Scenario Entitled: Old Friends, Auld Lang SyneCharacters:
William, cowpoke with the Militia Scout Division, easy-going.. on the surface.
Lake, bounty-hunter with the Freelancer's Guild, having an off day?
Alejandra, independent mage, with mysterious doings in the west side, high on life.
Chax, ex-GB ex-FQ pilot working his way back up in the Militia, pleased as punch.
Rooke, ex-everything, enjoying one of her last nights among friends.
Location: The Java Factory, a popular cafe in the NW Sector.
Date: Norand, 109 P.A.
Chax pauses at the door, taking quick stock of the store before assuming his proper place at the end of the line, gazing up at the offerings on the menu.
Rooke mans one of the smaller tables near the window, sitting with a new mug of coffee in front of her, left arm draped back over the top of the seat, and the other propped by the elbow against the table surface, chin dropped on her fist, as she watches the street through the glass. Her head turns a bit as she sees familiar people coming towards the Factory, and she blinks her gaze over towards the door as they arrive.
Lake slides through the entrance, slowing a little as he makes his way into the building. He takes a second to look around the room, making a careful note of some of the occupants. He pauses on the smaller table manned by Rooke, a pensive thought crossing his features before he wanders towards the counter.
And in slips one Alejandra, skirts asway. Her hair is pulled back today in a braid that drapes down the middle of her back - probably to show off the gold and blue tattoos that wind about her cheeks. A few steps set her towards the counter as well, energy radiating in waves. Someone's in a good mood.
Chax diverts his eyes from the menu to the store again as the door opens. This time he sees Rooke and offers a slight smile, that quickly dies when he sees Lake behind him. The person in front of him shifts forward some, and so does Chax. He turns slightly to let a being with five arms and five trays filled with five cups of coffee go past.
Rooke rearranges her arms towards her lap as she straightens up, then leans back against her chair, gaze remaining expectantly on Lake, thus missing Chax's odd change of expression in regards to the black man. When he seems intent on ordering something from the counter, she drops her eyes a bit, to her own coffee mug. She's just reaching for it when Alejandra makes an appearance in the doorway, and the other woman gets another lingering perusal, before Rooke manages a sip at her beverage.
Lake reaches into his jacket pocket, jostling through it for a moment before finding whatever random item he was looking for. His attention drifts to slightly ahead, where Chax seems... a little unhappy. Well, it's not that unusual a reaction. Now if he could just figure out a reason for it. The thought passes as he lets his attention drift towards the door, where he notices Alejandra with a short blink. He pauses for a second, then finally offers up, "Oh. Hey, Gata."
A bright smile is flashed at Lake. "Hola." Alejandra makes her way closer at an idle pace, "What're you drinking today?" That cheerful mood remains firmly in place. "Sorry about having to leave so quickly when we bumped into each other the other day, had some stuff to take care of."
Chax finally gets to the counter, they're moving quickly today. He order a double-mocha java jolt, with extra mocha. He moves to the "please wait here" area of the counter after dropping the requisite amount of credits on the counter. He then looks at Lake and offers a slight smile in apology, he knows he glared at him, and well, maybe this will help. Mistaken identities suck. He then goes back to watching the espresso machine with rapt delight, "Ahh, sanity in a cup." as his concoction is delivered. He makes his way over towards Rooke's table, "Heya, Rooke. Mind if I join you? I only have a few moments before I need to leave for my check ride." He seems to be much more...positive in all those subtle ways. Must be the change in uniform.
Mmm, that's good stuff. Rooke angles her gaze down thoughtfully at her mug, as she dips in for another sip. Even if she'd never been witnessed drinking anything other than water and water-flavoured drinks before this month, she's a java fan now. She looks up again as Chax comes closer to the table, then glances at the empty chair across from her. "Hullo, Chax.. actually though, that's Lake's chair. How about grabbing a seat right over here, though?" She nods over to the table just adjacent to her smaller one. Her gaze returns, and lingers curiously on his outfit, particularly the flight insignia/patch.
Hey, no hard feelings, pal. Or that's what Lake would say, if he were paying attention to Chax. As it is, he's just a vaguely familiar person who seemed displeased for some reason or other. Lake lets out a short breath and nods at Alejandra. "Yeah, I know how that goes. I was a bit... distracted, anyway." He turns on his heel a little to note that the counter seems open now, then walks up and places a small patch of paper from his pocket onto the countertop. "I'll have whatever that thing is." Apparently, he isn't feeling very picky right now.
Alejandra follows along behind Lake. Ever-nosy, she leans over a little to peer at the piece of paper, "What, you're drinking prescriptions now?"
