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( She's seen the guy around the canteen a couple of times. Mostly he keeps to himself, though there are the rare days where he talks to Team We Already Know Space like he's familiar with them, so she doesn't think he's all alone.
It's the fuck off vibe he's got that keeps Clary's interest. She doesn't exactly know when to leave well alone, always muscling her way into situations without thinking. But today, there's no one in the room that she's friends with, and her head hurts from lack of sleep, silence pressing in at all edges. She's maybe feeling a little rebellious, a little aggressive, so when she sees him sitting by himself she makes her way over to his table, her tray slid opposite him as she takes a seat. Clary moves her spoon through whatever horrible mess the replicator hacked up this time, before she looks up to meet his eyes. )
So, who are we judging today?
( Because c'mon, it's obvious that's what he's doing. )
It's the fuck off vibe he's got that keeps Clary's interest. She doesn't exactly know when to leave well alone, always muscling her way into situations without thinking. But today, there's no one in the room that she's friends with, and her head hurts from lack of sleep, silence pressing in at all edges. She's maybe feeling a little rebellious, a little aggressive, so when she sees him sitting by himself she makes her way over to his table, her tray slid opposite him as she takes a seat. Clary moves her spoon through whatever horrible mess the replicator hacked up this time, before she looks up to meet his eyes. )
So, who are we judging today?
( Because c'mon, it's obvious that's what he's doing. )
[ it was impossible not to notice the woman with bright red hair sitting across from him, no matter how hard he tries. and he's trying, pushing around his food with the butt of his spork. he's pretty obviously hungover, stinking of booze with big hollow circles under his bloodshot eyes. his hat is sitting next to his unoccupied left hand on the table, his gun sheltered under it - she might be able to see the barrel peeking out. ]
Thought I might start with the curious girl who thinks it's a good idea to sit with an obviously unhinged Belter. [ he leans his elbow on the table and puts his cheek against his hand. ]
Thought I might start with the curious girl who thinks it's a good idea to sit with an obviously unhinged Belter. [ he leans his elbow on the table and puts his cheek against his hand. ]
Obviously, yeah. But I don't know what a Belter is.
( She raises an eyebrow, but otherwise doesn't seem to react. The gun isn't a problem. Unless he's going to shoot her between the eyes right here and now, she's fairly certain she can defend herself. Besides, he doesn't seem the type. )
It's probably one of those space things, right? You guys should totally write a book.
( A bright, bright smile. )
Also, I have poor impulse control and a lack of self-preservation.
( She raises an eyebrow, but otherwise doesn't seem to react. The gun isn't a problem. Unless he's going to shoot her between the eyes right here and now, she's fairly certain she can defend herself. Besides, he doesn't seem the type. )
It's probably one of those space things, right? You guys should totally write a book.
( A bright, bright smile. )
Also, I have poor impulse control and a lack of self-preservation.
Yeah, no one on this bucket does. Lucky you. Let me guess... Earther?
[ that gets a chuckle out of him and he leans back. ] The others could. I'm no space man. [ but he has to give her credit where it's due- ] Stupid and self-aware, you don't see that every day.
[ that gets a chuckle out of him and he leans back. ] The others could. I'm no space man. [ but he has to give her credit where it's due- ] Stupid and self-aware, you don't see that every day.
I'm from Brooklyn.
( Just a kid from Brooklyn, yo. )
But you're used to space? Like more than people like me are used to space? ( His comment makes her laugh though, a snort of amusement that means he's definitely right. ) Can't help it. I know it's best to leave things alone, but nope. That's not how I am. Fight first, questions later.
( Leaning forward, sludge abandoned. )
So, c'mon, what's up?
( Just a kid from Brooklyn, yo. )
But you're used to space? Like more than people like me are used to space? ( His comment makes her laugh though, a snort of amusement that means he's definitely right. ) Can't help it. I know it's best to leave things alone, but nope. That's not how I am. Fight first, questions later.
( Leaning forward, sludge abandoned. )
So, c'mon, what's up?
