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[when nile gets home that night, there's a bag sitting on her bed waiting for her. on top is a note that simply reads:
This is for you. We will begin training at 8am on Monday.
Please do not take this outside unless Andy or myself are with you. I do not know that they would take kindly to you carrying it.
inside the bag is a rather plain looking sword and sheath. once she's got the hang of using this, he already has plans on taking her to buy something more suitable.]
This is for you. We will begin training at 8am on Monday.
Please do not take this outside unless Andy or myself are with you. I do not know that they would take kindly to you carrying it.
inside the bag is a rather plain looking sword and sheath. once she's got the hang of using this, he already has plans on taking her to buy something more suitable.]
think that means I win a prize.
I'll take anything except random guard looking at my crotch. That one's all you.
things are--
[complicated? but not bad, not really. weird? confusing. but also kind of good?]
--better. Contracted with Andy after the whole People Zoo thing.
I'll take anything except random guard looking at my crotch. That one's all you.
things are--
[complicated? but not bad, not really. weird? confusing. but also kind of good?]
--better. Contracted with Andy after the whole People Zoo thing.
done and done.
not much to talk about. Good idea. Bad execution. Well. Bad extraction, I guess.
[she would tell him, about the fact that if she and Rey hadn't taken the fall that the guards would have had the subs they managed to get out. Would have had Mystique and Ramir too as well as Fran--but she doesn't trust sharing that information over her device, not yet. She also doesn't add that next time will be different. She won't be so obvious, she won't get caught but she can't stop fighting back]
Just going to do what I can to avoid realignment again.
the contract is good: weird, because--well, you know why it's weird. But it's nice to be somewhere without a stranger in my room all the time and Andy's at least taking a friend's word for the fact that she knows me. Bright sides, right?
not much to talk about. Good idea. Bad execution. Well. Bad extraction, I guess.
[she would tell him, about the fact that if she and Rey hadn't taken the fall that the guards would have had the subs they managed to get out. Would have had Mystique and Ramir too as well as Fran--but she doesn't trust sharing that information over her device, not yet. She also doesn't add that next time will be different. She won't be so obvious, she won't get caught but she can't stop fighting back]
Just going to do what I can to avoid realignment again.
the contract is good: weird, because--well, you know why it's weird. But it's nice to be somewhere without a stranger in my room all the time and Andy's at least taking a friend's word for the fact that she knows me. Bright sides, right?
they sent you to realignment?
[ On the other side of this conversation, Dean's hand is definitely curling into a fist. ]
next time you swing by the garage I got somebody I want you to meet
but take the bright sides where you can. don't give up. family means family and nothing gets in the way of that
[ On the other side of this conversation, Dean's hand is definitely curling into a fist. ]
next time you swing by the garage I got somebody I want you to meet
but take the bright sides where you can. don't give up. family means family and nothing gets in the way of that
yeah. apparently they don't like when you explode their things. Who knew?
[Hey she's--making it. It's fine. It's fine.]
yeah? I'm looking forward to it.
thanks, Dean. [She really means it; from anyone else she would think it was placating, but from him? It hits just right] I won't.
enough about me.
[changing the subject? No, not her]
how are you? anything new?
[Hey she's--making it. It's fine. It's fine.]
yeah? I'm looking forward to it.
thanks, Dean. [She really means it; from anyone else she would think it was placating, but from him? It hits just right] I won't.
enough about me.
[changing the subject? No, not her]
how are you? anything new?
[ Is anything new?
He told two people he cares about that he loves them. Just came right out and said it.
One of them's his boss.
The other is his best friend from home.
He moved house.
Had an argument with that same best friend from home over a different world's Lucifer because of all the crap from their past, in his world.
He's fought one of his closest friends here - who was possessed - who he has a feeling he's probably way more in love with than he's letting himself realize.
And he lost his other best friend's partner somewhere in the forest and had to tell him. Oh, and other best friend was also possessed. ]
same crap, different day. moved out of the apartment building and into a house over in the forest. it has a freaking movie room. counting you in for movie nights
He told two people he cares about that he loves them. Just came right out and said it.
