[21:35] So what's the scene [21:37] some time before Maiko's father gets whacked by the mob. [21:38] either a secluded table on a planet, or a holodeck simulation of a secluded table on a planet [21:39] Okeydoke, works for me. Sim start? [21:39] * CoroLCARS changes topic to '=/\= U.S.S. Coronado, NCC-97901... http://www.jestertrek.com/coro2400/ =/\= Sim in progress! =-= Coronado sims at 9:00pm ET Mondays, with an after-sim most weeks immediately following!' [21:39] * CoroLCARS sets mode: +m [21:39] ::adjusts the candle in the holder, a nervous tic, as he waits for Maiko to arrive:: [21:40] ::reaches the top of the hill, a little confused as to Gibson's message for her to be here:: [21:40] ::adjusts the bottle of wine, the two glasses, the plate in front of him, all the little things:: [21:41] ::spots Gibson and the table:: ...Clarence? [21:42] hey. ::stands up, moving around the table a little, unsure of quite how to approach her:: Hey. [21:42] Would you care to sit? ::moves toward her chair, figuring that a safe target:: [21:42] ::eyes the setup:: Actually, I don't need to, if you're waiting for Savant... I mean, I don't want to intrude... [21:43] I'm not waiting for Savant. I'm waiting for you. [21:43] ::blink:: Oh. . . [21:43] ::takes a seat, but looks a bit uncomfortable and puzzled:: [21:44] ::scoots her chair in beneath her and sits down across the table:: [21:45] So... [21:45] It's come to my attention ... I mean, ... Look, you've been really uncomfortable around me for the last few months. [21:45] I... It's no secret that I've been, to some degree, avoiding you as well. [21:45] I just ... hell. I have no idea what I'm doing. [21:45] I thought maybe we could talk this out and get back to some kind of friend status or something. [21:46] ::leans foward and closes her eyes:: I just didn't want to interfere with you and Savant, especially after what I did to her. [21:46] yeah, I know. [21:48] I mean, you were right to yell at me about it. [21:48] But that's behind both of us. I think maybe we should just leave it there. I mean, I'm not still vindictive about it. [21:49] You're not? [21:49] If I were, why would you be sitting across a table from me? [21:49] With wine and candles and stuff [21:50] Would you like some? [21:50] Wine, I mean, not candles. That would be strange. [21:50] ::a beat:: I suppose I could have a sip... [21:51] ::takes a breath:: [21:51] I'm so not good at this stuff. [21:51] Okay. ::opens the bottle and pours a small amount into the pair of glasses:: [21:52] ::takes the offered glass and sips it:: I guess I'm here because I can't stop hiding from you. [21:54] Why not? [21:54] ::looks at the light from the candle through the deep-hued wine:: [21:54] ::shrugs:: Small galaxy. [21:55] But, if you can't stop, why aren't you hiding now? [21:56] Because it's... wierd. I mean, I'm married, you're with Savant, and there's the relationship we used to have... [21:56] ::takes another sip of the wine to cover her discomfort:: [21:57] Maiko, ... [21:57] I don't understand. Other people can move on. [21:58] Which is why I'm here. I can't stop, but I know I need to. [21:58] What is it about you that makes you unable to ... I don't know, keep someone you used to see as a friend? [21:59] The past is the past. We used to have feelings for each other, but we've both become involved with other people. [21:59] That's perfectly normal. What's not normal is you avoiding me like I'm carrying a disease [22:00] ::nods, finishing the little wine she had left in her glass:: I'm sorry. It's just... wierd. ::shrugs:: Most of the time you're with Savant, and I don't want to feel like I'm interfering with what you two have. [22:01] Are you this way with all your ex-boyfriends? [22:02] More or less, yes. ::smiles nervously, the wine loosening her up a bit:: [22:03] So... you and Savant... how's that working out? [22:08] uh, fine. [22:08] how's your gentleman? [22:08] Busy... sometimes