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inbox for ximilia;
INBOX
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INBOX
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( He's a little late with this, but whatever, they're both busy men. With the mission looming, he gets his ass moving, snagging one of the bottles of Christmas whiskey and a couple of glasses, and dropping by Billy's door. McCoy presses what passes for a chime and waits. )
[ The space is only Yennefer's now, with Billy having stormed off to some other part of the station after their initial introduction to one another — and the horrifying realization that they're intended to share the same room — though it remains to be seen how long her solitude will last. He strikes her as the type of man who will not be easily deterred, and even if this space was originally his alone, she refuses to cede any ground to him either.
It takes her an added moment to realize where the sound by the door is coming from, and longer after that to find the section on the panel beside that opens it correctly — which unveils a face standing on the other side that she is all too familiar with already, though startlingly lacking in that ridiculous thicket he refers to as a beard. ]
Back so soon? [ She doesn't sound pleased about it in any sense of the word. ]
It takes her an added moment to realize where the sound by the door is coming from, and longer after that to find the section on the panel beside that opens it correctly — which unveils a face standing on the other side that she is all too familiar with already, though startlingly lacking in that ridiculous thicket he refers to as a beard. ]
Back so soon? [ She doesn't sound pleased about it in any sense of the word. ]
[ fuck everything about the last mission. tensions remain high throughout the station between a number of the orbers who'd freshly come back from it, with kovacs nearly right smack in the middle on account that it'd been his more vicious actions while almost literally bathed in the blood of their enemies that had set off most of the arguments. after two and a half months coated in dirt and sand in that old western town, this is the cleanest he's been since he's boarded back on the station and washed off the blood that had clung to his body for days.
clean or not, his face grimaces like it's still in a bad mood, like no amount of hot water could wash off the frustration that's creeping through him now. it's either that or the low intake of nicotine he'd had to suffer through in the past few days spent cooped up in the infirmary. it might be why he practically charges into the sunlight room now like he's ready to knock someone out, slipping through the trees for a quieter clearing where he could avoid having any kind of running with people he really does not want to deal with right now.
popping a stick into his mouth, he starts patting his coat pockets to seek out a lighter, swearing when he's unable to find out. still rummaging through, he slows down when he notices a woman close by, small with dark hair, almost familiar enough like one of the handful he sees regularly on here, before realizing she isn't one of the common faces he's come to known on this ship. and he's been here long enough to know who's who around here. ]
Who're you? [ he mutters out to her bluntly, stick still hanging unlit from his mouth. ]
clean or not, his face grimaces like it's still in a bad mood, like no amount of hot water could wash off the frustration that's creeping through him now. it's either that or the low intake of nicotine he'd had to suffer through in the past few days spent cooped up in the infirmary. it might be why he practically charges into the sunlight room now like he's ready to knock someone out, slipping through the trees for a quieter clearing where he could avoid having any kind of running with people he really does not want to deal with right now.
popping a stick into his mouth, he starts patting his coat pockets to seek out a lighter, swearing when he's unable to find out. still rummaging through, he slows down when he notices a woman close by, small with dark hair, almost familiar enough like one of the handful he sees regularly on here, before realizing she isn't one of the common faces he's come to known on this ship. and he's been here long enough to know who's who around here. ]
Who're you? [ he mutters out to her bluntly, stick still hanging unlit from his mouth. ]
[ Whether there is any lingering strain between certain inhabitants on the station is of little concern to Yennefer herself, though perhaps she has noticed the overall sense of a particular lull, even a hush that has fallen over her environment. It suits her better regardless; she would rather be left mostly to her own devices and find her way around without any interference from those aiming to be overly helpful. (Of course, she would never necessarily admit to needing any kind of assistance, especially when it comes to navigating the advanced technology that makes it close to impossible to even do something as simple as opening and closing a door; her strategy has been to watch and observe others where she can before attempting the same herself.)
The sunlight room is one of the few places she finds true respite — something that feels even more critical now that she's been alerted to the very irritating presence of an unexpected roommate, an absolutely infuriating and coarse man with a mouth that could prompt even some of Geralt's witcher brethren to quirk an eyebrow. It matters little that the space was technically his first; Yennefer refuses to concede even the slightest amount of ground to him now, aiming to dig her heels in so she isn't required to look for another room.
The bridge is where she's wandered to, settling herself at the top of the arch and leaning forward with her arms braced against the railing, hands idly clasped together; when she hears the sound of a muffled voice, she glances in its direction, wisps of dark hair escaping the long braid running down her back to breeze across her face until she reaches up to tuck them back herself. ]
Do you always ask for a name so politely? [ In spite of her rejoinder, the question doesn't leave her that sharply; she's exhausted some of her more defensive reserves over Billy, and doesn't have the lingering energies to deal with yet another quarrel. ]
The sunlight room is one of the few places she finds true respite — something that feels even more critical now that she's been alerted to the very irritating presence of an unexpected roommate, an absolutely infuriating and coarse man with a mouth that could prompt even some of Geralt's witcher brethren to quirk an eyebrow. It matters little that the space was technically his first; Yennefer refuses to concede even the slightest amount of ground to him now, aiming to dig her heels in so she isn't required to look for another room.
