[OPEN] a shade of an angel born

[badcoverband]

Who: badcoverband & you!
When: OOC: 8/23
Where: Outside Niteo, OR inside the CERES game center, OR the Entertainment District shrine, OR your own choice!
What: Kara's return after death and a canon update has her confused more than ever. But she's keeping busy...
Rating/Warning: None for now.

---

[Kara has to be honest with herself. Sitting through the presentation a second time upon her return from canon update brief disappearance of three days, she's had enough of the disorientation she experiences now. Her mind's filled with colors and galaxies and star patterns, and she'd returned to find herself under deep suspicion...and now she's back here again? And now there's a strange glow about her, almost undetectable but undeniably there.

Well, at least she won't find herself under threat of airlock...well, hopefully. Even if she did, wouldn't she just come back? Something...some kind of weird emptiness inside her is different, like she can't reach a part of herself that would make her feel normal again. (Whatever the hell "normal" is.)

There are only a few ways of handling this situation.]

--
scene i.

[Kara takes a trip to the CERES marketplace, armed with her pay card and a picture in her head she needs to get out before she loses it. Some picture that makes her feel closer to her goal, to the destination she'd been trying to reach before she was plucked out again and reshuffled into the mix. It's Earth, actual Earth, the one she's stood on before -- she's sure of it, and she's got to get that star system from her mind to reality.

So she buys twelve cans of paint, sixteen different brushes, a small table, and jars for paint water, and heads to the Entertainment District. She picks one of the blank walls of her very own workplace, Niteo, and begins. Her manager might say something, but since when has that ever stopped Kara Thrace?]

Hey. Isn't that vandalizing?

[She's into her painting but not enough to ignore the voice behind her. She rolls her eyes. Here we go, some kind of BS she doesn't have the energy to deal with. Can't they see she's busy?]
--
scene ii.

[Kara's tired of obsessively thinking about it so she takes a break from painting, covered in various colors, and decides a game of pool and a beer is exactly what she needs. So she heads not to Niteo, but for the CERES game center.

Three beers and the same amount of pool matches later, she has more than the recommended amount of alcohol (but, strangely, she can hold it better than before). When she perceives someone as starting Some Shit™ a.k.a. someone talking about her game, she turns around and decks them right in the face*. (*Or! you can choose for her to break the pool stick over your head! Choose your own adventure~)]
---
scene iii.

[She finds herself wandering on one of her breaks at Niteo she intentionally takes an extra twenty minutes for, when she discovers the little shrine. She enters, feeling oddly out of place, but pulls out the two figures she has, little ones of Aphrodite and Artemis and kneels. She stares and wonders if they're the ones who guided her. Candles flicker over her and she sighs, feeling lost more than ever.

It figures that when she finally knows where Earth is, almost everything in the universe is working against the Fleet and her.]

Lords of Kobol...I don't even know if I should pray to them anymore...
---
scene iv.

Wild card - choose your own adventure!

Comments

[fishyoldman]

[Raven just offers an elusive grin, kissing the inside of her wrist when she smushes his face like that. Even if he told her about the other angels he knew, he's doubtful it'd be much help. Every world's different, after all, and the rules all seem to be different in each one.]

If you're worried, I'll help ya check if there's a pair of wings under those clothes a little later on.

[That's being practical, right?]

All right, let's get ya some drinks. If ya ask real nice, I might even tell ya more about that guy I know.

[And maybe after Raven's had a drink or two of his own to be able to hold that kind of conversation.]

[badcoverband]

[Kara laughs, and it feels good, even if she still feels...off.]

I do think I'm concerned enough to have you do a thorough inspection. How kind of you to offer.

[Drinks sound amazing right now. Once again she's glad he showed up, not only so she didn't have to take the time to kick someone's ass, but also because she knows he'd have just the answer. Or at least a start for now. Plus, she's all too curious about the guy Raven's being a real weirdo about.]

Okay, let's do it then. I could use the break. And hey! [Then she leans over, lips up against his ear.] I can be real nice when I wanna be.

[fishyoldman]

Yeah? Maybe you need a preliminary inspection for later.

[So as she leans up to his ear, he grins impishly, one hand reaching to squeeze her backside. No, he really doesn't care that they're right outside her workplace any more than she does, at this point. Then he adds with a wink,]

How 'bout I buy 'em on me this time? Seein' as though you're not workin' or anythin' right now.

[badcoverband]

[That's so Raven. Though she is, of course and naturally, fine with his boldness and being outside the workplace, she elbows him in the ribs anyway. She's smirking and already plotting her revenge, so it's whatever.]

Turned up nothing? You'll have to try harder next time, that was definitely half-assed. [Pun definitely unintended, but uncorrected as well.]

