just talk yourself up

[bosswald]

Who: Clara Oswald & OPEN
When: anywhere between June 5-15
Where: various places
What: Coming to terms with her current situation
Warnings: Nothing yet, will update as needed.



still searching;
[Despite searching the ship over as quick as she could her first couple of days on the ship, spending her time planet side has resulted in Clara not doing a thorough enough job to feel really satisfied with her efforts. So for a few days in a row she spends all her time on the Moira, this time hitting the residential decks in order to knock on doors and see if she can peek inside various rooms. She keeps track of where she's visited by writing deck and room numbers down, making note of the rooms where there's no answer so she can come back another time. For those that are present when she knocks, she greets them with a smile and an air of someone who is there for a very specific purpose and not a social call. Instead of a proper greeting, she says,]

You haven't happened to have anything unexpected pop up in your room recently, have you?


battledome;
[There's so much arguing among the crew here that Clara feels it's best to create some sort of way for everyone to work out their issues. She'd normally recommend talking, but it seems that words are only getting people further and further into messes. So she takes it upon herself to do a little shopping, and spends one afternoon on the beach area closest to where the ship is docked. Barefoot and dressed in a little sundress, she puts a plan of stress relief in motion. She takes the time to put wooden stakes in the ground and strings them together to create a small arena, and then works on creating perfectly safe plastic bats with foam taped all over them.

This takes her about an hour to get all set up, and she finishes it off with a handwritten sign that reads:

Feeling frustrated? Looking for a fight? Look no further! Step right up and grab a bat :)]


drinking;
[Eventually, she reaches the first step in accepting the fact that the Doctor's a lazy bum that won't be coming to get her in the TARDIS. That first step involves something she isn't very fond of doing, but feels is a vital part of coping with things like this.

Finding a horribly themed tiki bar, she sits alone and drinks one ridiculously named fruity drink after another. She doesn't mind company, but given the comical pout on her face, it's clear she's drinking for a reason. When someone does sit down by her, she's had enough to drink that she's feeling friendly despite that ridiculous pout, and slips the fruity rum drink she's working on over toward them to share.]

No point in ordering. This is the best thing on the menu. Trust me, I've had everything by now.

gardening;

[Since she's been here long enough, she figures she ought to at least check out the place she's supposed to work. She knows that things are lenient right now, what with the all expenses paid vacation happening, but wants to look around the gardens before deciding to give them up altogether. So she makes her way to them one afternoon, a bounce to her step as she looks around. She's hoping to catch sight of Miles and Fat Ninny, but not spotting either right away she takes out her notebook she's been writing so many other notes in and starts writing as she looks around. In her notebook are descriptions of the plants she sees, and a quick decision on if the she's likely to kill, destined to kill, capable of not killing.

She comes across a strange looking plant that she's never seen before, and glances over at the person nearest her.]

Would you say this is more of a fern or an exotic weed?

emotions are hard work;

[After she goes through all the proper mental steps, she finally accepts the fact that she's stuck here and there is no TARDIS that's coming to get her. She accepts the fact that the Doctor is slow and stupid and can't even figure out where she's at. The only downside to accepting these things is the fact that they make her feel incredibly sad. So she takes to the beach at an insanely late hour, hoping to be alone so she can cry in peace. She loathes the fact that she feels sad at all, and tells herself that one good cry is all she needs to get it out of her system. So she plops down in the sand and does just that, only to hear the sound of footsteps not too long after. Wiping at her face as quick as she can, she turns her head to look around. There's most definitely someone there, and typically she'd fake a smile and invite them over to chat but she doesn't have it in her right now.]

I didn't figure there'd be anyone else out this late.

[It's a polite way of asking why they're here, invading her solitude where she's feeling emotions in peace and quiet.]

Comments

emotions are hard work

[a_shadow]

[ It's damn cliche, but Tex has been riding the motorcycle she bought here all day in an attempt to get her mind off of Church's disappearance, and it hasn't worked. So maybe she needs a change in venue, some place where the environment itself is the distraction. She hasn't been to the beach yet the whole time they've been at this planet, even though that's supposed to be one of the main draws. So what if it's past hours? She doesn't bother with buying a swim suit or anything, instead wandering down the beach in her motorcycle attire.

