the light catches the eye but shadows have (moretosay) wrote in revoltic, @ 2018-06-11 20:50:00 |
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Entry tags: | !: log, -player: natasha, chrestomanci: mordecai roberts, Ӡ -player: alice, Ӡ stargate: vala mal doran |
But you got your style and that really cool smile
WHO Mordecai and Vala
WHAT: Drinks?
WHEN: 5/14 evening
WHERE: The Apartments ---> Luminous
WARNINGS: None
Vala loved nice things. Be they shiny, be they soft, or be they sharp, she wanted them all. So it should have been no surprise that one of the first things she did when given some freedom in this world and a bit of spending money was to go shopping. The clothes here really weren’t that different than the Earth she knew, it was less of a jarring change than going from wearing the ornate jeweled clothes of Quetesh to...Well. Anything else, really. Her favorite so far was a deep green dress that danced a fine line between classy formal and upscale but still casual, something she could wear to a variety of places and stick out just enough. Just as eye catching as her body hugging leather outfits, although they gave very different first impressions. (Of course, that particular shop she had already sniffed out, even if it was outside her price range at the moment.) She missed her friends (and her Daniel), but this wasn’t the first time Vala had lost everything. At least this time she had already met a charming person straight out the gate (haha), which was such a nice contrast to the stuffy people at the SGC. It would be nice to talk to someone who was also an outsider but still knew more than she did, with the added bonus of not looking at her with pity for waking up here like some people at SadTech seemed to. That’s why she had taken him up on his offer, and was leaning against one of the streetlights in the courtyard where she could still watch the city lights as she waited. Plus, why not? ‘Why not’? was reason enough for most things where Mordecai was concerned. He hadn't needed the SadTech welcoming delegation to inform him that there was no going home again. His first assumption upon waking up from the Amber had been that the Wraith had somehow extracted him from custody to prevent him from talking more than he already had. Mordecai was a skilled liar, but he was no match for the Chrestomanci’s spells. That he’d managed to shield even one secret throughout his interrogation was a miracle. Mordecai was nowhere near saintly enough to hope for more than that nor was he loyal enough to the Wraith to protect the man beyond what was necessary to keep Christopher above suspicion and Mordecai himself from being silenced as a liability. If the gang leader had ‘liberated’ him from the Castle, it wouldn't have been much more pleasant than prison (and very likely less so). However, this world (Mordecai had taken to referring to it as Twelve-J in his head for ease) or at least the employees of SadTech seemed to have no connection to the Wraith or to Mordecai's official employer (he’d been arrested, but he hadn't technically been fired from the Chrestomanci’s staff, even if that was a mere formality at this point). In short, every bridge in Twelve-A had merrily burned to ash behind Mordecai and as he’d yet to receive orders from Eleven about a new assignment, he intended to enjoy the illusion of freedom while it lasted. Drinks and an attractive new acquaintance were sufficient distraction from thoughts of what he’d left behind, at least for the moment, and Mordecai was used to making the most of momentary distractions. He smiled warmly and appreciatively when he saw Vala waiting under the streetlight. “Miss Vala?” he said, once he was close enough for conversation. He was certain enough of his identification to add, “You look even more stunning in person.” He held out a hand. “It’s a pleasure.” Old habits had Vala responding to that sort of tone and expression - so different than anyone in the military she had grown used to - with a pleased smile of her own.She gave his hand a quick look, barely a flit of the eye, before sliding a downturned palm into it with a practiced kind of ease. Calluses brushed across skin, but just barely so, leaving fingertips draped over his hand, fingers curling down to subtly grip across the width of his palm. Maybe he wouldn't get it, maybe she should throw in a curtsey like she was wearing some grand gown and her fingers were adorned in gold. But that was probably too far, so she just let her smile accompany it instead, maybe it was all out of place but so were they. This was the sort of comfortable, and safe dance she was good at. Letting herself give him a slow and appreciative look as she flipped a few errant curls over her shoulder with a practiced motion to show off the column of her neck in the light of the street lamps. Vala could flirt and play coy with anyone for the right sort of end game, even better though when they made it easier on her, as he did. The Vala that charmed her way in and out of everything wasn’t the one she reached to first since going ‘straight’ but it was a skin she slipped on easily, even if she wasn’t sure if she was putting on another mask or dropping it. (It was so nice, after Daniel, to flirt with someone and have her glances