The bridge is where she's wandered to, settling herself at the top of the arch and leaning forward with her arms braced against the railing, hands idly clasped together; when she hears the sound of a muffled voice, she glances in its direction, wisps of dark hair escaping the long braid running down her back to breeze across her face until she reaches up to tuck them back herself. ]
Do you always ask for a name so politely? [ In spite of her rejoinder, the question doesn't leave her that sharply; she's exhausted some of her more defensive reserves over Billy, and doesn't have the lingering energies to deal with yet another quarrel. ]
[ at some point, marta is going to have take a moment and ask herself if her insomnia is really that persistent, or if she hasn't just become some walking self-fulfilling prophecy. that evening she hadn't even bothered to try, instead taking up a book after her self-imposed infirmary shift and making a straight beeline for the kitchen to work on a pot of tea.
she doesn't make it very far into the room before she notices it's currently occupied. given their number, it's not uncommon to find another night owl making use of the facilities, so marta simply steps aside to prop her book open on the counter to wait her turn. she keeps more of her focus to the text in front of her, but her attention does drift occasionally... and while marta wouldn't say the other woman is struggling, it becomes fairly clear that the she isn't necessarily succeeding either. still, the other isn't saying anything; marta knows pride can often be a fickle thing. were it not food on the line, she would have normally just let it go.
she makes a small movement in her seat — just enough of a shift that can catch an errant eye's attention. ]
I find adding an egg makes it a little richer.
[ it's not an outright offer for help, but the thread is there should the other woman want to give it a pull. ]
she doesn't make it very far into the room before she notices it's currently occupied. given their number, it's not uncommon to find another night owl making use of the facilities, so marta simply steps aside to prop her book open on the counter to wait her turn. she keeps more of her focus to the text in front of her, but her attention does drift occasionally... and while marta wouldn't say the other woman is struggling, it becomes fairly clear that the she isn't necessarily succeeding either. still, the other isn't saying anything; marta knows pride can often be a fickle thing. were it not food on the line, she would have normally just let it go.
she makes a small movement in her seat — just enough of a shift that can catch an errant eye's attention. ]
I find adding an egg makes it a little richer.
[ it's not an outright offer for help, but the thread is there should the other woman want to give it a pull. ]
[ Yennefer would look more like an insomniac if not for the fact that she's only just arrived and the lack of natural sunlight in the station itself is wreaking havoc on her internal clock — but she's also taking advantage of it being an hour when few others appear to be awake to try and fumble her way through preparing herself something in the kitchen that isn't a piece of fruit or a foodstuff that doesn't require cooking.
Under normal circumstances, she might be willing to wave a hand and conjure something out of thin air, but her Chaos feels sluggish here, halted, and she doesn't like the feeling of not being able to fully trust it — so she reaches for it not as an afterthought and somewhere closer to full purpose. Anything less could have potentially disastrous consequences, especially if she's slightly distracted.
She's found a carton of what appears to be some form of noodles, and a packet containing a flavored powder; combining them is clearly the intent, and the instructions also mention adding a certain amount of water, but once they're in the pot on top of the stove she's finding herself torn between a variety of buttons to press next and frozen between more than one selection.
The voice from behind her isn't startling, but she does freeze, head dropping between her shoulders a mere fraction of an inch as she releases a quiet breath, responding without fully turning around at first. ]
And it's cooked within alongside the rest?
Under normal circumstances, she might be willing to wave a hand and conjure something out of thin air, but her Chaos feels sluggish here, halted, and she doesn't like the feeling of not being able to fully trust it — so she reaches for it not as an afterthought and somewhere closer to full purpose. Anything less could have potentially disastrous consequences, especially if she's slightly distracted.
She's found a carton of what appears to be some form of noodles, and a packet containing a flavored powder; combining them is clearly the intent, and the instructions also mention adding a certain amount of water, but once they're in the pot on top of the stove she's finding herself torn between a variety of buttons to press next and frozen between more than one selection.
The voice from behind her isn't startling, but she does freeze, head dropping between her shoulders a mere fraction of an inch as she releases a quiet breath, responding without fully turning around at first. ]
And it's cooked within alongside the rest?
[ Drift wondered if the situation he found himself in was symptomatic of that pesky maladaptive coping that Megatron had hung over his head like the executioner's ax. Falling into bed with a new arrival wasn't the readily accepted social praxis aboard the station, but as the saying goes, one thing had led to another. The only issue that jerked and shuddered in the back of his mind with the nervous energy of a bird beating its wings against its cage was just what he committed before this little encounter reached its tipping point.
— Drift may have failed to mention exactly what he was to the person whose thighs were currently wrapped around his head.
At the very least, Yennefer seemed incurious that not once since Drift's attention moved south after the first round of making the beast with two backs had he needed to come up to catch his breath. She hadn't asked and had been nothing but encouraging of Drift's predilection to clean up his own messes. Neither of them was especially loud, but no complaints had yet to be heard from either party.
Both of them spent soon after Drift slid up the bed. The tight black swirls of clouds tattooed across his back and shoulders moved like a summer storm rolling in as he stretched across the sheets. He rolled onto his side and glanced over to where his swords hung on the wall. Three blades were mounted — twin blades rested on either side of a larger, more ornate weapon with a noticeable crack through its decorated golden hilt. All three of them were as long as Yennefer twice over with room to spare, but she had yet to remark on their size. He liked to think she had been too preoccupied with who she knew has a lonely widower who ended the station tour in his room. ]
This isn't exactly the usual welcome wagon. [ Drift said, not sounding the least bit out of breath. ]
— Drift may have failed to mention exactly what he was to the person whose thighs were currently wrapped around his head.
At the very least, Yennefer seemed incurious that not once since Drift's attention moved south after the first round of making the beast with two backs had he needed to come up to catch his breath. She hadn't asked and had been nothing but encouraging of Drift's predilection to clean up his own messes. Neither of them was especially loud, but no complaints had yet to be heard from either party.