She doesn't really expect to encounter anyone else from the ship, but as she makes her way she finds there's a person perched on the sand ahead of her. Maybe the person will ignore her the same way she intends to ignore them. But instead the woman turns her head and speaks.

Tex stops. Figures. ]

That's kind of what I figured, personally.

[bosswald]

[Offering a lopsided grin at that, she figures that maybe this is one of those meant to be situations where she can't fight the fact that someone else is on the beach with her. So she motions the other woman over, figuring that maybe company is what she needs right now. Crying alone on the beach is ridiculous, anyway. So she wipes at her eyes and her cheeks, not wanting to look childish.]

It's beautiful here. The perfect place to sit and think. And you're dressed so you won't get covered in sand, too. Good thinking.

[a_shadow]

[ Tex stares for a second, then seems to internally shrug to herself. ]

That's not really what I was thinking.

[ She moves closer, then turns to sit by the woman's side—not too close, about an arm's length away. ]

Sometimes it's like the thoughts won't leave you alone no matter where you go. I thought being here might be a nice distraction.

[bosswald]

[Clara looks over at her briefly as she sits down, not saying anything for a few moments. She's not sure how distracting the ocean is at night, but it is beautiful enough to take her mind off of wallowing in self-pity. ]

Are they the type of thoughts that are better suited being talked about?

[Hers likely are, but she's not about to force them on someone who came out here to get away from things that are bothering her.]

drinking fail!

[seeingscarlet]

[The smell of something delicious draws Wanda in - something fried, something warm to combat the night's chill. She's not planning on ordering anything alcoholic, though. Why in the world would you give anything that would inhibit self-control to someone like her?

The fries and some sort of soda with a shot of fruit flavoring will do just fine, thanks.]

I don't think that would be a good idea.

[bosswald]

[At that, Clara just shrugs. She's usually the one turning down drinks, so she doesn't bother pressing. The way it's phrased though, makes her arch her eyebrows. She's never heard a drink rejection phrased that way, so her curiosity makes her ask,]

Is everything alright? Or are you just not big on drinking? I'm not usually, but when in Rome...

[seeingscarlet]

I don't think anyone wants to know what would happen if I got drunk.

[She's a little reluctant to admit to a stranger that accidentally destroying the bar is on the list of very real possibilities. Clara has the MID, though, and it's not like the crew hasn't seen her fight.

It's just not the best way to open conversation. Bit of a downer.]

[bosswald]

[She can't lower her eyebrows just yet, because that response only makes her more curious. She can tell it's an issue that shouldn't be pushed, so she tries to focus on things that aren't alcohol related instead. It's not as if she drinks all that often where it's a big deal to her.]

Anything that makes my throat and stomach feel like they're burning isn't worth my time. But it's been one hell of a day, so I figured I might as well try one of everything.

[Her eyes glance over at the fries, before they look back up at Wanda. ]

If you want food, though, I feel obligated to tell you there's at least a dozen better places we could get some chips.

still searching

[ersatzeverything]

[Deacon opens the door to his quarters just the few inches he needs to see out, a paranoid habit that he can't shake. His be-sunglassed eyes peer through the crack.]

Uh...what sort of unexpected are we talking about?

[He doesn't recognize this person, must be a new arrival. But she's not holding a weapon so he dares to open the door an inch more.]

[bosswald]

[Oh good, someone's actually opened their door. He seems a little skittish, only peeking out, but she can't really blame him, given a stranger is calling. So she offers him a smile at his question, not moving to try and peek inside past him just yet. That will come later.]

Unexpected in the form of a blue box. Of any shape and size.

[Realizing this potentially sounds very crazy, she waits for him to shut the door in her face.]

I'm sorry for this compulsive liar.

[ersatzeverything]

Huh.

[He doesn't shut the door in her face. But it is an odd enough inquiry to have him curious, and so he does what he always does. He lies.]

I'd wondered where that came from. I walked in earlier and, bamb, there it was, I figured one of my roomies had brought it in.

What's in it?

it's okay they'll get along great

[bosswald]

Really?

[Unable to hide the surprise and happiness from her voice, she promptly tries to squeeze up close enough to peek past him and into his room.]

