thisavrou_log | september overflow log

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september overflow log

This is an overflow for the first September Event Log.

[ The doctor certainly doesn't mean to press; if anything, her demeanor comes off as genuinely inquisitive and she only wants to know more about this man she's spent so much idle time with, because really, they didn't much speak when they shared gym space. It was a quiet camaraderie and she was rather fond of him and their working partnership. And likewise, she's enjoying the sound of his voice when he begins to speak, hearing it thrum against her ear so close to his chest; it isn't a strange topic with his arm about her shoulders, the way she rests against him comfortable and enjoying the mere act of learning about him. The subject itself could be anything, really, and still she wouldn't pull away.

This is his life, and it's what "normal" meant to him. She'll listen with the same consideration he's given her before. ]

Did I never explain the gorillas on the moon to you? [ Look, there were some things you told someone about where you came from... and then there was the colony of gorillas on the moon; "confusing" is relative. It is teasing, though, and if he even tries to inquire after it she waves a dismissive hand at him so he'd continue. When he straightens she moves with him easily, relaxing against him in a way that shut out the space between them, fitting up against his side perfectly. ]

By... monitoring the internet, phones? [ She's trying to think back to his general timeframe; Ahab and Kaz were from... the 1980s? Snake was near enough to that himself, wasn't he? she's trying to sort the context out for herself so he didn't have to explain as much. ] Radio and security feeds as well, I assume. Hmmm... How was that influencing things? Stock markets, bank accounts? Politics?

[ Her imagination can only fill in so many blanks, and she isn't entirely sure she's on the right track. But she's trying. It's difficult to reconcile older forms of technology and the securities involved. It'd been the dawn of technology, back then, but she's one hundred years in the future. ]

[ Angela may as well make the most of the casual physical contact while it lasts, seeing how Snake won't be so willing when they've removed themselves from the mantis creatures and their influences. Granted, she's already gotten to put her hands on him more than most would, seeing how she spots for him in the gym and she gave him that massage. (Although Snake would argue that the second thing had been a special circumstance.)

Her offhanded comment about gorillas on the moon does earn his attention, but she brushes it off and Snake decides that he can get back to that later. He can't quite tell if she's joking or not. Sometimes, with accents and different cultures, it can be difficult to know.

While she may be trying to fill in the blanks herself, Angela's definitely on the right track. ] Yeah, mainly through the internet. Most information that gets posted on there is never actually deleted. It's not like paper records, which can disintegrate over time. So there's a lot to pull from. Everything from SAT scores to browsing history is probably fair game to them.

[ It's the sort of thing that would usually work him up, but in this case he simply takes another long sip of his drink and shakes his head to himself. All the insanity that he dealt with back home is nothing compared to his life right now. ]

And yeah, they influence just about everything. The media, culture, politics, everything is carefully controlled to try and urge people to think a certain way. Even the president is just a figurehead. [ Snake doesn't expect his version of history to match up with Angela's. He assumes she's from the future, what with her talk of the Omnic Crisis, but even then he doubts they really come from the same place. Just more alternate universes... ]

[ And she certainly will, though she doesn't realize it's only a one-off thing. They were drinking and she can assume it comes a little easier with some liquid courage, and she'll reward it by easing into it and never pushing for more and simply taking what he offers, her touch coming up to swirl her fingertips and tidy nails along the back of his hand over her shoulder. But even if it's temporary, it's nice. Something fond to remember; his warmth and the feel of his coat against her cheek.

With his attention, though, her little smile crinkles her nose when she glances up at him and she just wants him to focus on his story. She is... only partially teasing, as always. They'll come back to the gorillas. ]

I'm sorry to hear that; it sounds overwhelmingly difficult to clear out. Something like that must have been locked up tight; were you tasked with it?

[ He speaks of it in the present tense; it must still be a problem. She's sympathetic to the plight, however, and the furrow of her brow clearly shows the thought she's putting into what such a thing would mean. Also the resources it may require to take out. Certainly nothing like that had ever happened where she came from...? It hadn't ever been an issue later on, as security systems had upgraded and AIs were developed. Traces of those would have been found.

