CHARACTERS: Misato + Gildor, Sam, Lakshmi, Seconds and others! WHERE: The Graze, Hyrypia WHEN: DAY 16-18 SUMMARY: Various starters for various attempts at winning this intergalactic scavenger hunt! WARNINGS: Bad decisions all around.
[ If she could pick one word to describe him, it would be acceptance, though she would loathe to attach unconditional to it. Almost. She thinks a parent should act so toward their children, steadfastly love and care for them without prerequisite, even when they do wrong, that is, especially when they stumble. But to know what should be and what is good, doesn't mean she knows how to want it. ]
(There are always pressing matters.) [ Spoken another way, everything is a pressing matter when one lives such precarious lives as theirs. The smile she returns says as much. ] (You've been compiling information, right? Where's it all pointing to?)
[ And, of course, she keeps up the other side of their conversation. Just two colleagues having a stroll on a light day of work. ]
We're going riding. I don't have to worry about you getting trampled, right?
[ No, it's certainly not unconditional. Sam does his best not to judge, mostly, because who the hell is he to make those kind of judgments on people. Especially because it'd be hypocritical, in most cases, with the journey he's been through. But that doesn't mean he's not gonna make his opinion known, and he's got lines, too.
Misato just hasn't crossed them yet, and honestly, he doesn't think she ever will. ]
(I've been compiling it - but hell if I can see where it's all pointing to. You wanna see? Or I can give you the cliffnotes version.)
[ There's certain benefits to being able to share memories and knowledge - it means she'll have the information like she was right there getting it, though he's also not opposed with summarizing.
The question she asks outloud gets a laugh. ]
It's been at least two days since I fell off, I think we should be fine.
[ She laughs too. How easy it is to fall into old routines. Pretense is the grease that keeps human interactions turning, isn't it? Isn't it. They say many words about nothing to avoid accidentally saying something. Both the banter and her focus on work are only different ways of avoiding the elephant in the room. ]
I'll catch you.
[ Coupled with a wink too. ]
(The cliffnotes version will do. Speaking of -- Lexa talked to me about the Seconds recently, has she reached out to you too?)
[ There's laughter in his voice, the kind that doesn't come from faking something or putting on a show. Or at least, it doesn't when it's Sam. He's always had a hard time when he's not being at least a little bit genuine.
The rest of it, all the stuff between them and what's going on with some of the others in the Nest, everything they're avoiding - there'll be a time for it later. ]
(Yeah, she did - that's why I've been trying to make friends with some of them. I'm guessing she talked to you about finding out more about the Nectar?)
[ The encampment isn't too large. Walkable, all in all, and soon they reach the stables now quiet during downtime. Some of the Elin are being washed, tuned up, trained. Misato pulls off her backslapping over-friendly distinctly un-Japanese routine with one of the stablehands, who eagerly show them in to start fitting up two rides for them. She introduces Sam as "the future leader of Carbauschians" complete with a knowing wink. ]
(No, mostly the Seconds. I guess she's distributing work equally.)
[ She means that snidely, of course, but it isn't lacking in amusement either. Some people are just the way they are, meticulous planners or impulsive bulldozers, and she harbors no hard feelings either way. ]
(I can see her reasons for suspecting our Hosts, but I'm not about to clear the rest of them from the suspect list either.)
Edited (edits this a million times ig) 2017-10-11 09:25 (UTC)
[ For his part, Sam’s demeanor hardly changes. His ability to fit in and maintain a cover is more about rolling with whatever’s going on, so he takes Misato’s good humor and teasing in stride. Mostly he has to remind himself that he’s supposed to nobility and to curb his natural tendency to find common ground with the, well. More common people. At least he’s pretty practiced with channeling his inexperience at this into the quiet detachment that might be befitting someone of a higher rank. ]
(That sounds like her.) [ It’s said with some amusement as well - considering Sam’s first meeting with Lexa was listening to a handful of people arguing with her over something like that. He has no problem following Lexa’s lead now, for the most part. ] (I’m not, either. Aside from the Hosts just joining us for this, Lexa’s been on more missions than any of us. She’s the last of the Hosts that were on the Station when I got here, but I’m not really sure that gives her much of a leg up on all of this.)
[ Misato picks out the more temperamental of the Elins, the one nodding its head too vigorously, the one scratching the ground with its hoofs in impatience, and signals to the stablehands to help Sam with his, one more fitting for nobility and their soft bones.
By now she can swing herself up onto the ride with confidence, checking the reins and saddle with ease. ]
(The tallest of ants don't measure up to man.)
[ Not to mention the undeniable pull of the Nest. She tightens the reins for stricter control of her Elin, which struggles and protests to no avail. ]
(Sam. Most of all, I want to get out of here. I don't want this symbiote in my head. The mission is important, but it's not my first priority.)
