be_seeing_you (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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come_sailaway2022-09-01 10:51 pm
be_seeing_you) wrote in come_sailaway2022-09-01 10:51 pm
September Catch-All [OPEN]
Who: Number 6 & YOU
What: Trying out the new fencing gear he got, drawing portraits, casino daydreaming, trying to steal jewelry & more!
When: September 1st for fencing, thru the month for other prompts
Where: All over the ship, see individual prompts
Warnings Potential for violence, alcohol/smoking, will warn for more as necessary
Challenge him to a friendly duel
When the notification comes that he has a package waiting in Sundries, he has no earthly idea what to expect. But, he must say, once he's torn the nautical paper off to find a fencing practice kit inside, he is rather pleased. Well, with one exception. The Epee he's been provided is neither blunted nor is it tipped with plastic the way it should be for safety. It very much seems to be a live and dangerous blade. Admittedly, he's not too sorry to have a functional weapon given the characters around here, but it means he'll have to be especially careful when practicing with it.
He's up on the sports deck making use of one of the empty tennis courts as his makeshift practice arena. In the absence of a tip protector, he's wrapped some gauze and medical tape from the infirmary around the sharp tip in an effort to achieve close to the same effect. That way, when he stabs the wall at the back of the court, it leaves slightly less of a divot.
He puts himself through some familiar drills, re-familiarizing himself with his technique and generally working to improve his stance and remember his form. It's clear just from looking that he's had some experience with this. If only he had a proper partner to fence, alas.
Have your portrait drawn
He doesn't tend to flaunt it often, but Number 6 actually does have a bit of talent for the arts. Perhaps he's not the most creative of minds, but he's rather good at capturing likenesses in portraiture. So, on various days and in various places throughout the ship, such as the dining hall, the sports deck, the library, and even in some of the pubs and bars (or anywhere, your choice), he will sit himself down quietly in the corner with a pad of paper over his knee and a pencil in hand. Anyone who catches his interest may become the new subject of his drawing. For the most part, they are flattering renditions. He doesn't mind if someone wants to observe, he'll simply nod to them and keep scratching with his pencil until he's satisfied.
Once he completes his drawing, he'll approach his subject and hold out the sketch to ask, "Excuse me, I wondered if you might like this?"
Lost in the game
With a cigarette in hand and whiskey in front of him, he sits at one of the blackjack tables idly playing against an invisible dealer. It's hard to tell if he's enjoying himself. He's got a far-off look on his face as he idly scratches the table to request another "hit." Win or lose, he doesn't seem to have much of a reaction. His mind is obviously elsewhere. He's so zoned out, in fact, that on this rare occasion even someone who isn't particularly stealthy might be able to sneak up behind him unawares.
Jewelry shopping
Right. The time has come to investigate that jewelry store. Why is it that no one is allowed to take anything? Of all the places on this ship, why there? He can be found bending over the displays, scrutinizing the various pieces through the glass. There doesn't appear to be any way to get at them. Not any way that doesn't involve a bit of violence, that is. So be it.
He goes, briefly, to the nearest bar and brings back with him one of the bar stools. Raising it over his head, he prepares to bring it down on one of the cases. Little does he know, that won't be enough to shatter it no matter how many times he bashes the glass.
But, he has to try.
Wildcard!
Hit me up with anything! Feel free to plot with me over on plurk![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
KansaiBanzai or on discord Cmdr.Crackers#5481
What: Trying out the new fencing gear he got, drawing portraits, casino daydreaming, trying to steal jewelry & more!
When: September 1st for fencing, thru the month for other prompts
Where: All over the ship, see individual prompts
Warnings Potential for violence, alcohol/smoking, will warn for more as necessary
Challenge him to a friendly duel
When the notification comes that he has a package waiting in Sundries, he has no earthly idea what to expect. But, he must say, once he's torn the nautical paper off to find a fencing practice kit inside, he is rather pleased. Well, with one exception. The Epee he's been provided is neither blunted nor is it tipped with plastic the way it should be for safety. It very much seems to be a live and dangerous blade. Admittedly, he's not too sorry to have a functional weapon given the characters around here, but it means he'll have to be especially careful when practicing with it.