returned, instead of annoyed sighs.) “Mister Mordecai?” She followed his rhythm, let him lead, or the illusion of it at least, “The pleasure is mine, and thank you, the company seemed worth the effort and I see I was right.” One thing she was never known for was denying compliments unless she was feeling particularly raw, and this time there was a hint of trouble in her smile as she batted one back to him. This was a role into which Mordecai could relax: compliments and gallantry and smiles. He lifted her hand to his lips, bowing slightly as he brushed a kiss across the knuckles. “I’m glad I don't disappoint,” he said, straightening up and holding her hand just a second or two longer before releasing it, and offering his arm instead. “Hopefully, the rest of the evening lives up to the promise.” Vala rewarded his kiss with a (mostly) sincere charmed smile, more than willing to step out of the skin of soldier and explorer and back into lady, especially with someone who made it so appealing. When she took his arm she stepped a bit closer to him, peering up at him from underneath her lashes, a thing made easier with his height which she approved of greatly. “Oh don’t worry, the only times I’ve gone out all dressed up on Earth I was kidnapped or nearly so,” She patted his arm as she tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow, “My definition of a good time is very liberal.” It was a serious sounding thing to say so casually, with amusement not lurking far under the surface. Vala started to walk, but let him lead even as she kept an eye on their surroundings. Mordecai’s eyes crinkled with amusement of his own. It was not that he didn’t believe her. He tended to take every statement with both a grain of salt and an openness to possibility. After all, he knew well how much a reputation for taking nothing seriously could cloak outrageous confessions as humor. “Clearly, then, we need to raise your expectations,” he said. Luminous wasn’t a long walk from the Sadler Complex, and Mordecai was not particularly anxious to hurry through it. An evening walk through the park with a beautiful woman on his arm was not a thing to be rushed, after all. A beautiful woman who, from conversation both in person and on the network, clearly had a plenitude of stories to tell. After silently savoring the moment, he said aloud. “I gather you’re quite well traveled. Had you visited this city in your world? It doesn’t exist in mine, but I understand it’s quite the landmark in others.” The glass domes in the park reminded him of the sort of thing that might be found in Series One, beauty and function combined and made the more impressive because magic was apparently not commonly in use here. Granted, the Sadler Complex was the home of such refugees as himself, and a couple of magic users had been here for some time (Mordecai had been informed of Alex Sadler’s enthusiasm about magic). Still he’d gotten the impression that such architectural designs were more likely to be sheer feats of engineering than they were to be magical in nature, at least in this world. “I’m looking forward to it.” Vala meant it, she had always had a fondness for pretty things, dangerous and handsome ones as well. Mordecai was at least one of those, and she already had the feeling he wouldn’t fluster as easy as that poor little tech who had been around when she first woke up. Even better. Touring the city and (possibly) causing trouble would be more fun with someone who could keep up. She hummed thoughtfully at the question before sighing and pouting a bit, “No, I fear not. I always wanted to though, it seems to be featured in all the films.” Those were by far the best apology for being cooped up on base, that was for sure. Her and Teal’c had bonded over Star Wars after Adrea, a sort of therapy for them both along with alcohol though it was difficult for either to get drunk. “But I have been to the Lost City of Atlantis, do they have that where you’re from?” Him not have a New York was intriguing to her especially since it was an older city, at least by Earth standards. Not having an Atlantis would make sense, as it was technically built by the Ancients at least. Mordecai’s eyebrows raised in interest. “It’s impressive,” he said. “It seems like an easy place to get lost in. As for Atlantis…” He waved his free hand around them. “Yes, and no. We’re in it, or nearly, if I’ve read the maps right. It isn’t a city back home, but we’re on the right continent. The Inca appear to be gone, though, which is a shame. Then again, I don’t know how they’d feel about what’s become of it, and my Quechua is only so so.” Not that he’d been here often. He was curious about her description, however. “But you say your Atlantis is not just a city but a lost city? That sounds like a story worth hearing.” “Hmm, I like that kind of place.” The kind of city that was bristling with possibilities, ways to disappear and always something interesting at her fingertips. As impressive as this city was she had to wonder if it was the same back on her Earth, and felt a bit of resentment at her team never taking her there for a visit. “I’ve heard Daniel talk about the Inca, so it sounds like your Earth is similar to mine in some aspects.” Vala bit her lip as she searched her memory, “The Inca had Inti, right?” Her fingers snapped as an image surfaced of a man in golden splendor, he had met him once, or the Go’ould who used that name at least. One of her fingers traced idle circles on his arm as they walked, eyes dancing between both the city lights and his face with open curiosity and fascination, “Quechua? How many languages do you speak?” Vala didn’t specify speaking well or just so-so, because she had learned that the latter could be just as useful, surprisingly. Oh, how does one condense the story of Atlantis? “I think ancient Tau’ri, uh, Earth legend says it sunk into the ocean. But really it was built by an ancient alien race, who then flew it to another planet to escape another race of aliens. But we found it again.” We as in SG1, before she joined, but she would still take partial credit since no one was there to dispute it. Mordecai chuckled. “That’s rather harder to answer than you might think. The Related Worlds share languages as one of their common threads, but they don’t always go by the same names. English, of course, and I learned French and Quechua in school. I’ve used both for diplomatic purposes, French more often, of the two. Some Sheethin and Dracic, although they are both quite close to English - Sheethin is almost indistinguishable, but there’s no England in Series Ten, nor in Series Eight where Dracic is spoken. That’s something of a mix of English, Gaelic and Latin.” He paused. “That makes six off of the top of my head, counting Elven.” Mordecai’s handlers had never given their own tongue a name in his hearing, and he was aware they could speak English when they deigned to do so. The name he’d given it was rather irreverent, but appropriate in his mind. They were close enough to the fairy stories for comparison. “I know a few impolite words in various languages, as well,” he added mischievously. “Between school and my father’s sailors, to that gentleman’s dismay.” Captain Roberts’ disappointed frown was far too easy to conjure up in Mordecai’s head, but he banished it just as readily, and nodded in answer to her other question, lacing his fingers through hers. “Inti, that’s correct. The sun god, although I’ve never been the most religious sort, I’m afraid, also to my father’s dismay.” He was openly fascinated by her account of Atlantis’s history. “Then your world has had intercourse between the stars for quite a long time, hasn’t it?” he asked. “It’s still in its infancy in most worlds I know, if not sheer fantasy.” Vala’s mind whirled as she tried to file away all these strange words, forming a picture in her head of what this man’s life had to have been like before he woke up here. Exciting, clearly. A proper school, his father having sailors of his own, served as a diplomat at one point at least. Vala would never get picked as a diplomat. Either she couldn’t be trusted or she was too impatient. That and she was still getting past the old thought process of what’s in it for me. Mordecai had even travelled to different worlds other than just this one, or rather, alternate realities, as Sam would put it. Vala had done that as well, though not usually voluntarily. He was a bit like Daniel, with the memory for words and languages, clearly, something Vala only worked on when it seemed like it would be useful or out of sheer necessity. But what Daniel lacked in charm and this man clearly made up for in spades, with a roguish glint in his eye that she was very much in favor of. Still. The fact that he was learned and came from a more well-to-do background than she did managed to stir up both her competitive nature and her lurking insecurities. “That is impressive, we don’t even have three of those where I’m from. Or at least, I haven’t heard of them, and I think I would have.” Working alongside an anthropologist/archaeologist/linguist had exposed her to a great many things, “I feel as if the impolite ones are usually the most useful.” Vala grinned at him, though she had trouble imagining him with the sort of vulgarity she favored in her angriest states. She snorted then, though it wasn't very ladylike of her, “I've been a servant of the gods, possessed by a god and given birth to one. Trust me when I saw they aren't all they are cracked up to be.” There was no boasting in her voice, if anything it was commiserating. But she nodded to his question, fingers memorizing the feel of his as they walked ever incapable of staying idle. Vala pleased as anything to have something up on him, “My world has yes, but I'm not from Earth. They've only been at it for about a decade, Atlantis was built on Earth and taken to the Pegasus galaxy thousands of years ago.” That thought made her wonder; if anyone could reach her wherever she currently was, surely it would be the Ancients. But belatedly her common sense caught up to her tongue late and she laughed at herself head tipped towards the sky and the lights above that were at least consistent, if alien, “I probably sound mad don't I?” It did sound absurd, and the silly part is she had barely gone into it. Hadn't even mentioned that she'd been burned alive. “It really is more a matter of names by which they’re called than the languages being so different,” he admitted with a smile. “I guarantee if you can speak English, you’d get by