One of them's his boss.
The other is his best friend from home.
He moved house.
Had an argument with that same best friend from home over a different world's Lucifer because of all the crap from their past, in his world.
He's fought one of his closest friends here - who was possessed - who he has a feeling he's probably way more in love with than he's letting himself realize.
And he lost his other best friend's partner somewhere in the forest and had to tell him. Oh, and other best friend was also possessed. ]
same crap, different day. moved out of the apartment building and into a house over in the forest. it has a freaking movie room. counting you in for movie nights
[Okay so basically nothing, then. Same old, same old.
Very few changes.
Very little emotional growth and/or hardship.
Friendships all smooth sailing and the like.
Been a hell of a month, Dean. If you need an ear, you know where she is.]
You can't hear it, but I just let out an impressed whistle. Moving up in the world, huh? What with your movie room.
Of course I'm in for movie nights. I'll bring beer.
Very few changes.
Very little emotional growth and/or hardship.
Friendships all smooth sailing and the like.
Been a hell of a month, Dean. If you need an ear, you know where she is.]
You can't hear it, but I just let out an impressed whistle. Moving up in the world, huh? What with your movie room.
Of course I'm in for movie nights. I'll bring beer.
[it takes Nile a second to place the username, but when she does, there's a brief moment when she panics, because shit, Gwen's the cute girl who asked for her number--]
hey, gwen!
[shit. What. an exclamation point, Freeman? What are you, twelve?]
And yeah, yeah, that's what it's there for. My number, I mean.
To be used.
[Face. Palm. Why isn't she this dumb around anyone who isn't a pretty girl around her age? She is usually cool. She's a former marine. She can do this.]
I mean: I'm glad you used my number. It's good to hear from you.
And not much, really.
Trouble is chewing on me, but that's not new.
[arguably, the cat should get a real name one of these days]
Andy's out.
Trying to decide how to spend the evening.
You?
hey, gwen!
[shit. What. an exclamation point, Freeman? What are you, twelve?]
And yeah, yeah, that's what it's there for. My number, I mean.
To be used.
[Face. Palm. Why isn't she this dumb around anyone who isn't a pretty girl around her age? She is usually cool. She's a former marine. She can do this.]
I mean: I'm glad you used my number. It's good to hear from you.
And not much, really.
Trouble is chewing on me, but that's not new.
[arguably, the cat should get a real name one of these days]
Andy's out.
Trying to decide how to spend the evening.
You?
right?
i was kind of just staring at my contacts like
"man, i should really use this"
so i'm glad we were on the same page with that one.
[ idiot idiot idiot ]
"trouble is chewing on me" sounds like a lyric from a really deep song.
maybe i should try writing it.
and it'll totally be dedicated to your cat, btw.
i'm guessing andy's your dominant?
that limits your potential outings
but spending the night in isn't something to scoff at, either.
[ ... wait ]
unless maybe you wanted to come hang out at my place? i'm in the down, so you shouldn't have anyone bothering you about going out without your contracted chaperone.
i was kind of just staring at my contacts like
"man, i should really use this"
so i'm glad we were on the same page with that one.
[ idiot idiot idiot ]
"trouble is chewing on me" sounds like a lyric from a really deep song.
maybe i should try writing it.
and it'll totally be dedicated to your cat, btw.
i'm guessing andy's your dominant?
that limits your potential outings
but spending the night in isn't something to scoff at, either.
[ ... wait ]
unless maybe you wanted to come hang out at my place? i'm in the down, so you shouldn't have anyone bothering you about going out without your contracted chaperone.
Totally.
what's the point of contacts if you're not using them
that's what I always say.
[what? She's never said that in her life. Fuck, Freeman, pull it together.]
I would listen to that song on repeat.
I'd make Trouble listen, but she's already eaten two pairs of headphones so she's on a strict no headphone diet.
Is that something you do? Write music?
But yeah, she's my dominant.