Both of them spent soon after Drift slid up the bed. The tight black swirls of clouds tattooed across his back and shoulders moved like a summer storm rolling in as he stretched across the sheets. He rolled onto his side and glanced over to where his swords hung on the wall. Three blades were mounted — twin blades rested on either side of a larger, more ornate weapon with a noticeable crack through its decorated golden hilt. All three of them were as long as Yennefer twice over with room to spare, but she had yet to remark on their size. He liked to think she had been too preoccupied with who she knew has a lonely widower who ended the station tour in his room. ]
This isn't exactly the usual welcome wagon. [ Drift said, not sounding the least bit out of breath. ]
[ It was hardly as if Yennefer was in a position to judge the pursuits of any new arrivals — on the one hand, falling into bed with anyone on the station hadn't even entered her mind as a possibility until the thought had established itself fully-formed, crystallizing in her awareness as an inevitability rather than something unexpected. Everything else had fallen into place shortly thereafter, for an interlude through which she could set aside her anxieties, her concerns, her guilt, even if only for a brief while.
She also hadn't expected him to dip down the length of her afterward, setting up camp between her thighs for what felt like an indeterminable amount of time, but it wasn't as if the hushed sounds that had eventually reached his hearing were anything by way of complaint or protest — quite the opposite, in fact.
She was overwarm, not even reaching for a sheet to cover herself with, a light sheen of sweat formed over her skin as she watched him move upward with a sinuousness that instinctively drew her eye to the designs tattooed across his back, though he'd tilted away from her before she could fully glimpse them. Instead of immediately slipping away, she rolled over to face him, elbow docking against the pillow, her head notched in her hand. ]
I gathered as much. [ Next to him, she came off a bit more winded, trying to collect her breath again, and after a brief pause, almost a hesitation, one hand extended between them for her to run fingers along the line of his jaw, thumb rubbing at the edge of his mouth. ] What changed?
[ Why her and not another, in other words. ]
She also hadn't expected him to dip down the length of her afterward, setting up camp between her thighs for what felt like an indeterminable amount of time, but it wasn't as if the hushed sounds that had eventually reached his hearing were anything by way of complaint or protest — quite the opposite, in fact.
She was overwarm, not even reaching for a sheet to cover herself with, a light sheen of sweat formed over her skin as she watched him move upward with a sinuousness that instinctively drew her eye to the designs tattooed across his back, though he'd tilted away from her before she could fully glimpse them. Instead of immediately slipping away, she rolled over to face him, elbow docking against the pillow, her head notched in her hand. ]
I gathered as much. [ Next to him, she came off a bit more winded, trying to collect her breath again, and after a brief pause, almost a hesitation, one hand extended between them for her to run fingers along the line of his jaw, thumb rubbing at the edge of his mouth. ] What changed?
[ Why her and not another, in other words. ]
[ erik likes to stay useful. no, that's not quite right. he needs to stay useful. at all times, every time. it's only of late that he's branching it out into other territories. he's not just a weapon. and weapons aren't always necessary.
and today, he's feeling pancakes. he's mixing up the batter when he hears someone enter. without looking up, he replies. ]
You gotta wait a bit if you want some.
and today, he's feeling pancakes. he's mixing up the batter when he hears someone enter. without looking up, he replies. ]
You gotta wait a bit if you want some.
[ The kitchen isn’t a space Yennefer makes significant personal use out of — namely, because her skills when it comes to cooking anything are marginal at best, and she’s accustomed to eating food that others have prepared more often than not. She has managed to brew hot water for tea without needing to enchant anything, and even successfully made noodles once or twice, but her initial plan is simply to look around for anything that doesn’t require additional effort before eating, like a simple fruit.
That all happens, of course, before she’s addressed by someone without their turning around, someone she’s never even spoken to before. It’s likely he thinks she’s someone else coming to inhabit the space, even if she’s been told the scent of lilac and gooseberries tends to precede her. ]
Do you always cook for others beyond yourself?
That all happens, of course, before she’s addressed by someone without their turning around, someone she’s never even spoken to before. It’s likely he thinks she’s someone else coming to inhabit the space, even if she’s been told the scent of lilac and gooseberries tends to precede her. ]
Do you always cook for others beyond yourself?
[ andy has a real bed and a bedroom on board this ship and she does make use of it - but she always finds herself back in the sunlight room more often than not, especially to nap. sometimes it is just straight up sleep when she passes out for a few hours instead. ]
[ today she is on the verge of a nap, slumped over with a pleasant buzz from three-quarters a bottle of alcohol and the warmth from the fake sun on her face. the stream trickles nearby giving her the acceptable ambience, and her eyes are closed, but she's idly aware of her surroundings, though not in a guarded way. her axe is nearby, as well as an empty bag of chips and a second (unopened) bottle of vodka. ]
[ she hears someone moving nearby, but does not open her eyes. ]
Sorry, already claimed this tree. It's the best fake bark out there.
[ today she is on the verge of a nap, slumped over with a pleasant buzz from three-quarters a bottle of alcohol and the warmth from the fake sun on her face. the stream trickles nearby giving her the acceptable ambience, and her eyes are closed, but she's idly aware of her surroundings, though not in a guarded way. her axe is nearby, as well as an empty bag of chips and a second (unopened) bottle of vodka. ]
[ she hears someone moving nearby, but does not open her eyes. ]
Sorry, already claimed this tree. It's the best fake bark out there.
[ Yennefer's lean toward the sunlight room mostly stems from a desire to feel something close to the real thing even out in the middle of a vast and largely unknowable — at least to her — universe. It feels significantly less daunting when she can pass a few hours in here, cosseted by the familiar sensations of warm rays and the occasional idle breeze; she's whiled away many hours here already in her brief time on the station, both before this most recent mission and now in the aftermath.
She has every intention of leaving the woman slumped against the trunk of a nearby tree to her own rest until the voice breaks the silence, leading her to glance back to a face on which eyes are still closed. ]
Don't worry. I have no interest in fighting you for it. [ A brief look cast in the direction of the axe resting a short distance away, and then she adds: ] I'm guessing that weapon of yours isn't merely for show.
