[closed] words they don't mean much

[valr]

WHO: Kara and: John Mitchell, Kaine Parker, the Doctor, and Joel nolastname
WHERE: Heropa and Nonah
WHEN: Late June
WHAT: Assorted shenanigans. Now with 100% less stupid.
WARNINGS: So many swears, possibly violence ("possibly", there's a vampire in here), drug use.


→ John Mitchell; some shitty bar in Heropa

[The only redeeming feature of Heropa that Kara can seem to find is the fact there are plenty of bars for her to sulk in. If anyone were to notice just how much time she spends nursing a glass of something alcoholic, they might be a little concerned, but with a slight immunity to things like booze, it's a rare occurrence that she ever gets more than slightly tipsy, and never having to deal with headaches or being hungover the day after means she can carry on like she didn't drink upwards of twenty beers the night before.

And she rotates between bars often enough that none of the locals notice her too much, which is just how she likes it.

Tonight, she's near the edge of town, wanting to avoid a run in with any other imPorts, or at least ones that might try to decide to get too friendly with her, just because they're stuck in this situation together. It's bad enough with Skye, even if Kara will begrudgingly admit that she likes the girl, and she just wants a night to freely act like she hates absolutely everyone in this town. And maybe get a bit more drunk than 'tipsy', which is why she started drinking at home, polishing off half a bottle of whiskey before heading to the bar.

Wearing studded black shorts, torn stockings and a sheer black top, with a cigarette between her lips, she's managing to look unapproachable enough that no one's bothering her where she's tucked at the end of the bar. It's more of a dive than anything, but that's what she's after, and once she's got enough scotch and beer in her, she wanders over to one of the empty pool tables and sets it up for herself. It's not as fun alone as it is with competition, but it's a good enough way to pass the time.

At first, when she hears someone else enter the bar, she doesn't bother to look up until she hears him talking to the bartender, and picks up hints of an English accent. It could mean nothing, but she walks around the other side of the table to get a better look at the man; she doesn't recognize him, but the voice sounds familiar, so she wonders if she's heard it on the network. Judging by the look of him, though, he isn't the extroverted hero type, which means she isn't as wary as she might've been otherwise.

So when she needs a refill, she heads over to the bar not far from him, and while she still says nothing, she does catch his eye before saluting him with her glass of scotch, her imPort tattoo visible as she tosses the drink back and returns to the pool table. It's an invitation; if he wants to talk to her, he can, but otherwise she'll leave him alone.]

→ Kaine Parker; Nonah

[Getting a job as a bodyguard to a meth dealer wasn't exactly what Kara had in mind when she asked for a job, but she can't really complain about how things turned out. She could've asked for more, in terms of wages, but when she's not paying rent or utilities, it's not like she needs all that much, and she likes Jesse enough that she didn't feel like taking advantage. She's sure there's more than a few people who wouldn't exactly approve of her choices, but it's not like her involvement changes the situation; Jesse would be dealing with or without her, the only difference is that she might end up saving his ass from some other dealers, and that's, you know, not a great loss if she kills a couple of them.

The fact he's keeping things from her is somewhat frustrating, though, as much as she can respect his decision to keep quiet about who he's working for. But when she has a job that doesn't suck, she wants to do it properly, and the more she knows the better she can do that. 
 
Still, she won't poke her nose directly into Jesse's business, but that doesn't mean she can't scope out other potential threats. Its in her own interests as well now, to keep track of what goes on in the darker parts of this world. She hadn't cared all that much before, not when she hadn't wanted to get tangled up in anything that might draw attention from the government, but if Jesse has managed to stay below to radar - and god knows how with that damn car of his - then Kara can manage it. 
 
If she were at home, her next move would be to scope out the criminal activity in the local area, to see what any direct threats might be, but in a world where teleportation technology exists, Kara knows she'll have to expand her search area a little. She decides to turn her focus to quantity of activity, rather than the location of it, and from the digging she's done so far that would seem to be happening in Nonah. It's a trip that would take her an hour or so to fly, so she takes advantage of the teleporter to make the trip in seconds, even if she's still a little wary of the technology. Maybe she'll fly back, if she feels like she has the time. 
 
But that's a decision for later; her current focus is on determining where she needs to be looking to find out what the gangs are up to, and the easiest place to start is in a club. By the time a few hours have passed, she has a couple of ecstasy tablets in her pocket and a lead on a dealer for more. She finds him at another club and spends an hour working him for any other names, sharing a few lines of cocaine that does nothing to her but loosens his lips a little. Following up on that information leads her to a quieter bar, where, judging by the tattoos she can see, it's a regular hang out for one of the gangs in town.
 
