bywiseguidance | OLD: first [video]

[The video feed snaps on after a bit of experimentation, showing a woman sitting with her back firmly to the wall of one of the New Bark houses. She looks exhausted, worn, her hair a tangled mess--not injured, though the way she's looking around warily gives the impression that she definitely wasn't expecting that. Her clothing is torn and stained, but actually clean--she wasn't expecting that either. When she speaks, it's with an accent: Middle Eastern sounding, almost, and she sounds as tired as she looks.]

If this is some kind of trick...

[She may be tired, but there is a bit of bite to her voice--as if she can make good on the implied threat if pressed to.]

I do not take well to deception. Or to being moved without my knowledge to an unknown location.

[There's been enough of that lately, though she's not going to go further into it--and honestly, this is a lot better than where she was. But she's too practiced in keeping all information to herself that may give the upper hand (or show weakness) in any situation.]

That woman is not my mother. If she has told so many that, it would seem that at least we have so much in common.

[Her eyes slip closed for a moment, gathering thoughts and wondering how much she can afford to give away.]

Abby...if you are truly here...I would like to speak with you, please.

[She's unsure of how that will go over--since she stayed in Israel without so much as a goodbye.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You must be coming from a bad place to regard America as peaceful.

There are exceptions, of course. Working as a federal agent, I have seen many of them.

However, there are not soldiers patrolling the streets with automatic weapons, nor rockets being fired at civilian targets. It is all a matter of perspective, yes?

Everything is a matter of perspective.

_{[Also, ping!]}

Seems we're in the same line of work.

Oh? Which agency?

FBI. And you?

NCIS. Though since I am a foreign national, I am not technically employed by your government.

Well, technicalities aren't always important in the big picture.

No, they are not.

_{[A nod.]} Well, Ziva - good luck in Johto. It's a small world, but truly remarkable.