He's up on the sports deck making use of one of the empty tennis courts as his makeshift practice arena. In the absence of a tip protector, he's wrapped some gauze and medical tape from the infirmary around the sharp tip in an effort to achieve close to the same effect. That way, when he stabs the wall at the back of the court, it leaves slightly less of a divot.
He puts himself through some familiar drills, re-familiarizing himself with his technique and generally working to improve his stance and remember his form. It's clear just from looking that he's had some experience with this. If only he had a proper partner to fence, alas.
Have your portrait drawn
He doesn't tend to flaunt it often, but Number 6 actually does have a bit of talent for the arts. Perhaps he's not the most creative of minds, but he's rather good at capturing likenesses in portraiture. So, on various days and in various places throughout the ship, such as the dining hall, the sports deck, the library, and even in some of the pubs and bars (or anywhere, your choice), he will sit himself down quietly in the corner with a pad of paper over his knee and a pencil in hand. Anyone who catches his interest may become the new subject of his drawing. For the most part, they are flattering renditions. He doesn't mind if someone wants to observe, he'll simply nod to them and keep scratching with his pencil until he's satisfied.
Once he completes his drawing, he'll approach his subject and hold out the sketch to ask, "Excuse me, I wondered if you might like this?"
Lost in the game
With a cigarette in hand and whiskey in front of him, he sits at one of the blackjack tables idly playing against an invisible dealer. It's hard to tell if he's enjoying himself. He's got a far-off look on his face as he idly scratches the table to request another "hit." Win or lose, he doesn't seem to have much of a reaction. His mind is obviously elsewhere. He's so zoned out, in fact, that on this rare occasion even someone who isn't particularly stealthy might be able to sneak up behind him unawares.
Jewelry shopping
Right. The time has come to investigate that jewelry store. Why is it that no one is allowed to take anything? Of all the places on this ship, why there? He can be found bending over the displays, scrutinizing the various pieces through the glass. There doesn't appear to be any way to get at them. Not any way that doesn't involve a bit of violence, that is. So be it.
He goes, briefly, to the nearest bar and brings back with him one of the bar stools. Raising it over his head, he prepares to bring it down on one of the cases. Little does he know, that won't be enough to shatter it no matter how many times he bashes the glass.
But, he has to try.
Wildcard!
Hit me up with anything! Feel free to plot with me over on plurk
no subject
"I gave up memories to her, happy ones..." she frowns. "But I don't think I could... ever wish the ones I have of him away. I never knew what it was like, to be loved." She's grateful for it, even if it hurts. "And at least now I know that maybe I am worth something."
no subject
His desire, no his need to prod her for more information about this potentially vital knowledge of the ship's workings butts up against his desire to show her some comfort for her loss. The conflict splashes across his face in a frustrated frown. How could she give up memories to another? How and why?
"You are worth something. That part should never have been a question. I'm sure, if he were still here to speak for himself, that's something he would insist on."
no subject
"Are any of us?" she asks doubtfully. "I wanted so badly for a second chance, a life of my own... I was willing to believe..."
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"Of course we are." He takes a stern tone, leaving no chance for doubt. "So long as we think and feel, we have a right to live. That isn't something one needs to earn. There will never be any guarantees, but you must not give up the fight for your second chance."
no subject
"What if I'm just... too weak?" Ava asks. "That's what Friday says happens. Why so many passengers just... don't make it." She can't imagine there's much hope left for her in that case. She's not like Skulduggery, or Clarke or Stede or Darcy. She arrived already barely hanging on, with so little purpose in her life other than a desire to finally have one.
no subject
"You? Weak?" He makes it sound like the idea itself is preposterous. "Do you believe that about yourself?"
no subject
She laughs hollowly. "I don't know," she certainly doesn't feel all that strong of spirit compared to the rest of the passengers who never give up on finding new ways and reasons to fight back despite the impossibility of it all. "I didn't think Malcolm was..." and then he fucking disappeared as if he never mattered at all.
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"You equate the people that disappear from here with being weak and you worry it will happen to you?"
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It's the same, in the end. The plant withers and dies. But it's a far more forgiving perspective than the one offered.