[ There is a barely restrained chuckle when she directs the stablehands to help him up, but he accepts the support without question until he's mostly secure on the Elin. Out of the corner of his eye, he watches Misato's struggle and casts a wary eye at his, but it seems more even tempered.
What she says doesn't surprise him - though he's kind of curious why she's bringing up now, if she's found something relating to it or just wants to remind him of her priorities. ]
(I only give a shit about this mission when it comes to getting us all out of it, and not letting a bunch of people die.) [ He's bluntly honest because it's her, and he's found he doesn't need to soften things like that up when they're talking like this. ] (I've already been looking for more information about where we are and how to get out.)
[ Sam hesitates, and hesitates, but after a moment he keeps going. Honesty, always. ] (I don't know about getting the symbiote out.)
[ She sets out only once he's settled, playing out her role with relish. ]
(We can't get out without getting the symbiote out.)
[ She says it with so much certainty, having thought this through. They can defeat the Enemy and go back to their respective homes, but they would not longer be who they are. That is no freedom. ]
(Aren't you going to ask me about Damon? Or are we going to pretend he doesn't exist?)
[ She sounds so damn certain - and honestly, he can't say he completely disagrees. The symbiote has changed them, and as long as they have it they'll never be who they used to be. It's just that Sam doesn't think there's any going back. ]
(We'll never be who we were before we came here, you know. We can't go backwards. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna stop trying to figure out how to get it out and go back.) [ He's just - accepted that this might be a part of who he is now, and is more focused on holding onto what he's made of.
There's a faint flush of something between exasperation and amusement when she brings up Damon, and Sam gives a little huff, shaking his head. ]
(I'm taking a break from trying to mediate between you and Damon. I'm not interested in taking sides between you two, but I kind of felt like I made you think I was taking his.)
[ Two options remain: defeat this ineffable enemy and live the rest of their lives with the symbiote in peace (if such a thing as peace exists for the likes of them), or find a way to extricate themselves out of the mess entirely by stripping out the alien. Prince said the latter was impossible, but who is he to say? Who is anyone to say?
Misato leads her Elin to trot away from the general campsite, stopping by a modest hill to look back at the distance they've covered. ]
(I don't care about sides, or which one you take. But I have no use for stragglers.)
[ Peace sounds great, all right, Sam's a big proponent of the peace option - except he knows himself, and he knows a decent handful of them. Peace wouldn't sit right with a lot of them while their home worlds were left unattended.
But he knows as much about the symbiote and all of this as the rest of them, and that's no where near enough to tell anyone that they're wrong or suggest they shouldn't waste their time.
He stops next to her, looking over at her as she looks back. It'd felt like she cared, at the time, but he doesn't say anything about that other than the impression of a raised eyebrow. ]
[ Far enough from the encampment, she reverts back to using her voice. And the way she says the word, it might as well have been a curse. The hood may conceal her face, but the gaze she rests upon Sam has almost physical weight, and she doesn't turn away. ]
No one should have to do any of this if they don't want to. People should be able to just live their lives, to do the best they can in all this. I've always fought so others don't have to.
[ And yet - and yet. Their connection is too strong for him to hide the way part of him agrees with her, even if he wanted to. And he doesn't want to; it's been a long time since he's felt the need to hide much of anything of who he is from Misato.
He's never been all that comfortable among civilians, never been able to relate well to those who haven't thrown themselves into the fight.
Sam watches her back, not shying away from the weight of her gaze as he lets it settle over him. ]
You know I'd never be able to be just along for the ride.
[ Between the two of them, it is precisely why she even raises the topic with him. She tugs her Elin closer toward him, overstepping any barriers of personal space, with full intention of imposing her opinion upon him by words and by physical presence. ]
But you forget that all of us, no exceptions, chose this over death. Wanting has nothing to do with it anymore. [ It is a hypocritical stance, when she would fight to keep Shinji out of firing line, and Beth. ] So, do you understand what I mean?
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( There are always pressing matters. ) [ Spoken another way, everything is a pressing matter when one lives such precarious lives as theirs. The smile she returns says as much. ] ( You've been compiling information, right? Where's it all pointing to? )
[ And, of course, she keeps up the other side of their conversation. Just two colleagues having a stroll on a light day of work. ]
We're going riding. I don't have to worry about you getting trampled, right?
no subject
Misato just hasn't crossed them yet, and honestly, he doesn't think she ever will. ]
( I've been compiling it - but hell if I can see where it's all pointing to. You wanna see? Or I can give you the cliffnotes version. )
[ There's certain benefits to being able to share memories and knowledge - it means she'll have the information like she was right there getting it, though he's also not opposed with summarizing.
The question she asks outloud gets a laugh. ]
It's been at least two days since I fell off, I think we should be fine.
no subject
I'll catch you.