Still, what a disturbing reality. ]

[ It's definitely disturbing, the sort of thing that makes you want to look over your shoulder no matter where you go. Granted, Snake had already been doing that, but this makes the rightful paranoia about ten times worse. All of it feels theoretical or faraway in the moment, though. That's something that can be dealt with whenever he gets back home. Snake doesn't question the way that he isn't as worked up by it as he would be normally.

He makes a low humming noise at Angela's question. Like everything, it has a more complicated answer than it should. ] I ended up on a mission for another reason and took part in corrupting one of their larger AI systems in the process. We've... still got a long way to go, though.

[ The Patriots' influence is so all-encompassing that unraveling every last part of it almost seems like an impossible task, especially for a two-person team like him and Otacon. They may be good, but are they this good? Snake has no idea if they'll succeed or not, but he's going to try anyway. There's no better goal to devote his life to, no other good reason for him to keep breathing in light of everything that he's done. He may be a soldier (a killer), but if he can find a way to put those skills toward something good, then he can justify his decision to keep going.

All of this serious talk is getting exhausting, but there's at least one more thing that Snake has to tell Angela. Well, he doesn't have to, but she asked and it's a lot more relevant to their time here on the ship. ] Ahab and I had a confrontation, something that happened in my past but that's still to come for him. I told him about it, and he took it surprisingly well, but... [ He pauses and shakes his head. It wouldn't feel right to go make himself comfortable with a man he's killed. ]

[ It certainly explains a good portion of his demeanor, and paranoia is something she understands well— not through personal experience but through others, being embroiled in enough mindsets of those around her to really get it. It's difficult to leave the life of a soldier on the battlefield behind, to stop looking for threats everywhere you turn. It often required time and a little bit of help, and she knows it isn't something that ever fully goes away. It's why so many left the service and struggled with the fallout for the rest of their lives.

She won't press further, though, knowing how delicate such missions could be, and her nod against him is half-nuzzle into his shoulder, continuing the soft soothing touch of her fingertips over the top of his hand, her other resting comfortably in her lap. ]

It sounds like you were off to a good start though; I'm glad. I know how seriously you apply yourself. I'm sure you'll accomplish what you've set out to do, no matter what it may take.

[ Snake carried a steadfast resolve about him that even she could see after a couple of months, and she already has a certain measure of faith in him. Angela picks up on the exhaustion of the topics weighing on him and she crosses one leg over the other to press against his, furthering the contact between them even marginally so, offering him a fraction more of her warmth when she couldn't possibly lean against him any closer. Something reassuring as he continues, propping him up. ]

I see. I can understand how that'd be difficult then, especially with you knowing about it before he will. I'll keep it in mind, Snake. [ So she won't unintentionally draw them together into the same space; and she also won't ever force them together. Their relationship is their own to forge, should they wish it. She will simply remember this fact if ever the situation deems it pertinent information. ] He seems like a man who will take everything in stride, doesn't he? I feel like it may be only to process it later, on his own time, but he is very accepting. I don't know if hoping for resolution between you two is appropriate, but I can still hope.

[ Angela raises the glass in her lap to her lips, mindful of the faint lipstick left on the rim and lining her next drink up to it and sighing after she swallows, enjoying the spice and burn as it works down through her. One more chasing it, and she's emptied her glass to relax back against his side. ]

Not to change the subject, but I think you could use a dance, by now. Get your blood flowing, hm?

Edited 2016-10-12 09:11 (UTC)

[ It's not as if Snake has ever gotten the kind of help that might have lessened the effects of the shellshock. It's something he self-medicated for, although the drinking is something he's mainly left behind. The glass in his hand might say otherwise, but he definitely doesn't abuse liquor the way he did while he'd been holed up in Alaska and working through his trauma. Snake can't deny that he's been through the wringer, but he also came out on the other side with his head more or less on straight, and that's got to count for something.

Angela does have a shocking amount of faith in him. Of course, it's easy for her to say that she believes in him when she doesn't know the full situation and when she won't ever know the outcome of Snake's efforts. That's something he's got to face more or less on his own, save for Otacon. He isn't nearly as convinced that they'll succeed, but their poor chances aren't going to stop him from trying.

