Mask or Menance IC Contact Post

[failureisntachoice]

[ An automated voice speaks because someone hasn't bothered to set up a proper voicemail. The only part in her voice is her name. ] You have reached Agent Texas. Leave a message at the tone.

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[failureisntachoice]

That and tequila. I should have a spare bottle on hand. I'm guessing you have glasses already?

[dendarii]

Perfect. I do indeed.

[failureisntachoice]

On my way.

[ After a few more minutes of packing, anyway. She's dressed in her civvies, deciding armor beyond her helmet for protection while reading isn't necessary. Even if he did seem really into it when they first met. The bottle of whiskey is stored safely in the saddlebag on her motorcycle and she takes off without delay.

When she arrives at the beach, she finds somewhere safe to park her bike and brings only herself, still helmeted, and the requested bottle closer to the indicated spot on the map. The beach wasn't what she was expecting when she agreed to a date, but she gives him points for creativity. ]

[dendarii]

[ Motorcycle. That gives her almost as many points as the armor, he's not gonna lie. He looks quite appreciative of seeing her roll up like that. ]

... You make an excellent second impression.

[ He's got a rather attractive little set up here. A good thick camping tarp with a comfortable blanket over the top, with a bit of a canvas lean-to to keep out the possibility of wind and rain. Neither, tonight, save for a faint breeze. Cool but not cold. In addition to the wine (chilling in a bucket), there's a pleasant spread of finger foods. And blintzes. Because of course. ]

[failureisntachoice]

[ She stares at what he's laid out, glad that her visor is blocking her view at least momentarily. He... went through a helluva lot more effort than she expected and she's not sure if he's thinking he's getting laid in that little lean-to of his or he doesn't know how to do things half-assed.

After the moment of surprise wears off, she holds out the bottle of alcohol to him to free up her hands to remove her helmet. ]

Could say the same about you. How long did this take you to set up?

[dendarii]

[ The latter, though he wouldn't object to the former. Not at all. He stands, gladly relieving her of the bottle and moving to chill it with the wine. ]

A few hours. The trickiest part was this thing here - don't ask me how I kept it upright properly in the sand.

[ He gestures to the lean-to. ]

[failureisntachoice]

[ She tucks her helmet under her arm and eyes the makeshift structure. ]

And you set it up because...?

[dendarii]

... I don't like sand in my food? Or wine?

[failureisntachoice]

That explains the tarp. The tent looks extra.

[ But she lets it go with a small shrug and sets her helmet down on a corner of his display before taking a seat herself. There's a light teasing in her voice when she asks: ] So how much of this is made and how much is bought?

[dendarii]

[ He just shrugs, like "see my earlier answer." ]

Bought, all of it. That's a good thing.

[failureisntachoice]

Looks good. [ She reaches for the wine so she can take a look at the label. ] I didn't think you'd go all out for a first date.

[dendarii]

[ It's reasonably expensive. Miles worked a hell of a lot of charm on all the parties responsible for this meal. ]

Why wouldn't I? It sets the tone, doesn't it?

[failureisntachoice]

[ And she didn't even need to con him into spending money on her. Unlike a certain AI she could mention. She could get used to this. ]

You barely know me. [ Granted he knows more than many others here do. She holds the wine out for him. ] You want to do the honors?

[dendarii]

That's the idea. I want to. [ He gladly moves to get it open for the both of them. ] Not so crass as payment, but an exchange all the same, don't you think?

[failureisntachoice]

[ She manages to find the glasses he brought and holds them out. If he went through the trouble of getting a nice bottle of wine, they should start with that. ]

For more information?

[dendarii]

For the pleasure of getting to know you a little better.

[ He fills both glasses, returning the bottle to its bucket afterwards. ]

[failureisntachoice]

I told you quite a bit last time. [ She keeps one glass held out for him and takes a sip from her own glass with an approving nod. Not bad.

Despite her offer to share more, she's not going to start the conversation. Instead she focuses her gaze out on the water and once a hand is free, she leans back on her palm. ] How often did you go planetside?

[dendarii]

[ There's no pennies today; Miles doesn't mind the conversation flowing in his direction. Part of getting to know her is letting her get to know him too. He takes a slow, careful sip. ]

As often as I could. Sometimes for long stretches - like the prison I was in. There is ... nothing quite like it, no matter how long I spend on a spaceship.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She glances over him at the mention of a prison. Likely the one he and his friend were in before they both helped each other out. There's a nod of agreement and she has another drink. ]

This is my first time on Earth. I've been on planets and was technically born here, but I never stepped foot on it until I walked through their damn porter. [ If her memories of a previous life could even be called being 'born.' It's close enough. ]

[dendarii]

[ Ah. He catches that - wonders, and decides to ask. ]

Do you mean you yourself? Or are you referring to your progenitor?

[failureisntachoice]

Progenitor. If we're talking about me, I was created on a ship. Not nearly as nice.

[dendarii]

Compared to a planet, likely not ...

[ He looks her over lightly. ]

You said you were an AI, yes? ... Do they typically have bodies in your world?

[failureisntachoice]

No. Most of them are holograms installed into a computer. If they have a body, it's definitely not a nice looking one like this. [ She motions down at herself with her glass. ]

The body I had back home looked like a walking suit of armor.

[dendarii]

[ Miles pictures her as a walking suit of armor. His pleased expression really doesn't change. ]

A bit more practical not being in armor, I suppose. But you lose points in ferocity.

[failureisntachoice]

Makes it a helluva lot easier to blend in like this. [ It's a big reason she doesn't wear her armor out and about. ] People before me wearing similar suits made it more conspicuous than it should to be walking around civilians like that.

[ And somehow spawned a character dubbed 'Armor Guy.' Out of those who were here before her, she has a feeling she knows who spawned it. ]