OLD: first [video]

[bywiseguidance]

[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.]

Comments

[holy-caf-pow.livejournal.com]

Well? What did you get? Show me, show me.

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

[Couple of seconds later, Ziva's lap is full of cranky and glaring Houndour. It kinda growls at the screen--WHO ARE YOU AND WHY ARE YOU TALKING TO MY TRAINER. :| Ziva taps it lightly on the back of its head.]

Enough of that. Abby is my friend.

[And you're just a mutant dog that she honestly has no idea what to do with. what is life.]

[holy-caf-pow.livejournal.com]

[She blinks. A lot. And then her Poochyena is in the screen and growling going BACK OFF OR I WILL BITE YOUR ASS, YOU GOT THAT?]

No! Bad Jethro!

[Bad Gibbs doggy!]

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

[Yeah that didn't make her Houndour stop growling. If anything, he gets even worse when Jethro pops up--he's snarling and his ears are laid back now. Apparently he doesn't like you on sight, Jethro.]

Enough!

[Ziva scruffs him for it and pulls him away from the screen. :|]

[holy-caf-pow.livejournal.com]

[Abby manages to pull Jethro away from the screen and has big eyes as she stares at him.]

Um. Wow. He's protective but that was a whole new level of "Let's protect Abby from danger."

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

[It'll be entertaining when they're in the same area...]

I believe they are taking after their namesakes.

[Her Houndour has decided what his name is, after all. Ziva looks vaguely uncomfortable--she doesn't want to explain the connection.]

[holy-caf-pow.livejournal.com]

But yours doesn't have a name...

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

...he does. It came up with another person, and he has decided to answer to it.

[holy-caf-pow.livejournal.com]

[Abby leans in like it's a secret or something.]

What's his name?

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

...Ari.

[holy-caf-pow.livejournal.com]

Oh Ziva. That must be so hard. Are you okay?

I'm giving you a hug as soon as I see you.

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

[You took that a lot better than she thought you would.]

I am fine.

That sounds...nice. I have missed you.

1/3

[holy-caf-pow.livejournal.com]

[Overwhelmed by happiness...It is the emotion fueling her.]

I missed you too. So much.

[holy-caf-pow.livejournal.com]

[Wait. Ziva isn't a type to openly be like that.

Unless something is wrong.

Something is wrong.

WARNING FLAG.]

[holy-caf-pow.livejournal.com]

What's wrong?

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

[Blink. Blink. Okay backpedal THERE'S NOTHING WRONG HERE.]

...nothing. Nothing is wrong.

[Oh yeah that's smooth, Ziva.]

[holy-caf-pow.livejournal.com]

I don't believe you. Something's wrong.

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

[She doesn't quite know what to say. 'I never thought I would see you again', 'I was going to die,' all of them...don't seem to be things that aren't right to be said like this, over the phone or whatever this is.]

Something was wrong. It is not anymore. And I would rather speak with you about it when I see you again.

[holy-caf-pow.livejournal.com]

Promise?

[bywiseguidance.livejournal.com]

I promise.