thisavrou_log | [open]

[open]

Who: Karen Page & You
When: 5/29
Where: About the Moira (aft, bar, galley)
What: After being sad about Foggy, Karen starts leaving her room again.
Warnings: n/a

The aft:

[She's never going to get tired of looking out at space. Sure, it's kind of scary, makes her feel small. Is it wrong that that's all a part of the appeal? It leaves Karen with more questions than answers, and that does get under her skin, but at least it keeps her mind busy.]

Star light, star bright. [Karen whispers the words, not checking to see if there is anyone else there with her.] First star I see tonight...

[She hasn't said the poem since she was a little girl looking up at the night sky. She's so much closer now, right in the middle of them. It makes her smile.]

I wonder what she would think about all this.

The bar:

[It will never be Josie's, with its colorful clientele and rusty pipe water that "encourages" you to keep drinking beers. Karen sighs before bringing a glass to her lips, and the alcohol is far and away better than anything she was ever served there.

God, she misses it. If Karen closes her eyes, she can still hear the sound of a cue ball sinking another one, the chatter of rough customers talking about their crappy jobs or their amazing dogs. Foggy's laugh.

This is the way Matt experiences it all, the other senses putting in overtime to make up for the loss of sight. She sits that way for awhile, eyes closed and the seat beside her empty. She'll be in for a surprise if she opens then and finds it suddenly occupied.

(By all means, surprise her.)]

The galley:

Hello?

[It's late, really late, though there's not an hour of the day or night when the Moira can be accused of being truly deserted. But the galley seems to be empty at the moment, and Karen plans on making use of it. Everyone needs to sneak in for a little midnight snack now and then, right?

Except probably the robots on board. Karen isn't really sure what they eat. She starts taking a look around at whatever there is to offer.]

Come on, there's gotta be some pickles somewhere.

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[Ocelot is good at sneaking up on someone when he wants to, but that's not his aim at the moment. It's a funny thing, since he wears spurs on his boots. One would think it would be impossible for him to walk quietly, but he can.

Right now, though, Karen can hear his approach unless she's entirely oblivious to everything around her. The soft jingle of spurs with each easy step is accompanied by a second sound. A faster pace that comes with the soft tapping of claws against the floor. That companion is a large grey dog with a eye-patch over one eye. It follows obediently at Ocelot's side as he goes to the bar.]

Evenin'.

[The cowboy slides onto the stool next to her while DD sits himself next to the man on the floor.]

[She's close to it, at least at first, the sound of his spurs blending in with other sounds around her. But as he gets closer, the sound becomes more noticeable. Karen opens her eyes just in time for the greeting, a wide smile crossing her lips.]

Hey! I was just thinking about shooting you a message. [She hasn't forgotten her promise, and company always beats drinking alone. Karen looks down at the dog, even more delighted.] And you brought a friend! Hey there.

[She's got a hell of a smile, that's for sure. One he wouldn't mind seeing more often.]

You were? Thanks for thinkin' of me. Most people send me messages when they need something. Not a drink, but things that need taking care of.

[He's sort of a go-to-guy for getting things done. A little friendly company is nice now and again. He's had more of that in the few months he's been here than he has... probably his whole life. Not that he'd complain. This is refreshing, is all.]

This is DD.

[One gloved hand gestures at the dog, who wags his tail, sweeping it back and forth behind him. The dog gives a friendly bark in greeting.]

Don't let his cute appearance fool you. He's a hell of a soldier. I trained him myself.

Well, I would say that you need better friends, but that would be presumptuous. [Plus she's had to do her share of leaning on her own.] So I'll just promise to keep my calls mostly social. Deal?

[It's DD who gets the hand to shake, but there's recognition in her face when she looks back up at Ocelot.]

DD? The dog who ran away from his bath and everyone saw?

[Well, Karen saw, and even offered to help find him and give him a bath next time.]

I believe you. You could conquer the world with an army of him.

Deal.

[Not that he'd mind if she had a non-social call. He does have a job here on this ship that forces him to use his abilities to help people.. for a change. Maybe it's good for his soul.

The dog is well trained, so the offered hand is returned quickly with an offered paw and a happy expression.]

Yeah, same dog. Ahab is no longer on the ship, so DD's staying with me. [Until Ahab returns--if he returns. Ocelot orders a whiskey from the bartender and takes a drink when it arrives.]

How're you settling in? Getting along alright?

Oh - oh, I'm sorry.

[She's not sure how close the two men were, but they had to be friends, right? And having lost one of her own in that same time frame...well, Karen knows how that feels.

She scratches behind DD's ears before sitting up straight.]

