maskormenacelogs | [CLOSED]

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WHO: Rick and Tex
WHERE: Heropa
WHEN: February 13th
WHAT: An unplanned Valentine's date
WARNINGS: None that I know of! Will update if necessary.

[ Rick finds himself with the weekend off and nothing to really do with that time. Working has filled some kind of void in his life, at least when it comes to giving him a distraction. And at first, he's suspicious that it has to do with his registration status -- that they're finally letting him go now that the holiday rush is over and done with. But a coworker assures him that they just think, of all people, Rick would be the one most enjoying "this particular weekend" and they would be happy to take on his shifts.

It takes him a moment to even understand what they mean until a look around at all the pink and red heart decorations paints the picture for him. Valentine's Day. It doesn't matter how much he tries to protest that he has no one and the holiday means nothing to him. He still finds himself with too much free time for a whole goddamn weekend. He supposes he could see if Carl would want to head up to the woods and camp out for the weekend. It might be nice for the two of them to just get away from civilization for a while, and--

Rick doesn't watch where he's going, wandering aimlessly. He realizes he's about to collide with someone and right before he does, he steps in what he hopes will be a direction out of the way. But it winds up being in the way. Perhaps one of those awkward moments where it keeps happening for a couple of steps, the type people joke about and ask if they're dancing, before Rick finally looks up and sees just who it is. Tex. There's an odd warmth that comes over his face upon seeing her. ]

Hey. Sorry. Wasn't watchin' where I was goin'...

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[ She has the weekend off and is acutely aware of what day it is tomorrow, and not only because she was harassing Kaneda about his plans for it a few days prior. Things had ended poorly with Miles - why the hell had the idiot thought proposing was something done that early in any relationship? - which was for the best. The whole situation had happened by happy accident and while fun, has made for an awkward few days of work and training given her employment with the man and his friend, Greg. At least she could rely on professionalism even if she found herself rolling her eyes more often at the short man.

Which meant her last minute shopping today was not for Miles. She might snag an extra card for Epsilon, if only because the AI had been keeping to himself lately and she has a feeling he'd get some enjoyment out of it, but Church is her main target. The shopping is partially driven by guilt and a realization that this is the first time that they themselves have experienced the holiday, memories be damned, though what the hell she should get him is something she's at a loss for.

She's lost in these thoughts when oncoming traffic in the form of Rick Grimes causes her to try to outmaneuver him to get past. It isn't until he speaks that she really looks at him and sees who's there. She shakes her head, amused, and relaxes. ]

Didn't think I'd see you walking around. Going somewhere important?

Nah, not really. Was just headed home. Thinkin' of takin' Carl up to the woods for a few days. Might need the relaxation after everything that...

[ His voice trails off. He doesn't need to say it. Tex knows. She was there. She went through the same thing. ]

Surprised to run into you, though.

[ Why is he surprised? It's not like they're not two imPorts in an imPort city. That was a stupid thing to say. Rick mentally berates himself, blue eyes shifting skyward. ]

I mean -- of all people I could nearly collide with. We keep on havin' these chance encounters.

[ Freak storms. Random near-collisions. What's next? ]

[ She's happy to let him talk if only for how amusing his bit of rambling is. Even if they are in an imPort city, there's still a helluva lot of people he could have run into otherwise. It's not like they're entirely devoid of native residents. ]

You're getting a late start if you want to do a weekend camping trip.

[ Her tone turns more teasing as she continues, ]

We've had two so far. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to track me down.

Is that what you're used to? You got men trackin' you down a lot?

[ He says it with a teasing grin, his arms crossing over his chest. Rick doesn't bother to address the first part, though. Addressing it would mean relaying the embarrassing story about his coworkers and how he has no Valentine's plans and does not intend to have any either.

He's not sure what part of that story would be worse -- the assumption of his coworkers or the fact that Rick can't find a date. ]

You could say that.

[ Her love life has been such a giant mess and that only barely begins to describe it. The damage control was going to take a while and she's not going to bury him in the details. ]

You out grabbing camping supplies then?

[ There's something else that crosses his face. Some intensity and concern after her confession. Even if she's off the topic pretty quick to move on to his camping trip. ]

I'm not. I'm --

[ It doesn't matter. He's more concerned about her. Rick takes a step closer so he can lower his voice and make the conversation a little more private in the very public place. ]

You're alright, though, right? No one's doin' nothin' you don't--

[ He never finishes the thought because suddenly a very enthusiastic man steps out of the restaurant they're standing next to. And said enthusiastic man seems even more enthusiastic upon seeing the two of them, intruding on their conversation with: "Ah! Two lovebirds enjoying an afternoon together on this weekend of romance. But what better way to spend your time than a lovely meal? We have a Valentine's Day promotion going on the whole weekend! Buy one meal and get the other one free for your lovely woman."