"I tried," she says softly. She tried to nourish him. But how much could she do, when she could hardly care for herself.
no subject
"Who is to say he would not have withered here sooner without you? It's possible he tried too, for you."
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They make it to the cafe, and she orders a dirty chai. It's a bit of an abomination of a drink, but she needs the kick. She feels so sluggish.
"Have you ever been in love?" Ava asks curiously once they're settled at a table. She knows their line of work never really allows for it. But maybe he's found moments to live.
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His own order is more conventional, a black coffee. Not tea this time, because she isn't the only one needing something stronger. Especially when he starts to think about her next question.
"No. I don't believe I ever have." She's the one person who gets to ask him about this without him becoming annoyed. She also gets a more in depth answer because of that. "There have been women I have courted. Some got closer than others. Ultimately, my work came first."
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His answer isn't unexpected, mostly confirms her idea that it's just not a thing for people like them. She thinks of all the other agents she knew. Very few of them at all had families. "Hn, yeah," she agrees sadly. "Work does take up so much. And if you love someone, then it's not really... worth endangering them," she frowns. Even Malcolm's ex got killed for getting to entangled into his work.
"Hard to let anyone close. When you're always having to conceal who you really are." Because she's sure he can relate to that aspect. Not to mention all the trust issues, the paranoia, the fear of it being used against you.
"I only really knew the people I worked with," Ava wrinkles her nose. "And no offense, but you know how those types are." Not to mention the idea of being involved with somebody holding her captive or giving her orders or experimenting on her... was rather unappealing.
She downs another sip. "Plus, I was in too much pain, constantly, to want anyone touching me."
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"Exactly. I always held myself at arm's length because to do anything else would have risked endangering good people. I couldn't take that risk." And he couldn't trust himself to be objective if he did get too close. He'd be exposed, open to attack.
"None taken. I do know exactly. It's hardly easy to trust one of our own, is it?" Yet, here they are. And he finds he isn't sorry for it just this once.
"I'm sorry you were in so much pain. More should have been done to help you."
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"I have a hard enough time with people as it is. Before all the mind games and manipulation. I'm not..." she trails off, doesn't want to admit she's perhaps a bit weak when it comes to judgment of character. That despite trying to be careful, she seems to always end up falling for lies. That simply wasn't the type of spy work she was trained for.
"I was more useful to them broken."
no subject
"You were never afforded a chance to learn. By all accounts, that was intentional. If you could start to make connections with others, you might start to question the acts they were asking you to commit. But look at you now? For having to do all the learning on your own, I don't think you're doing as bad a job of it as you think."
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And he's right, how much they purposelessly crippled her ability to navigate the world on her own, locked away in secret facilities and only known to those directly involved. Made her so wholly dependent on them and so distrustful of anyone outside, that even if she did question there was no real avenue to seek answers. And when she learned the truth of who she was really working for, their intentions to allow her to keep suffering in order to continue serving their agenda for as much life as she had left to give, all it left Ava with was a deeply rooted sense of paranoia.
Not well suited for romantic relationships at all. There's a lot of it going on around the ship, from the gossip she's heard and casual observations. But it's nice that she's not alone in her difficulties.
"I'm lucky that so many are... understanding." Because she attributes a lot of her doing well to the efforts of others despite her sometimes difficult behavior.
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"It does help to be in an environment where stories like yours and mine are not easily dismissed." However, he does see what she's doing here and isn't going to let her completely get away with it. "But as the saying goes, a horse can be led to water but it can't be made to drink. Some steps you have chosen to take on your own, I'd wager. Writing coded love notes is a good example, I think."
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"And I've made as many missteps and ones backwards, if not more," she claims. "But... yes, it was easier to hide how I felt behind layers of cyphers. Perhaps that's some form of progress."
think this one might be coming to a good end point?
"Being open with another person has never been easy, romantic or otherwise. It does come easier for some than others. All things you already know. But you must try not to make yourself invisible, metaphorically. Celebrate the things you have a passion for and find someone who will celebrate them with you. You, Ava Star, are very far from being a lost cause."
yep!
"I... suppose you're right. But it's going to take awhile. To figure myself out again. I hope you reserve some of that faith for yourself as well."