Chax sits down at the small table as he grins at Rooke, "I'm back in the RPA!" He pauses, "Er, that would be robots and power armor. I'm finally where I belong! I'm not back in a glitterboy, yet, but I will be soon. They have me out on ranging patrols in some pretty nifty modified Samson units." He chuckles, "It only took them four years to put me back where I belong." He takes sip of the caffeine/sugar infused concoction, "Ahh, that's the stuff."
Rooke smiles a little, and ingests some more coffee while she's addict. I mean.. -at it-. Slip of the tongue.. or, fingers, there. She switches her gaze back over to the counter to check on the progress of things there, and drums her fingers slowly and patiently against the tabletop. The reaction grin to Chax's proud announcement is a bit absent, but after a few cascading taps from her hand, she does turn her full attention over thattaway again. "Maybe it was supposed to teach you some humility," she suggests, then adds in deadpan, "..silly of them." She cracks a smaller grin afterwards though, and tips a sober wink.
Lake smirks softly at Alej's probing, releasing a huff of breath before commenting, "It's... a coupon." There, he said the dirty little word, and now it's all over. He lets out a weak heh of a laugh and then notes amicably, "After all, it's good to try new and different things, right?" A mug of odd steamy liquid gets placed on the counter, causing Lake to pause long enough to stare at it oddly and add, "Oh my." Nonetheless, he nods at the deliverer of such weird substance.
Alejandra brings a hand up to her mouth, eyes wide. "A /coupon/? You, Lake? The hero of Tolkeen, with a coupon?" She takes a faux-stagger backwards, shaking her head. "The world is coming to an end." Up she straightens with a grin, "What exactly is it? I'll get one too if you drink yours."
Chax's enthusiasm flees him like velocity flees a sailboat with a dead calm. The attempt at a grin makes him quirk a slight smile in return. However, he gauges the deadpan and lack of enthusiasm as one of those polite brush-offs that he gets oh-too-frequently and injests some more of the metabolism wrecking sludge that's in his cup. A quick glance at his chronometer, then he pulls out a small datapad and studies it. Sip. Study. He almost looks like a student. A rather militant student, but a student nonetheless.
Rooke didn't just attempt a grin, baby, she did it. However, the lapse into silence from Chax afterwards fazes her not.. well, not at the moment. She bends her head forward and down.. and pokes her nose into the mouth of her ceramic mug, eyes slipping closed in an easy, relaxed indifference to what the world, or the coffee shop, anyway, might think of a person who does this sort of thing. "So is a Samson sort of like a Glitterboy?" she asks, her voice hollow as it emerges from the edge of the cup after bouncing about inside for a split-second.
Lake lets the pretense of being pleased with things slip as the expression on his face drops softly. It's more a look of annoyance than of hurt, which fades softly into neutrality as he comments flatly, "Drink whatever you want. I wouldn't advise this. I think it might be... moving?" He takes a moment to peer into the cup carefully. "Nah, it's just some weird undercurrent thing..." He takes a second to let his eyes wander back towards Rooke's table, noting the extra occupant with a series of short blinks and a hrm.
"What's wrong," Alejandra asks, a brow arching oh-so slightly at Lake. "Lost your sense of humor somewhere?" She slips past him to reach the counter, requesting of Dawn with a bright smile, "Same thing as he had, pretty please?"
Chax grins at Rooke, okay, we're back on stable footing here, "Not even close, it's smaller, more maneuverable, less armor, less powerful weaponry, but it's a bit more versatile, and definitely easier to hide in, which is useful during patrols, you can actually use the trees effectively as camouflage." Another pull from the cup o' java, "But it is power armor."
Tappity-tappity-tap. But slowly. Rooke's left-hand fingers continue their idle occupation, while she sighs into the mug and raises her gaze as much as her current position will allow, eyeing Lake and Alejandra (their lower halves anyway) from under her brows. That's good enough for her, to know that they're still standing where she last left them. She releases a sigh into the cup that blows fragrant chuffs of steam over her face, before she lifts her head again and lowers her cup to the table with a soft clack. "Sounds like a better deal than those big shiny behemoths," she reponds to Chax brashly.
Lake cocks an eyebrow gently. "I had a sense of humor?" He goes to lift the mug from the counter carefully, as if he really isn't sure something might not spring forth from its confines. That, or he's worried about sloshing. He lets out a soft sigh, then shakes his head as he notes to Alejandra, "Sorry, I'm just feeling a little... touchy right now. And I didn't expect the place to be so... busy." Busy? There aren't that many people here, are there? Lake steps away slightly but remains next to the counter a moment, seemingly content to let Alej get her mug o' doom before moving too far away.
And that she does. Once the mug is in-hand, Alejandra brings it up for a sip, paying no attention to what it might actually be - silly girl. She speaks over the rim, "No problem, sorry to bother you." And she sounds genuinely apologetic, too.