Enthusiastic man gestures at Tex with a grin. "What do you say? You even get a complimentary bottle of wine. Our way of celebrating this blossoming romance."

Rick is taken off guard by the whole exchange, staring mutely at the man and then looking at Tex. It's as though the color has completely drained from his face as he stammers. ]

We ain't -- this ain't...

[ Well shit. She hadn't meant it like that. Anything crappy that's been happening has been on her end, the only crime the men who've been after her have committed are being lovesick puppies.

She's immediately thankful when they're interrupted. Even if the man has the completely wrong idea about them. She's quick to grumble with a light snort, ]

I'm not his woman. [ It's more a protest at the use of possession than there being something wrong with Rick. She side-eyes him, to get another glimpse at his form. He's not bad looking at all by any means and of what she's seen of him, he's been nice enough.

That's the only part she has to complain about though when a bottle of wine is thrown in to sweeten the pot. They might not be dating, but after some of the bullshit she's been dealing with, she's not about to say no to free alcohol. ]

I could use a drink.

[ That protest is enough -- enough to cause Rick to get his bearings. He figures that means 'no' and he's about to decline the guy's offer until Tex mentions she could use a drink. He glances over at her in surprise. But through that surprise, he finds himself a bit happy to get the chance to sit down with Tex and get to know her better. ]

You sure? I mean, that's a good hour you gotta spend in my company.

[ The last part is added on more as a joke, but the first question is serious. He wants to make absolutely sure she's okay with this before he agrees. ]

[ She raises a brow at him. ]

If I wanted to say no, I would have already. [ The firmness of her tone makes it crystal clear she means that with every fiber of her being. After she fixes him with another look to make sure that's understood, she continues speaking, tone becoming teasing. ]

Besides, it might be longer than an hour if we have a whole bottle of wine to finish.

Well. I ain't got no where else to be besides some campin' trip that is a little late to start anyway.

[ He smiles genuinely because he finds Tex to be good company, and this 'date' isn't entirely unwanted. He's tempted to offer his arm, but decides that might be a little too much and instead simply nods toward the restaurant to the glee of the man who wanted their business.

Everything is rather romantic, the lighting dim as the curtains are drawn half mast to give it the illusion of a candlelit dinner, even during the day time. They're led to a corner booth, done up with red roses and candles all on top of a white tablecloth. Rick hesitates at the scene, suddenly looking a bit forlorn.

The last time he had done this, it had been with Lori. For a moment, Rick brushes his thumb over the wedding band he still wears even after her death years ago before he settles into the booth opposite Tex. ]

[ The whole damn place is cheesy. She manages to keep herself from rolling her eyes too much at the sight, keeping in mind that she's getting a free bottle of wine and a half-priced meal out of the deal. She's likely to be enduring something similar tomorrow depending on where she and Church go for their own date.

The wedding band hasn't gone unnoticed from her attention and she figures even if the appearance of a date is there, they're not actually on one. It makes this a lot easier to handle after her recent spat with both Miles and Church.

She slides into one side of the booth and raises a brow at his expression. That's not the look of a man happy to be sitting down to a meal. ]

Having second thoughts?

[ He snaps out of his thoughts, looking up at her. It's amazing how women can do that -- can just read people like that. Rick quickly shakes his head. ]

Nah. It's jus'...moments like these make me remember what life once was. What I once had. Been years since I sat down in a place like this.

[ Blue eyes sweep the restaurant for a moment. It is pretty cheesy. But people like this sort of thing, don't they? Especially on Valentine's Day. Rick stops touching the ring, meeting her eyes. ]

It's just me now. With the kids.

[ And that's easier than saying Lori is dead -- conveys the same message without rehashing the pain of the details. ]

Still wearing the ring?

[ She lets her gaze linger on the piece of jewelry. Divorce is unlikely and with what he's said of his world, death is most likely. So a momento. Must make things easier when he wants to fend off unwanted attention, too.

Her attention turns to the menu, deciding too much focus on the ring would only make things awkward. ]

And I thought you only had one kid, Carl.

[ He glances down at the golden band and nods. He hasn't been able to bring himself to remove it. Back home, it might be because he fears losing it. But here? He doesn't know. He just has a lot of baggage, he supposes. ]

Got a daughter, too. She ain't here. Judith's her name. She's about a year, year and a half now.

[ Except she might not ACTUALLY be his daughter. Could be his best friend's daughter who slept with his wife. Tex isn't the only one who had complicated relationships. ]

I'm glad in a way that she ain't here. This world ain't easy. Never know when you might get sent home. An' what if she was jus' left here on her own without me or Carl?