She's too new and too smart to make any more moves for now, just hangs out by the bar, drinking and watching whatever baseball game is being played on the small television. She knows she gets a few looks, checking her out; but she also knows that she blends in with the surroundings enough that no one would question her having just picked the bar because it was close and quiet. It's getting into the early hours of the morning by the time she leaves the bar, and she's starting to feel the effects of the coke and alcohol, after drinking all night. But that isn't a reason to pack it in, instead, she slips into an empty alley and unfurls her wings so she can fly up to the rooftop. 
 
Its a good place to perch and watch the back entrance of the bar, so she can follow the gang members to wherever they go, once they leave.] 
 
→ Joel; Residence #17, Heropa

[Maybe it shouldn't surprise her, that Jesse is apparently absolutely fucking terrible at keeping people in line, but she thought someone in the meth business would at least have his shit together enough not to get robbed by someone he was trying to hire. If she were a shittier person, she knows now she could get away with the same thing, but she's not, so instead she's sitting on the front steps of Joel's residence in Heropa, smoking one of her last cigarettes.

It hadn't been too hard to figure out where he lived, between knowing that Ellie works at an ice cream parlour and that red fucking chevy Joel apparently thought was a good idea. It's even easier to get a rough estimate of what his routine is, enough that she can keep her promise to Jesse to make sure Ellie isn't gonna walk in on anything she shouldn't. Which is why Kara has decided to do this early in the morning, having waited until Joel and Ellie left to head to Ellie's job, before taking up her spot on the front steps.

She's been there a little while, but that doesn't matter. She knows how to wait, and Joel will come home eventually.]

→ The Doctor; a borrowed workshop in Heropa

[After realizing that this Doctor planned to use his room for their workspace, Kara had made use of the list Will gave her yet again, this time just to borrow someone's workshop for a few hours.

She texts the Doctor with a time and address, getting there herself about half an hour early so she can get set up. With Will's help, her shield is already finished, but she brings along a couple of the first test shields she made, so they have something to mess around with before deciding anything final. She's dressed a little more normally than usual, in black jeans and a shirt that looks like it was liberated from someone a few sizes larger than Kara, but at least there's no studs, spikes or fishnets in sight.

Helpfully, the door to the workshop opens into the street, so Kara leaves it open as she sets up, assuming the Doctor will just walk in when he arrives.]

Comments

[humanistic]

[Spend enough time watching people, and you grow to know what it feels like to be watched. It always starts as a vague prickle on the back of his neck, a feeling that quickly makes his teeth begin to ache. Mitchell has grown good at shrugging off the sensation, ignoring it--never for long; it's not a feeling that lends itself to being left unaddressed--but long enough for him to look like he doesn't care, to maintain that aloofness as he sorts out just where the threat is going to be coming from. Sometimes you have to act faster, but that feeling of urgency is different than this.

When he does, finally, place the look--a pint of lager, and he turns around and sees her--well, it's a familiar situation, isn't it. Standing in a pub, woman across the room--how many times has it started this way? It's only when she raises her arm and he gets a look at her tattoo that it becomes any different. ImPort. Fucking Christ, he thinks, and turns away, hunching over the bar. The last thing he wants is to deal with the situation of being in Florida, being part of some-- selection. The last thing he wants is to deal with people. He's here to get pissed, like that's some act of defiance in the face of all the shit he's had done to him so far.

He stays hunched over his pint for a few minutes before he gives up, with an irritated sigh. Fuck it, right? Might as well go and see what she wants. There's a streak of curiosity in him that ought to have been stamped out long ago, but he grabs up his half-finished pint and goes after her. The pool tables are set off a bit, in a darker corner. Mitchell leans against a post, his arms folded over his chest, his glass held with his fingers pinching the top rim. And he takes a beat for silent observation, before he offers--]

Yeah. If you were hoping for a partner, I'm not really in a playing mood. Sorry.

[Except he's not sorry, by his tone.]

[valr]

[She barely reacts to his approach, letting him have his silent observation and only flicking her gaze up when he speaks, before she goes back to her shot.]

Just thought I'd offer company if you wanted some. Don't have to take it if you'd rather not.

[He doesn't seem like the company type, but then neither does she, so maybe it works.]

[humanistic]

[Mitchell gives her another moment of consideration, without moving from where he's leaning against the post. He doesn't look back toward his space at the bar that he'd just abandoned, but mentally, he's doing a look back at it, weighing his options.

Truth be told, he's more of a company type than perhaps he ought to be. It's out of choice and necessity that he keeps himself mostly separate. Never worked out, trying to integrate in with people, but...

Well. Whatever. Fuck it, right; he huffs a laugh and shifts off of the post, taking a sip of lager before he comes closer to the table.]

Are you any good?