You're not gonna find me arguing with not paying. We'll sit in a quieter place than the counter, how's that sound? Less chance of being spotted and mistaken for working.

[Or she just doesn't want to share her Feelings with the whole world while they shout over the noise.]

[fishyoldman]

Maybe I'll hafta half-ass it twice to make sure I've whole-assed it?

[He's still looking mischievous, but he won't push his luck for now. ...But maybe later, when she least expects it...]

Yeah, sounds good. [Raven gets the need for privacy. Luckily it's not later in the evening so the place shouldn't be too rowdy anyway, but it's better if they stay out of the way anyway.

He leads the way in, claiming a table in one of the corners, then looks back at Kara.] How's this?

[badcoverband]

Yeah, well me and my winged ass will be waiting anytime.

[Kara gives a wink before they go in. She's relieved not to see any of her regulars (besides the old nerd in front of her) - a perk to working the night shift, but with her luck she hadn't ruled it out.

She makes herself at home, settling in easily and heaving a big sigh.]

Gods, it feels good not to be on the clock. Bring on those drinks, pal. I'll have one - no, two - shots of whiskey to start. Oh, and for a chaser I want a Blue Island Dream, so if that's cool, grab one of those too...

[Drinking just doesn't hold the same appeal that it did before, or rather it doesn't make her feel the same as before, but she still enjoys it, especially in the company of friends. Old habits. Plus, she likes getting to order someone around. Makes it feel a little more like home.]

[fishyoldman]

What, not even gonna pace yourself? [Not that he's complaining. He slinks off to the bar, returning a few minutes later with her drinks. Since he's an old-fashioned kind of guy, he has a whole bottle of sake for himself.]

Y'know, I tried ta convince the guy ta give me your special discount, but no dice. Guess not everyone in this joint is as generous as a lovely lady I know!

[He sets the drinks down and takes a seat, sliding hers over to her.]

[badcoverband]

Since when has pacing myself ever been an option?

[She quips before he disappears for a few moments. She laughs as she eyes the entire bottle of sake. She's never tried it but it must be something if he's got a whole bottle to himself or coping mechanisms.... She wonders offhandedly how well he'd be able to handle ambrosia, makes a mental note to test that out one day.]

Ah yeah, that'd be Barry. He's a real stingy frakker. [She downs the shots in record time, then starts on the mixed drink.] But he's scared of me, so tell him next time that I sent ya.

[She winks, cocks a grin, but then her face falls and she takes a heftier gulp of the pretty blue drink. She looks like she's been through the wringer, like she's seen much better days.]

[fishyoldman]

[Raven's barely done unscrewing the top of his bottle by the time she's downed those shots, which gets a raised eyebrow but no comment. He's sure not one to judge, nor is he one to comment on her worn appearance. They're two of a kind in that much.]

Better question is, who isn't scared of ya?

[He says it with a lopsided grin, pouring himself a cup and gulping it down. If she's going to go in hard, he might as well join her.]

[badcoverband]

You don't seem too scared of me. Or maybe it's just your thing that I could kick your ass.

[She says with a soft laugh edging her voice. She's definitely seen better days, even if the ass-grab and the company and the booze is helping some. Speaking of which, she grabs his bottle and pours some in one of the now-empty shot glasses. Her curiosity's too strong. They are definitely a pair tonight.]

Hm. Not bad. Can't believe you're spending your money on little ol' me. Figured you'd hafta save up for old-man diapers or something.

[fishyoldman]

Now that'd be telling.

[She looks so miserable, he can't help but scooch over next to her, an arm inching around her waist. Either it's a comfort gesture, or he's taking advantage of the opportunity to pretend to be a clingy drunk. Even though she's already way ahead of him, details.]

C'mon, who cares about money when this place is goin' to the dogs anyway. [He says it a little ruefully, the good humour in his voice is forced.] Might as well have a little fun on the way out.

[badcoverband]

Mm-hmm...you ever heard the saying that what you don't say says more than what you do say?

[Comfort gesture or taking advantage, Kara couldn't care less. She's not even all that drunk yet, disappointingly, so she flops her head onto his shoulder while sipping her drink out of its straw. Now that's a new level of pathetic, even for her.

But she sits back up again, still doing nothing about his arm around her waist - hey, even military captains need comfort every now and then. Maybe she just likes feeling someone next to her, after not knowing what is real and not.]

Yeah, no shit. Fun sounds and feels a helluva lot better than moping, I gotta say.

[fishyoldman]

Sure have.

[And Raven sure is the master of not saying a lot while talking a lot of hot air, and vice versa. It's an art form.

He's happy to let her flop against him, just sitting there and sipping his own sake companionably. He's not about to get much more touchy-feely than that; right now she's a fallen soldier first and foremost, and the part of him that respects that means he's holding back.]

