05 | Audio + Encrypted Audio

[implying]

It… seems to me that the lot of us have returned to ourselves, yes? No more five year olds wandering about, thank gods.

[ He clears his throat a little awkwardly. ]

I used to be somewhat… ah, forthright, I suppose, which is the age I've lately been entertaining. My apologies to anyone I've been untoward to.

[ To Equius: ] I'd like to see you, my dear, if you don't mind. As soon as you have the time.

[ To Collette: ] Are you available? I, ah, believe I'd left something with you.

[ To Aileen: ] You've… survived the trip back to your proper age, I hope? [ There's a weak smile in this. ] How are you doing?

[ To "Hadrian": ] I hope you know I meant none of it, yes? That was only — well, I didn't know you at the time, you see. [ A beat. ] I'm sorry.

[ To Stephanie: ] This is somewhat awkward, but— well, I do apologize for the excessive attention. Somewhat out of line, I feel.

[ To Bucky: ] You are, of course, welcome to take your belongings back. …Sorry about that.

[ To Calhoun: ] I believe I owe you an apology, yes? And a dinner too, I think.

[ To Nananea: ] My dear, are you free tonight? I wouldn't at all object to some company.

[ To Sharpe: ] [ Just a pause, then a sigh. ] I'll teach you about condoms now, if you like.

Comments

[implying]

You'd assume rightly, my dear. There's a charming place on [streets!], will that do?

[controlledvariable]

That will do. I was planning to head out to the training area for a few hours, but I'm free after then.

[implying]

Well, why not bring you coffee there, then? It seems to me that's when you'd really need it.

[controlledvariable]

[There's a pause, since she's not sure how good an idea that is (she generally trains as Batgirl) but she figures she can give herself time to shower and change into civvies.]

If you're fine with that. I'll be finished around five thirty in the afternoon.

[implying]

That will do nicely, then. I'll see you at five thirty— in the training area?

audio → action

[controlledvariable]

Five thirty in the training area. See you then, Vanadi.

[And with that she turns off the feed.

She has absolutely no idea what she's doing here, but a few hours of training helps clear her head, and by five o'clock she's at least decided there's no harm in continuining to spend time with Vanadi, and that, on the plus side, he seems to be less pushy now he's older. She's showered and changed by 5:15, her suit hidden in her bag as she waits at the entrance to the training area, figuring that's the best place to spot him.

She's not really sure what she's expecting]

[implying]

[ He'd spent a good while wondering if he should bring the mask. It just seems stupid, after spending so much time around someone who's seen him without. But then... she'd seen his hair while it was still black, and his face with no ugly scars. So it's not really the same, is it?

He's not sure if it's that, or the strong distaste of going without it in public (heading to Collette's to fetch it in the first place had been bad enough), but in the end, it's firmly in place as he comes strolling up at exactly 5:32. (Guilt has done wonders to keep him on task and timely today.)

He gives a little smile when she's in sight, and adds a two-fingered wave with coffee cups in hand so it will be difficult to mistake him for some other kitrite wandering by. ]

Hello again, Stephanie.

[controlledvariable]

[The mask surprises her, though she remembers seeing it in when he was on the network before, she just didn't realize he'd be wearing it right now.

There's probably a reason for it, but she simply gives it a curious look once he's close enough, and leaves it at that. She let him volunteer an explanation for it if he wants, but there's no point in prying.]

Hey, Vanadi. [okay she's said her hello now she can make grabby hands for the coffee without seeming too impolite (she has a caffeine problem).] How are you doing with - everything?

[They might not know each other that well, but she still cares.]

[implying]

[ He's happy enough to hand off one of the cups, and sips at the other with a quick glance around. There's got to be somewhere to sit... ah, there, a set of steps up to one of the piece of equipment. He takes a seat on the lowest, legs folded in front of him with just a tad bit less grace and air of performance than he'd used to have. ]

Oh, perfectly fine. [ Just one death threat so far. But with a small smile: ] I've even made up with my boyfriend.

[controlledvariable]

Thanks. [She does have some manners, even as she's already taking a sip and giving a pleased little hum. If Exsilium didn't have coffee, she'd probably have started a riot by now.

She follows him to the steps and takes a seat beside him, half turned to face Vanadi while still keeping an eye on the surrounding area. At the "boyfriend" her eyebrows go up. Well.]

That can't have been easy for either of you, I can't imagine what I'd do if my boyfriend suddenly didn't remember me. [or if she didn't remember her boyfriend. Weird all around.] It's good you've made up.

[She wonders if this is why he hasn't been quite as flirty, even if monogamy doesn't seem like something Vanadi would excel at, from what she knows of him.]

[implying]

Well, if my experience was any indication, you would probably ask him to leave after he told you you were likely only together for— [ er to be kept around as a personal mechanic? yeah no. He clears his throat. ] —Convenience.

[ He glances over with a smile, seemingly perfectly cordial under that mask. ]

Truly, I do believe I used to be a little shit. I think you got off lightly, my dear.

[controlledvariable]

Ouch. [she winces sympathetically, for both parties, really. Since that must have required a lot of apologies on Vanadi's part. It's probably not the sort of thing he wants to talk about, though, so she'll leave it here.]

