[034] action - for getitinwriting but ota

[notasuggestion]

[Treasure hunting-- and working in a cutthroat world-- sometimes leads to paranoia. Unrelated instances become patterns. Sometimes it pans out, sometimes it doesn't.

And Lieutenant Helga Sinclair knows one thing. Almost every time the televisions went haywire, something goes down. Those things show up or people go missing or that weight comes

Comments

[getitinwriting]

[ No, in fact you've caught him tidying his room a bit. It's gotten out of hand the last few days, and now that the rain's put most of his curriculum out of commission, he's got nothing much to do but straighten up the bachelor pad. ]

Good Afternoon---

[ He opens the door with a seemingly unamused tone, until he realizes who it is. ]

Lieutenant.

[notasuggestion]

[The moment she heard movement in the room, Helga was going to duck out of the way, head back down the hall, but she doesn't move in time. So, instead, she simply nods. As if she has every reason in the world to be there.]

Commander.

[getitinwriting]

I'd invite you in, but the place is a mess. Something you wanted to talk about?

[ If you can see the disaster zone from here. Ok, so it's not that bad. But. Bad enough for a guy like him, who's biggest mess is left around clothes and disshelved nightstands. ]

[notasuggestion]

Been slacking on the cleaning, hm?

[...Yes, she is ignoring your question, Rourke.]

[getitinwriting]

Maybe a little.

[ and the door slowly shuts behind him. ]

[notasuggestion]

Just wanted to see if you were here or in your office.

[Not that she's checking up on you, Rourke. Of course not. No concern whatsoever.]

[getitinwriting]

[ Ohoooo. He catches on quick. ]

Something on your mind?

[notasuggestion]

Wondered if everyone's TVs were on the blink or if it was just mine.

["I wanted to be sure you were okay."]

[getitinwriting]

[ And now you've confirmed his suspicion. ]

Really.

Well. Mine's just fine.

For now.

[notasuggestion]

[Her tone changes, becoming a bit more serious.]

Then hopefully it's just the storm.

["And nothing bad will happen this time."

But that look is familiar. She's already starting to prepare for the worst, wait for it to happen. If it does, she's ready. If not, she can be relieved.

But she's not moving just yet, not excusing herself.]

[getitinwriting]

[ Okay, so he's having a little too much fun with it. He'll be a good Captain and stop now. He won't poke any more fun, to be honest, the thought crossed his mind as well. ]

At ease, Lieutenant.

[ And he'll pat her on the shoulder in a somewhat 'stop worrying' way. And he'll admit. He's a little touched. ]

[notasuggestion]

[Helga sighs just a bit. For a moment, her shoulders slump and she looks fairly tired. The sleepless nights? Catch up to her sometimes.

But she shrugs her shoulders and straightens up again. She manages a bit of a smirk.]

When have I ever been able to follow that order, Captain?

[getitinwriting]

Why don't you get some sleep while I try to think back to a time that you did.

[notasuggestion]

And short of sleeping pills-- which I don't plan to take again-- how do you propose I fall asleep?

I'm not going for a run or even to the gym in that weather to wear myself out.

[Tiny, tiny bit suggestive with the look there? Helga? No, never.

Not at all.]

[getitinwriting]

Honestly, I haven't the faintest idea, Lieutenant.

[ You're getting the same look Helga. The same look. ]

[notasuggestion]

[And she'll take just a step closer, smirking a bit more.]

Really? That's a shame.

[Oh, look. A piece of dust. Maybe. She brushes it off his jacket with the tips of two gloved fingers before glancing up at him.]

Though... I'm sure we can think of something.