Yeah, I've spent a little too long mopin' myself. Honestly, I just wanna live a little.

[badcoverband]

I feel like I've been moping my whole life and now I have no excuse to. I mean, things here aside. I should feel, I dunno, more alive I guess, now that I'm...not? Ironic.

[She laughs bitterly.]

And what do you consider living a little?

[fishyoldman]

I dunno, I'm still figurin' it out... It's been ten years. And crazy happenin's like this keep throwin' a wrench into my plans, so...

[He offers an easy smile and finishes his cup of sake, setting it down and pouring another.]

I'll just hafta get to it one step at a time.

[badcoverband]

Ten years of moping? Or do you mean...

[At this point she's almost done with her drink, and barely feels a thing. Once again, disappointing. Did Barry even PUT any alcohol in here?! She trails off anyway, shaking her head.]

[fishyoldman]

[Should've gone for the bottled stuff and not the cocktail, Kara. Raven's already feeling a warm buzz, even if it's not enough yet to take the edge off what he's about to say.]

...Ten years of living like a dead man.

[It's not something he wants Kara to try, that's for sure.]

[badcoverband]

[For revenge, she snatches up his bottle and downs some of it directly. Ah, yes...that's a little better. Kinda. She could use something stronger, and tries to decide if she wants more whiskey.

Instead, she fixes him with a look that's indecipherable. Wow. Bombshell. Her hazel eyes search his...ah shit. So he's the guy. Duh who tf else did you think he was talking about, Kara]

Ten years? Sounds like a real party. I haven't even been back that long but...well. [She shrugs, more carelessly and bonelessly; it's obvious the sake had some effect.]

[fishyoldman]

Yeah... it's been great.

[He says it dryly, swirling his drink around the bottom of his cup with a faraway look. Yup, bombshell, though how she interprets it he'll leave open for now. He's too distracted to even protest at her taking his drink.]

Anyway, since then I've gotten tangled up in all kinds of messes, and now I have some kids around who're counting on me. So I've gotta stick this out for them. [He looks up at Kara.] You want my advice, then don't wind up a bitter old fogey like Raven, wasting all that time. Find something to keep living for, and don't let go of it.

[badcoverband]

[She takes advantage of his distraction and pours more.]

I've gotta stick mine out for kids, people...everyone's counting on me back home. For this piece of...something, I don't know what, that's in me that I can't get out. It's what I'm living for, but what's the point if I can help them from where I am now?

[Damn, this is getting heavy. Maybe she should pinch his ass or something to lighten the mood.]

People always said I had a special destiny but that's all bullshit. Dying isn't destiny, it's what's s'posed to happen. Not coming back.

[fishyoldman]

Maybe it's the comin' part back that's destiny? Someone or somethin' had bigger plans for ya.

[Raven shrugs, and adds a little self-depracatingly,] Or maybe you're just a poor sap with bad luck who keeps gettin' caught up in other peoples' messes.

[badcoverband]

She laughs bitterly.]

Whoever picked me had to have been drunk off their ass, then. No way am I the one with bigger plans.

[She elbows him in the ribs with one good jab.]

And that description sounds more like me before. Maybe my destiny is to frak up as many people's lives as possible before I really leave forever.

[fishyoldman]

Owww... [He grumbles and rubs his ribs, although the reaction is delayed enough that it's obvious it's faked. Then he grins at her.]

Well, ya can keep comin' back to frak up my life as much as ya like... Just be a little more gentle, would ya? No elbows.

[badcoverband]

Sorry, no can do on being gentle. [She grins suggestively.] I didn't even get to boss you around enough last time, really show you how un-gentle I can be (aka ride that old-man horse til the sun don't shine).

[And leaving him with that thought, she gets up to grab more drinks - okay, just a bottle of Crown whiskey and another helping of sake in case he wants or needs - and this time for free. Intimidation tactics and all.

She gives Raven a sidelong glance when she sits again. Then, after pouring a liberal helping of a shot and tossing it back, she decides to say, softly:]

There's hope for you yet not to stay a bitter old fogey.

[fishyoldman]

Oh boy...

[He lets out a low whistle as she heads over to the bar. Those sure are some... thoughts... she's left him with. Not to mention the sake is giving him more and more of a content buzz. When she sits back down, he's surprised but not about to complain that his booze haul seems to be multiplying.]

What, you agree that I'm one now? How rude. [He drains another cup. He's still not through the first bottle, yet, but he's pacing himself. He's already becoming a little flushed and slurred... then again, that might just be Raven being Raven.] Us old people are sensitive about these things. I hope you're gonna make it up to me.

[He leans all in on her personal space again, leering at her. Two can play at getting suggestive.]