goddamngrenades | RP Open Post

You don't have to call me that, you know. I'm not your boss anymore.

[ Said quietly, eyes still boring into the contents of her coffee cup. Whether York has noticed her attention or not is besides the point; it's one thing to tease with it deliberately. Her self control is better than this, it's embarassing for it to be slipping so much..

She hadn't felt that hungry when he'd first mentioned food, but there's an almost painful rumble of her stomach when the scent of heated chicken wafts her way, and she looks up with a thankful smile when their knees knock. ]

If anyone could cause it to happen, it would be them.

[seriously. they're like. magnets for chaos. or something. The first burrito is picked up and, well.

It's not inhaled in one go, she has more manners than that. But it doesn't take long for her to devour it. Epsilon flickers a little at York's question but doesn't reply, but he's rather clearly focused on Carolina. It's unusual for him not to be a chatterbox here, but this isn't about him. She licks off her fingers slowly as she considers her answer, before releasing a deep breath. One she hadn't realised she was holding. ]

We found him, in the end. The man-- not the Director. He was long gone. Too late for that. [again. yet she doesn't sound bitter. a little distant, but focused.] Just an old man stuck in the past, unable to let things go.

[her voice trails a moment, as she reaches for a second burrito, but not yet biting into it, turning it in her hands.]

..I walked away.

[She sounds oddly...proud? Of that fact?

"You left him your pistol," her AI-partner points out, earning a flat look.]

Yes. I did. [and it's not hard to figure out what he probably did with it.]

Edited 2015-09-03 13:38 (UTC)

Only boss I ever liked, Clair.

[ Which is true in so many ways- but then he wasn't hired all that often, Vic wasn't a boss so much as a partner and the whole cracking locks and encryption from the safety of his apartment was...well. Ignoble. It felt shady because it was shady and he'd kinda gotten used to it. But working with Carolina? Had always been twisted with a strong line of Duty and an undercurrent of the right thing to do. They were the good guys.

Until they weren't.

He tugs one of the burritos over to nibble on, checking his stomach's readiness to actually settle before taking a bigger bite. That he almost chokes on when she says she walked away. Just. Away? Away.

Part of him is stupidly proud for her. Part of him is knotted up in everything that had been, everything they'd lost, everything that went wrong. Swallowing it is harder than swallowing the chicken. ]

...I'm sorry. For your. Loss. It is a loss, isn't it?

[ There's not much she can say to that. There's a curve of a smile to her eyes, tired though she is, and a lump forms in her throat. But no tears. Not right now. She's simply too tired for that.

She nibbles more slowly on her second burrito while he processes what she's told him. There were probably less dramatic ways to drop that on his lap. But right now, she really can't think of any.

At his tentative question, she licks her lips, then sets her food down as she shakes her head. ]

No. no, not really. It was the loss of everything, everyone else that was worth mourning. Revenge wouldn't bring you--all of you back.

The person he used to be was lost a long time ago. It just took me a while to realise it. [the smile that forms is mirthless, lopsided and brief] Nothing I could have done to the person I found would have been worse than what he did to himself. And I wasn't going to let him drag me any further down with him.

[He was a coward. And she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of dictating her actions any more, even at his end.]

Aw. You wanted to avenge me.

[ He has to snort a soft laugh at that. He didn't think there was anyone that thought he was worth avenging left alive- and with how the last time he'd seen Carolina in person gone he didn't think she'd have wanted to do that either. And yet she'd had that urge and moved past it.

Good for her. They've lost enough of themselves, carved them out and set before the altar of The Director's obsession. It's good that she's moved on. That they've moved on. Took him years and then almost dying and losing Delta to move on but- he'd had to.

The alternative was to hang on to the thing that nearly killed him twice.

He hooks his ankle around hers- a casual point of contact he's not all that sure he's got permission to have anymore, and finishes his burrito. ]

Nowhere to go but up now, huh?

Yes. I did.

[ His tone jokes, but it was no laughing matter for Carolina, not then, and not now. Not if the quiet delivery of her confirmation was any judge.

She had had enough regrets bound up in that burning desire, that all consuming revenge. But choosing to live? That seemed an even better way to accomplish it. She picks up the remains of her second burrito and resumes eating just in time for him to hook his foot with hers, and it takes a moment for her not to freeze up. Their friendship had fallen apart so spectacularly and it had been..not all of her own fault, admittedly. But it had taken her such a long time to realise how toxic and twisted things had become, to realise how both of their flaws had been used against them.

She could try not to read anything into it. And yet, there's something more than just casual contact with the gesture, she recognises it for what it is - a tentative check for what boundaries now lie between them. which is why, once he's settled, she turns hers very slightly, curls her big toe upwards to lightly brush his ankle. Her feet aren't quite so long that she can hook the back of his foot in turn, but this would do for now. Right? Right.

