thisavrou_log | june intro log overflow

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.

[The pineapple-to-coconut switch is no good — she just wants another drink. Despite her pace, she's shockingly sober, without even a tinge of a buzzed flush.]

So I heard. Wish I'd had more time to take a look around. Think I was only down that way to catch a boat. You speak Portuguese?

[ That's a shame. Not that Bruce would want to get her drunk exactly, but tipsy people are fun and kind of silly. When they're not depressing anyway. ]

Well, uh... a little bit. Enough to get by, though just about anyone there could tell I wasn't a native. I'm a little better now, but I ended up having to focus more on learning other languages since then.

I hear that. I wouldn't mind having a practice session — translators spoil me, and I haven't had a chance to speak it since I left N-School.

[Without even a signal this time, the bartender has brought her three more pineapples. This is a ridiculous number of pineapples. Shep brightens, giving Bruce a slightly embarrassed smile.]

They've really got my number, here. [She takes a sip, and her eyebrows jump.] Boy, do they ever — this one's probably twice as strong as the others.

Well, whenever you feel like it, we can... [ Bruce trails off, staring as the waiter brings over three more pineaples. Damn. ] ... back and forth a little.

[ His Portuguese's seen better use, honestly, but then his main issue was always that he never had anyone to practice it with. Better late than never, though— even if he technically doesn't need it anymore. ]

They must know you really well. [ His lips twitch into a lopsided grin. ] I'd offer to help with that, but... no alcohol for me. You're on your own there.

I'd like that. I think I still have my old language notes and books buried... somewhere in this thing. [She taps her wrist next to her MID, and a holographic display pops up, the GUI for her omni-tool.] Should be able to send them over to your MID, if you don't have something of your own.

[The new, double-strength pineapples are already feeling the destructive power of Shepard's appetite for alcohol — two-thirds done with the first one, her lips quirk upwards at his adamant refusal to assist. It was fun to share, but having a sober friend around as you drank was almost just as fun — like a straight man in a comedy duo. They were already doing pretty well.] Oh, I've definitely got this.

Sure. [ Bruce shrugs. He hadn't even thought of looking for books as it is, but he's definitely not going to turn down the chance to get his hands on some manuals and notes, if she has them.

Though maybe not while she's getting drunk on pineapple cocktails. He imagines this would all be ten times more ridiculous if they were trying to speak Portuguese right now. ]

I can see that. [ It's impressive, seriously. Right now Bruce is very much interested in seeing if she'll manage to walk in a straight line once they leave the bar. He finishes up his own drink in the meantime —still the first, if anyone's keeping track—, handing it back to the bartender only to be immediately offered another. ] Jesus, they really are fast around here.

Probably the card. I'd be quick, too, if I was waiting on someone with potentially infinite wealth. [There's a beat, as she considers.] Probably.

[Shep downs the last third of her new pineapple, tapping away at her omnitool with a sort of reckless glee and abandon. Her face may not be showing much, but her attitude, already rather friendly, brightens with each passing drink. Shepard, by all accounts, is a very cheerful drunk.

There's a bright ping! on her MID, which she swipes, taps and smiles.]

There! Check your MID. De nada.

june intro log overflow

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