The thing about Angela is that she's good at filling silences and she doesn't always expect Snake to say much. In this case she lets her actions do a lot of the work as she presses up closer against him. The people around the room who notice them probably think they're some sort of cuddling couple, but it's more that Snake is filling up on his physical contact quota all in one go, seeing how he's in the right state of mind to accept it at the moment.

It seems like Angela's assessment of Venom is pretty similar to Snake's own, so maybe he really is that way toward everyone. Snake huffs and lightly shrugs the shoulder that she's leaning against. ] Who knows? The ball's pretty much in his court now. [ Snake isn't going to insinuate himself into Venom's space unless he's outright asked or it's some kind of emergency, so he'll have to figure out somewhere else to lay down his bones at the end of the night.

And here Snake had thought that maybe Angela had forgotten all about the dance due to their talk. Since she apparently isn't going to let up, and since Snake isn't that interested in continuing on this line of conversation, he ends up settling on a why the hell not approach. ]

You don't let up, do you? Fine, but don't complain to me if you end up regretting it. [ What a charmer. Snake finishes off his current drink, sets the empty glass aside, and then stands -- while also taking care to grab for Angela's arm so that she isn't thrown off-balance, given that she'd been leaning against him. ]

[ Well, better late than never— perhaps one day they could get around to that discussion. Nothing about the way he nurses his drink speaks of anything negative to her, at least; his first big swallow had seemed more along the lines of "calm the nerves" than "old habit", which is just as well. She wouldn't harp on him either way. The faith she holds in others is honed in years of observing people, learning how best to read them and their body language, their actions. She is an excellent judge of character and she knows how to see kindness, warmth, and greatness in others just as easily as she can see pain, despondence, and the lacking will to go on. Snake doesn't think highly of himself— that much is clear to her, but she can also see more to him.

It's the way he'd trusted her with his body, and even here where he's felt her brow in teasing and how he'd slung an arm around her and allowed her close to him. The ease with which he'd spoken of where he'd come from and what he's done. How he's inquired after her and retained the small details. When he accepts her affection and physical contact she'll hand it to him easily, trying not to push him too far and overwhelm him with anything. Every living being required companionship; even Angela finds herself lonely and craving the warmth of others, to be embraced. This is as much a balm for her as she hopes it is for him, and she only hopes it won't be the last of it once she's peeled from his side for the night. Snake is a good man and she's thoroughly enjoyed him so far.

She feels the gentle shrug of his shoulder beneath her head and smiles for it, that huff of breath almost catching a few strands of fine gold hair. ]

Whatever you both decide is best will be just fine. People change, and some ideas just need time to spread their roots.

[ ~~MAN SHE SHOULD'VE CAMPED WITH SOLID at least he wouldn't have bullied her to sleep to make her shelter for her, and he may have even shared some warmth with her!! Dumb men...~~

The doctor could be a dog with a bone if she needed to be, and in a rare show of boldness for all she usually advocated for giving others their time and space, she has come to recognize some stubbornness with Snake went a long way— still, she wouldn't bother him beyond a second time. There would be no hard feelings if he'd said no again, yet he caves, even having to audacity to tell her not to regret it. She's beaming all the same as he moves to stand, arm slipping from about her shoulders only to remain at her arm to keep her propped up in case she hadn't shifted to reclaim her weight (which she did, thankfully enough). Angela draws her touch up to place her hand in his and will mostly get to her own feet while allowing him some modicum of pull.

Remember what she'd said about being stubborn? ]

You won't hear a peep out of me; I already know I won't regret it.

[ It's unlikely that Angela will get to experience this sort of closeness with him for some time after this rare example. Snake doesn't usually get so touchy with someone unless he knows them really well, but with both of them stuck on this crew together, that's something that could eventually happen over time. It's not like either of them have any reason to avoid each other. Much to the contrary, actually.

Unlike Snake's current situation with Venom. While Ahab has already made it clear that he doesn't hold any sort of grudge about what happens to him, Snake doesn't want to make any bold assumptions either. Better that he leave it to Venom to approach him from now on, or at least for their next interaction. Snake doesn't want to rub anything in his face.

Those worries float away for the moment, quickly replaced by the prospect of dancing. Snake really doesn't have much experience with this, but he figures that Angela also won't make any intense demands on him. She isn't going to ask him to dance the waltz with her, he hopes.