[ The wine menu arrives and Rick hands it over to Tex so she could pick. He clearly has no preference because a drink is a drink to him. ]

[ ...Okay. She can't hold back the look of surprise on her face at that bit of news.

She speaks carefully, ] That's quite the spread in your family.

[ That's the best way she can think to say it. And she'll keep any probing questions of whether or not Carl and Judith share the same mother. She's the last one who should pry into a complicated family tree. ]

Was she born before or after the world went to shit?

[ Rick doesn't see a reason to keep the truth from Tex. It hurts. But he's a man who when asked a question, even a tough, painful question, he will answer it. The weight of the world seems to be on his shoulders when he speaks next. ]

After. Lori, she... when she had Carl, it was a difficult pregnancy. She had to have a C-section. So when it came time to give birth to Judith, she had problems then, too. Only we...by that point there were no doctors. To make matters worse, we were bein' attacked by a hoard of walkers at the time. So she an' Carl an' this other member of our group Maggie all got someplace outta the way together.

Lori told them they had to cut the baby outta her. It was the only way Judith'd survive. An' they did. Long story short, Lori didn't make it through.

[ He offers a grim smile. Happy Valentine's Day. ]

Here I am jus' bringin' the mood down. Sure hope you got better luck than me.

[ She has a daughter. That implies a man somewhere along the line. ]

[ He has her full attention when he speaks. It's not a pretty story, but if he's willing to share what he's come from, the least she can do is look him in the eyes as he bears his soul.

There's not much she can say in condolences, the death is over a year old by this point. Nothing will change that it happened. She gives him a small nod in acknowledgement and a simple, plain, ]

Sorry to hear that. [ His invitation to discuss her luck is sidestepped for now. She's never been keen to talk about her personal affairs without more direct prying under the right circumstances. ]

Are you managing to keep Judith safe in that mess of the world?

Doin' my best. We found a community. A safe place. It's got a huge gate to keep the walkers out, solar panels for electricity an' runnin' water. Self-sustainable community livin' -- that's what they advertised it as. It's a good place. But places never last too long back there. Someone always has to come along an' try an' take it.

[ He shakes his head. His life will never be easy. ]

Do you have an Earth? [ It feels like a weird question, and even though they have spoken about normal mundane things that are common between the earths, because of the way these different universes are, there's no guarantee about anything. And Tex already mentioned aliens and space fighting. So Rick wants to make sure before he goes on to ask about the state of her version of a planet that might not even exist. ]

How many times have you had to fend off poachers?

[ She can only imagine he's speaking from experience and he has her full attention if he wants to share stories, though his question has her briefly sidetracked. ]

Yeah, we have an Earth though I haven't seen it in a long time. [ Or at all, if she's feeling honest. Any memories of the real planet are from her progenitor, not herself. ]

[ Rick gives her a look after her initial question. Really, it's too many to count, and he doesn't want to bore her with his war stories. The waiter brings them over a complimentary bottle of one of their 'finest' and Rick takes it from him, pouring a glass for Tex and then one for himself. He has some gentleman habits still. ]

But it's still fine? A couple people I talked to who came from worlds where they went to different planets an' traveled around in space said that their Earth got destroyed a while back. Forced 'em out into the universe. Your Earth is still standin'?

[ Good man. She doesn't even need to prompt him. She flashes him a small smile and gladly takes up her glass. She doubts the restaurant is handing them their 'finest,' but free wine is free wine. ]

Yeah, though the assholes got pretty damn close to it. They took out a few colonies on the way. [ A small shrug. ] We've been exploring for a long time.

What is it you're hopin' to find?

[ He raises his own glass, taking a sip before his eyes rest on her curiously. What is she fighting for? What is she trying to accomplish? He feels like everything about this woman is intriguing. ]

[ She raises a brow. ]

Do we have to be looking for something? You'd have to ask the ones in charge of establishing colonies why they're doing it. Mostly it feels like we're spreading out and exploring.

[ The general 'we.' She's well aware she's a small part of the overall system. ]

Usually when you go out explorin', you at least have somethin' in mind 'bout what you wanna find. Space is pretty damn big, a little too big to be goin' at it aimlessly.

[ He pauses to take a sip of his drink, glancing over the menu. ]

But it sounds like we're doin' somethin' similar in a way. Tryin' to find a place to settle down. You got better luck what with havin' a whole universe to search.

The greater good and all that crap. We've found a lot of places to settle along the way and room to grow once we rebuild.

[ She shrugs. It's not a sight she'll get to see when she returns unfortunately, but her time has come and gone. ]

It's the 26th century and we didn't have an apocalypse to try to wipe us out. Only alien assholes hunting us down for a couple of decades. Do you know how much of your world is surviving?

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