[valr]

[He can take as much time as he needs, Kara will just keep sinking balls while she waits. This guy definitely doesn't seem like the chatty type, so she wouldn't hate his company, but she doesn't see any point in pressuring him for it.]

Been playing since it was invented , so you'd fucking hope so.

[There's only amusement in her tone, despite the cursing (that's just a natural part of her vocabulary at this point).]

[humanistic]

Is that right.

[He sets his glass down on the edge of the table, leaning on it as he looks over her game so far.]

And when was that? No, hang on, this was on Jeopardy just yesterday. 1859?

[Sarcasm, of course, but as he's saying it, he gives her a surreptitious once-over. He'd know, if she was a vampire--or at least he thinks that he would, he's always been able to tell, but this place plays hell on always, changes all the rules on you.]

[valr]

[She's mostly just messing around; sinking the balls like she's counting them down.]

You're two centuries off.

[Sometimes she just likes to say shit like this to see how people react. Unlike back home, she doesn't feel the need to keep what she is a secret, so it doesn't matter. It's just amusing to see how long it takes people to work up the nerve to ask.]

[humanistic]

[His reaction is perhaps not as dramatic as what might be expected. It's unusual for people to be so open about being hundreds of years old--usually they play coy, try to keep up appearances, especially when they're attempting to live in the human world, or at least walk around in the human world without being subjected to a thousand questions and tests and possibly worse--

Herrick was old. But if she's being serious, then that makes her older. Like the Old Ones, and Mitchell thinks of all the rumours of them, coffins in the dark, vampires with power enough to turn the world. Fucking Richard Hargreaves and his carpet sales, and his freighter ship bound for South America.

Mitchell stares at her, but there's nothing. Whatever she is, he can't register it. That's if she's telling the truth, and not just having him on--only there's something about the way that she says it, matter-of-fact, like it's just another fact about herself: plays billiards, likes long walks on the beach, drinks scotch, is hundreds of years old.]

No shit. I never could remember dates. Guess all those centuries would be time enough to perfect your game.

[It's careful, but it's fishing for more information, too.]

Unless you're takin' the piss.

[darkspider]

[For most of the evening, Kaine had been inside of the bar, but no one could see him. Tucked upside down and invisible in a corner of the place, he hadn't had any reason to move, knowing full well that his intel had brought him here. This gang was wheeling and dealing, and while he hadn't moved to Nonah officially—not yet—he wanted to have a better feel of things. His knowledge from the spiders before had led him in a number of different directions, and there were very few that he could follow right away, especially on a weekend stay.

But he's returned now, and he's been patient. Detaching himself from society has been useful, and though he's been on the other end of the bar (again, invisible) all night, he's had a spider up close, sitting on a web underneath the bar, and it's provided him what he's needed to know. The spider drops and goes about its business once he provides it, but he knows it's still there.

As the night winds down, he knows it's time to move, not wanting to get caught in there. He retreats, keeping up his cloaking until he heads to the roof of the bar, and then turns it off just as a woman shows up. He saw her inside, having a good time of things, and he finds himself judging her.]

What good are you going to do? [It's an aggressive question, but he can see someone still observing. He can see it, and he can judge it. There's no way she's not going to fuck this up.]

[valr]

Fucking-- [Her string of muttered curse words dissolves into more Old Norse than English, because the fucker startled her, appearing on the roof out of nowhere, and she isn't a particular fan of being startled.

Which is why she's glaring at him once the surprise has passed, belatedly registering that he asked her a question.] I'm not gonna do anything. Fuck off.

[What is up with these spider dudes?]

[darkspider]

You're here for a reason. Or are you just some imPort with a death wish? [Hounding gangs of all things for drugs is something that Kaine can't help but judge. He bets the government would hook them up if they were desperate enough to ask for it.] Don't you know that drugs kill?

[That last bit is added with a touch of amusement in his tone—the closest Kaine ever gets to it, really.]

[valr]

[In part to settle her nerves, she fishes her packet of cigarettes out of her pocket and takes a few seconds to late one, completely ignoring this asshole spider dude now that he isn't appearing out of nowhere.

Once she's taken a long drag:] I was just having a couple drinks, now I'm leaving. If you want my drugs you can have 'em, shit doesn't do much to me.

[It's not what he meant and she knows it, but if it serves as a distraction, then that's all that matters.]

[darkspider]

[There's a long moment before he leaps closer to her, a spike extending from his wrist and sliding up underneath her chin. He doesn't touch her, managing to keep his distance from her.

Kaine wishes he had a spider-sense right about now. It would tell him if this was a bad idea.]

Answer me.

[valr]

[She lifts her head just the tiniest amount, cigarette held between her teeth as she raises an eyebrow at him.]

You sure you wanna do this, kid?

