Delaney's left hand clenched around a small piece of paper as she exited the 7-11. In her right hand she held the handles of the plastic bag that contained the small amount of foodstuffs that she had deigned to buy as part of a reason for even setting foot inside. As long as she was doing normal everyday civilian things, there was no need to speculate that she was using the convenience store as anything but a place to buy some treats. Although she had refrained from picking up some of the more exotic items that had been on display. No, her bag only contained a notepad, some brand name chocolate bars and a bottle of soda. Oh, and in her coat pocket she now had a prepaid phone ready for use if needed. That had been a big decision but there was the thought that if it came down to it she could text further updates, making it even appear more likely that she was going through with everything.

Deep down though, Delaney worried. Was she going about this all the wrong way? Her gaze went to one side of the street and then the other as she waited for the traffic light to indicate that she could walk across the road. Her destination was the small playground that she had spotted nearby as a place that she could possibly have enough privacy to at least read what appeared to be Beatrix's reply to her first note. Ten minutes later she was seated on a bench overlooking the playground with her notepad out as she considered her reply to Beatrix's message. What sort of foods did she like? Well the obviously answer was homemade goods. But she didn't really mind the simpler fare of food that was either ready to eat or took little prep time to make. It would probably be a transition either way. Instead of dwelling on what she could be losing Delaney tapped her pen against the notebook paper before she closed her eyes for a moment. Seconds later her eyes opened and she took note of the words that appeared on the blank paper as she scribbled out another small report to Beatrix. This one was a little more coded than her first message as it delved more into the reason behind the notes.

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Smooth seas are an absolute must. No one will mutiny against us, will they? I don't look forward to joining your crew only to be tossed overboard the second I come aboard. You can guarantee this adjustment period will flow smoothly for all involved, right?

I don't really have any qualms about vittles (food). Just nothing from our place of note exchange though. Some of these things are questionable at best. I think until I'm settled in, simple things that are easily prepared will be for the best. Maybe once I've adjusted we can talk further. Perhaps some fresh apples, milk, cheese, snack type stuff would be great. Honestly, I'll most likely eat anything but it's really ... not important. As long as I'm fed, I'll be happy. Who knows, maybe I could help once I'm on my feet.


Pausing for a moment Delaney dropped her writing pen and closed the notebook. The prepaid phone felt heavy in her hands as she fished it out of her pocket and Delaney glanced at it in serious mental debate with herself. To be able to communicate in real time instead of leaving notes would probably make it seem more that she was really going to do this and it would suddenly take the risk of the notes being intercepted or lost to a minimal occurrence. Or they could message each other when a new note was left. But perhaps it would at least give her a means to communicate directly with the corrupt.

Picking up her pen Delaney glanced at how much space was left on the sheet of paper before marking a place where she knew a post script message would follow the rest of her main communique would reside. She thought about what more needed to be done before realizing that if they went to text messages - there would be more chances to go into further detail about what needed to be done in order for her to disappear. Turning the phone on, Delaney gave herself a moment to familiarize herself with the device before diving right into the settings menu to get the information that she would leave for Beatrix: namely the number that would be needed in order for her to open up the lines of instant communication. Finding it, Delaney memorized the digits before she put the number into the post-script message zone.

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This is so very new to me. I'm a little scared of what might happen if I get found out. I've been subtly moving things here and there that I'll need in order to get by and I've closed my bank account as I won't need it under my current name anymore. I think given how things are going ... it may be another two to three weeks before I leave on this "trip". Maybe sooner.

PS: I've bought a prepaid phone that we can use to text each other. I'm leaving you the number here, but please, do not call me. I'd prefer to communicate via text messages. It'll be easier to hide that sort of thing from my parents. They're very much in the dark and I'd like to keep it that way. Only you are getting the number so I'll know if you decide to take up this offer of quicker communication.


Doodling her little bobcat on the piece of paper after she had folded it into her signature square did Delaney ponder the wisdom of going straight back to the 7-11 and perhaps pretending that she'd forgotten to pick something up or had left something behind as ruses to allay suspicion. But even as she thought about that Delaney sighed before neating packing everything up. She was getting too invested in this whole "living the life of a spy" scenario and figured that just getting things over and done with would be alright. If she bought something else, why would the staff care if she had come back so soon?