Chax blinks at Rooke, "Uh, I would disagree, but then again, I'm more comfortable with the "big shiny behemoth", it's what I was trained in, it's what I fought in for most of my career." Yes, even /that/ part of it, "But, it's definitely a better deal than wearing infantry armor."
Rooke looks over the fit of Chax's suit again, perhaps impressed that someone managed to fit a flight suit (aren't those flyboys usually short, like jockeys?) over the man's tall frame. She smiles good-naturedly as she amends, "Heh.. I meant for myself, I guess. If I ever tried my hand at power-armor operation, anyway.." not an option, if her lazy tone is any indication, "..Small, fast, versatile is what I would look for. Though there /is/ something to be said about big, shiny things." Her eyes glaze over reminiscently, followed by a short, but keen flash of guilt across her healing features.
Lake bobs his head a little absently, waiting to see what kind of reaction Alejandra might have to her sampling as he speaks, "No problem. It's not you, anyway. It's kind of one of those things you have to deal with in public places." He takes a second to note Rooke again before speaking again. "Well, I guess we should go over and everything. I think she's expecting me." Why must there always be that hint of uncertainty there?
The first sip is followed by a second, then a third before Alejandra announces, "Not too bad." And with that, she's heading towards the seated pair - no hurry though, plenty of time for Lake to catch up.
William is unusually bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning as pops through the front door, with a definte spring in his step and a smile on his face. Whistling tunelessly, he heads straight for the counter, passing close by Alejandra as he slips into line.
Chax grins at Rooke, "Yah, I see that as being more your speed." He pauses at the expression, "If I've said something to upset you, I apologize." He gets one his patented 'now you've got me concerned' looks, "Maybe I can let you take a training unit for a spin."
"Hah.. you're mad.. loopy," Rooke clarifies with a low, amused grunt. "That's a quick route into another demotion, Chax, if you're caught letting a civvie fiddle around in a Militia-issue suit.." She just can't leave that coffee mug sitting there for long. She slips her fingers through the loop of the handle again, and draws it up for another sip. Mmm-ahhh. And.. oh heavens, have those two up front finally started to move again? Honestly, they're like glaciers, rolling over Finland... or a small coffeehouse.. or something. She lets slip a mild, pleasant look of greeting towards them, then her gaze slides off to examine the feller who just arrived, beyond Alej and Lake. "Anyway, it wasn't you.. I was just thinking about another big shiny lug." Position-wise, she's at a small table next to the east-hand picture window overlooking Drake, with the chair across from her still empty. Chax is seated at another table while they chat, but at least it's the one right beside Rooke's.
Lake blinks softly at Alejandra as she moves away, furrowing his brow gently as he queries, "Really? It's not?" He lets out a quiet hmm, moving to catch up without actually overtaking her in the process. He still hasn't chanced a sip from his mug yet. He might be waiting to see if Alej breaks down and makes some awful looking face after a few more moments. He drops a short nod towards the table in lieu of a verbal greeting, which will have to wait a little longer.
Alejandra glances sidelong at Lake, a grin flaring up. "Would I drink it if it weren't?" No awful faces yet. Yet. Then her attention is turned to Rooke, "Hola, Rooke." Over she leans to press a light kiss to the air next to the other woman's cheek, all smiling warmth. "You're looking better." Up she straightens again, "Need anything to get rid of some of the last few bruises?"
William rocks slighty back an forth as he waits in line for the glaci.. err people to move on there way. But even this is taken in even stride as he patiently waits, then even goes so far as to smile and wave as they start their migration toward the door. Propping an elbow on the counter he half flirts with the girl behind the counter as he orders quickly, hey how long does it take to say 'Straight black'.
Chax grins at Rooke, then spots a "cowboy" standing in line. Chax figures he sticks outlike a sore thumb, but that doesn't prevent a hearty, "Cowboy!" from being exuded fairly excitedly from the large mans maw. He pointedly diverts his attention away from Rooke's table now that she has other company, no eavesdropping from him, nope.
Rooke tugs her eyes off of William, when Alejandra gets close, and raises her eyebrows an inch or so when the other woman gets even closer.. and personal-like. But what's this? Being an unemployed bum must suit her, because she doesn't move back or even flinch, but simply looks curious at the 'air' kiss... perhaps Alej missed her aim. She chuckles lowly, and shakes her head. "Not in front of the children..!" she hazards in mock-trauma. "..ah, you're looking.. great.." she admits further, before glancing over towards Lake. "..'Lo. Was wondering when you'd work your way over.. you called me, remember?" She smiles, softening the chiding by -this- much.
Lake tilts an eyebrow curiously upward at first Alej's, then Chax's display, finally chancing to take a cautious sip from his mug. It can't be that dangerous, after all. The comments from Rooke force him to look up again. He takes a moment to reach back with his free hand and rub behind his neck. "Yeah well, it's not like I had much choice but to call. And there wasn't any need to rush, with you entertaining and all..." There might be a hint of annoyance in his voice, but for the most part it's a calm statement of fact.
