thisavrou_log | june intro log overflow

[ continued here ]

[ She should've left it to Bruce, who has been strolling along the beaches and streets in this place in a thoroughly tourist fashion so often that he probably would have a couple of options to choose from. Still, he waits until he hears from Jane, which really doesn't take all that long. Besides, it's not like he's in a hurry; the whole point of this place is to relax, after all.

He answers her text just to let her know that he got it (and won't leave her hanging), then makes his way to the location sent by her, still in his own pair of cargo shorts and flip flops, matched with his most recent wardrobe purchase. Which looks great on him, shut up.

The place is... appropriately tiki-y. Bruce even stops for a moment just watching it from the beach, eyebrows raised and lips twitching in amusement. Finally, he steps inside, sparing the generously hairy singer a glance as he walks over to the bar. Even without the MID, Bruce would've easily recognized her, knowing all too well the other Shepard's face, and he approaches slowly enough for her to see him without getting startled. ]

Already started without me?

[ He leans against the counter, evidently not at all upset. ]

[Shepard laughs, an easy-going sound, shaking her ridiculous drink at him.]

Bruce! Look at this thing. It's like I'm drinking the whole fruit salad. [Still holding her pineapple, she extends a free hand to shake his.] Good to finally meet you in the flesh!

[And with just a hint of jest:] Nice shirt.

[ Bruce raises his eyebrows, nodding with a lopsided smile. ]

Looks very nutritional. [ He asks for the same when the bartender comes over, without any alcohol if hers happens to have any, then takes her hand for a shake.

Instead of offering pleasantries of his own, he grins and chuckles at the last remark. ] I've heard that a lot, and I'll keep taking it as a compliment. So thanks.

[Oh, there's alcohol. She quirks an eyebrow at his request for a virgin version, but doesn't comment on it. Instead, she returns the smile, gestures to the seat beside her.]

Why wouldn't you? The color really matches your... [She gives Bruce a quick once-over.] eyes.

Enjoying your time down here? Seems like a big change of pace from the Moira's standard fare.

[ Generally it's not a good idea to get alcohol into a guy with very literal and very destructive control issues. He can safely have a sip or two but it'd just be a waste to get a drink this big all loaded up in alcohol, and also he really likes juice. ]

I thought so too. It's why I bought it, even. [ He gives that once-over a raised eyebrow because really, what's with the judgement there buddy. ]

Thank God for that. We were all in dire need of a serious break. [ Not just a random lull between one month and the next. Relaxing this much feels almost weird sometimes, but then he sits in the sun and does nothing for a few hours and feels pretty great about the whole thing. ] How about you? You were pretty quick to find a swimsuit for someone so against the idea of relaxing.

[She holds up out her hands, shrugging.] Till I got here, my only non-uniform clothes were a hooded jacket, and two dresses. [there's a beat as she considers the clothing, and frowns.] Still not sure where the jacket or the second dress came from, actually.

I'm getting along just fine — not sure if I'm relaxing or not, though. I'll have to give that a little more time. [A ghost of a smile flits over her face.] As for this ridiculous costume... well, the Moira provides. [It's said slightly sardonically, but there's a tinge of embarrassment at being called out in it. Ah, well — roll with the black strappy punches.] Besides, it fits, and shows off my... well, what doesn't it show off? It's like I'm wearing bits of cloth suspended on elastics. Who needs this many straps?

It's always kind of creepy when that happens. I wouldn't slip on a dress if I didn't know where it came from either. [ Somehow he manages to deliver that with a very serious expression. Well, mostly— his lips still twitch a little. ]

The drink will help. [ He seems very sure about that. He'd also say the guy playing could be relaxing but he has this feeling the only thing she'd find relaxing would be to smash the guitar into a tree. He can't say he'd be unsympathetic to that. ] And well, it's a bikini, so I'm pretty sure it's supposed to show off a lot. Not that I'm— looking or anything, just making an observation. [ Wait. ] A remark.

Great, there go my plans for Secret Santa. [Shep sighs in mock-defeat, taking a long drink of her pineapple. In fact, she's almost at the bottom of the deliciously hollowed-out cup when Bruce starts observing—or remarking. Finishing it off, she almost chokes laughing at his ungainly dodge.]

Where's your Moira-gifted swim trunks, Bruce? It's only fair that I get to remark, too.

Sorry. You'll just have to think of something else. [ He shrugs like there's anything serious in their conversation. There's also a bit of embarrassment at his own unfortunate remarks, but she takes it all in stride and good humor, so it's easier for him to answer in kind. ]

Underneath these shorts, actually. But I think it'd be a little weird if I just started undressing right now. [ Granted, it's a beach bar, but they're still indoors. Well, not indoors, but... underneath a ceiling. Roof... thing. It totally counts as 'indoors'. ]

Socks? Hats? Extra pairs of safety goggles? Custom-printed hazmat suits?

