets the coffee cup down, the light clink of glass to wood while she rushes the gesture to free her hands. She presses one down against the table off-screen, like she's physically able to lean into the screen and past it to touch him. ] Chris, I...
[ Wanted to see you, missed you, am glad you're here, am so happy you're safe, want to see you right now. Anything, everything, but it's all too much for her after everything.
Her brow tightens along with her smile, sharp and straight as that same look crosses her as the one she'd had back in the Monarch Room. Too much to say that she can't, the words incapable of forming for too many reasons. All she can do is look at him. She stares for a long moment, taking him in before a weight lifts and her look softens and her head tucks down against her chest, the light braided ponytail over her shoulder shifting with the gesture. Against the very bottom of the screen, brown fur can be seen and a wet nose, nudging against Jill's chin.
That's what makes her laugh waver into almost a cry. Trust her new pal to notice exactly how conflicted her feelings are. Her heart feels tight, like her rib cage is much too small and trying to make it burst into a million pieces inside of her. She tilts her head for a small nuzzle before swiping her thumb over the screen, like her fingers can brush his skin from a distance.
She missed him too much. Glossy, threaten to spill over, she lets out a jagged: ]
Hey.