Yeah. [She manages a smile for him again.] Overall, I'd say I'm settling in here better than I did when I first moved to Hell's Kitchen. How're you?

[Ocelot would say they were close, but it's also a little more complicated than he'd share with others. There's a lot of strange backstory attached to Ahab and Ocelot's responsible for that.]

Thanks.

[It's kind of her, anyway, to show sympathy for losing his friend.]

You must be a tough lady to live in a place like that.

[As for himself, he shrugs casually.]

Getting along. Guess that's what we all do in a place like this. Company's good, at least.

[Yes, that was a compliment.]

[That's two compliments he gave her, starting with the tough lady one. Karen smiles again at that.]

I swing a mean baseball bat.

[She leans in, almost whispering it to him. There's also the can of mace on her keychain, the .380 in her drawer...

She'd gotten used to taking care of herself.]

I'll drink to that.

[The company is certainly good. Maybe that's why she doesn't miss the gun. Karen feels like there's less of a need for it.]

Tell me more about where you're from.

[While she orders another round.]

[He chuckles softly at the whispered words.]

How is it you were drinking alone? Seems to me men would be fighting over you.

[She was attractive, funny, and clearly had some grit.]

I'm from Russia.

[Sort of. Though he sure does sound like an American cowboy.]

I was raised by their military. I now hold a prominent position in their intelligence operations and special forces.

Well, they tried to, but I told them that the seat was reserved.

[Smooth too, a little smooth. Karen smiles coyly, but it's probably ruined by the way her mouth falls open a little.]

Russia? I never would've guessed. [Karen tilts her head at him curiously.] Can you do a Russian accent?

I feel pretty lucky.

[Yes, very smooth, Karen. She was fun to talk to. She's right; he doesn't look or sound like he's Russian. In actuality he's not entirely Russian, but he did grow up there.]

U tebya krasivyye glaza.

[His Russian is as flawless as any native speaker who just told her she has beautiful eyes.]

Or did you mean speak English with a Russian accent? Which I could do, but my American accent is pretty good too, don't you think?

[He's a chameleon for sure. That's always been the nature of his life and his work.]

Wow.

[When she laughs, it's the laugh of someone who's surprised, impressed, even a little delighted. They say French is the language of love, but he certainly made Russian sound good.]

Yeah - that's amazing. [His American accent. Karen hadn't considered that he might not be speaking with his actual voice.] So what do you really sound like? Do you even know by now?

[Karen teases, watching him over the rim of her glass as she lifts it up.]

[The question amuses him because she has a real point.]

That's a good question. Honestly, I can't even say for sure. I've been so many places and I speak so many languages, maybe I just go with what fits me best at the time. But I like this one. It feels like it suits me.

[And he sure does love cowboy movies. Not to mention he's built quite a reputation around this persona. One that strikes fear into many.]

You ever traveled out of Hell's Kitchen? Russia? Europe?

Edited 2016-06-19 03:42 (UTC)

It definitely suits you.

[Especially if she bought the whole persona, lock, stock, and barrel. She herself doesn't fear it, but maybe she'll see that side of him too someday. Karen puts her drink down.]

I'm from Vermont, originally. But no, I haven't been anywhere like that. [There's a note of wistfulness to her voice, like maybe she wanted to. Maybe Hell's Kitchen was just the start of "not Vermont" for her.] Did it prepare you for any of this? Space?

[Hopefully she won't see that side of him some day. Miller says Ocelot is a sadist; Ocelot doesn't see it that way. There's nothing wrong with enjoying your work.

Besides, when he has made people suffer, it was also to save the lives of so many others. Break a few eggs, blah blah blah, he's tried explaining it all to Miller before, but the man has his own perceptions of Ocelot that can't be easily changed. Ocelot supposes it's hard to break those perceptions when Miller's watched him work.

Her question makes him chuckle.]

I've been to some desolate places, but space is something else entirely. At least it's taught me to be adaptable, which I'd consider useful considering the number of planets we stop at.

[He hates to change the casual conversation to something that might be more serious, but cat metaphors aside, he's curious. Ocelot lifts a gloved hand to brush some hair back from her cheek with one finger.]

How're you sleeping? You said you had some nightmares.

[Karen takes a breath, looking down at the bar top, busying her hands with a napkin to set he drink on.]

Better. [She looks back up at him, lips pressed into an appreciative smile.] Time and space, you know? It heals everything. Space being quite literal in this case.

[She adds under her breath before speaking clearly again.]

And thank you. You know, for asking. For being willing to help.

[Karen gets the feeling that he wouldn't judge either.]

[Given the things he's done in his past, he's not about to go judging anyone.]