He does give a slight pull to help her to her feet, but she's obviously got this all under control. There's an area of the room that's been dedicated to dancing, so he heads in that direction. The music isn't anything that Snake recognizes, obviously, but it also isn't so different from what he knows that there isn't a rhythm to pick out. He's been known to listen to music while on missions, finding that it helps keep him both calm and focused. Now, all he has to worry about is not stepping on anyone's feet.

Traditionally speaking, it's the man who's supposed to take the lead in this sort of situation, but Snake isn't going to pretend he knows what he's doing. He looks Angela over again, clears his throat, and shrugs uselessly. ] You're gonna have to take point here.

[ Hey; she'll take what she can get while she can get it. It does seem to be a rare move of boldness on his part, but she's still amused and enjoying it, and it is something she'll look back on fondly with the occasional reminders sure to come. Angela moves with him easily, graceful even when tipsy and keeping her hand in his as he leads her over to the large expanse of marble hosting the other dancers— but she'll stop them just outside the fringes instead of plunging right into the fray; they can move into the crowd if he seems more comfortable with her once they get going and if she can show him the basics to get him started on something a little more complicated.

The music may be on alien instruments, true, but it is still something lilting and soothing, slow-paced. Hopefully he won't mind her beginning with something painfully easy; she reaches up to rest her arms over his shoulders and minces right up against him, leaving him to lay his hands wherever he likes as she begins to sway. A simple slow dance that suits the music and leaves her smiling up at him with the tiny admission. ]

I promise I won't lead you astray even if I can't see over your shoulders.

[ She also doesn't feel the need to tell him not to worry about stepping on her feet; she's been to too many galas with too many drunk older men trying to dance with her that her reflexes are excellent in avoiding this very thing. Angela does her best to ensure others have a good time and don't get much of a chance to feel inferior around her, even if it's only a dance. She won't go over the top, and really, she assumes he's rather skilled on his feet to begin with, from what he's explained of his life. He will follow lead well.

The golden train of her gown sways with her, slipping pleasantly over her bare back as they move. ]

This isn't terrible so far, right?

[ A slow dance is no doubt the easiest sort of thing they could do, but in some ways also the most intimate. It's a choice Snake would have picked apart in any other situation, but Angela's already got her arms draped over his shoulders, so he's more focused on where to put his hands. They end up at her waist, a light touch that allows both of them to sway in time with the music. There's still that creeping feeling that he has no business doing this, that this isn't the sort of thing a soldier like him does, but he's able to shove it aside with little mental effort.

Her promise earns a brief smile from him. ] Maybe you should have worn taller heels. [ He doesn't actually mean that; he wouldn't want her to hurt herself by stumbling or turning her ankle, although she seems to know what she's doing in this sort of situation. It's enough to make him curious, but Snake figures he'll ask her about it later, when he's not trying to follow along with her.

It's true that he's light on his feet and has impressive control over his own body. It's just that he's never used it in this context before, and so he needs some time to adjust. For that reason, it's good that they're starting off slow. ] I'll try to keep an eye out, make sure we don't crash into anyone. [ He doesn't think that's actually going to happen, but he lightly jokes about it all the same.

Since Angela seems so focused on his own enjoyment, Snake decides to set her worries at ease as best he can. While he still doesn't feel completely comfortable, she's right that it isn't terrible. He can put up with it for a dance or two, at least. ] Not terrible, no. But we're just getting started.

[ He can't help but be a little difficult, but he's still going with the flow, so Angela can probably see that as a win. ]

[ Well, even if he'd been bold enough to drape an arm over her shoulders and let her press up against his side, it's another thing entirely to make more contact than that— she keeps herself from leaning against him on the dance floor and they're about half an arm's length apart unless he decides to make a second move. Angela won't press his comfort; this is something to enjoy and relax with. His hands are warm at her waist and she can just barely feel calloused fingertips on the bare skin of her back, smiling with how easily he falls into swaying with her.

This is nice. Nicer still is that little quirk of his lips when he's teasing her right back, and she'll bend one leg up to click back down for Snake to catch a quick glance at the gold stilettos she's raised up on. Three inches is enough. It left her close to his height and her joke about leading a little sillier, leaning in as she laughs just long enough to press her brow up against his in a playful little bump. ]

I'll find something higher next time, for sure. I won't let you down again.