She has every intention of leaving the woman slumped against the trunk of a nearby tree to her own rest until the voice breaks the silence, leading her to glance back to a face on which eyes are still closed. ]
Don't worry. I have no interest in fighting you for it. [ A brief look cast in the direction of the axe resting a short distance away, and then she adds: ] I'm guessing that weapon of yours isn't merely for show.
[There are limited places to hide on the station, and he doesn't feel like confronting Alina. That would mean taking a long, hard look at his actions and the Darkling doesn't want to do that.
He wants things to stay the same, always. The change shouldn't come until he's back in Ravka, his regret undone and the will of the Making lending him a hand to get his country under control.
That's why he's in the simulation room, having found a place that at least smells familiar. The sharp scent of horse shit and clean hey. A stable in the middle of a forest and for once, he's not outside, throwing his Cut at the trees or practicing.
He's brushing down a black horse, the saddle already cinched and ready, as his hands brush gently down the side of it.]
He wants things to stay the same, always. The change shouldn't come until he's back in Ravka, his regret undone and the will of the Making lending him a hand to get his country under control.
That's why he's in the simulation room, having found a place that at least smells familiar. The sharp scent of horse shit and clean hey. A stable in the middle of a forest and for once, he's not outside, throwing his Cut at the trees or practicing.
He's brushing down a black horse, the saddle already cinched and ready, as his hands brush gently down the side of it.]
[ The simulation room is one that Yennefer doesn't venture into that often, but with space on the station as limited as it can be and the fact that many tend to prefer the sunlight area — which makes it more populous than she'd like to endure — she finds herself drawn elsewhere, for reasons she can't wholly identify until she's standing in the center of a place that leaves her half-expecting to turn around and see a silver-haired figure striding out of the stables, yet another Roach in tow.
When she spots Kirigan instead, something in the set of her shoulders subtly releases, and she shifts forward, the long hem of her embroidered coat whispering across the ground with every step. She's returned to her own clothing now that they're back on Ximilia; even though she's certain she could find alternatives courtesy of Viveca, she always feels more like herself in a dress and boots, in spite of her chaos existing in its halved state.
She stills, though, and watches him tend to the horse, hand smoothing over glossy coat, and draws the scent of hay and muck into her senses. ]
It's a convincing enough illusion, to be sure. [ When she gets close enough, it's her hand that joins in alongside, resting over the horse's shoulder. Almost like the real thing.
When she spots Kirigan instead, something in the set of her shoulders subtly releases, and she shifts forward, the long hem of her embroidered coat whispering across the ground with every step. She's returned to her own clothing now that they're back on Ximilia; even though she's certain she could find alternatives courtesy of Viveca, she always feels more like herself in a dress and boots, in spite of her chaos existing in its halved state.
She stills, though, and watches him tend to the horse, hand smoothing over glossy coat, and draws the scent of hay and muck into her senses. ]
It's a convincing enough illusion, to be sure. [ When she gets close enough, it's her hand that joins in alongside, resting over the horse's shoulder. Almost like the real thing.
( since the sunlight room has unfortunately been transformed into a beach (and he still hasn't fully gotten over his tumultous swim with the kaiju), kakashi has become sort of a wandering nomad throughout the station, finding new places to kick back and rest. of course he does spend some of the time in his own quarters, but he likes to be out and about where he can observe and, perhaps even, cozy his way up into other people's affairs. you know, just for fun.
right now, he is seated at a table with a brunette while they wait for a fresh pot of tea to brew. he has one of his priceless icha icha novels in hand. )
What do you usually read? ( they're clearly in the midst of a very important conversation. )
right now, he is seated at a table with a brunette while they wait for a fresh pot of tea to brew. he has one of his priceless icha icha novels in hand. )
What do you usually read? ( they're clearly in the midst of a very important conversation. )
You're assuming I even have the time or inclination to do so.
[ Meanwhile, Yennefer's mostly preoccupied by the thought of how long the tea seems to be taking to brew — a rather curious thing, considering one would also think that the advanced technology would be enough to have quickened the process overall — but then she finally drops her gaze to the masked figure sitting in front of her, voice surprisingly not muffled in spite of what covers most of his face. ]
What's this one about? [ Don't mind her, Kakashi, she's just going to reach over and pluck the book right out of your hand, turning it around to study the cover. He's welcome to explain it to her anyway, as she glances over the title. ]
[ Meanwhile, Yennefer's mostly preoccupied by the thought of how long the tea seems to be taking to brew — a rather curious thing, considering one would also think that the advanced technology would be enough to have quickened the process overall — but then she finally drops her gaze to the masked figure sitting in front of her, voice surprisingly not muffled in spite of what covers most of his face. ]
What's this one about? [ Don't mind her, Kakashi, she's just going to reach over and pluck the book right out of your hand, turning it around to study the cover. He's welcome to explain it to her anyway, as she glances over the title. ]
[ the apartment is extravagant for the city, apparently. there are two showers, a plush large bed and a balcony that's enclosed and able to host plant life. apparently, they have landed with all wealth can give them in this world.
which fits tim lan and his beautiful wife yennefer quite well. the cover of an up and coming political couple works quite well and, in truth, xichen is happy to retire to a comfortable apartment. for all that he is used to the ximilia and simple, he is a sect leader in his own world; xichen's robes are of the finest silks and coin has never been an issue.
they are back home from a dinner, from schmoozing with staff of chacier house for the night. perhaps not surprisingly, yennefer and he have ended up in the kitchen with a bottle that resembles wine. it's unclear what it is, really, or how it will taste. xichen's poured them each a glass but for the moment focuses on trying to take out a cufflink, not focused on his 'wife' for the moment. ]
I'd forgotten how much ones face ends up hurting from all the smiling. [ says a man who's face naturally falls into a smile. ] And how little one learns at these events without the patience for it. [ but after a life time, well, xichen has the patience to play the game if he must. even if now he needs a drink as the evening draws to a close. ]
which fits tim lan and his beautiful wife yennefer quite well. the cover of an up and coming political couple works quite well and, in truth, xichen is happy to retire to a comfortable apartment. for all that he is used to the ximilia and simple, he is a sect leader in his own world; xichen's robes are of the finest silks and coin has never been an issue.