[shittybirthday]

[If there is one thing Joel is going to have to get used to now he's taken up this smuggling job, it's leaving Ellie on her own. Like every day when he walks (or sometimes now drives) her to work, he's reluctant as hell to just leave her there on her own, around strangers. He knows Ellie knows how to look after herself but that doesn't stop him from worrying.

Anyway, in attempt to take his mind off it, he stops by a coffee shop on the way back home, orders himself a large coffee and a bagel, picks up a newspaper, and continues home. He's sipping his coffee, bagel in a brown paper bag and the newspaper clutched in his other hand, as he approaches his place, and upon spotting the girl on the front steps he comes to a slow stop.

It's that girl who gave Ellie music recommendations. The Valk... Joel can't remember what she called it. The grim reaper. Whom he got into an argument with over the network about gods.

The hell is she doing here?]

...Can I help you?

[It's not the most politely asked question; his tone is wary, a little clipped, untrusting.]

[valr]

[Kara doesn't answer straight away, like maybe she didn't hear him. Instead, she takes a long drag of her cigarette and blows out smoke slowly, before flicking it away without a care for where it lands.]

Thought we should have a little chat.

[Sure, go with that, it sounds perfectly normal.]

[shittybirthday]

[Joel just stands there, watching her, waiting, and he shifts on the spot in mild impatience as she takes her sweet time answering him. And when she finally does answer him, he gives her an up and down look that's equal parts circumspect and questioning.]

Yeah? 'Bout what? Gods?

[That last part is said with a hint of derision.]

[valr]

[Most of the time, it's fairly easy to goad her into reacting, but it's not quite so simple when she's expecting it.]

'Bout our boss.

[Her voice drops just a little, but she knows there's no one around to hear.]

[shittybirthday]

Our boss?

[Well, that's a development he wasn't expecting. He throws a quick glance this way and that to make sure no one is within earshot before setting his attention back on the girl.]

What about him?

[valr]

Well, it's more about you.

[She lifts a shoulder in a lazy shrug, sort of a what can you do? gesture.]

You gonna invite me in or are we doing this out here?

[Personally, she could go either, but she thinks Jesse wouldn't like her making a fuss so publically.]

[mmiab]

[ the Doctor seems to be an artist born of the Turn Up Late With Coffee persuasion, only in place of coffee he's dragging a small pull along cart laden with what can only be described as junk.

he arrives, half an hour late, looking a little tuckered and dragging in this collection of metal scraps (if Kara's at all familiar with the bikes around here, she might recognise some casing here, some innards there), and lets the handle land down with an almighty clatter as his cheeks puff out around a loud whistled breath. ]

Right. [ huff puff huff puff ] Hello.

[valr]

[Odin help her. As soon as she gets a look at the Doctor and all the junk he's brought along, Kara starts regretting her promise not to smoke in the work shop.]

Thought you were strong.

[And yet here he is, huffing and puffing.]

[mmiab]

I can be strong and be a little worn out after dragging things half way across town.

[ immediately on the defensive. we're not doing this! we're not questioning his fabulous strength! this is a strong body I have grown a strong body this is an indisputable fact! (it isn't). (he's definitely huffing).

pouting like an angry child, the Doctor whips off his jacket and tosses it at the nearest available space, getting to work on rolling up his sleeves. nevermind the waistcoat or the fancy lil pocket watch that goes with it, this is totally appropriate workshop wear ]

Hello, Doctor. It's nice to see you in person, Doctor! Glad you could make it, Doctor.

[ he's definitely an adult. ]

[valr]

Uh huh.

[Somehow, she doesn't sound like she believes him, nor does she look impressed by that little spiel.]

You gonna act like this all day?

[Because they're not gonna get along very well if he is. She puts up with Rebecca's petulance for. reasons. But she won't put up with it from a stranger.]

[mmiab]

[ a glance up at her, clipped and still disgruntled... and then it melts, just like that, because they do have better things to be doing, don't they? he doesn't acknowledge the question, but settling of his attitude in a beat just like that is probably answer enough (not all day - perhaps occasionally, but not enough to drive you mad when there are more interesting things to be doing) and he hops over the fallen handle of his cart to crowd up into her space, ready to get started. ]

Okay. What've you got? Where are we starting?

[ because he's noticed it's not from scratch, and that's fun. they've got some basis to work from, and that means room for experimentation, and the Doctor does love a bit of that. ]

[valr]

[That's better, and some of the tension eases from her own posture in response to him chilling out. Except then he gets up in her space and she isn't a fan of that, but luckily his question gives her an excuse to step away and grab her shields.

She drops the stack of test ones on a work bench, then holds out her actual shield for him to take. It's well made, although the wood work is the best, with the boss not being as smooth as it could be.]

That's the one I'm gonna use. We can mess around with the others first.