exsilium | ‡1st Treasure‡

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‡1st Treasure‡

[The video feed sparks to life as Chloe taps repeatedly at the screen, offering the net a view of a woman with shoulder-length dark hair and bright eyes, wearing a stylish biking jacket and a few layers of leather necklaces with various little charms hanging from their ends. The city's skyline is visible behind her from a particularly high vantage point, and it's likely that she's found herself a resting place somewhere atop the roof of one of the taller buildings. She wiggles a few fingers lazily in greeting before speaking up with a distinctly Australian accent.]

Evening, everyone. Chloe here. New arrival, in case you haven't noticed. All right, somewhat new. Got dragged into this mess a few days ago and decided to take my time getting settled; never know what's out there if you don't bother to look first.

I was a treasure hunter back home-- one of the best in the business, I might add. Problem is I'm getting the impression that there's not much treasure to be found here on Alcatraz, and I'd prefer to stay sharp while things are relatively quiet. So here's the deal: if you need something of value-- for a price-- I'm more than happy to lend a well-trained hand and fetch it for you.

[She moves to shut the call down before adding, thoughtfully]

And in the meantime, if anyone out there knows a place that serves good drinks, I'm all ears. After all this I could sure as hell use one.

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[That glare definitely had him sweatin' bullets. He knew he'd screwed up, and he felt truly awful. It was frustrating that he could win over just about any woman he's come across, and he wanted nothing more than to please Chloe... But she was the one of very few women he struggled with. It was always the ones that were most important to him. He'd make it up to her somehow.]

Uh, I'm sorry Chloe, really. It's been an off day for me, in many respects. But trust me, I would never let you pay for a drink as long as I live. Come on, let's get something with a good kick, I know I could use it!

[He smiled weakly and led her out of the apartment. Then realized he had no idea where they were going.]

Uh... I'll let you lead...

[His response is quick to calm her temper, though she certainly doesn't burn as hot as she used to. A more pleasant smile makes its way onto her face as he gives her the chance to take over, and she stuffs her hands in her pockets, making sure she's walking a good few steps ahead of him.]

Always a good plan.

Which reminds me, if we're going to be business partners, I think we'll need to lay down a few ground rules. You know, keep things straightforward.

[He felt like he was being punished for some reason, having to stay behind her. At least until he realized this mean he got to watch her walk for a little bit. He followed mindlessly until she started speaking again.]

Alright, sweetheart, what did you have in mind?

Considering the constant state of your bank account, I think it's best you let me manage things. [She thought that might do the trick. Watch butt, think less. ]

I'll get the jobs, I'll handle the money, and all you have to do is help me with the footwork.

[He was expecting stricter ground rules, but maybe that was because the last time he'd partnered with a woman she turned out to be more monster than... well that something he didn't need to think about. He hadn't really given it much thought until now, but maybe this meant his finances were wiped clean. No more debt.... no more living from job to job? He could get behind that, he skipped to meet with Chloe, and walk by her side at this point, feeling a little better.]

I can do that, sweetheart. That's probably for the better. I'm no good with numbers, as I'm sure Nate told you many times. But... what if I want to treat you every once in a while?

Well, who am I to say no to an offer like that?

[Normally she'd give him a playful little fistbump, or even grab his arm to lean on, but as she starts to reach for him she realizes they're not on those terms yet. He's not on those terms yet.

Her hand slides lazily up to rub at the back of her neck instead.]

You just let me know and I'll be sure to subtract it from your funds.

[He cocked a smile at that last statement.]

What a world we live in... Victor Sullivan, letting a member of the fairer sex manage my budget. Hahah, but really, I think I can trust you. ...

[He suddenly remembered everything that had happened in his last adventure back "home". Never knowing what side Chloe was really playing for, and it made him hope against all hope that she was at least past all that with him. His face grew stern and he turned to her.]

...I... CAN trust you, ...right?

[He really hoped the almost pleading nature of this question wasn't showing through. But of all the things he needed right now; Nate, food, alcohol, women, ... just a little reassurance was probably the most important.]

Edited 2012-08-14 18:58 (UTC)

[Sully earns himself a slap on the arm for the budget remark. Even when his tone drops along with his expression, she holds her mischievous smirk, denying the sting of his words.]

Who do you think carried little miss sunshine out to safety while Nate was off being a hero?

Victor, I can tell you whatever you want to hear, but the bottom line is always going to be that I can't dictate how much faith you should have in me. That's your call to make. Not mine.

[He had to admit she had a point. She could have bailed back then, but she did carry Elena to safety, risking her own neck even. Really though, right now she was the only person he knew, and compared to all the other faces he'd come across in his short time here, the one she trusted the most. He really did want to put every bit of faith he had in her, and that scared him.]

Alright sweetheart, you've made your point. I like to think I can trust you. I have no reason not to really. Just know that I'm not normally the type to trust so easily... You're the only goddamned thing I can hold onto right now though, Chloe. You're all I've got!

[He smiled warmly at her, just before noticing they'd reached some sort of convenience store.]

Is this the place we're looking for, hon? I sure as hell hope they're prepared. I've worked up a mighty thirst.

[She stops in front of the store, casting a quick glance over her shoulder at him with the most sincere smile she's worn in quite some time.]

Then it looks like you and I are in the same boat, love.

I don't think there's a place in any world that's ready for you. [Chloe steps inside, making a b line for the back of the shop where they keep the booze. Doesn't take her more than a few seconds of searching for her to start picking up packs of things she likes.] Nice to know some good things still exist in the future.

[Sully laughed at her comment and slowly made his way toward the liquor section. He was distracted by all the junk food in the aisles leading up to alcohol, his stomach grumbling ferociously. Some of these snacks looked vaguely familiar. Over a thousand years of marketing adapting to meet consumer demands. Some of this stuff was clearly new, candies he'd never heard of. Items that looked nothing like anything he'd ever eaten before. He stopped when he saw a package of powdered donuts, looking almost exactly as he remembered back in 2009.]

Hah, I see what you mean Chloe!

[He picked up the donuts, remembering the first time he and Nate had gone into a store much like this upon returning to America. Sully had stopped in for some cigars, and told Nate to pick out something to eat until they got closer to the city. The kid hadn't eaten much processed food in his time, so when he couldn't choose, Sully chose a package of powdered donuts for him. They quickly became his favorite food, and Sully would always make sure to get him some when he could. Even today... or whenever he last saw Nate... he still enjoyed them. Sully smiled to himself, realizing he'd zoned out reminiscing. He held onto the donuts as he joined Chloe in the alcohol section.]

I hope you don't mind, if I pick these up too. I honestly don't really remember the last time I ate anything.

[He eyed the armful of booze she'd already collected and whistled appreciatively.]

Wooo, honey, I love your taste in spirits! This should be more than enough to last us a day or two haha! Here, let me help you with some of that.

[He took a few items off her hands, a case here, a bottle there, and followed her up to the register.]

No, Victor, how dare you get something to sustain yourself. I can't believe you'd do such a thing.

[There's a playful little eye roll there as she passes off some of the alcohol.]

Well I was thinking we'd stockpile a bit, but I guess this won't be nearly enough to satisfy you, will it?

[He smirked at her eye roll and added another two packs of donuts to the purchase, just to see what rise he might get out of her.]

Hahah, you know...You're right. It's when a man is starving and gets food for the first time, and you're supposed to monitor his intake so he doesn't put his body into shock. I think you may have to make sure I don't overdo it.

[He looks over the booze they've gathered on the counter a second time and realizes it IS actually quite a stash.]

Yeah, now that I think about it, that should last us a good while. Assuming you can behave yourself, little missy.

[He gives her arm a playful nudge and leans against the counter.]

Edited 2012-08-20 04:15 (UTC)

[His nudge is countered by one of her own as she pushes him over just enough to pay for their...collection. A little while later and they're carrying their goods back to the apartment.]

Oh I have to behave myself; I'm the one that needs to behave. You, sir, are more than capable of causing enough mayhem on your own, thank you very much.

A trait you passed on to Nate, I might add.

I don't know about all that. Mayhem? Naww... I just roll along with the punches! You're a little firestarter though. Planting charges around megalomaniacal warlord's camps and ... double agenting. I'd say I'm an angel compared to you haha. I'm an innocent bystander!

[He laughed, he actually really admired the curvy little hellion's style, it reminded him a lot of how he used to work when he was a little less gray.]

Trust me though, hon. Nate was already like that when I met him, the little pain in the ass.

[He smiled to himself, thankful that his memories were at least intact in this world. He let her into the apartment and stocked the fridge with some of the alcohol.]

Don't worry, my roommates are good kids, they probably won't touch this stuff.

Don't remind me. That whole ordeal is-- oh, well, I guess it's not all in the past for you just yet, yeah?

[She hops up on the counter, already working the top off of an icy cold beer bottle.] Stuck with kids again? My god, it's like you'll never escape being a father.

Ah, it's not so bad, they seem like they take pretty good care of themselves. Haven't seen too much of them yet though, at least when they're standing still. Haha, I doubt they'd ever think of me as a father.