they are back home from a dinner, from schmoozing with staff of chacier house for the night. perhaps not surprisingly, yennefer and he have ended up in the kitchen with a bottle that resembles wine. it's unclear what it is, really, or how it will taste. xichen's poured them each a glass but for the moment focuses on trying to take out a cufflink, not focused on his 'wife' for the moment. ]
I'd forgotten how much ones face ends up hurting from all the smiling. [ says a man who's face naturally falls into a smile. ] And how little one learns at these events without the patience for it. [ but after a life time, well, xichen has the patience to play the game if he must. even if now he needs a drink as the evening draws to a close. ]
[ It's certainly nicer living quarters than what they'd had on the train, but even those had been somewhat more comfortable, if a bit cramped by comparison; Yennefer's feeling decadent simply by the nature of having more than one room to their advantage now, rather than having to share a single unit intended to meet multiple needs at once. Much as she enjoys Drift's company, it had made for the experience of feeling somewhat on top of one another unless they were in two distinct corners of the sleeping car.
They certainly have clothing that will help them blend in more here, although Yennefer's the first one to discard at least one of the trappings of their fake background as soon as they walk in through the door, toeing off her exceedingly uncomfortable high-heeled shoes one at a time and then proceeding to leave them like little stones abandoned behind her in her wake, padding barefoot down the hall and into the kitchen. ]
All the more reason to bring your wife with you. Someone who can listen while you do the talking. Here.
[ She reaches out to him, wordlessly bidding him offer her his arm so that she can assist him with taking out his cufflink more efficiently, collecting the ends in one palm before gesturing for him to hold up the other so that she can perform the same task in quick succession. ] That said, did anything prove particularly interesting tonight?
They certainly have clothing that will help them blend in more here, although Yennefer's the first one to discard at least one of the trappings of their fake background as soon as they walk in through the door, toeing off her exceedingly uncomfortable high-heeled shoes one at a time and then proceeding to leave them like little stones abandoned behind her in her wake, padding barefoot down the hall and into the kitchen. ]
All the more reason to bring your wife with you. Someone who can listen while you do the talking. Here.
[ She reaches out to him, wordlessly bidding him offer her his arm so that she can assist him with taking out his cufflink more efficiently, collecting the ends in one palm before gesturing for him to hold up the other so that she can perform the same task in quick succession. ] That said, did anything prove particularly interesting tonight?
How are you doing? Aside from the obvious, that is.
[ 'Disappointed but not surprised' could sum up Peter's feelings about their last mission. Since Scorpion's Bend, each one had turned out to be more messy and problematic, the consequences bigger.
This time, they were sent out there without proper enough Intel, they weren't even told that E-23b was Viveca's planet, and mistakes were made born from the choices they were given. When everything was said and done, the locals all but kicked them out. Peter has got a building falling on him for his troubles, a friend in the infirmary in a coma, and now he has no more patience for arguing.
He had almost come to blows with some of the protesters who were against powered people when they were still in E-23b. Now, all he wants is to have a drink or ten, and not be bothered. He has his music on, Zune clinging to the waist of his jeans, and is moving around the kitchen with a single thought in mind: to find the bottle of good whiskey they usually leave in the upper cabinets.
His current tunnel vision makes him ignore the rest of the world, and when his hand wraps around the bottle, he is startled to realize someone else reached for it at the same time. ]
This time, they were sent out there without proper enough Intel, they weren't even told that E-23b was Viveca's planet, and mistakes were made born from the choices they were given. When everything was said and done, the locals all but kicked them out. Peter has got a building falling on him for his troubles, a friend in the infirmary in a coma, and now he has no more patience for arguing.
He had almost come to blows with some of the protesters who were against powered people when they were still in E-23b. Now, all he wants is to have a drink or ten, and not be bothered. He has his music on, Zune clinging to the waist of his jeans, and is moving around the kitchen with a single thought in mind: to find the bottle of good whiskey they usually leave in the upper cabinets.
His current tunnel vision makes him ignore the rest of the world, and when his hand wraps around the bottle, he is startled to realize someone else reached for it at the same time. ]
[ This is only Yennefer's third mission to date, and while she'd decidedly not voiced some of her opinions on which actions should be taken — in part because she'd had her own hands full with very specific responsibilities — she's also been increasingly aggravated now, in hindsight of the situation. Not only had they not been given adequate information ahead of time, with many details shrouded, but they'd been summarily ostracized and eventually rejected by the very people who had seemingly accepted their aid when the orbers had largely elected to join the cause in fighting early on.
Granted, it's far from her first time being run out of a town, much less a sphere, and it likely won't be the last, especially at the hands of those whose minds are not capable of perceiving those with abilities greater than their own. She's simply convinced it didn't have to come to all of that — that if there were fewer bleeding hearts amongst the group, they could have simply retrieved the orb and disappeared without anyone being alerted to their presence at large.
She's mostly kept to herself since their return, changed into a fresh dress with her hair drawn back from her face in a loose braid hanging down her back, and the only reason she's in the kitchen now is to find something worth drinking. Most of the time, she can slip in and back out again before having to make conversation with anyone, but this proves to be easier envisioned than actually completed.
Her first instinct is to draw her hand back from the bottle someone else has reached for, but then she plucks it off the shelf herself, turning to face the taller man she'd inadvertently competed with for it. ]
Lucky for you, I might willing to share. [ She hasn't yet realized he might not be able to hear a word she's saying. ]
Granted, it's far from her first time being run out of a town, much less a sphere, and it likely won't be the last, especially at the hands of those whose minds are not capable of perceiving those with abilities greater than their own. She's simply convinced it didn't have to come to all of that — that if there were fewer bleeding hearts amongst the group, they could have simply retrieved the orb and disappeared without anyone being alerted to their presence at large.