well enough.” Mordecai raised an eyebrow as much at the offhand tone with which she described her experiences as with the description itself. He paused in walking to incline his head in acknowledgement, although there was too much amusement in his expression to make it deference. “Not mad, no,” he said lightly. “ I’ve heard stranger tales, although, I can’t say I could match them with my own experience. I’ve trespassed on a temple grounds, but that doesn’t quite compare.” Robbed said temple, avoided its guards and sworn off such missions in perpetuity, or at least until orders compelled him otherwise, but he still couldn’t match Vala’s story. Oh, Mordecai was aware the whole story could be a tall tale, but if so, he admired her creativity. “I am quite content to be beneath the notice of the Powers That Be.” One might hope, at least. The Dright had yet to haul his errant septman back to Eleven, after all. Perhaps Mordecai’s arrest had ended the experiment in his handlers’ eyes, making him surplus to requirements until the Dright’s power began to fail. Really, the best that could happen was that they had washed their hands of him. Mordecai’s smile brightened to match the city lights. “And in heavenly company in the meantime.” Vala could definitely see how this man could be a diplomat, at least for a time. Unlike her, he had a good balance between preening himself and the people around him, while making himself seem both respectable and relatively harmless. Although most people could be subtle to a certain point. Up until what they wanted was at their fingertips, or desperation set in. He had mentioned England, and that made her wonder if it was still around here. Maybe she could blend in there for a bit, a few people back at the SGC had said she sounded like she was from there, but had never been allowed to visit. That’s how she was trying to view this, at least. She peered around curiously as they passed into a part of the Sprawl she wasn’t familiar with yet. One of her hands patted his, taking a moment to tear her eyes away from the brightly colored shops, “Somehow I don’t picture you as the sort to be content beneath anyone, although I enjoy being surprised.” Another light laugh at that line, “ That’s not bad. Is that how you made your living in your world, being charming?” It was a careful tease, toeing the line of being overly familiar, as was her hobby. Well, really it was leaping over lines but this could be fun too every once in awhile. Truth spells were both a nuisance and a challenge. “I wouldn’t say beneath anyone,” Mordecai replied, matching her tone. “It depends a great deal on whom.” In a lecture about Mordecai’s spending habits, Captain Roberts had once quoted the old verse about God and mammon. ‘No man can serve two masters.’ Mordecai had been answering to more than that for years, but ‘content’ would be less accurate a descriptor of his feelings on the matter than ‘resigned.’ Mordecai was never inclined to brood, however, and her teasing question lightened his thoughts. “Mostly, yes,” he replied. “You’ve caught me.” Rosalie had accused him of the same thing more seriously, with mixed irritation and amusement on some occasions and unconcealed disgust on the most recent one. “Well, charm and being the best professional spirit traveler in the world.” It was why he’d been recruited both times, after all, one of the few things that he could call his own. “Talent plays a part.” There it was again, Mordecai having a shade of a familiar face. Or perhaps she was just homesick. Strange, for someone who spent so long running away from...Well. Everything, actually. This time it was Baal, who was never content or happy to share power or serve another, but was clever enough to bide his time and use his talents to their fullest potential, “Ah, I see you’re a man with high standards then.” There was the vague air of a shared joke in her voice. Both because of the company he was currently keeping and because if he was at all like her then his standards were probably based on who was most useful to have around at the time. Vala raised an eyebrow, curious and impatient as ever to wait for answers to appear naturally, “Spirit traveller? What is that, and is it still useful here?” She was learning that particular truth quickly around this planet when it came to Amber Refugees like herself. The more she listened the more she realized how reduced a great many of them were in comparison to what they were used to where they came from. One never knew how much their power and skill relief on things unique to their home until those things were gone. Mordecai laughed aloud. The sound narrowly avoided bitterness. High standards - in company, at least - had never been something he could claim. “In music, fashion, and alcohol,” he agreed, rather than voicing those thoughts. What he’d done in their pursuit certainly did not live up to the term. He slanted a smile her way. “And of course, beauty.” The building which held Luminous came in sight, and Mordecai adjusted their course slightly, gesturing across the street at it. “A spirit traveler is someone who can leave one’s physical body behind and move between places in the spirit. While the body remains asleep or in a trance, there are few places in or out of one’s world the spirit cannot go.” Mordecai glided over the vulnerability of the body when empty, the need to have someone discreet monitoring one’s health. He’d traveled without, of course (and had experimented with the musical recordings Miss Blom had kindly provided) but rarely, incidentally, or when duty called. “Except out of this world, apparently,” he noted. “Whatever brings us here seems to shield access to the World Edge, so no, it’s not quite as useful as it might be.” The boy - no, man - definitely had a way with words, but Vala had been sweet talked by creatures with thousands of years old so he would have to come up with something a bit more unique to really linger in her mind. But it was nice to return his smiles and glide her fingers across his knuckles, comfortable even, to accept his easy compliments and give them back in kind. “Sounds like the most important things in life.” A light statement, both weightless and heavy all at once, balanced out with, “Plus treasure.” With a cheeky grin to boot. Mordecai may not have mentioned the safety issues with his fascinating little talent, but Vala caught them. Because when she wasn’t rushed or excited (about treasure, usually) she latched onto new, potentially useful tools and bit into them as if she were testing a coin for it’s value. So she caught the inherent usefulness of his gift along with the flaws in the same beat, and usually Vala was willing to take too-big risks for a good enough reward (or thrill) but not for that particular talent. Perhaps though, it was because she was biased. Not only had Vala lost control of her body for a long (thankfully) blurry time but the last time she had left her body for a few days she had felt what it was like to be burned to death. So, no thank you. “That sounds like a risky but lucrative gift, if you knew how to use it.” There was a smirk on her face, like this was a shared inside joke between them. The possible uses of this skill and the pitfalls of it. So instead she latched onto the part where something about this world inhibited his abilities, because that was both distracting and useful. Two of her favorite things, “And would you go home, if you were able to? Get help with this talent, make a call, whatever the means, or would you stay?” A casual question he could avoid if he wanted, as she let him guide her towards the venue, and one she had been chewing on as well. Questions, however casual, were no longer something Mordecai could avoid, a fact for which he could have cursed Gabriel's efficiency were he alone. His “No, I don't think so,” was therefore perfectly sincere. “There’s still so much about this world to discover.” That was also true, if slightly less sincere. The fact was that home no longer existed for Mordecai. Back to Chrestomanci Castle meant back into Gabriel's custody and a jail cell soon after, no doubt. There was nothing to go home for, certainly not the disgusted and betrayed faces that occasionally lingered in his mind. They reached the building and the elevator. “And you?” asked Mordecai. “Would you abandon your fellow refugees?” There was something to be said for a decisive person. Vala had always preferred that sort to the kind that sat around and chewed on possibilities and debated on consequences for hours on end. Even if it was a lie, and who could blame him if it was? Though her instincts said he was being honest, which surprised her a bit. “Does it count as abandoning, if I’ve made no promises or allegiances?” A valid counter question, all things considered. Not a proper answer though and she hummed thoughtfully before pressing the button on the elevator, thinking of the base again with a sudden ache that she shoved down. It wasn’t the time for that, and it never would be. “Most likely I would return, but I am very fond of this clean slate business I have here. It could be addicting, along with some other intriguing things.” There was an innuendo there, in her words and smirk, the way she glanced up at him from beneath her lashes. It balanced things out, the teasing, when the words held such hints of serious things. “Probably not,” Mordecai conceded cheerfully. A pale, young face appeared in his mind. No promises or allegiances made, but he’d lied through his teeth for someone who undoubtedly hated him for what truths he had spoken. Perhaps that should have caused more of a twinge than it did. Certainly, it should have, but Mordecai could only be what he was. Intrigue and flirtation - along with the lively music and vibrant green lights that filled the elevator when the doors opened - could sweep away regrets, at least for as long as needed. He matched her tone and glances. “The clean slate does have an attraction.” “Indeed it does.” Vala’s eyes swept him again as she let his arm go to step away and two steps deeper into the lively place, doing a little twirl as she took it in with a gleeful smile on her face. This sort of place definitely wasn’t in Colorado Springs, and what a shame that was. Vala fluffed her curls again before reaching for his hand to pull him into the crowd, “Come darling, let’s dirty up that slate a bit, shall we?” The challenge was uttered with a single raised eyebrow and a smooth sashay of her hips to the beat of whatever passed for music in this place. |