Brooklyn. [ he says it just to roll the word around. he can't picture what it might look like, though he knows it's in new york, or was. miller knows a lot about earth for a guy who claims not to give a fuck about it. ]
Before last week, I went on a half a space-walk if that counts. [ but okay, he'll bite. miller looks surrepticiously around the room, locking eyes on someone not too far away. ] You see that guy over there? Looks clean, doesn't he? Real clean. He takes two showers every day. One in the morning, one after his workout. There's, what? 80 organics taking up oxygen on this barge? How long do you think til we run out of water? Before or after the air filters crap out. Maybe it'll be the same day if he [ miller jerks his thumb that way, not caring if he's noticed. ] stays onboard.
That's the kind of shit you learn growing up on a station like this. Space has got nothin' to do with it.
Before last week, I went on a half a space-walk if that counts. [ but okay, he'll bite. miller looks surrepticiously around the room, locking eyes on someone not too far away. ] You see that guy over there? Looks clean, doesn't he? Real clean. He takes two showers every day. One in the morning, one after his workout. There's, what? 80 organics taking up oxygen on this barge? How long do you think til we run out of water? Before or after the air filters crap out. Maybe it'll be the same day if he [ miller jerks his thumb that way, not caring if he's noticed. ] stays onboard.
That's the kind of shit you learn growing up on a station like this. Space has got nothin' to do with it.
( She listens, because she has to listen. This isn't her world, this isn't what she knows. His comments mean her fiery brows dip down to meet in the middle, mouth twisting in thought. )
So, what do we do about it?
( A pause, Clary spreading her hands in front of her. ) Because there's a lot of us who haven't been on a space station before. Maybe the things that are important aren't the things we know to think about? I wouldn't have considered the water. I didn't even know not to force doors up. So. You could glare at him for the rest of the day, that won't make him shower less.
( She's already making a note to skip it as much as she can, even if it makes her skin feel itchy. ) What else? What would us Earthers miss?
So, what do we do about it?
( A pause, Clary spreading her hands in front of her. ) Because there's a lot of us who haven't been on a space station before. Maybe the things that are important aren't the things we know to think about? I wouldn't have considered the water. I didn't even know not to force doors up. So. You could glare at him for the rest of the day, that won't make him shower less.
( She's already making a note to skip it as much as she can, even if it makes her skin feel itchy. ) What else? What would us Earthers miss?
We don't do anything.
[ jesus christ. he shakes his head, just barely holding back an eyeroll as he leans back against his chair and letting it skate across the floor a bit with him. it's still hard to sit up with his bruised ribs but he's not trying to broadcast it. ]
You want me to write you a how-to guide, kid? It's just like anywhere else. Keep your head down, focus on yourself. Everyone else will.
[ jesus christ. he shakes his head, just barely holding back an eyeroll as he leans back against his chair and letting it skate across the floor a bit with him. it's still hard to sit up with his bruised ribs but he's not trying to broadcast it. ]
You want me to write you a how-to guide, kid? It's just like anywhere else. Keep your head down, focus on yourself. Everyone else will.
So, you're totally okay with everyone just doing their own thing, even if it means in the end we're all fucked?
( She sounds like she doesn't believe him. Then again, she's never been able to just fight for herself and no one else. )
Keeping our heads down is fine, but like, how are we going to ever figure a way out of this if we don't talk to each other? I bet you ninety percent of us don't understand the first thing about living on a space station. But you apparently do, so why don't you tell people?
( She sounds like she doesn't believe him. Then again, she's never been able to just fight for herself and no one else. )
Keeping our heads down is fine, but like, how are we going to ever figure a way out of this if we don't talk to each other? I bet you ninety percent of us don't understand the first thing about living on a space station. But you apparently do, so why don't you tell people?
[ he just stares at her. she can decide whether he's "okay" with that. the truth is he isn't okay at all, but what does that matter? ]
Fine. What do you wanna know? [ deal is this: he can tell her whatever it is she thinks is in his head that's so damn important. then if she thinks it's worthwhile she can share it with the rest of these takers. ]
Fine. What do you wanna know? [ deal is this: he can tell her whatever it is she thinks is in his head that's so damn important. then if she thinks it's worthwhile she can share it with the rest of these takers. ]
What else do we have to worry about?
( Watch this space, Miller. She'll make a network wide post tomorrow. )
Do the replicators run out? What about the oxygen? What else do we need to ration? Like, how do we make sure we have as long as we need in space?