Besides, we're on the beach! Everyone'll just think you're getting ready for a quick moonlight swim.

[beat;]

I could go for a moonlight swim. Do you think they'd let me bring my pineapple to the beach? Is it a pineapple-friendly zone?

Oh, socks. Underwear gifts are always a winner. Although custom hazmat suits sound incredibly tempting.

[ He glances over his shoulder and towards the sea, shrugging. ] I can't imagine why not. We can always ask, if you want to be sure?

[ Not that he's planning on going for a swim himself, for the record, but he can just stand around with both pineapples in his arms while she does. That's a real pal. ]

Never understood why socks and basic underwear are seen as unthoughtful gifts — I mean, unless you're a going-commando kind of person.

Hmm. [She taps her tips, considering.] In four more pineapples, I don't think I'll care. You swim?

I think it's just... too personal. [ He shrugs. ] How can you guess if a guy prefers black or colored socks? Plain or patterned? Boxers or briefs? There's just too much at stake, Jane.

[ Yes he's going with Jane because Shepard's the other one. The one who can't stand him. Also Jane's nicer. ]

Oh. I... wasn't planning on it. But I could, sure. Although I wouldn't advise four more pineapples if you're going to be jumping into the ocean. [ It'd be a terrible way to end the night by having her drown, just saying. ]

That's a calculated risk I'm willing to make. [There's a pause as she reflects on the name, then smiles.] But you know, I don't think someone's called me "Jane" since before I enlisted.

I think it'd take more than four pineapples to shake me up, but I appreciate the concern. I could wear those little water wings.

[ He ponders that for a moment. ] I like it better. But I can stick to Shepard, if you prefer.

[ Grinning a little at the mental image. ] Alright. So long as I don't have to come to your rescue, because I'm not sure I can swim all that well while carrying you along with me.

Jane's fine — hey, maybe it's time to switch it up! [beat;] I just might not respond right away, unless you say it like my mother does when she's angry.

And the pineapples! No dropping — keep those pineapples alive, Bruce, they probably aren't eligible for a resurge.

I don't think I can manage that tone. But it's fine, I'll just have to keep trying until it sinks in.

[ Seriously though no one wants to hear Bruce when he's angry. ]

Really? Nooo— [ Yes he draws out that word. ] That's so much responsibility. I'm not sure I'm up to the task.

I trust you. Hereon out, I pronounce you the Moira's "Head Pineapple Keeper". Protector of fruit, wielder of tiny umbrellas.

Make us proud.

[ Bruce holds his hand to his chest, resting it over his heart all official-like. ]

Such an honor. I promise to do my best.

We can buy a crate of pineapples. J can keep them at the bar, you can make sure they're kept fresh, and together we can re-live our tropical memories.

[There's a pause as she finishes her second pineapple, handing it off to the bartender in exchange for her third, which she happily starts on.]

I might switch off to coconuts, next. Don't want to play favorites.

What's next? Setting up an artificial beach at the gardens or rec area?

[ Not that he's against that, honestly. At least it'd be a much nicer and more comfortable setting than the UV beds. ]

Coconut water's pretty great, actually. I had a lot of it when I was in Brazil.

There's an idea. Keep up crew morale. Relax under the balmy artificial sun any hour of the day! We could gut the UV beds, and stick them in the ceiling with a nicer color filter. I'm game if you are.

[There's a pause in her drinking as she looks up with genuine interest.] You were in Brazil? Where abouts?

Oh my God, you're a menace! [ He's laughing, though, so obviously he doesn't mean that. ] You do what you want, but I don't want my name in any way linked to this. When the UV beds go haywire and cause some kind of ship-wide system failure, I'm not taking the fall for it.

[ He takes a small sip from his drink again, nodding before he answers. ] Rocinha. It's, uh... the largest favela in Brazil. It's in Rio de Janeiro.

Don't worry, I'm an Engineer. [She reaches over, patting Bruce's back as she continues.] Sure, I only started when I arrived on the Moira, and yeah, my soldering's not the best... but hey, if anything goes wrong? I'll tell them you were only supervising me. Plausible deniability.

[There's no small sips here, only hearty gulps. She shakes her head with appreciation as she finishes off yet another drink, popping her pineapple down with gusto.] You're joking. I was in Rio, too! [beat;] Well, probably a couple decades later, and in an alternate universe... but I was in Vila Militar. About half an hour from Rocinha by typical transport, I think — didn't exactly get a lot of opportunities to explore while I was out there.

Oh no, don't you even mention me. I won't be in any way linked to hundreds of humanoids being deprived of their necessary dose of vitamin D.

[ Wow, she's really going in for the kill, isn't she? He'd tell her to pace herself, but she didn't really seem interested in doing that to begin with. It's alright, though, he'll just keep an eye on her if it turns out she's all talk and can't actually handle her alcohol. ]

Yes, that is pretty nearby. I rarely ever left Rocinha, though. Easier to be invisible there.

» Shepard

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject