Commander Jane Shepard (cdr_shepard) wrote in freedomtownic, @ 2015-01-18 15:13:00 |
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Entry tags: | !thread, angela (angelic_anomaly), jane shepard (cdr_shepard) |
Like-minded
Who: Angela and Shepard
Where: Shepard's Apartment, Devron Building
When: Wednesday, January 14th
What: Angela and Shepard getting to know each other
Rating: Low
Status: Log; Complete
Despite having been on board Knowhere for a little over a month now Shepard didn't know all too many people, and the few people that she did know (and she could count them all with one hand) she didn't go out of her way to socialize with; but, since she didn't appear to be going home anytime soon maybe it was time to make the effort. Which was why, when she knew that her roommate would be out for a few hours, she'd contacted Angela and had asked her to come spend some time with her. Really, what was the worst that could happen?
Of course, only Angela would go off to more or less hang out with someone... dressed completely in her rather revealing gold body armor. Complete with broadsword. Sigh. Give her some credit, she was still learning how to do anything LIKE socialize, ok? As it is, the only reason she was doing THIS was because she found that in their brief meeting, she actually liked Lt. Shepard. The woman, while a mortal, was tough, fearless, and a true warrior. That was to be admired. Quietly, she gave the door a sharp rap with her knuckles, clasping her hands at her stomach and waiting.
Shepard, herself, had bought a few changes of clothes since her arrival, and was dressed in black jeans and a white tank-top. She looked up when she heard the rapping and smiled faintly, before clomping over to answer the door (she was wearing her army boots). "Angela," she said, opening the door wide and stepping aside to allow the other woman entry, "it's good to see you again." Of course, it would still take her some time to get used to that outfit, but at least she wasn't flat-out oggling the woman, so that was something.
Face it, anyone would oogle the redhead, especially with those legs! Angela cracked SOMETHING of a smile (for her, anyway), and stepped in with a nod. "It is good to see you as well." She said, taking a quick look around to familiarize herself with her surroundings. "You've been well so far, I take it?"
Shepard tended to assess new surroundings as well. Call it an occupational hazard, though. "Physically, yes," she replied, closing the door and watching the other woman curiously. "What about you?"
"Admittedly, the entire world seems flipped for me right now. I suspect that's why I volunteered to accompany Quill and the others on this mission. His team are about the only people who feel... welcoming to me." She admitted, although it did hurt to do so. "Everywhere else I should belong... I am unwelcome."
Shepard frowned thoughtfully. Maybe they had more in common than she realized. She led Angela to the kitchen and offered her a stool at the island. "Is that something that you'd like to talk about?" She'd had crew members confide in her before. It was character building... and good for building trust.
"It is... as you might say, 'a long story'. But I was raised as something I never truly was, and now I'm shunned by those who raised me, and mistrusted by those I was born to." She explained, sitting down with a light 'clang' as the sheath of her sword tapped against the stool.
"That hardly seems fair." People either loved or hated Shepard based on her actions, not because of how she was raised, or even her race, gender or sexual preference. She was a firm believer that a persons actions spoke volumes about them. "I hope that you consider me welcoming."
"I do, actually. That is why I felt comfortable accepting your gracious invitation." Dear lord, her manner of talking... Angela was just the life of the goddamn party, wasn't she? "And... it is a precarious situation. I was born of Asgard, yet stolen by and raised among their blood rivals, the angels of Heven."
The words that Angela chose to use, rather than the inflection, reminded Shepard of someone back home, actually, so she considered Angela to be quite charming as a result. "Perhaps by coming here you hoped to create a new family for yourself," she suggested.
"Yes. That is certainly... one way of putting it. As maddening as they can be, Quill, Rocket, Groot, Drax, and Lady Gamora have essentially become family to me. When I am among them... I feel comfortable." Angela said, actually giving a lopsided little grin there. "Loathe as I am to admit it... I even find them.... amusing."
Shepard smiled in return. "I have a few people back home that fit in the 'amusing' category, myself." She missed James. The loveable goof. "Forgive me, where are my manners? Would you like something to drink?"
"Perhaps just some water..." She answered, before giving a sly grin and continuing. "I will have to introduce you to Asgardian mead sometime. I think you will find it quite capable of relaxing you."
"You know, I don't think that I've had mead before," Shepard chuckled as she walked over to the fridge to collect them both a bottle of water. "And believe me when I say that I've had more than my fair share of... questionable substances in my lifetime."
"It is.... quite potent. Known to intoxicate even the nobles of Asgard." Angela told her, finding that she really enjoyed this woman's company, which was something she said about very few people. "You'd likely not remember much after your first few sips."
"Oh, now that just sounds like a challenge," Shepard replied with a cheeky grin. Truthfully, in the past it had taken her a long time to let her guard down around people, so it was rare to see her so open with someone new like this. She handed Angela her bottle, then sat down beside her.
Crossing those long legs, the tall redhead accepted the bottle gratefully, nodding to her new friend before taking a sip. "I would imagine being among nobody you know must be rather difficult..."
Shepard glanced down at the bottle as she worked off the cap and nodded. "It's more than that." She clenched her jaw, trying not to let her emotions get to her. "You saw how I came through. I was in the middle of a war. Literally. And being here when so many people are dying there is just... breaking me in half."
"War is never easy. Losing comrades it's like losing a limb. Worse, sometimes." Angela told her, her voice softening for once. "One thing I've learned... do not torture yourself over the loss of them. To do so sullies both their memory and their sacrifice. Instead, celebrate them, and be content with the knowing that you will be reunited in Valhalla one day."
"I have lost people," Shepard replied, voice distant with the memory of them. Kaiden Alenko was the first person she'd lost in the lengthy battle, but certainly not the last. Mordin Solus was a more recent wound. "And I do celebrate them. Without their courage and determination I don't know how many lives would have been lost." She pursed her lips together. "I'm a leader where I'm from. I'm needed. Sitting here twiddling my thumbs while who worlds are being destroyed is not how I'd planned to spend my time."
Angela instinctively reached over to comfortingly place a soft hand upon the woman's shoulder. "Then be strong. And fear not. Because I will do everything I can to get you back to those who fight in your absence." Of course, Angela never did anything for nothing... that was merely how she had been raised. 'Nothing for nothing' was her mantra. But that was something to discuss at a later date. "I respect your dedication to your fellow warriors. If it is the last thing I do... I will find a way to get you back to them."
Shepard wondered how much power she truly had to change things, but she understood that Angela was trying to comfort her, and was grateful for that. "Thank you. I appreciate that."
"I will confer with my... father..." Oooo, did she practically sneer when she said the word 'father'. "Perhaps as the ruler of Asgard, he is privvy to ways of, if nothing else, sending at least YOU back to where you belong." Whether she just genuinely had taken a liking to this woman, or merely sensed a kindred spirit, Angela seemed bound and determined to help her.
"Thank you," Shepard replied, giving Angela a warm smile. Being an orphan she didn't have a strained relationship with her parents, but she at least thought that she understood Angela's bitterness. "And if there's anything I can do for you in return, please don't hesitate to ask."
"I shall." She said, almost hilarious in how matter of factly she said it. "I live by the angels creed of 'nothing for nothing'. If you do something for someone... they owe you. If someone does something for you? You owe them. That being said... it will still be my pleasure to do this. I may not be on good terms with my blood, but I have grown rather fond of you."
"Nothing for nothing," Shepard repeated. She wasn't sure what to think of that, so she filed it away for future thought. "I'm grateful. And rather fond of you as well."
"We are... strong, determined women. We need to... what is the phrase? 'Stick together'. Yes, that's it." Angela said, sweetly proud of herself for remembering some of the slang she'd picked up.
Shepard could tell that she was pleased by her use of phrasing and couldn't help it but smile. Despite how offputting Angela was to most people, Shepard found her to be quite endearing. "Then that's what we'll do."
"For some reason... I find your presence rather soothing." Angela admitted, her eyes an almost off-putting combination of beautiful yet hard and cold.
"Perhaps we're kindred spirits," Shepard suggested. They certainly seemed to have a few things in common, so it wasn't outside the realm of possibility.
"Perhaps we are..." Angela mused, deciding to impart a little of her own life experience to her new friend. "Let me give you a piece of advice. One I would give to anyone I wish true and lasting happiness for. Never hold back. When you want something, take it. When you want to do something, do it. Never worry about how your wants or needs will affect others. If they truly care for you, they will support you regardless. Nobody finds any kind of happiness standing by, waiting for it."
Well, that sounded wise, at least. Shepard bobbed her head once, accepting the advice. "And if you gave yourself that advice, what would you do?"
"I would be exactly where I am. Among my friends." Angela told her, before adding, "And I would be finding something to do. Not just.. stand around here doing nothing. And what would YOU do?"
"Finding something to do sounds like the best course of action," Shepard admitted, feeling ashamed for letting herself feel so hopeless in this situation. She was a warrior. A leader. It was about time she started acting like it again.
"Then find something you want to do, and do it. Regardless of what it is. If it will bring you happiness, or bring you satisfaction, never hesitate." Angela told her, surprised to realize that in a lot of ways, this mortal was a LOT like her.
"I promise that I'll do just that," Shepard replied, feeling... invigorated again. She might not be able to change when or even if, she got home, but at least she could do something productive while she was here.
"And anything you ever want or need that I can help you with... you let me know." Angela told her, taking a moment to study Shepard's general appearance. For not only a mortal, but a fellow warrior, she had a classic, elegant look to her. That was to be admired.
"That goes both ways," Shepard replied, although if she'd taken a moment to think about it she might have thought that Angela was hitting on her. "'Nothing for nothing', right?"
"You are learning." Angela said, an actual SMILE on her face. "Perhaps, when the time comes, you can fight by my side..." Oh, she knew there would be battles coming. Between Thanos and his forces looking to gain possession of the Infinity Gem they held onboard Knowhere, to the Badoon and their ongoing crusade to destroy the Guardians, to the various enemies of those onboard... there were definitely conflicts coming.
Well now, wouldn't that be interesting? Shepard nodded again. "Having a friend by your side always helps with greater conflicts." She'd created many friends in the line of work and it seemed that Angela was a new and welcome addition.