William scoops up his steamin cup/bowl of black as tar coffee and with a quick drop of payment plus tip, turns to look for a seat. Which is made all the easier by the psuedo giant callin a hello, which brings a crooked grin to bear as he returns the call, "Lo Chax!" And starts his way over, not noticing Rooke as she is currently surrounded.
Chax grins over towards William, kicking the chair out from across him, a check of his chrono, he still has some time it seems judging by the fact he is not making a mad dash for the door, "Like my new outfit?" Yes, he's pleased as punch with himself.
Alejandra rolls her eyes a little at Lake's last bit of commentary, but the grin remains in place, so she probably meant it for teasing. Right? "Did you get a gift from Rugas?" she asks as she steps aside to sink into an empty seat. Legs cross at the knee, boot tapping the air lightly. "A cucumber was in my refrigerator the other night." That's mentioned to Rooke and Lake in general with a loose shrug before she takes another sip.
Rooke slups another dash from her coffee mug, effectively reducing it to a mere puddle, and swallows in an elaborate, questioning manner at Lake's response. "I was just drinking.. it was Chax who was being entertaining," she says innocently, before her gaze widens to encompass both of them, which in turn is short-lived, as she catches sight of William again between their bodies. "Um.. yeah." She nods slightly to Alejandra at her question, eyes tearing back to her face as she seats herself. Pause, then Rooke's gesturing to another vacant chair beyond Alej, and saying as an aside to Lake, "Here, pull that one up." Not at all fazed at having more company at the small two-seater table. She continues to them both, "At first I thought it was just a salami sub left over from before I left two weeks ago.. then I peeled the foil back." She blinks and grins a bit furtively. "No, I didn't bite it, either."
Lake takes a second to glance over in Chax's direction, noting that the man's moved on to other things. He bites the edge of his lip carefully before moving to retrieve the extra chair and move it into the appropriate place. He slumps into the chair with a bit of an apologetic glance towards Rooke, which settles into a bit more of relief on his part upon the topic of conversation, "Well, I'm glad it wasn't just me. Not that it makes me feel that much better about it." He shakes his head softly and lets out a short chuckle. "You know, it took me a good ten minutes to convince Loralei that she couldn't make a super salad out of it."
Alejandra shakes her head, a sigh escaping. "I was so hoping we'd seen the last of him." She relaxes back, mug resting on the tip of her knee. "Do we know if we succeeded or not? No messages other than the cucumber?" An absent motion brushes a loose curl behind her ear. "As if that weren't enough. I don't want /things/ just appearing in my home, and I'm going to tell him so."
William eyes Chax's new flight suit with approval as he sets a hand to the back of the chair and swings himself into it, "Looks good on ya, so when they decided to leave sanity behind an give ya a sui.." theres a slight pause as the cowboy finally notices Rooke sitting not three feet away, some scout eh?, he gives her a small smile and a friendly nod before turning back to Chax, "Eh, I mean they let you back in one of those damn things? God Lord..." Reaching over the table, carefull not to spill any coffee he lets go with a deceptive hard punch to the fly boys shoulder, "Grats though buddy, yer back where ya should be." Military tradition satified he leans back to sip at his coffee, grin crooked as ever.
Chax emits a grunt at the punch, after all he's not surrounded by tons of megadamage alloys and metals at this point in time, obviously, otherwise it's highly unlikely he'd be seated at a coffee table, isn't it? Well, to William he grins, "You know, for a moment I thought they were teasing. The poor pilot that they "pitted" me against didn't have a chance during my trial. He lasted less than thirty five seconds. It was all mock, of course. But, this means I'll probably be on long range patrols with you, or other scouts, since I'm in a Samson, the smallest unit we have, good support for highly mobile folks such as yourselves."
Rooke lets her gaze wander away - not that the topic of mysterious foil-wrapped farm produce isn't fascinating in any occasion! - and rest on William again as he comes back into view, now that the other two have seated themselves. His glance over her way in time, receives an answering nod. "Loralei.." she ponders the name, then ohs, and chuckles absently. "You two living together now?" It takes a few more moments to register what Alejandra's said, then she's looking back at the other woman with interest. Her voice drops ten or so decibels. "I know we did it.. I was the last one out and.. well, I just know. Do you have a way of reaching him, then?" she inquires, letting her frame slouch back against her seat.
Lake lifts his mug to take a short sip from it. His musing over its contents stops as he gets the offered query about the afforementioned Loralei. He coughs in a short choke of a gasp, then cuts a glare in Rooke's direction before replying dryly, "Hardly." His mug gets planted back on the table with a hard clack as he folds his arms over his chest. Did someone say they were feeling touchy? Oh right, it was him. He lets his posture slack off just enough to imply that he may not be all that bent out of shape. Only partially so, perhaps.
