( text | un: sweetie )

[retrorsum]

Has anyone found a pod containing someone that was supposed to be dead? That they knew to be dead.

( river asks more out of curiosity than anything, out of trying to understand and gain more knowledge on the pods, on who and how they were brought here. she also can't deny that small piece of hope that comes with the question, of wanting to see someone that she couldn't (shouldn't) be able to see again )

Comments

[retrorsum]

Are they still here?

[shashka]

In the pods? Most definitely. Awake? That's another story.

[retrorsum]

It sounds like it would be. What would it take to hear it?

[shashka]

Now that depends on what you're offering, doesn't it?

[retrorsum]

Information, drinks. I could push to flirting.

( which part is the joke. is there a joke? )

[shashka]

Well, what do you know? I happen to be partial to information and drinks. Was never very good at flirting though.

[ there's always a joke. ]

[retrorsum]

I happen to be an expert. I could give you a free tip.

( but in a slight moment of seriousness-- )

I know a good bar.

[shashka]

[ you know, he can't help but be reminded of an old friend... ]

I'd be happy to meet you. Anything I should look for?

[ strangers in bars. as a lifelong spy, he's used to it. ]

[retrorsum]

My hair tends to give me away.

( and, as if to prove her point, she momentarily switches the text over to a video )

Hello.

[shashka]

I can see that.

[ he debates the merits for a moment before switching over to video as well. ]

I stick out in a crowd, myself.

[ with the whole old west look he's got going on. ]

[retrorsum]

Maybe you haven't found the right crowd.

( look, her husband wore ridiculous clothes which previously involved a fez. or a multi-coloured scarf. if anyone stood out--

she adds the text of the address )

I'll see you soon.

( oh she had absolutely planned on doing this asap. did she forget to mention that? )

[shashka]

[ he can't help but laugh. ]

Oh, I like to stand out.

[ the crowd he spent his time with back home was all typical military fatigues... with the exception of the girl who breathed through her skin, but that was a whole story in and unto itself. ]

Don't worry, I won't keep you waiting.

[ after all, he's learned long ago to roll with what's thrown at him. he'd be a terrible special operative otherwise. ]

[retrorsum]

( she's gotten herself a table with a good view of the door, making it easy for him to find her when he arrives and for her to watch anyone that comes in.

when he does approach river offers him a smile )

Now, whatever should I call you?

( it's no longer meeting strangers, right? even if she's good with the mystery )

[shashka]

You can call me "Ocelot".

[ he gives her a mock salute. ]

How about you?

[retrorsum]

River.

( she takes a sip of her drink, offering a seat to him at the table )

I'd have gotten you one but I don't know what you like.

[shashka]

Pleasure to meet you.

[ River. he can't help but wonder if it's an alias. not that it really matters, he supposes.

at her next comment, he chuckles. ]

I'm a Russian. You wouldn't have gone wrong just by guessing.

[ he waves a server over, ordering the best approximation of vodka that they have. although... ]

You have heard of Russia, haven't you?

[ alternate universes and all that. you can't exactly be sure. ]

[retrorsum]

I have. Never managed to visit it, though.

( though there were few places on earth that river had visited, though she spent most of her time on luna or traipsing across the galaxy. earth had been fewer in her visits in her more recent decades )

There are so many places to see.

[shashka]

It's a shame. It could be a beautiful country.

[ key word was "could". he'd seen enough of its dark side in his time, after all. he nods. ]

I suppose there is. Managed to see plenty of countries myself. It was one of the perks of being an officer.

[ a pause. ]

You were something of a traveler, then? Is the tech up on the station something you're used to seeing?

[ not much surprises him, even less so now. after all, he's met men and women from places that seemed like the middle ages, to centuries into the future. ]

[retrorsum]

I haven't managed to determine what century we're in but I've certainly seen technology that is similar.

( she pauses to let her words sink in, drinking some of her wine )

I was something of a traveller, yes.