'Fraid I can't tell you what's inside, but it's very important. [That's mostly the truth.] Do you mind if I come in and look around?

battledome;

[otiosity]

[Hawke has been fairly oblivious to the arguing, mostly because she doesn't really give a fuck about anyone's personal problems. They gotta hash that shit out themselves.

She's still avoiding wearing pants but she's at least made it back into her sleeveless shirt plus hood but still sans armor. She's still got her staff on her back but the little ring in the sand piques her attention. She wanders over too it and reads the sign with a little grin, one hand resting on her hip.]

So. The idea is just beat the frustration right out of each other?

[bosswald]

[Pleased to have someone stop by her little pop up game, Clara grins and eagerly nods.]

That's right. Find someone you want to hit on, and grab a bat.

[Of course, the woman's here by herself, which really only leaves Clara batting against her. And given the fact that she's carrying around a staff on her back, Clara realizes she's likely in over her head. But what's the worst that could happen? She taped the foam to the bats herself. They're clearly safe.]

How about it, want to give it a go?

[otiosity]

[Hawke picks up a bat and idly gives it a few swings. It's well balanced at least.]

Well, I have to say I'm not much for bashing people with blunt objects. I'm more the "stand in the back and shoot fireballs at the enemy" sort.

[bosswald]

Well, I'm not about to let you shoot fireballs at me.

[Clara gives Hawke a look, pointing at her with the bat in her hand.}

And I don't see anyone else here...

[She smiles, holding out her bat like it's a sword. Because that's clearly the thing to do here.]

closed to kylo ren

[bosswald]

[Some of her ideas are easy to carry out on her own. She's always prided herself on being as fiercely independent as possible, in order to minimize muck ups due to inviting other people to help her. But some things, she recognizes, need the input of others. So she takes to looking through the various contact information over her MID, and stumbles upon the name of someone who looks like they might be useful to her plans. Kylo Ren. An interesting name that she hopes belongs to an incredibly useful person.

After taking it upon herself to figure out what it is that he looks like, she goes a step further in her determination and takes to actually tracking him down. It's easy to take note that he frequents the navigation area of the ship, but doesn't want to talk to him there. It's not difficult to track him down at the simulation room so she hangs around the area in order to try and actually speak to him. She tries watching him for a few moments, tries taking note of his body language and the way he moves so she can figure out how's best to talk to him. In the end, he remains a mystery to her, and she decides that the best course of action is to just be up front and persistent. Also bossy, but that's a given for anyone she interacts with.

The only problem is he's likely just been simulating a great deal of fighting and in her experience, he's either probably to be pumped on adrenaline and distracted. But with any luck, the endorphins will balance that out and he'll be agreeable and more willing to do what she asks. So she waits until he seems done until pushing herself off a wall to approach him.]

Kylo Ren.

[She doesn't question if it's him because she knows it is. So she comes to a stop directly before him, smiling coyly. And now that she's there, she realizes how incredibly tall he is, and has to tip her head back in order to fully take him in. He'd be intimidating if she were easily frightened.]

I need help with something, and I think you may be my only hope.

[outer_space]

[ Kylo Ren fights a world half-formed, a bare sketch of canyon overrun with holographic specters—none of them especially human, some distinctly alien. He's abandoned himself to his rage: there's desperation in the heave of his lightsaber, the groans and snarls escaping him. An artful fighter will adapt to his surroundings, his opponents. Kylo Ren just wants to destroy everything in his path.

The session ends, leaving him panting in an empty room. After a moment he deactivates his saber, pays no attention to his scores as he walks out the door.

When he sees her, his mouth twitches in a frown—coming out of the sim, a flesh-and-blood person seems like an elaborate mistake. Otherwise he betrays no surprise at what she says. He grabs a towel from the rack by the door, scrubs his face. Dryly, his breathing still ragged: ] My imagination is running wild.

[ He is curious, though—not about her laughable declaration, but about her. How she found him. How she learned his name.

He looks past her, at some point above her head. Red-faced as he is from training, the scar halving his features almost blends in. ] Where did you come from?

[bosswald]

[It's not hard to look at some point above her head. She is only 5'1". In heels. And every inch of her looks properly offended as he doesn't look directly at her, and she takes a step back and stands up taller in hopes of being in his sight line. Just in case it works, she crosses her arms over her chest and looks properly bothered by having to explain things to him.]