Alejandra's nose wrinkles up. "Not really," she admits. "But he's bound to show up again someday soon, and I'll tell him then." She nods to emphasize that. "How do you know?" Curiosity all but radiates in waves, her gaze settled on Rooke. "What'd you see? Was the place falling apart or something? Did they all topple over dead?"
Chax checks the chronograph, this time he does finish his coffee hastily, "Well, William, time for my check ride." He sighs, "Every organization is the same, test, evaluation, test. Patrol, test." He can't help but smile again, "But, it beats grunt armor." No, a scout is not a grunt, not in anyone's book, "When you going to have a free evening? I still owe you that steak, ya know."
William follows Chaxs story of master of a lesser foe with a comrades zeal for hearing new scuttlebutt, "Kicked his arse up tween his legs huh?" adding approving nods andf grunts as he compramises hot coffee for witty commentary. "The Samson huh?," he pauses to scratch at his chin, "Light Recon sure nough, but we don't get much call fer even that much fire power, and if we do need it we usually don't get it." He shrugs finally with a quick laugh, "Guess anythin is possible though.." Unfortunately, unlike Chax Will is cursed with a sense of curiousity only so a very little lower then that of a coyote, so when mention of things falling dead, mysterious visitors bestowing vegtables his ears all but stand on end. He nods a bit guilty to Chax, "Hey when I get myself a free evenin, steak sounds mighty good buddy."
Mister Touchy is favoured with a light 'Sure-I-believe-you-you-naughty-monkey' smile from Rooke. Is nothing sacred today? Nope, not even the muddy puddles at the bottom of coffee cups, as the young woman demonstrates with a last, satisfied slup-ahhh. "Yeah, something like that.. it's hard to describe, Alej.. let's just say the place has got to be the new pate' in the multiversal buffet line." She lets the words roll out conversationally, if softly. William's banter draws her gaze away again.. gee, he's not that much of a hottie, is he?
Lake vents a noisy sigh through his nostrils, the act deflating him even more. If there's any humor to be had, he hasn't managed to find it yet. One could theorize that he's got just that good of a poker face, but that would be crazy. If anything he should probably seem more enthused with the current line of conversation. I mean, it does sound awfully... strange? At least he doesn't seem weirded out by it, but then that would require to not look like he was on the verge of being pissed. Such a lovable guy, he is.
Satisfaction writes itself across Alejandra's face. Whatever pate she's imagining, it must be /awfully/ good. She straightens up in her seat with a cheerful, "Wonderful. And from what Gareth tells me, he's not likely to be... what was it, stinky? to them anymore if they're even still around. Something about getting his paint carved off when they invaded." The mug is drained in a matter of minutes and set aside on the table. "Safe then?" The question is directed at Rooke, with a glance for Lake as well. "Can we stop worrying about dark alleys and shadowy corners now?" She certainly doesn't sound like she's worried.
Chax's ears auto-filter talk of this mystic mumbo-jumbo, some things he'd rather not dwell on, nope. He stands up, seting his cup down, "Well, cowboy, I'll catch you on the next run, then. Take care of yourself." He gives a smile and a wave to Rooke and her company of folks that are having just a normal conversation, yes, indeed, nothing odd about it, nope. He looks at his chrongraph and emits a slight curse, "I'm late." He sprints outside, then jogs until he's out of sight.
William chuckles lightly offering a quick "Adios" to his departing friend along with a wave before settling more firmly into his chair. Raising his cup of joe to his lips, he takes a good long pull of the rich caffinated bevarage, amending quiet almost purr of satisfaction.
Hey, so it's the Good-Humour Cafe, albeit with the exception of that one dark rain cloud, all puns concerning nationality and name aside. Rooke turns away from William and pours forth a sunny, confident grin upon her table mates, and tremble all you disbelievers who think to blame it on the caffeine. Maybe the other woman's mirth is infectious. "I noticed that about Gareth.. and I wouldn't guarantee that any alleys or corners are -safe-.. we are in Tolkeen, Alej. But yeah.." She suddenly leans forward, reaching for whatever hands or arms are available to be -warmly- grasped of Lake and Alejandra's. "..stop worrying about -that- stuff, at least." Doesn't matter that Alejandra never actually looked like she was worrying t'all; Rooke is obliviously pleased with the world today. "We never really got a chance to celebrate or anything, afterwards.. but maybe that's taking relief too far."