Dominant and friend. It's complicated and weird. We were friends from before, but she doesn't remember me here because this Andy never met me?
It's a story that's easier to tell in person.
[Which, of course, brings her to:]
I'd like that. If it's--not too weird to take you up on it.
For a first hangout I mean.
And I've got a hallpass
[Please don't get her started on how much she hates needing it, but, well Andy's great for that, at least]
Free range as long as I'm wearing my collar or whatever.
Shit.
Sorry.
Long text short, yes. Hanging out with you at your place would be cool.
I'm usually better at this.
[She is not]
sometimes!
i mean, i play drums in a band back home, but mj thinks it makes us more marketable if we all write something album-worthy.
i actually kinda like it, but only when the right inspo strikes.
like trouble trying to eat things that aren't food.
[ should she mention they already have a song about a cat named "murderface"? no. no! self promo is NEVER cool. plus there are way more interesting things to talk about!! ]
oh whoa
this might sound like total bull, but i've actually been in the same situation before.
it's happened to me more than once here, and it never feels less surreal, introducing yourself to someone you already know.
the multiverse can be pretty fucked up sometimes.
and i don't think it's weird, but i'm also a total homebody.
i guess it would have been cooler to ask if you wanted to meet for a drink, huh? 😅whatever you wanna do, i'm in.
i mean, i play drums in a band back home, but mj thinks it makes us more marketable if we all write something album-worthy.
i actually kinda like it, but only when the right inspo strikes.
like trouble trying to eat things that aren't food.
[ should she mention they already have a song about a cat named "murderface"? no. no! self promo is NEVER cool. plus there are way more interesting things to talk about!! ]
oh whoa
this might sound like total bull, but i've actually been in the same situation before.
it's happened to me more than once here, and it never feels less surreal, introducing yourself to someone you already know.
the multiverse can be pretty fucked up sometimes.
and i don't think it's weird, but i'm also a total homebody.
i guess it would have been cooler to ask if you wanted to meet for a drink, huh? 😅whatever you wanna do, i'm in.
That's so cool.
I don't play anything, but I love music. I mean, everybody loves music, I guess, but I really love it.
But, I guess my musical talent mostly includes pressing play on my phone: I think people that can write it or play it are pretty amazing.
[if it makes Gwen feel any better, Nile would totally listen to that song. and, for the record, if the inspiration is Trouble eating things she shouldn't, well has she got good news for you: the inspiration will never end]
No i believe it.
I'm new to the whole--multiverse thing. But, yeah. Seems like it's a trip.
Believe it or not, a year ago I was just a dumb kid in the marines.
it's been a ride, you know?
hah
no, this is perfect.
not that I don't like going out for drinks! I do! But quieter at home is great too.
[fuck. Nile lets out a groan and lets her head thump back against the couch; she sounds like an idiot, here. So much for the cool facade, right?]
if you give me your address
I can head that way?
Unless you meant later. You probably meant later.
Whenever is cool. Like I said, I'm free.
I don't play anything, but I love music. I mean, everybody loves music, I guess, but I really love it.
But, I guess my musical talent mostly includes pressing play on my phone: I think people that can write it or play it are pretty amazing.
[if it makes Gwen feel any better, Nile would totally listen to that song. and, for the record, if the inspiration is Trouble eating things she shouldn't, well has she got good news for you: the inspiration will never end]
No i believe it.
I'm new to the whole--multiverse thing. But, yeah. Seems like it's a trip.
Believe it or not, a year ago I was just a dumb kid in the marines.
it's been a ride, you know?
hah
no, this is perfect.
not that I don't like going out for drinks! I do! But quieter at home is great too.
[fuck. Nile lets out a groan and lets her head thump back against the couch; she sounds like an idiot, here. So much for the cool facade, right?]
if you give me your address
I can head that way?
Unless you meant later. You probably meant later.