[ Coupled with a wink too. ]
( The cliffnotes version will do. Speaking of -- Lexa talked to me about the Seconds recently, has she reached out to you too? )
no subject
[ There's laughter in his voice, the kind that doesn't come from faking something or putting on a show. Or at least, it doesn't when it's Sam. He's always had a hard time when he's not being at least a little bit genuine.
The rest of it, all the stuff between them and what's going on with some of the others in the Nest, everything they're avoiding - there'll be a time for it later. ]
( Yeah, she did - that's why I've been trying to make friends with some of them. I'm guessing she talked to you about finding out more about the Nectar? )
no subject
distinctly un-Japaneseroutine with one of the stablehands, who eagerly show them in to start fitting up two rides for them. She introduces Sam as "the future leader of Carbauschians" complete with a knowing wink. ]( No, mostly the Seconds. I guess she's distributing work equally. )
[ She means that snidely, of course, but it isn't lacking in amusement either. Some people are just the way they are, meticulous planners or impulsive bulldozers, and she harbors no hard feelings either way. ]
( I can see her reasons for suspecting our Hosts, but I'm not about to clear the rest of them from the suspect list either. )
no subject
( That sounds like her. ) [ It’s said with some amusement as well - considering Sam’s first meeting with Lexa was listening to a handful of people arguing with her over something like that. He has no problem following Lexa’s lead now, for the most part. ] ( I’m not, either. Aside from the Hosts just joining us for this, Lexa’s been on more missions than any of us. She’s the last of the Hosts that were on the Station when I got here, but I’m not really sure that gives her much of a leg up on all of this. )
no subject
By now she can swing herself up onto the ride with confidence, checking the reins and saddle with ease. ]
( The tallest of ants don't measure up to man. )
[ Not to mention the undeniable pull of the Nest. She tightens the reins for stricter control of her Elin, which struggles and protests to no avail. ]
( Sam. Most of all, I want to get out of here. I don't want this symbiote in my head. The mission is important, but it's not my first priority. )
no subject
What she says doesn't surprise him - though he's kind of curious why she's bringing up now, if she's found something relating to it or just wants to remind him of her priorities. ]
( I only give a shit about this mission when it comes to getting us all out of it, and not letting a bunch of people die. ) [ He's bluntly honest because it's her, and he's found he doesn't need to soften things like that up when they're talking like this. ] ( I've already been looking for more information about where we are and how to get out. )
[ Sam hesitates, and hesitates, but after a moment he keeps going. Honesty, always. ] ( I don't know about getting the symbiote out. )
no subject
( We can't get out without getting the symbiote out. )
[ She says it with so much certainty, having thought this through. They can defeat the Enemy and go back to their respective homes, but they would not longer be who they are. That is no freedom. ]
( Aren't you going to ask me about Damon? Or are we going to pretend he doesn't exist? )
no subject
( We'll never be who we were before we came here, you know. We can't go backwards. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna stop trying to figure out how to get it out and go back. ) [ He's just - accepted that this might be a part of who he is now, and is more focused on holding onto what he's made of.
There's a faint flush of something between exasperation and amusement when she brings up Damon, and Sam gives a little huff, shaking his head. ]
( I'm taking a break from trying to mediate between you and Damon. I'm not interested in taking sides between you two, but I kind of felt like I made you think I was taking his. )
no subject
Misato leads her Elin to trot away from the general campsite, stopping by a modest hill to look back at the distance they've covered. ]
( I don't care about sides, or which one you take. But I have no use for stragglers. )
no subject
But he knows as much about the symbiote and all of this as the rest of them, and that's no where near enough to tell anyone that they're wrong or suggest they shouldn't waste their time.
He stops next to her, looking over at her as she looks back. It'd felt like she cared, at the time, but he doesn't say anything about that other than the impression of a raised eyebrow. ]
( Stragglers? )
no subject
[ Far enough from the encampment, she reverts back to using her voice. And the way she says the word, it might as well have been a curse. The hood may conceal her face, but the gaze she rests upon Sam has almost physical weight, and she doesn't turn away. ]
The ones who are just along for the ride.
no subject
[ And yet - and yet. Their connection is too strong for him to hide the way part of him agrees with her, even if he wanted to. And he doesn't want to; it's been a long time since he's felt the need to hide much of anything of who he is from Misato.
He's never been all that comfortable among civilians, never been able to relate well to those who haven't thrown themselves into the fight.
Sam watches her back, not shying away from the weight of her gaze as he lets it settle over him. ]
You know I'd never be able to be just along for the ride.
no subject
[ Between the two of them, it is precisely why she even raises the topic with him. She tugs her Elin closer toward him, overstepping any barriers of personal space, with full intention of imposing her opinion upon him by words and by physical presence. ]
But you forget that all of us, no exceptions, chose this over death. Wanting has nothing to do with it anymore. [ It is a hypocritical stance, when she would fight to keep Shinji out of firing line, and Beth. ] So, do you understand what I mean?