[UNRECORDED]

[illdrinktothat]

Walter didn't sleep at all last night. He spent as much of it as he could trying to figure out what, if any, damage Zopf's interview had caused and... maybe more importantly, what damage Caro's had done. Those questions sat weird with him long after he'd given the all clear that she'd salvaged the moment. Sure the sponsors and the audience probably didn't much of those particular questions, but they had been very specific. Someone had been trying to make a point with them and Walter can't stop worrying over it.

So he paces, strategizes and drinks the night away. By the time the sun rises he's sobered (and showered) up, and actually dressed despite it being his usual hours for grumping about in his bathrobe. He takes to the dining room before the staff even begins to set out breakfast, and he waits. And he waits. Weyoun should be out soon.

So he waits some more.

Where the fuck is Weyoun.

Comments

[weyountrinket]

"No. There isn't anything to hide." Weyoun sighs and tries not to look at either Garak or Caro. You little shits. "I simply don't see what's so interesting about this."

Unfortunately he doesn't think he'll be able to dodge this for long. Not with the looks he's getting from Walter. "I wanted some fresh air so I stayed out on the roof. I ran into Mr. Soong and spoke with him for a while, and I lost track of time."

He's really getting slightly exasperated. "Nothing that happened is worth discussion."

[illdrinktothat]

Walter just... slowly leans back in his seat, eyebrows raised. "You were out on the roof all night with... Data."

He has to chew on that for a moment. "You were out on the roof all night with Data."

[caroflower]

Well, that's certainly not what Caro was expecting to hear. Although really, she hadn't expected anything in particular. But Data? Talking to Weyoun? It's a little hard to imagine.

"Did you meet Spot?" Caro thinks she's decided to like cats, even though she's really only "met" one.

[weyountrinket]

"Yes, and...?" Weyoun quirks a brow at Sullivan. There's nothing especially special about what happened, but he knows Walter won't let this die so easily. He's fairly certain he's going to regret mentioning Data at all.

"I did, yes. Very sweet cat." Oh god this is so awkward.

[caroflower]

"She really is." Caro pauses a moment. "Okay, I don't really have any frame of reference, but she was nice when I met her."

In before Zopf makes some remark about her never having pet a cat before. Ugh.

Caro realizes she's finished her plate and gets up for seconds. She's being careful not to overeat, but again, no telling when she'll eat next.

[illdrinktothat]

This is of course when Zopf launches into how his family had a pet cat. Goddamn townie. It's truly fascinating to someone, Walter's sure, just not anyone in this room.

Walter rolls his eyes and ignores the tribute's apparently endless prattling on. He's got an escort to annoy, after all. "I'm a little surprised, Weyoun. I wouldn't have pegged him for your type."

[caroflower]

Oh of course Zopf's family has a goddamn cat. Fucking townies. Yeah that's a delight and a half, now just shut up. She takes a deep breath in through her nose as she browses the buffet table.

She loads up her plate and sits back down and Zopf is still talking. That's all right, she has an idea of how to shut him up.

"That must be really nice, having pets," she says slowly, letting her face fall a little. Like she's sad but trying not to show it. "Out in the Seam, we'd have probably had to eat the cat." She looks down at her plate and pushes her food around a little.

There, Zopf. How about that.

[weyountrinket]

Zopf looks a little horrified.

...And so does Weyoun, both at Caro's comment and Walter's... Waltering. Fine. FINE. He'll play this game.

"Seeing relationships everywhere?" He delicately sips his coffee and raises his brows. "My, you've been reading too many of those romance novels, Mister Sullivan."

Of course once the horror's worn of Zopf just... takes the chance to start talking again. Weyoun's tuned him out entirely.

[caroflower]

Damn. So close, and yet here's Zopf prattling on some more. What about mice indeed.

"Actually, some of my neighbors would be glad for a chance at some mice." Caro's family is a little better off than most out in the Seam, but they're far from townies. She's doesn't think she's ever actually eaten cat, but everyone with half a brain knows there's no telling what Greasy Sae is actually serving. It's all beef once it's in the soup, and all.

[illdrinktothat]

Walter's ten cents to add to Zopf and Caro's discussion is... well. "Mice are alright. Kind of crunchy."

Zopf's horrified expression gets a really rather confrontational look from Walter. "What? You eat what you can or you starve." He aggressively chews on some bacon. "Keep that attitude up, cupcake, and you ain't gonna last long in the arena."

Weyoun should be happy this completely distracted him for the moment.

It won't last.

[caroflower]

"I've had mice before. Pretty good actually, with the uh," she hesitates, "pork. And the tree bark of course." Caro smiles sweetly at the rest of the table. "As far as I know I've never had cat, though."

Nothing quite like Greasy Sae's cooking. After a long moment she adds, "Dog's not too bad either."

[weyountrinket]

"How... interesting." Weyoun just... breathes in deeply and slowly through his nose. Well, it's horrifying Zopf into silence, at least.

He folds his napkin and thinks for a moment before joining in because why not. "Guinea pig is rather nice. I've heard it's similar to squirrel."

[illdrinktothat]

Walter doesn't even care. "I know that stew."

The dog meat comment gets a laugh that's almost a snort from Sullivan. "Don't let Murphy hear you say that, he'll have a fit."

[caroflower]

"I'm not even sure what a Guinea pig is, but squirrel's pretty good." She glances over at W-- Sullivan. "Greasy Sae's not exactly a secret. Her ingredient list might be, though." Caro laughs a little. "Wait no, I'm sorry. Everything's beef."

The comment about Pendleton doesn't really make much sense, so she just lets it slide.

[illdrinktothat]

"They're kind of like rats. Capitol people keep them as pets." Walter's way more amused at Zopf's discomfort than he has any reason to be. "Sae's a damn miracle worker, as much beef as she manages to get."

He finishes his food of and settles back, crossing his arms over his chest. "Alright, you little shits have about... half an hour to get yourselves together."

After a moment he adds. "I'm including you in this category, Weyoun, I don't care if you spent all night fucking Data on the roof and you're tired. You're still on the clock today."