Glad to hear it. Clearly you've been through a lot. I'm glad you were able to overcome it, though. Not all people manage to bounce back.

Oh, if there's one thing that I am, it's bouncy.

[Maybe she's getting just a little close to having one too many. Karen laughs suddenly, placing a hand over her own mouth.]

Shit, that sounded bad. I didn't mean - well, you know.

[Ocelot chuckles under his breath.]

I know what you meant.

[Though the mental image is good either way.]

You want me to walk you back to your room?

[Perhaps she's had enough to drink.]

[Karen takes a deep breath, looking at him for a moment before sighing and admitting defeat. For tonight, anyway.]

Yeah, I think that might be a good idea. Especially when I have a gentleman to escort me back.

Well then.

[He gets to his feet and offers her his arm. He'll make sure she makes it back to her room safely. With Ocelot and DD escorting her, she couldn't be safer.]

[ Sam has been coming back here lately to find a quiet space to work. Usually people went up to the Observation Deck when they wanted to look out, anyway. By and large this part of the ship seemed to be forgotten.

Today, though, there was a blond woman there. The one who had introduced herself to the Network as Karen Page. He had been able to watch conversations with none the wiser on the Network, but off of it? Sam was anything but smooth. Or sneaky. Karen could most likely hear him before she saw him. ]

"Since it's always dark in space you could technically say it's still 'tonight' and wish on any star you want."

[ Oh yeah, Sam. That was good. He cleared his throat a little and tried to come up with something else. ]

So, who is 'she'?"

[It's good, though. Karen looks in his direction when she hears him, less startled by his approach. She's had her share of unpleasant surprises. It's nicer this way.]

Wishes twenty-four seven, just like coffee and pie at a diner. That's a good way to look at it. [If the observation was awkward or less than smooth, Karen didn't seem to notice. She smiles at him, and looks a little bashful herself when she realizes that he essentially caught her talking to herself.]

Oh - no one. Just younger me. I used to think about spaceships a lot when I was little. Now- [She gestures at everything around them.] Here we are.

[ Sam glances around, but laughs a little to himself. ] And I'll bet you dreamed of your very own kidnapping, too.

[ The laugh doesn't last long. Sometimes he really envied people with 'normal' childhoods. A small smile stayed to hopefully show Karen it wasn't her fault, but a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.] I did wish that I was having some kind of bad dream when I was a kid, and I'd wake up just in time for aliens to abduct me.

[ He shrugs away all the bad memories, instead trying to focus on the here and now. ]

What are you doing back here, anyway? Other than wishing on stars.

No, I could've done without that part of it. [Karen laughs along with him.] Although as far as kidnappings go, it could be worse.

[This is better than her last one by a long shot. So normal childhood, but since then...not so much.]

Really? Why? [It's more than curiosity, but concern as well.] I just... [Karen trails off, takes a deep breath and then tries to answer him again.] It's been a rough couple of weeks. I just wanted to get out of my room again, get back to 'normal', whatever that is here.

[She smiles at him.]

I'm Karen.

Sam.

[ He shrugs a bit, shaking his head. ]

I think you might have to give up on that one. There isn't much 'normal' to be had around here. The more relevant question would become; what's something you think of as 'normal'?

[ Little things like coffee or tea came from Allison's cafe. What there was here were largely things the crew had found or made themselves, and none of it was the real thing. Well except for that spaceship that one guy got in the mail. ]

Uhm...

[Karen thinks about that for a few moments, humming thoughtfully. It probably wouldn't have been much easier for her to answer that question back in Hell's Kitchen. But the answer that she does come up with is similar.]

Getting to know people who can be nice and helpful and just good, even under the worst circumstances.

[Like Foggy and Matt, but also like Ocelot and the other people that she's spoken to on the ship.]

And getting to know them better. I'd say that's pretty good as far as 'normal' goes, wouldn't you? [Karen tilts her head at him.] What is it for you, Sam?

[ Her response made sense. She was smart, pretty and much more outgoing than Sam. He wasn't sure if he could be 'good' even in the worst circumstances. So that part gets ignored for the moment. Instead he focuses on the second question, well part of it since he didn't like people in groups very much. ]

Uhhh...

[ For what it was worth he did actually give the question some thought. ]

Riding my Ducati. Just that feeling of the wind rushing past, as close to 'flying' as you could get back home.

[ Sam closed his eyes with a smile momentarily at the memory. They open and nostalgia turns to chagrin soon enough. ]

Here, there is flying around. Kind of puts a damper on things. That's what I miss most, though That was 'normal'.

[ Obviously a little awkward in talking about himself Sam shifts uncomfortably from foot to foot. ]

There has to be something other 'getting to know people'. So, come on. I told you something, you say something now.