Second burrito is finished.]

When you've fallen down far enough. [there's a hint of humour to her voice.] And I wasn't alone 'down there', which proved to be more help than hindrance in the end.

[ She locks up and he almost takes his foot away. Gives her the space she might want- and it's almost nothing. It's tentative and light and he barely felt it- but it's something. Contact. Closing a circuit. They aren't what they were in the Project, aren't what they were when they met but-

they can be better. They can DO better.

And it's gonna have to start now. ]

...If you got room on the ladder for one more, I'm with you.

[ It wasn't no forever, back in the cave. it was no for right then. He couldn't- he WOULDN'T be a liability for her. Distract her. Slow her down. He couldn't take it after all these years, the idea of holding her back just by being him. To keep up, to have her back like he always wanted, like he meant to? he'd need a suit. Calling in favors to make that happen isn't so big a deal. ]

Gimme another two days and I'll be ready.

[ They aren't what or who they were. But they could be who they wanted to be. Who they chose to be. And Carolina was choosing to return that interest, albeit mutedly, almost shyly.

Tiredly. Can't forget that.

Then her eyes widen as he makes his offer, asks to join her, and really, she must be dreaming by now, right? This seems almost a little too coincidental, a little too much hope in one package, and it takes her a minute of what must be awkward staring before she replies.

(it isn't anywhere near a minute) ]

...Ask me again, in the morning?

[It's not a no. But there's something like a plea in the undercurrent of her words, in how her hands moves, stretching out fingers towards him. An offer, a request - for touch, for grounding. ]

There's a lot you need to know, this isn't...I don't want you making this decision lightly. Chorus isn't exactly the safest place. You'll be even less safe with me and Epsilon, or with Wash and the sim troopers. You have a life here. And if..

[She would never forgive herself if anything happened to him, because he chose to follow her. Just as he'd followed Tex. (But that was different then.) (But she'd be no less devastated.)]

[softly] ...And if you ask me again in the morning, then I'd know, this is really real.

...Sure.

[ He doesn't think twice about reaching right back and curling his fingers around her hand. Squeezing that and- it's a shock. Skin on skin. Her palms are rough but none of them have ever been gentle. None of them have ever been soft, quiet things to sit back and be protected. His biggest problem back then had been not seeing that.

In framing himself some kind of Knight and her the lady that needed saving.

It was never that simple. And never that stilted. ]

We're in the middle of a civil war that gets less and less civil the longer shit goes on. I get a suit? I'll be able to keep up. Life here's been...nice. But We're getting to the point where I either do something to help or find a way to bail. I'm kind of tired of bailing.

[ The contact is like a static shock, followed by static cling, her own fingers closing round his hand lest he pull away. As though letting him slip through them, again, might mean he slips away. God she must be exhausted to think something like that, but control of her emotions has always been a touch...fragile in these past few years.

She does not need rescuing. Not then, not now. She had never needed a hero (though she had perhaps been hero to others). But...a partner - yes, she had Epsilon. But that was a different sort of partnership, compared to what York is offering. Her smile turns a little lopsided. ]

Pretty sure we can help on the suit front. Depending on what you need.

Standard suit, standard bonuses. Figure you'll probably need the healing unit more than I will if you got it.

[ IF? Pah. She got it. Otherwise she wouldn't be so damn tired. Which they can fix after they finish eating. God knows he's been up more or less for the past day. Sleep didn't come easy while he was planning a job. That anxious skittering under his skin wouldn't wind down till after he'd gone out and gotten it done but- he'll try now that she's here.

He needs to set a good example, after all. ]

C'mon. eat. I got plenty.

"Don't worry. We'll handle suit acquisition."

[ Someone sounds confident. Then again, Epsilon can look into it while the humans recover. And Carolina definitely needs her rest. Two days should be plenty of time, by his calculations, and he can also spend time recalibrating the healing unit to run well with the current suit systems. ]

That may depend on the mission. [she's never been one to let post-mission vibes get to her in the past, and when prompted, she reaches for the third burrito. Probably her last, to boot, given how slowly this one is consumed, compared to the first two. Eventually, she leaves half of it unfinished, setting it back on the plate. For later.]

So. Got a couch I can crash on for a while? Hell, even a bathtub and a blanket will do.

[even that would be so much more comfortable than previous beds she's had...]

You don't know my preferences.

[ No one did but D and he's not about to leave that up to some random new AI. Not even one Carolina works with. They don't know each other. Still. Looking into it couldn't hurt. He focuses more on finishing his burrito and reveling in the few points of warmth and contact Carolina offers. If anything he looks more and feels more like his old self.