Lake pauses pensively, then lets his head move into a short nod at the end of the commentary. He mumbles quietly in response to some statement or other, "Yeah, probably." It's a good catch all reply. Rooke's words and actions of encouragement serve to lift his mood ever so slightly, which then prompts him to speak in something more than a few mumbled words. "I've got to get going." Well, that's a good sentiment. He slides his chair out a little, then begins to raise himself to his feet. Maybe he's got some pressing appointment to get to. Or maybe he's afraid that there really is some kind of happy virus, and that it's spreading like wildfire. Whatever the reason, he obviously sees it as time to go.
The grasp is allowed on Alejandra's part, and even returned with a squeeze of her own. When that's all said and done, she tugs her looong braid over her shoulder, grasping the end and using it to motion along with her words at Rooke. "Keep relaxing, you're looking much better for it." With that compliment? she's rising to her feet. "I've studying to do, so I'll see you two later. Let me know if you /do/ want to celebrate, I'm always up for a party." A grin is flashed, "I'll even put my book away for the night."
Rooke slouches back again, watching the two of them easily, as they 'abruptly' depart the table. Like glaciers rolling along on their way... eh, enough with the glaciers. "Ah.. hmmh. All right.. see you sometime. Soon." Emphasis is put there on the last word, perhaps for no other reason except that it needs to be put somewhere before she stops talking.
William's eyebrows may, and or may not have arched at certain points of those sitting closes conversation... Of course this could also be accounted for by the fact that he happened to lean over and pluck a abandoned newspaper from another table and is currently grousing about what is more then likely a lost bet on some sort of sport. He does however look up from his sudden reading material as Lake and Alejandra get up to take there leave, he even tosses a smile and a nod towards them.
Lake takes a second to eye Alej's move to depart the table. It's likely one of those odd coincidences that people laugh about later, or sooner if they are so inclined. And he probably should be a bit more upbeat. There's reason to be pleased or relieved or some other positive emotion by most accounts. Of course, there is that other thing, but it obviously isn't going to come up now. But maybe... "Soon. Sure." Lake distributes the emphasis evenly on both words, managing through some manner of straining to actually make them both sound pleasant to some degree. William's attempt at a smile and nod is unfortunately missed, but if it's any consolation Lake is headed towards the door promptly enough to miss just about everything thrown his way, unless it's pretty heavily weighted.
Rooke watches Lake leave with a species of curiosity in her expression. "Funny thing is," she angles her glance and her drawled words across the narrow aisle to William, "he came here wanting to talk about something." She lets her shoulders lift a bit and the right corner of her mouth tug to the side in a bemused shrug. "Maybe we did talk about it, and I just missed it." Hoo hoo hoo, that's right, make light of what should be a contrite moment.
William chuckles quietly as his attempt at being friendly is deftly missed by Lake, ah timing is everything after all. He lifts up his ponderous and quickly diminishing cup and takes a long enough drink to drop its contents periously low before setting it on the table in front of him. He turns to look over his shoulder at the departing Lake as Rooke leans over to make her observation of Lakes communication skills, "Well, I guess some folks can do more with less eh?" Turning make he gives her a warm, friendly smile, "Lo Rooke, sorry I didn't say hi sooner.. But ya looked busy."
"..I thought you did say hi," Rooke muses, lifting a brow as she shifts in her seat to examine him across the way. She reaches over, lets her fingers swat at his arm, just for some contact. "It's great to see you. How've been, William?" She's about as friendly as she ever was with the westerner, but now with an added sense of vim.
William shrugs minutely, "Not too bad, gettin abit stir crazy at the barracks... But" he lifts a finger and drops his voice to a conspirators low tone in mock drama, "Theres some skuttlebutt goin round that the Scouts might be gettin abit more exercise then normal." Lifting his mug he drains the last bit, looking for a moment sadly into the depleted depths before gesturing toward Rooke with a mischievous grin, "What bout yerself? How ya been doin darlin'?" He adds an arched eyebrow for some kind of effect, but leaves it at that.
Rooke eases her arms up to cross at the forearms behind her head, with just a small, airy wince. "Never better," she declares, turning her head a bit to look out the window, having missed Lake's moving figure by a few microseconds. "Things are definitely looking up... I think," she adds quietly, glancing back over at him. "Nothing too.. serious.. the scouting exercises?" Ya know what she means.. the dadblamed States.
William's eyebrow raises just a wee bit higher as he takes in the extra... padding on her outfit, but nods aimably along offering a only slightly sarcastic "Ahuh..." Stretching out abit he crosses his legs at the ankle under the table, "Nah, don't think it's too serious.. Course that don't mean a whole lot, but nah I have't heard anythin major floatin around. Probably just a quick recon or track maybe..."
Rooke mmhs, and crosses her own legs, at the knees for her, though. "Yeah.. there's reports available to the public somewhere, do you suppose? For travel routes decreed safe, and trouble spots to avoid?" She reaches for her own coffee mug, remembers it's drained dry, and just drops her hand into her lap, while her other arm comes down as well, to rest against the table's edge.