You make it sound so amazing.

[Karen can certainly see the appeal, the excitement and the freedom of it. Enough risk to make your heart beat faster, but not enough that the fear outweighs the fun.]

I can see why it wouldn't be the same.

[Some might argue that the actual flying is better, but she thinks she understands where he's coming from. Knowing something and loving it so much, it would be impossible not to miss it.]

Okay, but you have to promise not to laugh. [Even if she looks on the verge of it herself.] But cookies and a milkshake, and crappy friday night tv. Those shows about hunting ghosts, I miss those.

[ Sam tries hard not to laugh.

Very. very hard.

He ends up pulling a ridiculous face in the effort. Karen may even find said ridiculous face funny, but either way Sam can't keep this up, and loses the battle with amusement. Putting a hand u partially in apology Sam did laugh at the idea of anyone watching those dumb ghost hunter shows. After a moment though he did look at Karen quizzically ]

Friday night TV? I'd think you would be way too much of social butterfly to be watching crappy TV on Friday night.

[She's waiting for it, waiting for it, but in the end he makes a very noble effort that actually makes her laugh before he starts.]

Yeah, well. [Karen shrugs a shoulder, a smile still on her lips.] If Matt or Foggy were up for it, I'd do something with them. But Matt seems busy most nights, and Foggy started going out with Marci again. So I was flying solo.

Maybe I should make it a point to start going out on Friday nights here, even when I can't go very far.

[ It's actually kind of funny she hangs out with guys since Sam's best friends are girls. ]

Well, it's technically always night in space. And I'm not too sure on days of the week.

[ Sam could have seriously just kicked himself there. Talk about a perfect opening and he'd totally blown it. ]

The mess hall isn't really the kind of place you go "out" to, anyway.

[ At this rate she was going to think Sam didn't like her or the idea or something. It seemed like the more he tried to make things better, the worse each successive statement sounded until he just felt awkward and stupid for saying anything at all.]

[Good news, Sam. Usually the more someone tries to discourage Karen about something, the more determined she is to do it.]

Then I guess I don't have to wait for Friday night to come around. I can start whenever I like, right? And the mess hall is at least as good as my living room. But I am open to suggestions. What do you normally do?

[ A hesitant smile pulled at the corner of Sam's mouth. ]

Uh. Well, I'm probably pretty boring? At home it's entirely too many rounds of Snood. If it's just me, then chillax in front of my awesome view of the river.

[ Sam opened the holographic interface on his MID. Better to talk about the Moira actually. Sam intended a lot of changes, back home, but hadn't had the chance to make them yet. ]

Here I'll try to work on part of the interlocking design for Cyclonus' escape pods.

...which is a fancy way of saying I'm a computer nerd, so I usually end up in the Lounge so I don't keep anyone awake at night.

Edited (pretend the whole tag was sent at once orz) 2016-06-16 18:47 (UTC)

I don't think any of that sounds boring. You've got me really curious about what Snood is.

[Karen smiles, but she looks a little unsure too, like maybe he just made that word up. Even if he did, maybe they can make up a game to go along with it.]

What about sleep?

Oh no. I don't want you to blame your Snood addiction on me.

] Sam smiled as he spoke. Pulling his phone from the pocket of his uniform. He showed Karen that yes Snood is a real game. (Just think of Candy Crush with faces )

As for sleeping…well. Sam has successfully kept the nightmares at bay by staying awake until he literally passed out from exhaustion. He wasn't expecting Karen to ask so his smile wavers a bit. He quickly looks away but since Karen has been the first (and only) to ever ask, Sam eventually shrugs lamely and tries to salvage what he can of his smile. ]

Whenever, wherever. Usually I'll fall asleep while working.

That definitely looks addictive.

[Karen laughs after peeking at his phone. But there's worse addictions to have. Something changes after she asks about sleep, his expression, the way he avoids her eyes. Karen's smile fades into more of a concerned look.]

A workaholic? [Although she doesn't know many of those who also have a game on their phone.] Hey, you know, I have nightmares sometimes, and I have this friend - well, I met him here. He says he can help with things like that. If that's something you need, that is.

[ Working on what he could of the Moira's systems, games on his phone, strong tea (Red Bull stopped working anyway, and he couldn't get it out here) the crazy of supply runs, anything to stay awake. But when Sam finally did sleep he wouldn't remember his dreams and thus felt like he did not dream. ]

I look that pitiful, huh.

[ It was rhetorical. She did catch him by surprise though. ]

It's almost funny. You'd think at this point I'd be dreaming of electric sheep.