( Watch this space, Miller. She'll make a network wide post tomorrow. )
Do the replicators run out? What about the oxygen? What else do we need to ration? Like, how do we make sure we have as long as we need in space?
Probably the people who trapped us here, huh? I'd worry about them before all this other... shit.
[ because it is shit. shit they can't do anything about whether they take fifty showers or none. ]
Like I said, the air filters will crap out before all of that. We've got a botanist from Ganymede he's got a few plants he's setting up to extend our time, but... There's no tellin' how long we'll be stuck here, alright, so- Most of these systems are automated, obviously, otherwise we'd all be dead. You see Burton's post about boots and stowing your shit? He's the space expert anyway, not me.
[ because it is shit. shit they can't do anything about whether they take fifty showers or none. ]
Like I said, the air filters will crap out before all of that. We've got a botanist from Ganymede he's got a few plants he's setting up to extend our time, but... There's no tellin' how long we'll be stuck here, alright, so- Most of these systems are automated, obviously, otherwise we'd all be dead. You see Burton's post about boots and stowing your shit? He's the space expert anyway, not me.
Ganymede. ( She says that with something slightly mystified. ) Amos mentioned that. I know it's a moon, but people live there in your time, right?
( It sounds like a dream, but this right here is a nightmare. )
So, we need to look after plants. That'll keep us going for longer. Showering less? Also a plus. I hate sleeping in boots, but I have been since Amos told us we needed them.
( Then, more carefully. )
I know you probably think I'm stupid. I've never been to space. I don't know how it works, sure. But I know how to survive, and I can guarantee most of the people on this station want to too. So don't write us off for not knowing everything immediately.
( It sounds like a dream, but this right here is a nightmare. )
So, we need to look after plants. That'll keep us going for longer. Showering less? Also a plus. I hate sleeping in boots, but I have been since Amos told us we needed them.
( Then, more carefully. )
I know you probably think I'm stupid. I've never been to space. I don't know how it works, sure. But I know how to survive, and I can guarantee most of the people on this station want to too. So don't write us off for not knowing everything immediately.
It's a station in the belt. Like the rock I'm from - Ceres. Except instead of criminals and secrets it's full of scientists who make things better for everyone. Most of them, anyway. All the food in the system is grown on Ganymede. And they make the best gin I've ever touched my lips to.
[ he has to slip an arm around his ribcage to sit up when he starts slumping too much, sliding down the chair. he grimaces as he edges up a little so he can maintain eye contact. ]
I can't tell you anything specific without seeing the life support levels, okay? We could be in great shape, who knows. But judging by the rest of this place... I'm just gonna assume we're mostly screwed. [ he blows out a breath. fucking a clary. ] You're... you're not stupid. Just keep your eyes and ears open, like you've been doing. You'll be fine.
[ he has to slip an arm around his ribcage to sit up when he starts slumping too much, sliding down the chair. he grimaces as he edges up a little so he can maintain eye contact. ]
I can't tell you anything specific without seeing the life support levels, okay? We could be in great shape, who knows. But judging by the rest of this place... I'm just gonna assume we're mostly screwed. [ he blows out a breath. fucking a clary. ] You're... you're not stupid. Just keep your eyes and ears open, like you've been doing. You'll be fine.
( Her eyes narrow a little when he wraps an arm around himself, when he grimaces with something that is most definitely pain. She hates that she can't help other people with her power. If only she could apply a rune to any Mundane, help them get better, keep them safe. But it would ruin them. No amount of wishing will fix that. )
What happened?
( It's obvious what she's asking about, and even if she can't take it away maybe she can help. )
You're hurt, right? Have you been to the clinic? There's a guy running one now.
What happened?
( It's obvious what she's asking about, and even if she can't take it away maybe she can help. )
You're hurt, right? Have you been to the clinic? There's a guy running one now.
[ Four days have passed since Rogue began to regain her sight, and she's starting to wonder if it would have been better to just stay blind. Light and shadows, blurred outlines of figures, fuzzy images that refuse to come into focus. Half the time she walks with her eyes closed, half a sense causing more trouble than no sense at all. And that's not even getting into the headaches.