William's eyebrow quirks yet again as he purses his lips for a moment, "Supose so, if not I could find out for ya.. Plannin a trip?" His tone is thoughtful, as he reaches up to scratch his chin, "Hasn't been a whole lot of trouble beyond the usual since those Necromancers got reined in by the Aries boys..."
Rooke nods a little, sobering slightly more. "Ah yes.. that thing. Surprised the heck out of me, to know Harvesters were the ones behind it all," she sighs. "Don't ask me why.. it all kinda makes sense now.. kinda." She shrugs again, and teeters her chair on its legs a bit in order to face William more comfortably.
William nods absently as if something else is nagging on him, "Sense? Hell still doesn't make ahelluva lot ta me..." a wry smile crosses his face suddenly, "Course then I'm just a Corporal..." After a moment or two of brooding he shakes off the more troublesome line of thought, and turns to eye Rookes perch with a grin, "How bout I just hop over to yer table and we make this abit easier?"
Rooke blinks a little, then backs up her chair again. "Help yourself," she gestures to the two recently vacated chairs that crowd the one side of the table.
William makes a quick hop up from his chair, depositing the half forgotten papper onto the table before swinging a chair around and sitting down, arms crossed on the back across from Rooke. "Sooo... Where ya goin anyhow? Maybe I can hook ya up with a convoy?" his tone is mildly curious as he tries not to pry too much.
"Convoy? That's an idea," she muses noncommittaly, crossing her arms over one another at the edge of the table. "I'll probably be heading out east with a friend in a little bit.. not sure exactly when. I haven't really been on an honest-to-gosh trip out of the territory before.. I'm kind of excited about it," she admits cheerfully. "I've sold off Random Acts, William.. I made that decision just recently. I dunno.. it's weird. I feel.. so free now." One hand comes up, and she props her chin on it, looking wistfully out the window. "I never thought I'd leave Tolkeen."
Color slowly drains away from the shocked Cowboys face, Williams jaw working silently as she looks away. Speechless, he can't help but let a real look of hurt off his face. "Leavin.. yer leavin?" he finaly manages a few choked words as he gets a hold of himself, he turns away quickly covering his mouth with a hand pretending to cough. Straightening he looks alittle better then gut shot, his expression much closer to surprised then wounded, "Umm sorry, musta got somethin down the wrong pipe... Yer leaving the territory..?" He can't quite bring himself to ask 'How long?' or 'Are you comin back' but he never did have a liars eyes, and they show all the pain, and unvoiced questions.
Rooke angles her gaze back at the tone in William's voice, then straightens up more attentively at his... strange behavior. "..ah-hhh.. yes, that's what I'm planning, Will-iam.." she starts carefully, trying -not- to see all there is about his shock and.. hrm.. pain. "Maybe for a long while.. depending on travel time.. what happens when we get there.. that sort of thing." And even though there's not much she understands about this particular situation, she already starts to look a bit guilty over it all. "I'll.. I'll probably be back, you know.."
It's his turn to look out the window now, embarrased "... East... Well I." he stops jaw clentched tight for a long moment before he starts again speaking soft and slow, "I'll see what I can do bout findin you and yer friend a spot on somethin headin that way..." He turns back to her, crooked grin firmly back in place, "Funny, I never thought for some reason... huh, you know you and JT were the first two folks I ever met when I first rode into town? I aways..." He pauses to reach deep inside his duster, pulling out a small wooden cross he look down at it for several moments. "Found this when I was ridin in that first day, lyin of the street... Hell, was one of the reasons I went to the Militia." Almost reverntly he sets it down onto the table in front of her with a small smile, "Take it with ya"A small wooden cross. Its quite nondescript and plain, except for the words scratched into it. The violence of the carved words is evident and traced over with charcoal to make the message unmistakeable:
It reads:
NO MORE
Drake and BrimstoneRooke looks at the small item for a long moment, then reaches down to pluck it up between her fingers, and lets it tumble into the palm of her hand as she draws it up for a closer look. "You.. found this on the street?" she asks quietly, looking faintly haunted. She closes it in her fist for a moment, then raises her gaze to William's face awkwardly, before leaning up on her elbows, posterior lifting off of her seat, as she asks in a lower voice, "William, are you all right? You're not from Tolkeen.. you're from another town or city. You left that place, didn't you? You left people who cared for you." Does she have a point in this line of questioning/reasoning?