Whenever is cool. Like I said, I'm free.
one might argue that "pressing play" is the musical talent of some of the greatest djs of our time, sooo
i think you're doing alright.
i was a dumb kid trying to figure out if i wanted to go to college or not when i found out about the multiverse
and then i showed up here
which
yeah.
but it's fine.
i didn't mean later actually
it's all good
i was actually kinda hoping you'd want to hang out nowish
nowish totally works.
[ she says after dropping an address pin in their chat, dressed in her pajamas with a game of kirby paused on the tv in front of her. she showered today, right? yeah. definitely. and luckily venom can shift her in whatever outfit she wants, so. it's fine! nowish actually would be great. ..she hasn't gotten up off the couch yet, but if nile's in the up, she won't be able to get here too quickly anyway. she'll get up eventually. ]
i think you're doing alright.
i was a dumb kid trying to figure out if i wanted to go to college or not when i found out about the multiverse
and then i showed up here
which
yeah.
but it's fine.
i didn't mean later actually
it's all good
i was actually kinda hoping you'd want to hang out nowish
nowish totally works.
[ she says after dropping an address pin in their chat, dressed in her pajamas with a game of kirby paused on the tv in front of her. she showered today, right? yeah. definitely. and luckily venom can shift her in whatever outfit she wants, so. it's fine! nowish actually would be great. ..she hasn't gotten up off the couch yet, but if nile's in the up, she won't be able to get here too quickly anyway. she'll get up eventually. ]
alright you make a point.
but now I have to come up with a really good DJ name.
start brainstorming.
shit, yeah.
fuck this place in particular, I guess
when we're discussing the multi-verse, I mean
the company is pretty good, I'll give it that.
Yeah?
[okay it's only the fact that Gwen can't see her ridiculous grin that preserves any coolness she might still have intact]
definitely though. It'll take me a second or two to get there
maybe half an hour?
but yeah, I'm on my way.
:)
[she did not just send a smiley-face that's not even an emoji. Just kill her now. But yeah, she's going to grab the necklace that serves as her collar and her device and do a quick change into a shirt that isn't a size and a half too big. Y'know, because she's got to look at little bit like a person who's got things together. Another minute to bribe Trouble away from the door by throwing things she'll chase and she's out, headed toward that pinned location]
but now I have to come up with a really good DJ name.
start brainstorming.
shit, yeah.
fuck this place in particular, I guess
when we're discussing the multi-verse, I mean
the company is pretty good, I'll give it that.
Yeah?
[okay it's only the fact that Gwen can't see her ridiculous grin that preserves any coolness she might still have intact]
definitely though. It'll take me a second or two to get there
maybe half an hour?
but yeah, I'm on my way.
:)
[she did not just send a smiley-face that's not even an emoji. Just kill her now. But yeah, she's going to grab the necklace that serves as her collar and her device and do a quick change into a shirt that isn't a size and a half too big. Y'know, because she's got to look at little bit like a person who's got things together. Another minute to bribe Trouble away from the door by throwing things she'll chase and she's out, headed toward that pinned location]
[ it's fine, because honestly, she doesn't even look at her phone long enough to catch that last message with the smiley, because she says she's on her way and that actually gets gwen's ass off the couch faster than just thinking about how she'd get there sooner or later. luckily her apartment is actually in pretty good shape, so only having half an hour to get her shit together isn't as daunting as it could be. it gives her five minutes to change her clothes, five minutes to make her bed, and then twenty minutes to bop around as she settles on the most casually cool playlist to have quietly playing, by the time there's a knock at her door.
and she's maybe a little too quick to get to the door after said knock, because she absolutely slid on her socks to get down the little hallway from her living room to get there faster, but it's fine. hopefully nile's not counting the seconds between when she knocks and when the door is pulled open.
THE HOT GIRL FROM THE ARCADE IS AT HER APARTMENT okay okay okay it's cool be cool ]
Hi. [ ... OH, right. ] --C'mon in.
[ she takes a step back as it dawns on her that she needs to actually get out of the way in order for her to be able to come in, her smile going a bit lopsided as she walks by her. she seems to snap out of it a little bit once she's shutting the door behind her though, leading the way into her apartment ]
I realized, like, ten minutes ago that I do actually have some options here, if you wanted a drinky-drink. Fair warning, though, said options are just... fruity wine coolers, or Jack and Coke. I'm not all that adventurous when it comes to booze.