She's mostly kept to herself since their return, changed into a fresh dress with her hair drawn back from her face in a loose braid hanging down her back, and the only reason she's in the kitchen now is to find something worth drinking. Most of the time, she can slip in and back out again before having to make conversation with anyone, but this proves to be easier envisioned than actually completed.
Her first instinct is to draw her hand back from the bottle someone else has reached for, but then she plucks it off the shelf herself, turning to face the taller man she'd inadvertently competed with for it. ]
Lucky for you, I might willing to share. [ She hasn't yet realized he might not be able to hear a word she's saying. ]
( Feeling a little more human, a little more rested, giving himself another day to adjust to a new regimen of meds, soon enough McCoy's at her door like a bad habit, with an old friend in tow: a bottle of bourbon he snuck from that beach party so long ago.
When she answers the door, he just lifts it, tipping the square bottle so the amber liquid within catches the light, and quietly asks, )
Mind if I come in?
When she answers the door, he just lifts it, tipping the square bottle so the amber liquid within catches the light, and quietly asks, )
Mind if I come in?
[ There are the signs that Yennefer’s been taking steps to let her hair down after finally returning to the station — literally, in this instance, long tresses spilling freely down her shoulders rather than being secured back in a braid or pinned more artfully. She’s a little more obliging for company too, seeing as how Billy wouldn’t have bothered to knock before just letting himself in.
She eyes him, eyes the bottle, and then steps back with the brief sweep of one arm to the rest of the room, the door sliding shut to enclose them within once he’s crossed over the threshold. ]
I’m beginning to think we’ve established something of a routine here, Doctor. [ Her gaze on him is quickly studying. ] You’re looking a little more refreshed.
She eyes him, eyes the bottle, and then steps back with the brief sweep of one arm to the rest of the room, the door sliding shut to enclose them within once he’s crossed over the threshold. ]
I’m beginning to think we’ve established something of a routine here, Doctor. [ Her gaze on him is quickly studying. ] You’re looking a little more refreshed.
( it feels like every time they come back from these shit missions, he's in a worse mood. he doesn't even regret what he'd done but it just keeps happening. they keep doing these things, grabbing these fucking orbs and leaving shittiness in their wake.
and while he's used to that, used to leaving shit behind, but the hits just keep coming here. he shakes his head, having swung by the mess to snag some alcohol on the way back.
and that's what he's been doing since, steadily drinking and trying to figure out where his head was. it's not like he can change shit and he did agree to be here but still. he wants to know what the fuck the point is.
at least at home, he'd had the aim of killing homelander and supes but what've they got here? orbs? fuck that.
so, he's gonna drink and be surly and be entirely poor company for anyone that might come across him now. )
[ Yennefer, for one, isn't surprised by what had happened in the aftermath of the mission — had she given any voice to her opinions, they wouldn't have stayed behind, thereby giving the people of this sphere enough time to suddenly decide they didn't want outsiders in their midst. Three weeks is more than enough opportunity for anyone to turn on them, especially for being labeled as different, and it's with no love lost but also with no sense of satisfaction that she returns to the station, intent on finding at least several ways to relax and take her mind off of all that's occurred recently.
Of course, the one thing that's almost guaranteed to shatter the peace she's established for herself is her roommate, someone she'd managed to maintain a wide berth from down on the planet — which likely meant she wouldn't be able to keep avoiding him forever.
She's returned from a brief sojourn in the simulation room, which has presently been programmed with hot springs — an experience that should leave her relaxed and preparing for sleep as she pads her way back to their living quarters on bare feet, her robe loosely belted across her waist and her skin glowing and refreshed.
The relative expression of calm on her features disappears altogether when she slips into the room, catching sight of him with a bottle in his hand and looking especially surly, and she doesn't even try to disguise a roll of her eyes. With any luck, he'll drink himself into unconsciousness soon and she won't have to talk to him at all. ]
Of course, the one thing that's almost guaranteed to shatter the peace she's established for herself is her roommate, someone she'd managed to maintain a wide berth from down on the planet — which likely meant she wouldn't be able to keep avoiding him forever.
She's returned from a brief sojourn in the simulation room, which has presently been programmed with hot springs — an experience that should leave her relaxed and preparing for sleep as she pads her way back to their living quarters on bare feet, her robe loosely belted across her waist and her skin glowing and refreshed.
The relative expression of calm on her features disappears altogether when she slips into the room, catching sight of him with a bottle in his hand and looking especially surly, and she doesn't even try to disguise a roll of her eyes. With any luck, he'll drink himself into unconsciousness soon and she won't have to talk to him at all. ]
[A few days after their return, Wei Wuxian finds himself in the training room late at night. It's not so late that everyone is asleep, but late enough that the usual evening training crowd has already finished and he has the room to himself at the moment. It's the only reason he puts his bow away and makes his way over to the practice swords, lifting one from the wall and holding it for a moment to feel its weight before giving it an experimental swing.
It feels heavy in his hand, a combination of the fact that it's not his own sword, and that he hasn't held a sword in something like three years.
Despite the weight and a few clumsy swings, he holds it like someone who was born with a sword in his hand. With no one else around, he slides easily into one of the Yunmeng Jiang sword routines. The movements are familiar in a painful way, and he freezes mid routine, almost drops the blade to the ground, and then decides better of it and continues on.
In the end, despite everything, it feels right, and he's too caught up in the moment to even notice when someone else enters the room.]
It feels heavy in his hand, a combination of the fact that it's not his own sword, and that he hasn't held a sword in something like three years.