Sappy, crooked half smile, head angled to her to get the best view possible with his good eye. Turned to Carolina like she's his true north.

He's missed that. ]

Take the bed. You need it more than I do. Mattress is good, too, it's the one really expensive thing I threw down for here.

[ He'd be surprised by what Epsilon knew. But that hadn't been his point. ]

"Oh ye of little faith! You two worry about that recharge time of yours, I've got this."

[ There's a soft snort, and an oddly affectionate glance for the hologram, before he winks out and leaves the two alone. Technically unchaperoned, even. No pithy comments regarding the rather sappy looks York is giving her, a look Carolina cannot return (it's never truly been in her nature), but one she isn't scorning. If anything, her expression softens as it so rarely has in the past few years, and the weight and warmth of his hand on hers is...enough.

It really is just enough.

And yet she can still find something to playfully disagree with him over. ]

Don't play that card. I'm the one who crashed by unannounced. I'm not stealing your bed from you, especially when I likely woke you up out of it in the first place.

Edited 2015-09-09 01:50 (UTC)

Seriously. A tiny, glowing asshole. Who's he based off of?

[ Not that he really wants to know. He's too busy looking at her. It's still a shock that she's here. That she's real. That this isn't a dream. But she'd been real and the money had been good-

Which did beg the question as to where she got it, but he'll worry about that later. For now he nudges his chair closer so he can feel a little more of her, lean into her with a casual shoulder bump. ]

Wasn't sleeping. I was planning. So you didn't wake me up. Also if you're gonna be like that we can just share. It's huge. Plenty of room.

[ Her eyes roll, and the question is deferred - for now. She'd mentioned Epsilon's name earlier, but THAT conversation is one that can wait until morning. She pats his hand in a conciliatory manner.

Planning, in his underwear? It's a hard life being 'Humphrey' apparently. The credits she gave him are real, at least, and those she'd lined up originally for the second objective were real too. Another story for another time, not that Epsilon couldn't fabricate or relocate some if given enough time and access to appropriate bank portals. Fortunately, theft of that nature hasn't been required.

She lets him lean into her, a brow lifting as he corrects her, trying not to be distracted by closeness and warmth, taking his suggestion at all the face value it deserves. ]

Plenty of room, huh. Well, if you're going to insist, I guess we can make it work.

[ They were - had been - are - were soldiers. Sharing a bed was a simple enough activity, and given how she sways on her feet as she finally pushes herself up out of her chair, Carolina doubts she has any energy for any activity except sleep.

(Pity.) ]

Very well then, lead the way.

If you wanna take a shower the bathroom's right over here-

[ Playing host feels weird. Feels strange but it's Carolina. It's carolina and he's taking her to his bedroom.

To sleep.

Him of eight years ago would be kicking him so hard right now.

Instead he reaches his arm out to hook around her waist and help her to the bedroom without comment or question. ]

[ Even as his arm settles around her, she leans into him as she regains her balance. The prospect of a shower is very appealing; while the undersuit isn't exactly stinky and she's worn it for longer stretches without concern, having the opportunity to clean is one she'd prefer to take sooner, than later.

The prospect of having to fumble out of it in her tired state defeats the desire for hot water right now, however. ]

In the morning. I'd be afraid I'd fall asleep in there and drown.

[ Well, not really, but keeping it light is important, right? Not paying attention to the splay of his hand at her waist, no siree. She follows his lead up to his room, and there's several blinks as she realises just how big the bed is; he hadn't been kidding about a little personal luxury where this was concerned. ]

..Any side you prefer to call dibs on? [international protocals be damned, this is his house. Always important to ask the Host for their preferences.]

I'll make waffles while you shower.

[ He can do that. Real food. A LOT of real food, she'll need it. Hell, he still needs it and he doesn't wear the suit she does. Speaking of...

He walks her to the bedroom and gives her a squeeze once they're at the door, slipping away long enough to tug on some drawstring pants and a worn t-shirt. There. Less tension, maybe. ]

I got something you can borrow if you don't wanna sleep in the undersuit. I remember them not breathing all that well after the first few days.

[ It's nothing much. Just worn, soft cotton with a grifball logo. ]
Right side, closest to the door. You?

[ Careful, York, offers like that might make a girl want to stick around forever.

She's used to alternative snacks, to not always running on full, making do with what she has. But she won't say no to more if its available; even now her metabolism is still ahead of the curve, though not to the same degree it had been in the project. So the offer of waffles definitely gets a smile from her, even as she steps away at the same time he does when he goes to fetch himself less...distracting bed clothing. ]

...In the morning. After my shower. [which is also as good a time as any to rinse down her suit and let it dry for a bit.] It's okay for right now.