[ the apartment looks very much like what a hipster twenty-something living in nyc would dream of living in, if given the chance. like it might have been an old studio of some kind, but she just happens to live there. open concept ( who has time for walls ), a kitchen that very clearly isn't used that often, hardwood floors with rugs that don't really match, giant couches, and exposed brick everywhere, and her drum kit tucked lovingly in the corner. she has two huge windows right there in the living room, but they're both mostly covered with drapey curtains because the view of the down isn't really cute no matter where you live.
anyway! she doesn't seem too nervous about actually having her here, specifically, she just has that same persistent bunch of butterflies in her chest that seems to spring into action no matter where she sees nile. luckily! she manages to stop herself from making any awkward "tadaaa" gestures at the general direction of.. everything, before heading over to the fridge.
it's cool. she's fine. it's fine. ]
I'm definitely having a Blazin' Blueberry Breeze, now that I've thought about it. I probably have another flavor or two somewhere in here, but blueberry's the best. [ this is gwen moving things around her giant fridge like she's looking through her closet for a very specific shirt. ] Want one? [ eventually she pulls back, two bottles of something very blue in one hand, and a bottle of something very red in the other. she opens her mouth, ready to explain that The Red One is also pretty good, but it all of a sudden hits her that she's been talking so... damn much about absolutely nothing this whole time. so. obviously the only appropriate thing here to do is....... make a joke and pretend she didn't notice said rambling. ]
-- This is a safe space, by the way, no drink choice judging allowed here. And that includes choosing the Jack and Coke over these babies.
and she's maybe a little too quick to get to the door after said knock, because she absolutely slid on her socks to get down the little hallway from her living room to get there faster, but it's fine. hopefully nile's not counting the seconds between when she knocks and when the door is pulled open.
THE HOT GIRL FROM THE ARCADE IS AT HER APARTMENT okay okay okay it's cool be cool ]
Hi. [ ... OH, right. ] --C'mon in.
[ she takes a step back as it dawns on her that she needs to actually get out of the way in order for her to be able to come in, her smile going a bit lopsided as she walks by her. she seems to snap out of it a little bit once she's shutting the door behind her though, leading the way into her apartment ]
I realized, like, ten minutes ago that I do actually have some options here, if you wanted a drinky-drink. Fair warning, though, said options are just... fruity wine coolers, or Jack and Coke. I'm not all that adventurous when it comes to booze.
[ the apartment looks very much like what a hipster twenty-something living in nyc would dream of living in, if given the chance. like it might have been an old studio of some kind, but she just happens to live there. open concept ( who has time for walls ), a kitchen that very clearly isn't used that often, hardwood floors with rugs that don't really match, giant couches, and exposed brick everywhere, and her drum kit tucked lovingly in the corner. she has two huge windows right there in the living room, but they're both mostly covered with drapey curtains because the view of the down isn't really cute no matter where you live.
anyway! she doesn't seem too nervous about actually having her here, specifically, she just has that same persistent bunch of butterflies in her chest that seems to spring into action no matter where she sees nile. luckily! she manages to stop herself from making any awkward "tadaaa" gestures at the general direction of.. everything, before heading over to the fridge.
it's cool. she's fine. it's fine. ]
I'm definitely having a Blazin' Blueberry Breeze, now that I've thought about it. I probably have another flavor or two somewhere in here, but blueberry's the best. [ this is gwen moving things around her giant fridge like she's looking through her closet for a very specific shirt. ] Want one? [ eventually she pulls back, two bottles of something very blue in one hand, and a bottle of something very red in the other. she opens her mouth, ready to explain that The Red One is also pretty good, but it all of a sudden hits her that she's been talking so... damn much about absolutely nothing this whole time. so. obviously the only appropriate thing here to do is....... make a joke and pretend she didn't notice said rambling. ]
-- This is a safe space, by the way, no drink choice judging allowed here. And that includes choosing the Jack and Coke over these babies.