[He grabbed a bottle and popped the cap off between his teeth. He spit it into the nearby trash bin, and turned his attention to Chloe.]

Oh well, it's just us for now anyway! So... what sort of things have I missed in your time? Or will you telling me tear a hole in the fabric of existence or whatever?

You boys are fine as always, like I said. Don't know what happened to sunshine, though. Not after the breakup.

I imagine she went off to finish her career.

[She pauses briefly, toying with the condensation on the bottle in her hands. She wonders if he needs to know everything. Probably for the best if he hears at least some of it...maybe not all of it.] We kept in touch, managed a few odd jobs here and there together, met up at Christmas, you know the drill. We were close, things were good.

Then about a month ago you called Charlie and me in to help you with some crazy little cult. Secret society nonsense, but nothing too heavy. Well-- at least that's what we thought. Pulled a fast one on someone named Marlowe, got in over our heads real fast.

[He took a swig, enjoying the taste as soon as it hit his tongue. Yeah, it was going to be a good night. He kept listening as Chloe tried to fill him in, smiling now and then, nodding his understanding. He was sad that Nate and Elena didn't seem to work out, but there wasn't much he could do about it whether he was there or not.

But then he heard the name. "Marlowe", his stomach dropped, his throat grew tight, and he felt a slight chill run up his spine.]

K-Katherine!? Aww God, no... I'd hoped we'd seen the last of her... She was after his ring wasn't she?! What happened?

[His mind was racing through several scenarios, things he knew she and her following were capable of. None of them at all seemed favorable for him or Nate. A worried expression fell over his face, and he anxiously took another drink from his beer.]

Easy, Victor, easy. I told you, everything's fine. Charlie had a nasty run in with them; broke his leg, but that's the worst of it.

[Seeing his reaction, seeing how panicked he looks at the mention of Marlowe's name makes her wonder how on earth he could so casually agree to let Nate charge forward against the order. He knew how dangerous it was...so why?]

So, you gonna actually tell me the whole story this time, or am I going to have to guess?

[He sighed heavily, hung his head a bit, and hopped onto the counter next to her.]

I guess you deserve to know... Assuming we're talking about the same "Marlowe", which it sounds pretty much like we are, I used to work with her... for her really. There was also a bit of a romantic thing. We were kind of an item. I sort of bid her a-goddamn-dieu on the day I met Nate. I knew she could be a nasty, that she had claws. But they really came out on that day... I just couldn't continue to work for/be with someone like that.

I'm assuming she's after Nate's ring... That was what she was after that day, some 18 years ago... or probably more like... 20? For you.

Look I can tell you now that unless I thought we had the upper hand I would never encourage Nate to go toe to toe with that piece of work. I'm sure I had to have protested at some point. She must have made it personal or something, I don't know. Nate will usually back down after I talk to him. But if it got as bad as it sounds I'm sure he pulled out.

[He let out a breath he hadn't even realized he was holding and slumped a bit, turned his head toward Chloe.]

That's the short version, essentially... I mean, if you really want I could give you the long version... but the moral of the story will still be: that devil in heels is BAD news.

Oh no, no, no. Bad news, I gathered.

Good to know the entire tale this time around, at least. The way you boys treated it was as if it was the usual gig, we had no idea we were so wrong. Sort of makes me wish I'd heard the whole thing up front.

Charlie, on the other hand, probably wouldn't care either way.

Edited 2012-08-20 23:09 (UTC)

Well, Marlowe always did have a trick or two up her sleeve. But I never really saw the true extent of her capabilities. I can't even imagine what she's like when you're really on her shit list...

[He leaned back on the counter, resting his had on the cabinets. He sat for a few seconds, and started to feel restless, getting down from the counter and pacing slowly.]

Do you ever wonder... if they can even tell we're gone? I mean... are we still there, to them? Did we just disappear from "home"?

I don't know, love. [She pulls one knee to her chest, resting her chin on it.]

But I've heard time stops when we leave. And...to be fair. It does seem likely considering the time difference between you and I.

[He stopped pacing at that, and spun on his heels toward her.]

I can't tell if that makes me feel better or worse... But at least that gives me the impression that they Intend to send us back at some point... Hmmm, you know what I need to just stop asking questions, I'm sorry... I know I've kind of killed the mood. Let's forget all that and enjoy our haul.

[He leaned on the counter, his hips against her leg, and grabbed his beer from the counter.]

So this is the most face time I've had with you, ever. I have to say though, you make good company. A woman after my own heart, for sure!

[He winked at her and cocked a smile to one side as he drank from his bottle.]

‡1st Treasure‡

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