[ With the bar set so low from dances in the past, she isn't particularly skilled, but she has the basics down and she could be graceful. It had gotten her by. Snake is, as entirely expected, good at following her cues and body language, preempting her steps, slow as they may be. He's already used to the length of her steps and he matches them, toe to toe in half the motions yet never bumping each other. He performs admirably. ]

Then as you've entrusted your safety to me, I'll leave my toes and my ego in your capable hands.

[ Has he always been like this? It's a gentle sort of humor, wry, but she's gotten a few smiles out of him and he's easier with her; perhaps he was just in the zone at the gym and she hasn't had much of a chance to see him otherwise. When the ship had messed with him and he was older— but that was stressful enough, and he'd been in pain.

She's enjoying the chance. She's enjoying him. Angela would love to spend more time with Snake like this, really, where he seems to be at ease (at least a fraction) and they've had the chance to learn a little more about each other. And he's off to a good start. ]

It's the starting that's difficult. You're doing wonderfully.

[ Considering she takes "being difficult" as "being playful", she'll roll with it easily enough. Besides, he's still dancing with her, isn't he? It is most definitely a win. ]

[ It's hard to imagine that there will actually be a next time. Snake doesn't suspect that many planets they end up on are going to have the opportunity for them to dance, nor is it likely that he'll be in the mood even if that were to happen. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime sort of opportunity, which means they may as well enjoy it while it lasts. If they do somehow end up dancing again, though, Snake wouldn't want Angela to wear heels that were too tall for her to move around in safely. He doesn't actually voice that, though, figuring that it's a moot point.

If the bar is set low for both of them, then that means that there doesn't need to be any worrying over skill level. If Snake can get through this dance without bumping into someone or stumbling over his own feet, then he'll be happy. Of course, as usual, he doesn't give himself enough credit. While he doesn't have much in the way of rhythm, he enjoys music enough to get into it -- and his coordination means that he should get through the entire dance smoothly.

It's Angela's waist that's in Snake's capable hands right now, his rough fingers on the smooth bare skin of her back. She doesn't seem to mind, at least, so while Snake doesn't move his hands much, he doesn't pull them away either. It's surprisingly easy to use Angela as an anchor as they begin to move onto the dance floor as opposed to remaining on the fringes of it.

The music starts to pick up and some of the dancers change their steps accordingly. Snake watches them subtly, looking for direction wherever he can find it, before returning his attention to Angela once more. ]

I think you're too lenient of a judge, but... if you say so.

[ A pause, and then he raises an eyebrow at her. ] Is this the part where I spin you?

[ Well, there's a first for everything. Perhaps if she makes it pleasant enough this time she can convince him at a later date, even if it's only in private. Angela doesn't often need an excuse to do much of anything; if she felt like it, she would find some music and dance away. She's as social a creature as ever and wouldn't find enjoyment in doing it alone, though, so who knows what the future may bring? Snake may end up with a playful little offer for follow-up lessons one day in his inbox.

He doesn't need to worry about her shoes, nor tripping over his own feet— really, he doesn't need to worry about much of anything at all. Angela has come to know it's in his nature to be as unobtrusive as possible, though, and that the last thing he ever wishes to do is inconvenience others. Really, it's quite sweet.

Almost as sweet as the feel of warm hands just barely touching her skin, his hold on her waist steady and gentle as they twirl slowly, easing into the crowd on the dance floor as her eyes drift closed and she sways with him. Even if it doesn't require any particular skill, she's enjoying herself and places an easy trust in his movements and his control of his body that she didn't often give up when alcohol's involved.

When the song shifts into something a little jauntier, requiring a little more flair, her smile widens and she glances back up to gauge his expression and how he's feeling about this so far. She's been on the floor enough times tonight to have picked up the gist of the local dance and it's very near a waltz, a few simple steps and whirling about the floor. No partner changes, thankfully. ]

I'm patient, not lenient. There is a decided difference. And I assure you I've danced with far worse; I used to regularly attend fundraising galas where all I did was dance with old men and awkward drunkards thinking they'd woo me to their companies. You haven't so much as misstepped or slipped down for my rear.