[It's been nearly three months since she's been genuinely--excited about something. It's not that she hasn't had good things happen, it's just that--well, this is different, isn't it? This is--okay it's not a date, because they're just hanging out obviously, but it's a hang out with a girl that's smart and funny and clever and who's been a lot of fun at the arcade and who makes Nile feel a little like she might walk into a wall.
She can handle men. Pretty women? Pretty women are her weakness.
Nile barely has a chance to knock before the door is open, but she doesn't notice the overeagerness, instead she's all grins as she steps into the apartment, tucking her hands into her jeans and looking around, taking in the decorations as much as the woman greeting her.
It's the kind of apartment Nile thinks she might have wanted to live in, after the service. Once she got out and used the GI bill to study art history, this was the kind of place she pictured--maybe with Dizzy and Jay (no--better not to think about them, about the twist of rejection and especially not here, with Gwen just looking beautiful and welcoming)--and her smile slips from one that's full of nervous energy into one that's a lot more genuine.
She laughs, bright and pleased at the description of the drinks and shakes her head, though she's not actually negating anything. At the joke, she nods, and then reaches out a hand, palm up, for the blue drink] I'm all in for Blazin' Blueberry Breeze.
You have any idea how long it's been since I've had a trashy drink with another girl?
We used to get together when we had some time off of the base with a case of whatever was cheapest in the village--
[She takes the drink and grins] Anyway, this is great. Really. Thanks for inviting me over, I would have just spent all evening sitting around on my couch with Trouble or getting into trouble, you know?
[She's got a pun, see? She's cool. She's got to keep up the cool girl facade--there's an image to maintain here]
She can handle men. Pretty women? Pretty women are her weakness.
Nile barely has a chance to knock before the door is open, but she doesn't notice the overeagerness, instead she's all grins as she steps into the apartment, tucking her hands into her jeans and looking around, taking in the decorations as much as the woman greeting her.
It's the kind of apartment Nile thinks she might have wanted to live in, after the service. Once she got out and used the GI bill to study art history, this was the kind of place she pictured--maybe with Dizzy and Jay (no--better not to think about them, about the twist of rejection and especially not here, with Gwen just looking beautiful and welcoming)--and her smile slips from one that's full of nervous energy into one that's a lot more genuine.
She laughs, bright and pleased at the description of the drinks and shakes her head, though she's not actually negating anything. At the joke, she nods, and then reaches out a hand, palm up, for the blue drink] I'm all in for Blazin' Blueberry Breeze.
You have any idea how long it's been since I've had a trashy drink with another girl?
We used to get together when we had some time off of the base with a case of whatever was cheapest in the village--
[She takes the drink and grins] Anyway, this is great. Really. Thanks for inviting me over, I would have just spent all evening sitting around on my couch with Trouble or getting into trouble, you know?
[She's got a pun, see? She's cool. She's got to keep up the cool girl facade--there's an image to maintain here]
he wants to buy me a house
[ The abrupt message has an edge of bewildered panic. No preamble. If she were any less confused she would have thought twice of sending it at all. ]
[ The abrupt message has an edge of bewildered panic. No preamble. If she were any less confused she would have thought twice of sending it at all. ]
yes
[ and she didn't know who else to message about that when she isn't willing to fess up to who she had contracted in the first place ]
he isn't even going to live in it
[ and she didn't know who else to message about that when she isn't willing to fess up to who she had contracted in the first place ]
he isn't even going to live in it
...that's--huh. Unexpected, I'm guessng?
[hey, Nile was serious when she said her door was open. Inbox. Whatever. And she doesn't know the full history, there's no judgment here, but she doesn't like how the guy seems to ignore the boundaries Rey sets up.]
what's the catch?
[hey, Nile was serious when she said her door was open. Inbox. Whatever. And she doesn't know the full history, there's no judgment here, but she doesn't like how the guy seems to ignore the boundaries Rey sets up.]
what's the catch?
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