[ Only it's not funny. It's not funny at all. And she would probably never get the bleak in-joke here. Sam was almost physically shrinking sway, though. He took a step back, sliding his phone back into the pocket of his uniform.

The last thing he wanted was to be some sort of pity case.]

That depends on who she is and if she likes stars the way you do.

[ It's a painful reminder of what he's lost -- even if the wounds have long scabbed over -- to know that he cannot see the wonder outside of the ship in all its glory; because even his own gifts have their limitations. He senses it, the dullest pinpricks barely registering; God's wonders held just a little beyond his reach.

But Karen offers to describe it to him, and he's filled with a warmth and wistfulness at her kindness, how he's drawn to her easy charm. Matt comes up behind her, smiling faintly; she doesn't seem to be distressed, even if she didn't seem wholly herself. Foggy's gone, but Matt hopes he's found his way home, because all other alternatives are unthinkable. ]

She loved them.

[Karen goes to him, letting Matt take her arm and then placing her hand over his. She doesn't know that he really doesn't need her to guide him. She has more of a chance of bumping into things, if there was anything to bump into.]

She used to hoard cookies in the closet, pretend that she had to ration them because there was no way of knowing just how long it would take her spaceship to reach the next planet.

[She's smiling, hair sliding forward and then tucked back behind her ear.]

I had a very vivid imagination as a child.

[ He's happy to let her take him by the arm as he senses the nostalgia in her voice, and his smile grows as he imagines her as a child, with a wild imagination and a penchant for getting into trouble. ]

So how long did it take?

[ Asking the important questions. ]

Six hundred light years.

[Karen says it dramatically, letting the idea of that much time sink in.]

Or until 9 p.m., which was my bedtime.

[She laughs, bumping her shoulder playfully against his as they wall. She stops after a few steps, awe filling her voice when she speaks again.]

You never think that things can be as great as you imagined when you were a kid. But it is, Matt. Everything's so beautiful.

Describe it to me.

[ Matt is wistful, wishes he could see what she does -- the wonder that speeds by them beyond the glass. It must be magnificent, to inspire that level of awe in her voice, the way her heart speeds up at the view and makes his own skip a beat.

He stays by her side, looking out -- a universe on fire, but nothing compares, he thinks, to the real thing. He's seen them in textbooks before the accident, abstract and half-forgotten, and he tries to remember it again. ]

[Space doesn't get all of the credit for that. Karen looks at him, and suddenly the view is all about Matt.]

Oh, uhm... [The heat rises in her face, because it was nearly a three count between Matt asking her to describe it to him and her snapping out of her avocado gazing long enough to respond.] There's so many specks of light. Like when you squeeze your eyes shut too tightly, only more. And there's color, Matt. I never would've expected that, but there's color. Purples and deep blues. It's like...it's like looking at a fairy tale, something that should only exist in dreams. But here it is, right in front of us.

[ The avocado might be blind, but he can sense your eyes on him, you know. He might not know what she's thinking, but he's largely aware of how it makes her feel; sensitive to the way her skin warms when she looks at him.

She's not looking at the stars anymore, but he doesn't mind -- she paints a magnificent picture with her description, the lilt of her voice, and in that instant he knows she's the most beautiful woman he would ever meet. He swallows, drawn into the cadence of her words, and wonders what it would be like to kiss her mouth, to press his lips against hers and pull her close right here, in a place that should only exist in dreams. ]

Beautiful. [ He doesn't necessarily mean the stars. But he quickly clears his throat. ] I forgot the coffee. Would you like me to get some?

[She must've watched The Little Mermaid a dozen times as a little girl. She knows every lyric to a very appropriate song. Unfortunately, there aren't any crabs in space, at least not any that could carry a tune.]

No. [Karen punctuates it by pressing closer, relaxing only when she considers his side of it.] Unless you want some. Do you want some? We could always go and come back.

[Space, she supposes, will still be there.]

[ He musters a small smile at that comment, letting the moment pass. She's so close that he could reach out and touch her, but he doesn't yet know if it's a good idea, if he wouldn't be ruining something that he's been building up with her. ]

Coffee sounds good. [ He comments with a smile, holding his arm out to her. ] Let's see if the coffee here is comparable to the one you make for us.

Don't get your hopes up.

[Karen smiles and takes his arm. Karen has many fine qualities, but nothing compares to her coffee skills. It's cliche, maybe even a little stereotypical. But in this case, it's true.

It's nice even just to walk with him, to stroll through the Moira like they're back on the sidewalks of Hell's Kitchen. And she has to say, it does smell a little better here.]

So what've you been up to? Have you made any new friends that I should hear about? What about your roommates?

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[open]

The bar

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The Aft;

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