[ Which gets admitted with a tinkling laugh, clearly delighted with his apparent skill even if he's starting at ground zero. When a wave goes around from one end of the floor to the other in concentric circles, leads spinning their partners, she raises a brow in return and lets her fingers flutter down one of his arms to take his hand, fingertips finding his for the barest curl of contact. ]

It's about to be. Are you sure you're ready?

[ All he'll need to do is give her one little tug up above her head and then follow through when she twirls to pull her back in. Shouldn't be too difficult. ]

[ Being unobtrusive is something that was trained into Snake from a young age. He doesn't know how not to do it, except when it involves aiming a rocket launcher at some large vehicle trying to kill him. But that's an entirely different situation and it's honestly the last thing on his mind for once. The point being that some of his politeness is really just years and years of training applied in a different context.

It helps that there are other pairs on the dancefloor with them; it means that he doesn't have to be the center of attention.

Following the beat of the music and the movements of the people around them isn't particularly difficult. Snake isn't a natural, necessarily, but he also isn't making a complete fool of himself like he'd implied. If it ever comes up after the fact, though, he'll just claim that Angela had done all the work of making him look good. It was hard to look bad with someone as radiant as her dancing with him, after all.

Too bad that none of his flirting attempts are nearly as smooth as that.

When Angela recounts some of her experiences dancing in the past, Snake raises both eyebrows and shakes his head. She really isn't shy, is she. ] That sounds terrible. Glad I don't have a high standard to meet, then.

[ As their time to do a spin comes up, Angela issues a mild challenge, but that's enough to get Snake to spring into action. He watches the pairs around them, waiting for the timing to be just right before lifts his arm, allowing Angela the space she'll need to twirl. It's surprisingly effortless; apparently mantis juice is one hell of a drug. ]

[ It suited his image and his profession— he'd told her on their first meeting he was a stealth operative, after all. Unobtrusive went hand in hand with "stealth". He carries himself with a fluency that spoke of the years he's putting into his skills, to the point that they were second nature for him and were applied subconsciously.

They're far from the center of attention and Angela thinks it best they keep it that way. He was already hesitant enough to even oblige her; she wouldn't push him into something she realizes would make him extremely uncomfortable. Yet he's doing just fine and continues to give himself absolutely zero credit for a job well done, so she'll make up for it with her easy assurances and guidance, rewarding all these little things with more pieces of her trust placed in his hands, an easiness to her movements that fits with him as perfectly as she can manage.

If ever he tried to deflect the praise, she'd remind him that radiance comes at the expense of energy and that he'd allowed her to soak it up. Even the stars only shone so brightly because they're against a dark sky to stand out. If she's radiant, than he's the selfless sky.

Perhaps it's a plus that she isn't a woman who needed to be wooed. Snake would never have to be smooth; his honesty and his trust in her would do the job just fine. ]

You're doing a perfectly wonderful job raising that bar all on your own. Just don't set it so high that you won't be able to clear it again.

[ She really isn't shy at all.

The playful little challenge does its job and has him rising to the occasion, his timing flawless as he uses the momentum of lifting his arm to settle her into a spin and she lets herself twirl out on the toes of one foot, feeling the gold gauze float after her and twist about her body, slipping back down into place when she reaches the end of their armspans and her fingertips are curled in his, giving him the faintest tug for him to draw her back in. Her smile is bright and her fingers are caught up in the flowing material of her dress to hike the train up off the floor, showing off a generous amount of calf and dainty gold heels. She hopes to make it effortless; dancing shouldn't be a chore or anything to dread. It's fun, and relaxing, and for a few minutes, it's only the two of you enjoying each other's company as if the floor belonged only to them. ]

[ Maybe it's because Snake is focusing so hard, or maybe it's because Angela really does look like an angel when she does that spin, but it truly does feel like they're alone for a moment there. That's a rare thing for Snake, who's always clued in to everything going on around a room. It's an instinct he usually can't turn off even if he wanted to (and normally he wouldn't want to).

Still, it's like she picked out her dress knowing that she would be spinning her way across the dance floor.