William slowly looks down at his hands, studing them quietly for a several very long moments, before faintly he whispers quietly, "They were dead, cept for a few of us.. All dead..." He shakes his head slowly, turning to look out the window at something gone many years before. After a minute or two he draws a shaky breath, and turns back to look her in the eyes, ghosts still swirling behind his eyes but the sudden shock and pain dulled, "When I was a kid, a Coalition unit found us.. there was a fight." He snorts anger flicking across his eyes hot as Hell itself, "Bullets against armor and lasers... most died. I didn't, so when I got better I stole a fast horse... tracked'em... kill'd em... and rode on." His shoulders slowly hunker foward as he continues, "Spent six years wandering Rooke, did some things I'm not real proud of.." He just sort of trails off then, half expecting her to leave.
His hands clasp again, knuckles white, his eyes drop down to the cross in her hands fixed, "Never Again..." he fiercely whispers, "Never... Again."
It's a little while before Rooke speaks again, her reluctant absorption of William's terrible origins weighing her spirit. "But.. what does that have to do with things here and now? You've made a home in Tolkeen. You've got new family. You don't have to be burdened by your past." It's not that she doesn't care about his turmoil.. that's not it. But she seems to be feeling her own words as she says them, insists them to him as well as herself, still leaning out of her chair.
William smiles slighty and raises his face once more to hers, sanity seeming to have returned, "Sorry... I can still see it you know? Sometimes like just now... it happens all over again... My mother.. father.. brothers." He tilts his head as he looks at her, pausing to gather his thoughts, "Your right you know? About a new home, family... And you have no idea how much that scares me some times. Do you understand what it's like to watch all you care and love... " He trails off realizing hes rambling again, takes a deep breath letting it out slow before starting again, "I can't lose all that again Rooke."
Rooke straightens her legs a bit, propelling her across the table's surface so she's closer to him now, her hands reaching out to take his, and if that's not possible, to just brush along the opening of his duster. "You won't.. Tolkeen stands, despite everything. It's bigger than any of us here, separate or combined.. you realize that, don't you? Nobody can tear it down, not really, and nobody can take what it means to you, away." She nods once, with conviction, and continues lowly, "Yes.. I used to feel responsible for Tolkeen, and for everything in it, William. It wasn't only that damned prophecy.. it was about having a new home, protecting it at all costs, being strong for Tolkeen. But.. it's Tolkeen that's strong for us, William!" She smiles intently, oblivious to the fact that she's starting to sound like some crazy woman. "And we draw what strength we need from it, for as long as we need it. I didn't know that until recently, and I was trapped by all that fear and love for this place." She pauses, hands tightening over William's own hands, or again, making at least some sort of contact.
William listens quietly as she takes his hands in her own, head still cocked, brows drawn slighty as she speaks. When shes done, he drops his gaze down to her hands and his and just... looks. He doesn't say a word, that still half questioning look on his face as he gently brushes his thumb across her hand. "I like that... I really do." Gently he disengages his right hand and raises it to cup her cheek in its calused, weathered palm and theres tears in his eyes, "But I ain't there yet Rooke... I just.. Lord but I do like that idea." He stands gently moving toward her, his arms wide and hoping.
"..Oh William." She unstoops enough to skirt her hindquarters around the table, and then closes with him soundly, the kind of embrace that fits like two jigsaw pieces, especially against the westerner's rangy figure. Her arms slip quite mistakenly into his duster instead of over it, clasping over his shoulder blades, and her head tucks under his chin, cheek against his chest to listen to the heart beat. "You're a -good- man.. it doesn't matter what you've got in your past that you're ashamed of.. Tolkeen offers redemption, when you're ready to be free. Oh.." She draws back a little, to look up at him with a rueful, dazzled sigh. "I almost hate to leave now, even if it's not for ever."
He chokes alittle, and William turns his head as something wet traces a line down his cheek for the first time in a very long time. Voice gruff as his arms settle around her, then loosen as she draws back, "Not too good a man, I'm a horse thief remember?" And when he turns his face back to her theres a small smile on it, "Sides, you have to come back an tell me bout that cross." He pauses a long moment then, grey looking into grey, "I'm there if you need me darlin'..."
Rooke has still got the cross in her hand, even after clasping it between both their palms recently, the wood and engraving pressing into their skin like a brand. "Well, I didn't say you were perfect, did I?" she laughs almost tearfully, reacting with poignant emotion to his gruff jests. Then she quiets, gazing most fondly on his scarred, weathered countenance, all the toughening lines and marks that give her own young face its character, standing out. "I know you are, William. And I'll come back.. I promise I will." She raises her hand a bit, a bit of the cross peeping out, and looks down. Maybe she'd been thinking of giving that cross back, before, but not any more. She holds it tight. "It'll still be a few days yet before I go.. we should all get together, you, me, Tath.. Tenrai.. Chax.. we should have a night out, what do you say?" she smiles.
William smiles tenderly as he notes in those quiet moments duty and losses toll on her, and smiles all the more fondly for it. Stepping back he finally nods, "I think it's a helluva a idea... " He lets out a quiet chuckle, "Chax can even cook."
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