(Untitled)

[aimedforthemoon]

from here:Esfir's room looks more like a home, now. The bookcases have been stacked and arranged against a wall, and while they aren't yet full, there are more than enough books to indicate how much she loves them. Her pin-up board of photographs is still up on the wall, and there are still models on the table (new ones - the orignals got blow up

Comments

[almosthonorable]

"Yes, ma'am."

He tugs off his boots and sets them next to Esfir's shoes, then removes his hat while he takes in the room.

"Finally lookin' almost homey in here, Lieutenant."

[aimedforthemoon]

She smiles at that, a little crookedly.

"I finally felt like I needed a home."

[almosthonorable]

One corner of his mouth lifts.

"Worse places than this 'un, I reckon."

He places his hat on the table, careful not to disturb any of her models.

"You feel at home here?"

[aimedforthemoon]

"Um," she says, taking off her jumper. She keeps her room warm, quite warm, and in anycase underneath the jumper is a long-sleeved shirt.

"More than anywhere else."

That isn't - not exactly - a yes.

[almosthonorable]

He shrugs off his coat.

"That's close to a yes, but it ain't one."

His fingers work down the buttons on his vest.

"Stayin' here feel better than sleepin' on your side of the door?"

(He's getting better at remembering it's not just Solo's world, now. It's Esfir's, too.)

[aimedforthemoon]

"I don't have to lie so much, and less chance of the ship exploding around me, so...yes."

Then she shrugs.

"It's not so bad, really. But, yes. Here does feel a bit safer."

[almosthonorable]

"Well."

He peels off his vest.

"I'd really appreciate you stayin' in one piece, too."

[aimedforthemoon]

"I'd come back."

[almosthonorable]

"I surely hope so."

A beat, and his somber expression turns the slightest bit teasing.

"Think I might miss seein' you here."

[aimedforthemoon]

She really, really can't help that smile.

"So, it's good thing I'm not going anywhere."

[almosthonorable]

He untucks his shirt and nods.

"Real good thing, in my book."

A beat.

"You ever wanna be somewhere that ain't your ship or the bar, though, you can come ridin' with me sometime."

[aimedforthemoon]

"I'd like that-"

Then she stops, thinking.

"Ben, where are you? In your America?"

[almosthonorable]

"Arizona Territory -- southwest part of the country."

He's unbuttoning his shirt as he speaks.

"Right now, my door opens up to Tombstone."

[aimedforthemoon]

Esfir nods, slowly, and then moves over to her bookcase. Running her fingers over the books, whispering the titles as she does so, she finally pulls out a heavy one. Flicking back into the index, she finds the reference and then hunts for the page.

"So, would...you be anywhere near Canyon Diablo?" She asks once she's found the right page.

(for the record, the book she is holding is an encylopedia on space)

[almosthonorable]

"It's to the north."

He does some quick math, his shirt joining his vest and jacket, and tugs at the hem of his undershirt.

"'Bout a five-day ride or so. Maybe four, dependin' on how hard you push your horse."

[aimedforthemoon]

Finally, she looks up.

"There's something I want to see, about twelve miles southeast of the town. A crator."