That clenching of her fingers against his is the only cue that Snake needs, and he pulls Angela back toward him with a controlled kind of strength, until their bodies are within inches of each other and their hands are clasped. Plenty of people dance for the fun of it without there being any deeper meaning or charge to the interaction, but Snake isn't used to any of this, and it's a level of intimate that's taking constant adjustment.

Still, Angela has reassured him all the way and she still looks to be having a great time, so he'll admit that he pulled this off without any disasters cropping up along the way. ]

Yeah, I don't want to have to start lifting you and spinning you around next time. [ His mouth quirks at the mild joke, and it's only then that he realizes the music is starting to fade out and the song is ending. Which means that his obligation to give Angela a dance was over, although it really doesn't feel like that much of a chore anymore. ]

So, on a scale of one to ten...? [ How'd he do? ]

[ The doctor can feel his focus hone in on her and it brings a dusting of color to her cheeks and bare shoulders, her smile turning demure as her chin dips and she tries not to close her eyes, watching his gaze on her once she's twirled out and it's only the briefest flex of his arm that moves through her body and draws her back in. It's done with just the right amount of momentum that leaves her train twisting about her the other direction and he pulls her in close, his hands rough where hers were soft, heat radiating between their palms.

This was her favorite part, and perhaps without noticing, he's drawn her right into the space she had tried to leave him and one shift of her weight could press her against him. She's coming to realize the sort of charge this dance held for him and it's the sort of thing that gave a girl goosebumps when they're close enough to pick out the rise and fall of his chest and she can imagine his pulse at his neck, the steady but slightly elevated pace it thrums at as he applies himself to something new. She moves them right back into the steps that leave them moving along the floor, even if her breath is a touch exhilarated and she's beaming up at him, teeth flashing in a way that already says he'd done excellent. It only widens with his joking and she laughs lightly between them, fingers fluttering where they curl over his hand to readjust her grip and settling. ]

Even I'm not that good, so please don't worry. If you tried I'd likely tip us both right over.

[ But the music dies down and the cant of her shoulders shows her displeasure with this fact, already looking a little sad when they were just finding their footing. She'd only asked him for one dance, after all. It's with resignation that she eases their last few steps into the wind down of the music, slowing to a near stop even if she stays in close, her hand still in his. It'd only been for a few moments that they stood this close, but she doesn't move out of his space quiet yet— not while they're still talking.

His prompting leaves her humming thoughtfully, smile quirking her lips as she thinks it over and shifts her weight from one foot to the other. ]

I would have said an 8.5 for a first attempt. [ She rests her other hand up on his shoulder, though, slender fingers just barely touching his neck to draw him a little closer. ] But that twirl took you to an 11.

[ And a kiss for his troubles, a friendly little thing against his cheek that lasts but a second before her touch leaves his neck and she'll not stop him from pulling away if she's gone a step too far. (But she can hope it wasn't too far.) ]

[ There's no denying that the two of them engage with this kind of activity in markedly different ways. For Snake, it's something that takes all of his concentration, each action measured out ahead of time to make sure that he doesn't misstep. It's not a chore (not anymore) but it isn't something that he does effortlessly either. Angela, on the other hand, clearly draws energy from the process, finds it exhilarating and enjoyable and not difficult in the slightest. It's probably got something to do with the difference between an introvert and an extrovert.

But doesn't the saying go that opposites attract?

If anything, some of that energy drains out of Angela when she realizes that their time on the dance floor has come to an end. Snake almost insists on another, if only to make that light return to her face, but he knows that it's a dangerous idea even in theory. He doesn't feel entirely like himself right now, he finally realizes, and one thing could far too easily lead to another. He doesn't want to wake up the following morning full of regret and confusion.

For the moment, though, he still doesn't pull away from her. Her scoring is lenient; he would have taken the 8.5 and been satisfied.

The kiss doesn't come out of nowhere, exactly. She forecasts it with the grip on his neck and the way that she leans up, and there's only a split second where Snake wonders where she's going to put her lips. On the cheek, of course. It's the reasonable thing to do after sharing a dance with a friend.