[once he confirms which side of the bed he prefers, she moves automatically to the other side.] None. Just needed to know which half to take.

[sitting on the mattress is an almost tentative affair, uncertain of how deeply she'll sink in - is it soft? is it firm? But there's no denying the droop of her shoulders as she lets herself relax, rolling her neck a bit to address stiffness ahead of, well, getting into bed properly.]

..thank you, by the way.

Sounds like a plan.

[ He usually sets an alarm for himself but- they both need to sleep as long as their bodies will let them. Carolina a little more than him, honestly. Most of him is pretty sure the AI buddy will turn it off if he did and probably bitch at him afterward. Bed. Bed, comfortable bed, massive, cozy bed with more blankets than he probably needs but- he feels cold sometimes.

Makes his joints ache, the old bullet scars twinge. He'd rather not deal with that. ]

For what?

[ Settling on his side he flips back the covers, rolling out his shoulders and popping his neck. He'd been hunched over that table for awhile now, couple of hours. Bed and knowing Carolina is safe, is rested? More than worth it. ]

[ Epsilon would certainly like to. But even he needs a little suit downtime, defrag a few files as he sets up the link with the healing unit, make sure that it's running as smoothly as he can make it. The old files from Recovery that backed up Delta's records help there.

Not that York needs to know about that right now.

Carolina however isn't thinking that far ahead. Her thoughts aren't ranging towards the future, in fact, wandering instead along the paths not taken and the shadows of the life that was. ]

If I said 'everything', would that count? [light, not mocking, but careful. Her hand lifts, lightly rubbing at the skin beneath the collar of her undersuit while rolling one shoulder, then the other] ..For right now, though. Letting me in. Being happy to see me. [...at least a little, anyway]

...Yeah, it would. [ The bed's huge- but not so huge that he can't reach over and curl his fingers around her free hand. ] I've missed you. A lot. In the cave I- I thought I got shot again and it was a happy hallucination before I clocked out for good. I spent so long convinced you'd survive, got proven wrong, tried and failed to move past it and there you are. Still alive. Still fighting the good fight. Still- [ beautiful. ] badass.

It was a lot to process, you know? And then people chasing. I didn't want to slow you down. But I was glad to see you. I am glad. You...

[ He crackles out a soft laugh and squeezes her fingers. ]

You're here. It's more than I ever thought I'd have.

[ Her hand turns, all the better to grasp his with, though she doesn't look back behind her just yet. There's a slow droop to her shoulders, steadily descending, guilt gnawing at her insides. ]

I know you tried to find me. ...I didn't know it at the time, I learned, later. Then..

Wash. Told me your body had been recovered. I found the site you and Tex had been to when.. [her voice trails, then she swallows, regathering her composure] Seemed like once again, I was too late to be there..

And yet, here you are again. [she squeezes his hand lightly] Still here. Still lucky. I guess you relly do have to stop looking in order to find again..

[ Then she lets go, only long enough to turn back the blankets, all the better to settle in on her own side. Only once she's adjusted the pillow does she, slowly, slither down, then cautiously reaches to link fingers with him again. The space between is almost awkward, but there's nothing feigned in the smile she gives him. Small but bright, and so very very glad to have him there. ]

Of all the things I was looking for when I got here...this is the surprise I'm happiest to have had.

Never expected to run into you or...anyone ever again.

[ Wash survived. Wash always survives- luck favors York plenty but Wash seems to be it's favorite. And York can't say that he minds. Everything they've been through? Everything they're GOING to go through? They need it in any scrap they can get.

It probably says something that he feels cold as soon as Carolina pulls her hand away, even if it's to slip deeper into the covers. He follows, schooches a little closer. Not quite believing she won't be gone in the morning. Vanished. ]

I've had this dream so many times. [ He's clinging, thumb smoothing against the back of her hand. Terrified he'll blink and she'll be gone again. That this is all an elaborate hallucination and he'll wake up, cold and alone and wondering why he ever survived. ] Can't say they included the peanut gallery, though. That's new.

[ He's not the only one to have had dreams like this, reunions friendly and not so much, and some well beyond the lines they drew for the sake of missions and protocol.

Where do such lines fall now, if they exist at all? ]

...Well, I'm here now.

[ She tugs his hand over, closer, until she can rest his knuckles against her cheek, letting her eyes fall half-closed as she presses against him. Though she can't help the twitch at the corner of her mouth at the mention of York's second house guest. ]

He and I have an understanding. He won't be spying, if that's your concern. [not on them, anyway. Lips part to say more, before a yawn interrupts, and by the time it's done, she's forgotten what she was going to say] ...m'night, Tayl'r.. I missed you..

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