You weren't all that bad to me, but you were trying to charm my pants off, which probably explains it. [He wasn't exactly going to be a dick to someone he wanted to have sex with.] You seem to have changed quite a bit in a few years.

[implying]

Well, not all that much...

[ Yeah, that sounds kinda weak, because here he sits in a mask for no apparent reason, admittedly quieter and more down than she'd have seen him before. He frowns, rubbing awkwardly at the back of his neck. ]

I make no promises for the future in terms of charming, although you'll be allowed to keep the pants. They look quite good on you, it would be a pity to lose them.

[controlledvariable]

[Her smile is gentle, reassuring, and she leans closer to bump her shoulder lightly against his, a friendly 'cheer up!' sort of gesture. This is still sort of weird, but she's relaxing a little.]

I'll be allowed, will I? [her expression is a little sharp, but its' clearly feigned, and softened by her smile.] I definitely prefer your compliments when I know there isn't an ulterior motive.

[implying]

[ A gesture he appreciates, at least. It smooths the frown back into a small, tired smile, and he drops his arm. ]

Why, what a coincidence, because compliments without ulterior motives is precisely what you deserve.

[controlledvariable]

I hope you know you don't have to be extra nice to make up for your younger self.

[She's not sure if that's what he's doing, but there's only so much niceness she can take before she starts getting flustered by it.

It's easy to dismiss when there is that ulterior motive, but she's not entirely sure how to deal with someone being genuinely nice, it's just not something she's come to expect from people.]

[implying]

Mm, too much? I'll keep it to myself, then.

[ Because it's not an act, or trying to make up for anything, but he does understand that there's such thing as an overabundance.

Mildly, as he glances away: ] By the by, thank you for putting up with my, ah, younger self. I'd have been disappointed to lose a friend before I had a proper chance to make one.

[controlledvariable]

A little. [she holds up her thumb and forefinger an inch apart, her expression wry but appreciative that he'll tone it down.

As for the rest of what he says, she huffs out a little sigh.] Vanadi, it's fine, really. You don't have to thank me for anything. [It's not that she doesn't understand why he feels it's necessary, he was kind of pushy and a bit of a jerk, but, well--] I'm not exactly the easiest person to get along with either, as I'm sure you remember.

[how many times did she snap at him? and not all of them were deserved.]

[implying]

You, my dear, were perfectly fine.

[ That a little chagrinned, because he remembers too well a few occasions when she'd gotten offended for perfectly good reason, only to have him soothe it over with well-placed lies. Not that he'll be admitting to those unless he has to. ]

Ah, but in any case, if it's perfectly alright with you — perhaps we might forget the entire thing and start anew.

[controlledvariable]

[She just shakes her head at that, but won't argue the point since she figures he's unlikely to admit that she wasn't as nice as she could have been.]

I wouldn't mind remembering the kiss, if it's all the same to you. I wasn't lying about it having been a while. [She's gently teasing, her expression wry, testing to see how she should treat topics like that now.] But, yeah, I'm okay with a fresh start. I'll try not to have any expectations.

[She's reminded of saying a similar thing the first time they talked, though in that case it was everyone else with expectations of how he was supposed to be.]

[implying]

[ Down as he is over all this, and determined as he is to stay true to Equius (at least for a while), he still pauses at that to spend a few seconds wishing he could pursue it. He'd love to talk about kissing her, and suggest a repeat performance, or something like that, but...

He sighs, and passes the comment by. ]

Perfect. Remember the visuals, at least, and allow everything else to slip neatly away.

[controlledvariable]

[That response is enough to tell her to leave it alone, so she will]

I think I can manage that. [The mentions of visuals makes her want to ask about the mask, and she wavers on it for a moment as she sips her coffee, but eventually just smiles, a little cheeky, before offering her hand to shake] It's a pleasure to meet you, then.

[Because they're... starting afresh...

...

Yeah she's a dork. But at least she's aware of it.]

[implying]

[ Well, lucky for Steph, it's the same sense of humor that Vanadi has. So he quirks a grin and sticks a gloved hand out to meet hers. ]

Why, the pleasure is all mine, Stephanie. [ a beat. ] That's quite a lot of syllables. Does 'Steph' suit you, by any chance?

[controlledvariable]

[She'd already noticed the gloves, but they draw her attention a little more when she's actually shaking his hand. Between them and the mask, she's starting to wonder if something happened to him (there's a reason she always wears pants and long sleeves, after all).]

I usually only get Stephanie when I'm in trouble, so, yes, Steph is perfectly acceptable.

[a beat] I will hit you if you try 'Stephie', though. I don't know why anyone thinks that's an acceptable nickname.

[He doesn't seem like the type for "cutesy" nicknames like that but she just has to put that out there because it's happened too many times.]

[implying]

Well, if you think you can refrain from 'Nadi, then I think you and I might be able to come to an accord.

[ He takes another sip from the coffee, feeling oddly a little better already for this fresh start. He settles more comfortably into his seat and glances over. ]

You're from Earth, then, I take it?