it's amazing the amount of work they come up for command yeomen. [22:09] Really? Hmm. [22:10] ::nods:: I don't really see much of him; he's either on duty or sleeping. [22:11] ::his first instinct is for a witty line, but one that might be seen as cold; he stops himself:: ... That sounds very un-fun. [22:12] ::nods, holding her glass out for more wine:: It is pretty dull. [22:13] ::refills her glass, with slightly more than the first fill:: [22:14] 'course it's different for you two. Seems every time I see you you're out having fun. ::takes a sip:: [22:15] Well, that's because Savant is as many people as she needs to be. She's got as much to do on the ship as four or five Zacherys, but she's actually four or five people. She can always spare one to keep me company. [22:15] ::sighs wistfully:: That must be nice... [22:16] I won't lie to you. [22:16] ::pours himself a little more wine too:: [22:16] This is nice stuff. It's from your planet. [22:17] ::turns the label toward her:: [22:18] ::chuckles:: Haven't had any of this in a while... [22:18] You never get more specific than that being near me is weird. Is that a failure of vocabulary, or a measure of guarded tact? [22:20] ::shrugs:: I'm not sure I even know myself. [22:20] You'd make a bad poker player. [22:21] When you lie, you look away for an instant and shrug. I remember it from when you told me that one thing. [22:21] ::sips her wine:: I could never fool you, huh? [22:22] ::shrugs:: I didn't say that. I think you fooled me a few times. The time with the thing, that was just when I started to see the pattern. [22:24] ::nods but says nothing:: [22:26] so my two options about this are either you lie or you say nothing, huh? [22:27] ::small smile:: It's something that I have to work out by myself Clarence. It's nothing personal now, it's just... something. [22:29] You know you have a bright future ahead of you as a politician. ::with a smile that's almost humored:: I've seen you lie, refuse to answer, and now comes the third category: obfuscation. [22:32] Not too far off. Might be something I do when I retire from the fleet. [22:33] ::smiles, this time fully:: I thought as much. [22:41] How long before you retire, if I may ask? [22:45] I'm really not sure. ::shrugs:: I mean, I'm going to stay with the fleet until we've stopped the subversion threat and the tears and all... but if we settle those accounts, it seems the galaxy's ready for some peace... [22:45] As much as I enjoy piloting, I really don't feel up to making milk runs. [23:03] What about you? I can't really see you sticking to your job for the rest of your life. [23:03] ::shrugs:: I like it. I like arranging things. It's kinda like politics, in a roundabout way. [23:09] Yes, but people don't generally like to be arranged like a part or computer program... [23:11] I'm not arranging people. I'm arranging supplies. [23:15] ::nods:: Politics is the art of arranging people though. Bringing them to your point of view. [23:16] Yes, but you're the one going into politics. [23:17] ::chuckles:: I guess I thought you'd be moving on too. [23:20] ::shrugs:: I may. You know me, I'm not one for longterm planning. I just deal with the problems into the near future. Session Time: Tue Aug 10 00:00:00 2004 [00:01] <> [00:01] * CoroLCARS changes topic to '=/\= U.S.S. Coronado, NCC-97901... http://www.jestertrek.com/coro2400/ =/\= Sim's over for this week; time to relax! =-= Three-time winner of UCIP's Bergen Award for excellence in simming!' [00:01] * CoroLCARS sets mode: -m [00:01] Dangit LCARS, stop being so literal. [00:01] * Maiko whaps the bot [00:01] Gotta hit the sack. [00:02] yeah, me too. road trip tomorrow [00:03] Sounds like fun :) [00:03] here's hopin'! [00:04] * Quits: Maiko (CptFarrell@69-163-34-222.lndnnh.adelphia.net) (Quit: "He who sings frightens away his ills." - Cervantes) [00:04] * Quits: Gibson (~breathles@adsl-67-127-124-235.dsl.sktn01.pacbell.net) (Quit: Left.)