If he were more of a gentleman, maybe he would have lifted her hand to his face then and kissed the back of it. But he's not that kind of guy, and even now he wouldn't pretend to be something he isn't. Instead, he grips her shoulders and squeezes them for a moment before backing away. Another song will be starting up soon, so they should head off the dancefloor, and so he makes to do that. ]

You showed me a good time. [ Snake says the words quietly once they're away from the crowd. ] Thanks. I'm gonna head outside and grab a smoke now, but... take care. [ He doubts a doctor would want to be witness to him inhaling fumes into his lungs, after all. ]

[ It's a fair observation, and one that merits acknowledgement on both ends as they grow to know one another, finding where they fit and where they're uncomfortable to accommodate the other properly; it didn't do to rush into friendships (or more) while clumsily building the bridge between. Poor craftsmanship and the lack of proper supports only meant its collapse sooner rather than later, and she wouldn't risk that sort of break here. Not with Snake.

She does draw energy from it, from the atmosphere and the contact and the general enjoyment of it, but it's something she tries to share with her partner, gently feeding that exuberance to him with her smiles and her laughter and the warmth of her hand in his, the other draped along his shoulders with her thumb idly brushing the fine hair at the nape of his neck, tracing the collar of his shirt. And she certainly does lose a fraction of that energy, but she'd rather like to think of it as something she's bolstered Snake with rather than exhaled air lost to the atmosphere.

Angela gentles, as they wind down, relaxed even moreso for having danced at all and the light teasing between them as she rewards him with the kiss daringly close to the corner of his lips (maybe not quite just for friends) and begins to draw him from the dance floor, hand still in his. The squeeze to her shoulders is a sweet little acknowledgment in response, rather glad that it hadn't turned into more even as a small part of her, the bit still swaying to the music and the food and drink, wishes it weren't so. She'll come to realize the effect of this place when she feels that taint of the mind wash away with the pool water later, but for now it is something she subconsciously keeps at bay and won't give the room to grow. ]

You don't give yourself enough credit; you're on your way to being a wonderful dancer, Snake. I hope you'll indulge me some other night with another. Thank you for the dance.

[ She gives his hand a little squeeze before slender fingers slip free, hesitantly enough to say that she'd been enjoying it, and she'll give a little twirl as she scoops up another flute of champagne from a passing tray and the bubbles seem to twinkle in the light with her eyes, offering up a playful, tiny toast to him. ]

You take care as well, and try to keep it to just one smoke.

[ Angela isn't the type of doctor to chastise when she's more than aware of the soothing effect smoking has for many, but the idea is already planted for later. She'll offer him a graceful little curtsy, a demure bow of her head with a warm smile, and she'll be off in search of other familiar faces. It's time to rest, she thinks, and while she'd love to accompany Snake outside for some fresh air, she's pressed her presence on him long enough this evening. ]

[ On his way to being a wonderful dancer, she says. Snake has to wonder if that's true, or if Angela's trying to spare his feelings. Still, he can't deny that they'd made their way through that whole song without any missteps or disasters, and that twirl had gone particularly well. He'll admit to that much. Besides, if Angela's really as delighted by all of this as she seems, then Snake's pretty sure he can call the night a victory.

There's that hesitation in the way that she pulls her hand away, and Snake stands there for a few seconds with the traces of her warmth still on his fingertips. There it is again, that bold urge to follow after her, or insist that she come follow him outside. But she probably doesn't like being around the cigarette smoke, and he's already pushed this way further than expected.

Much as she might try to gently chastise him for his bad nicotine habit, though, that's a battle she won't win as easily. Getting Snake to dance? Apparently not so hard. Getting him to give up his smokes? It may as well be an impossibility.

It doesn't seem to be a deal-breaker, though. Snake holds onto that thought for a few seconds before he realizes the implications inherent in it and shoves it away. ]

No promises.

[ He smiles with one side of his mouth and then watches as she walks away, waiting until she's disappeared into the crowd before he heads out to light up a cigarette. In retrospect the evening will be somewhat spoiled by the knowledge of what effects they'd been under, but for now, Snake can't help but think that it had been a nice night. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

september overflow log

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I lied apparently she's only a few inches shorter than him oops

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COURT'S OUT TO MURDER TODAY

I DO MY BEST

UR KILLIN IT!!! and me, goodbye cruel world

no you're not allowed to die!!