Despite the weight and a few clumsy swings, he holds it like someone who was born with a sword in his hand. With no one else around, he slides easily into one of the Yunmeng Jiang sword routines. The movements are familiar in a painful way, and he freezes mid routine, almost drops the blade to the ground, and then decides better of it and continues on.
In the end, despite everything, it feels right, and he's too caught up in the moment to even notice when someone else enters the room.]
[ It turns out that he's not the only one inclined to seek out rooms on the station that are less likely to be occupied at this late hour; Yennefer has never kept to a set sleep schedule as long as she's been here, in part because the lack of clear shifts between day and night seem to wreak havoc on her internal ability to verify what time it actually is, and in part because her thoughts keep her awake long after Billy has already passed out snoring in the bed on the other side of their room.
The training area wouldn't have been her first instinct compared to other spaces on the station; the only reason she even so much as stops and lingers in the entryway is because of who's currently making use of it, and Yennefer finds herself stilling, silently, to watch him perform several motions with the sword in his hands. ]
I thought you said you weren't any good with a sword.
[ Her voice breaks the silence, though she tries not to raise it beyond more of a murmur, nothing uttered with the intent of startling him — especially while he's holding a blade, even a practice sword at that. When he eventually glances up he'll find her there, leaning against the frame, a robe wrapped around herself and carefully belted at the waist, her hair a soft fall worn down rather than braided back or secured with pins as so often tends to be her habit. ]
The training area wouldn't have been her first instinct compared to other spaces on the station; the only reason she even so much as stops and lingers in the entryway is because of who's currently making use of it, and Yennefer finds herself stilling, silently, to watch him perform several motions with the sword in his hands. ]
I thought you said you weren't any good with a sword.
[ Her voice breaks the silence, though she tries not to raise it beyond more of a murmur, nothing uttered with the intent of startling him — especially while he's holding a blade, even a practice sword at that. When he eventually glances up he'll find her there, leaning against the frame, a robe wrapped around herself and carefully belted at the waist, her hair a soft fall worn down rather than braided back or secured with pins as so often tends to be her habit. ]
[ one morning on the station, on each orber's door, the following hand-written note (in fancy calligraphy) will be taped:
the orber can choose to attend or simply listen in to the meeting when it occurs, or they may ignore it altogether. ]
the orber can choose to attend or simply listen in to the meeting when it occurs, or they may ignore it altogether. ]
[ it's not the sunlight room, but andy loves a good soak in steaming water, so when word gets around about the simulated hot springs she one hundred percent checks it out. it's so lifelike, as most of the simulations tend to be, and she feels like she has to touch everything, constantly surprised at this level of physical technology. she scoops her hand through the water and lifts it, but it's just like the stream, her fingers coming away soaked but warm. ]
[ the pool she's found appears empty, so she shucks her pants off and kicks them idly away from the edge, then tugs at her t-shirt next (the infamous novel-tee 'women want me fish fear me'), but in her haste it slips from her hands and falls into the water. ]
Are you fucking kidding me - [ she drops down and reaches for it before it floats away or sinks, yanking it out with a grumble. she twists out the excess water over the pool, squatting down ungracefully in her mismatched underwear and sports bra. ]
[ the pool she's found appears empty, so she shucks her pants off and kicks them idly away from the edge, then tugs at her t-shirt next (the infamous novel-tee 'women want me fish fear me'), but in her haste it slips from her hands and falls into the water. ]
Are you fucking kidding me - [ she drops down and reaches for it before it floats away or sinks, yanking it out with a grumble. she twists out the excess water over the pool, squatting down ungracefully in her mismatched underwear and sports bra. ]
[ Yennefer has, for the most part, consigned herself to either this or the sunlight room since their return to the station, and most of those times have been spent with some form of alcohol close at hand. The hot springs that have been programmed into the simulation room — by Itachi, no less — is a scenario that she's more than prepared to make use of even when he's not in it, and on this particular occasion she's even rummaged up a bottle of what appears to be red wine, wrapping herself in a robe before padding down the corridors to the right place and slipping in without managing to run into anyone unexpectedly.
The swear is what reaches her ears first, and she slides to a stop a few feet away from the closest steaming pool of water, glancing down first at the set of shoulders hunched over the surface and then watches Andy proceed to try and wring the shirt out that she's, presumably, dropped into the water in error. ]
Well, now you'll have even more time to go in and soak if your excuse is waiting until that shirt dries. [ It's a helpful attempt to point out the advantage of the situation as Yen steps forward, thrusting out the bottle in her hand in wordless offering — but also with the intent of Andy taking it from her so that she can untie the belt around her waist, letting her robe slip off to puddle around her feet. ]
The swear is what reaches her ears first, and she slides to a stop a few feet away from the closest steaming pool of water, glancing down first at the set of shoulders hunched over the surface and then watches Andy proceed to try and wring the shirt out that she's, presumably, dropped into the water in error. ]
Well, now you'll have even more time to go in and soak if your excuse is waiting until that shirt dries. [ It's a helpful attempt to point out the advantage of the situation as Yen steps forward, thrusting out the bottle in her hand in wordless offering — but also with the intent of Andy taking it from her so that she can untie the belt around her waist, letting her robe slip off to puddle around her feet. ]
（ it's around 2100 hours when itachi knocks on her door. it's rare that he makes house calls of this nature, preferring to have the bulk of his interaction with others in less intimate areas. but.
he is outside yennefer's door, holding a bottle of sake and two small glasses, and whenever she opens it he holds the accoutrements aloft. ）
May I?
he is outside yennefer's door, holding a bottle of sake and two small glasses, and whenever she opens it he holds the accoutrements aloft. ）
May I?
[ Yennefer is still somewhat adjusting to the notion of an empty room — one where the silence is not periodically broken by a muttered swear, or a sawing snore, or any other sounds her former roommate would have been responsible for. The sound of a knock doesn't jar her, but it does prove unexpected enough; finding Itachi standing on the other side further pokes at her curiosity.