Painkillers aren't exactly readily available on the station, not in enough quantity where she'd feel comfortable wasting them on herself for something as unimportant as a headache, however bad it is, and so when it gets particularly bad she makes her way to the bar for some old-fashioned self-medication.
She makes a beeline for the bar, ignoring whoever might be around for the moment and instead focusing on whatever bottles are still around. Or trying to anyway - it's more than a little frustrating to not even be able to tell which of the awful alcoholic substances might be inside. ]
Goddamnit.
Painkillers aren't exactly readily available on the station, not in enough quantity where she'd feel comfortable wasting them on herself for something as unimportant as a headache, however bad it is, and so when it gets particularly bad she makes her way to the bar for some old-fashioned self-medication.
She makes a beeline for the bar, ignoring whoever might be around for the moment and instead focusing on whatever bottles are still around. Or trying to anyway - it's more than a little frustrating to not even be able to tell which of the awful alcoholic substances might be inside. ]
Goddamnit.
[ miller hears the curse before fully registering the woman beside him. he thinks he saw her post, a while back. he remembered thinking it was ironic that alex was talking about someone drowning in the pool and then she went ahead and did just that. there's a gun on the bartop but it's mostly covered by a porkpie hat so that only the wooden grip is visible underneath.
instead of engaging her, he just pours another glass from the bottle he'd been working on and presses it into her hand before turning back to slump against the bar. there you go, quit your complainin', earther. ]
instead of engaging her, he just pours another glass from the bottle he'd been working on and presses it into her hand before turning back to slump against the bar. there you go, quit your complainin', earther. ]
[ She didn't exactly plan the whole drowning thing, and she sure as hell would have avoided it if she could have. Dying has never been a fun thing to experience and she'd really like to either stop having it happen so often or for the damn thing to just finally stick. She's too tired to deal with this mess anymore.
It's when the man moves that she pays any attention to him, and the press of a glass into her hand makes her flinch and pull back slightly, but you bet she keeps hold of it. Once she realizes he's moved back to a safer distance, she gives the smallest smile that he may or may not see, she can't really tell. ]
Thanks, sugar.
[ She sounds as tired as she feels, and she doesn't waste any time in taking a nice big sip of whatever's in the glass. Yep, there's that familiar burn that leaves her grimacing but not coughing. Not this time. ]
It's when the man moves that she pays any attention to him, and the press of a glass into her hand makes her flinch and pull back slightly, but you bet she keeps hold of it. Once she realizes he's moved back to a safer distance, she gives the smallest smile that he may or may not see, she can't really tell. ]
Thanks, sugar.
[ She sounds as tired as she feels, and she doesn't waste any time in taking a nice big sip of whatever's in the glass. Yep, there's that familiar burn that leaves her grimacing but not coughing. Not this time. ]
[It's a small boat, and there's only one bar, and Ricki makes a point of trying to be able to pin the names to the faces of everyone who haunts the place. He isn't by often, but the last few times in a row that he has been, he's seen Miller. So;]
Please tell me today is the day we've found a bottle of something palateable.
[While he slips behind it, to find himself a glass.]
Please tell me today is the day we've found a bottle of something palateable.
[While he slips behind it, to find himself a glass.]
[ he recognizes ricki... ish, too, though he'd never spoken to the guy. at the question, he stares down into his "gin" sloshing it around his glass in the low gravity with idle fascination. ]
We're drinkin' it either way, aren't we? [ he takes a long sip of the lukewarm liquid and sucks it off his teeth after like something to be savored. yeah, no such luck, buddy. he sets down his glass and touches his hand to the hat next to him on the bartop, the grip of a handgun peeking out from the brim. ]
We're drinkin' it either way, aren't we? [ he takes a long sip of the lukewarm liquid and sucks it off his teeth after like something to be savored. yeah, no such luck, buddy. he sets down his glass and touches his hand to the hat next to him on the bartop, the grip of a handgun peeking out from the brim. ]
[ Look, she'll call you sugar if she damn well pleases. ]
Not worse. [ Another sip while she contemplates. ] It might edge toward better after another two of these.
Not worse. [ Another sip while she contemplates. ] It might edge toward better after another two of these.
You might just be my new favorite person. [ Definitely deal. How did she get so lucky as to have her own personal bartender at the ready? He even gets a genuine smile for that offer. ]
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