I'm creating a location scouting plan for any future planets we go to. The ship needs a better method of gathering and distributing intelligence among the crew. Most of them are clueless and hopeless, and need someone with a firm hand to guide them into being properly useful.

[The confident smirk on her face says she's that person, obviously. And even with his position title being public, she feels the need to step in closer so she can rise up on her tiptoes and whisper something to him. ]

You're an intelligence operative. I'm sure you can use your imagination and let it run wild with what it is I need you for.

[Leaning back on her heels, she arches both eyebrows and looks up at him expectantly. She's in no way answered his question but instead just forcefully shoved why she needs him out there. He's red in the face and sweaty, and likely needs some water. They don't have the time to waste on small talk.]

[outer_space]

[ Kylo Ren is not in the habit of concealing his emotions. He's unmoved by her bluster, sharply watchful while she speaks—but his eyes stay on her.

Of course, he's not so easily taken in. There is no real plan. Most of what she's said has been hints and suggestion, friend to politicians and interrogators alike. Enticing gaps for him to fill in on his own.

But she hadn't wasted her time spewing high-minded rhetoric on the network. She'd taken action. (And perhaps she's right about certain members of the crew needing a firm hand, but to him, hopeless is hopeless.)

He slings the towel around his neck. ] You're proposing I work for you, instead of the captains. [ Brow creasing, he wonders aloud: ] Why would I do that?

[ He hasn't said no. ]

#THUNDERDOME

[knaval]

[after watching clara from a distance for a good few hours, riptide decides he's actually interested enough in what this strange human is doing to interact with her. unfortunately, the fact he turns into a boat means he can't just casually roll up in car mode and be like hey dude, cool sticks you go there. super pokey! and it's vaguely annoying.

he hopes he doesn't scare her, because all he can do is clomp up to the makeshift arena and crouch down. at his size, he's still towering over it all.]

Am I meant to bet on people? [he squints down at the hand written sign.] I mean, I want to have a go myself but I feel like the odds are... uh. Skewed.

[bosswald]

[Oh my stars.

That is another robot, just like the friend she's already met on the beach. Which means he's much taller than she is, and since there's no one else around...

Well.

This is going to be interesting. So she just smiles a little and shrugs, and holds one of the little bats up for him to take.]

Odds are definitely in your favor, so if you're a betting man I'd wager on yourself.

[With the other bat in her own hand, she gestures to herself, clearly indicating that she'll gladly be his opponent.]

[knaval]

[riptide very, very carefully takes the little toothpick in between his fingers.]

Alright. I bet infinite money on myself.

[he moves forward to gently bop at clara. really carefully, because damn the bat is small.]

SURPRISE WILDCARD i do what i want

[pistolproof]

[ Sometime after their daring and dramatic escape from medbay.... well, Jack was forced back into it. Apparently the MIDs, or whatever they were, were pretty decently important to life onboard the ship. Jack, of course, was none too pleased about the whole situation, but he's got everything required on his wrist now and, to top it all off, he's not dead.

Always a plus, he quite enjoys living.

Add that to the unlimited credits across their destination shop and Jack's all but considered the entire situation moot. He'd spent a lot of time on the plants, buying as many things as he could, including the new clothes he's currently wearing. Most of it was transferred up to his room without him which, really, did not dissuade him from buying more things.

But eventually he makes his way back up to the room on the ship, if only to make sure everything has arrived properly. He doesn't realize it's the same room he'd hid out in, not until he opens the door and finds Clara in it. ]

Fancy seeing you here, love.

fiiiine do what you want

[bosswald]

[Clara's in the middle of admiring herself in one of her new little dresses when he shows up. His voice is familiar, so she spins about to face him with a grin on her face. And oh -

The sight of him in his new clothes leaves her looking a little awestruck. He's cleaned up well, at least clothing wise, so she takes a moment to look him appreciatively up and down.]

Well, it is currently my room. Of course I'd be here.

[An eyebrow quirks and she looks him up and down some more. Because she can, and because she doubts he'll mind.]

You've been shopping.

[She points out the obvious, making her way over to him in a hurry so she can get an up close look at what he's bought.]

You picked these out on your own?