Her brows rise for a split second before she recovers, stepping back and to the side to afford him ample berth for entry. ]
Thought it best not to show up at this hour empty-handed?
Her brows rise for a split second before she recovers, stepping back and to the side to afford him ample berth for entry. ]
Thought it best not to show up at this hour empty-handed?
I need to ask you a question. [ A beat. ] You're not allowed to lie to me.
[ She sounds serious, like she's about to ask the most important question in the history of questions. Her voice comes with the slightest hint of pause - not hesitation, just a deliberate effort that a girl her age shouldn't have to make for simple sentences. ]
Are you a princess?
[ She sounds serious, like she's about to ask the most important question in the history of questions. Her voice comes with the slightest hint of pause - not hesitation, just a deliberate effort that a girl her age shouldn't have to make for simple sentences. ]
Are you a princess?
[ there's a pause, mostly because yennefer's trying to remember exactly who this is — she has a dim sense of there being at least one or two younger girls on the station, and she's met the one called ziggy, but she's fairly certain that girl also hadn't referred to herself as eleven. ]
... no. [ it's not a rude or curt response, when it comes, but it also begs its own question. ]
Would you be able to tell if I was lying one way or another?
... no. [ it's not a rude or curt response, when it comes, but it also begs its own question. ]
Would you be able to tell if I was lying one way or another?
[ yet another flyer ends up on every orber's door, evidently by the same culprit as last time, except now it's a more colorful display:
the back of the flyer features more details about the play and its characters, and soon enough, an announcement from rita herself goes public, giving more context about the event, which all can sign up for. ]
the back of the flyer features more details about the play and its characters, and soon enough, an announcement from rita herself goes public, giving more context about the event, which all can sign up for. ]
[ the training room is designed for all sorts of things, from space to try one's hand at close range weapons to a shooting range. mal's making use of the latter today, armed with bow and arrow to sharpen his skills. a better version of his rifle rests against a wall near by but mal has focused on releasing arrows instead of bullets as he takes his shot.
for the most part, he hits center on his target. it is a good thing too, because he's decided to shoot after spending time going through some sparring moves with a dummy and then a punching bag. that endeavor has left him shirtless but malyen oretsev lives for danger. or for stupidity, it's a wonder how close those two are intertwined in his world and whenever mal is involved.
after releasing one final shot, grinning as it hits the bullseye, mal notices that he's no longer along. he tilts his head, turns it toward the movement and perhaps the audience he's had longer than he would like to admit. a tracker should have noticed much sooner. ] I'm almost done here if you're waiting for target practice.
for the most part, he hits center on his target. it is a good thing too, because he's decided to shoot after spending time going through some sparring moves with a dummy and then a punching bag. that endeavor has left him shirtless but malyen oretsev lives for danger. or for stupidity, it's a wonder how close those two are intertwined in his world and whenever mal is involved.
after releasing one final shot, grinning as it hits the bullseye, mal notices that he's no longer along. he tilts his head, turns it toward the movement and perhaps the audience he's had longer than he would like to admit. a tracker should have noticed much sooner. ] I'm almost done here if you're waiting for target practice.
[ It's not the first time she's ventured into the training room, but typically she only lingers there when she spots someone she recognizes. Yennefer rarely elects to do anything that would work up a significant amount of perspiration unless she already has a vested interest in doing so or the realization that it's more of an inevitability depending on the activity in question.
Instead, she finds herself stopping without moving on entirely as a result of watching the young man who's making use of the space presently — and making for a rather pleasing sight while he does so. Yennefer may have lived many years at this point, but even she isn't immune to the visual of a well-muscled frame.
When he finally becomes aware of her presence and turns to acknowledge her, she waves a hand in front of herself dismissively, motioning for him to continue. ] I'm not. Quite the opposite, actually. It would be a shame to interrupt your efforts.
Instead, she finds herself stopping without moving on entirely as a result of watching the young man who's making use of the space presently — and making for a rather pleasing sight while he does so. Yennefer may have lived many years at this point, but even she isn't immune to the visual of a well-muscled frame.
When he finally becomes aware of her presence and turns to acknowledge her, she waves a hand in front of herself dismissively, motioning for him to continue. ] I'm not. Quite the opposite, actually. It would be a shame to interrupt your efforts.
[[After This]]
The whisper is gone and Wangji drops to his knees, the air shocked out of him. He bends forward, pressing his head to the cold tile of the floor. He gasps in a shaky breath. And then another.
He wants.
He wants so much.]
The whisper is gone and Wangji drops to his knees, the air shocked out of him. He bends forward, pressing his head to the cold tile of the floor. He gasps in a shaky breath. And then another.
He wants.
He wants so much.]
[ By contrast, Yennefer is almost intensely still — one might believe her to be entirely unmoved by that manipulation of her mind, of her desires, if not for the tic of tension as she clenches her jaw, the single dart of movement that belies how she's been affected.
For a moment, she glances around the school itself, refamiliarizing herself with its surroundings rather than the courtyard of Kaer Morhen — one that had felt all too real in the confines of her mind.
The rest of the whispers have disappeared; the only sounds left to break the silence are the breaths being taken, her own slow and even ones that follow after the initial, shakier inhale. ]
It showed you something, too. [ Not a question, because she can tell with every level of certainty that such a thing had occurred. ]
For a moment, she glances around the school itself, refamiliarizing herself with its surroundings rather than the courtyard of Kaer Morhen — one that had felt all too real in the confines of her mind.
The rest of the whispers have disappeared; the only sounds left to break the silence are the breaths being taken, her own slow and even ones that follow after the initial, shakier inhale. ]
It showed you something, too. [ Not a question, because she can tell with every level of certainty that such a thing had occurred. ]
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