(Untitled)

[lifeafterhope]

Who: Vanessa VanCleef and youuuu.
What: Day in the life.
When: After the flood.
Where: All over.
Warnings: TBA

Comments

Late afternoon - Outside the gym

[lifeafterhope]

Vanessa's not what she'd call a fighter herself, and she's not about to practice what physical skills she does have in a public area, but knowing what other people are capable of is always important. She wanders by the gym slowly, by outward appearance seemingly more curious about the gym itself than intent on whatever any people in it might be doing.

Re: Late afternoon - Outside the gym

[notiaraincluded]

Ever since arriving and wanting to find some way to be useful, Luke has more or less made himself the unofficial steward of the gym and spends most of his time here helping out anyone who needs it, along with working out himself.

At the moment, he's just finishing a set of curls, the bar he is using bending due to the weight on either side...which appears to be several hundred pounds each. Setting the bar down, he glances over as he's wiping his forehead and gives a slight wave.

"What's up?"

Re: Late afternoon - Outside the gym

[lifeafterhope]

Vanessa stares at the amount of weight Luke's lifting with unfeigned, unhidden surprise; it takes her a moment to react to the wave, but then she returns it hesitantly.

"Ah, nothing, really. I was only passing by." She pauses briefly, eyes flicking from Luke to the weights and back. "...How heavy is that?"

Re: Late afternoon - Outside the gym

[notiaraincluded]

"Oh, this? Five hundred...not counting the bar." After studying her face and realizing he doesn't recognize her, Luke starts walking over to where she's standing.

"Don't think we've met before. Name's Luke Cage."

Re: Late afternoon - Outside the gym

[lifeafterhope]

And he'd been lifting it so easily? Definitely something to remember.

"I don't think so either... but I don't come this way often."

She wants to back away - someone that strong doesn't need visible weapons to be a danger - but holds her ground instead, smiling a little as he approaches.

"I'm Hope. It's good to meet you."

Re: Late afternoon - Outside the gym

[notiaraincluded]

"You too. How long you been on the Barge?"

Luke comes to lean casually against the doorway leading into the gym. He doesn't appear to be threatening.

Re: Late afternoon - Outside the gym

[lifeafterhope]

"Some weeks, I think, but it's hard to keep track without the seasons. All the days seem to run together with nothing much to do..."

She looks down at her feet, as if a little embarrassed. Here, of course, was one of the problems with being trapped in an enclosed prison like the Barge: how to explain two "selves" at once.

"I watch what people say on the screen sometimes, but I didn't want to bother everyone by asking for a calendar."

Re: Late afternoon - Outside the gym

[notiaraincluded]

"Yeah, I think everyone kinda goes through that same sort of thing. Especially if they don't find something to do to keep themselves busy. So, are you a Warden or an Inmate?"

He couldn't really assume since some Inmates weren't exactly criminal...and some Wardens weren't exactly saints.

Re: Late afternoon - Outside the gym

[lifeafterhope]

Vanessa'd already decided that trying to pass herself off as a warden would be too risky a lie, too easy to get caught in, so her slight, awkward hesitation is all feigned, all acting:

"...Inmate. You?"

Re: Late afternoon - Outside the gym

[notiaraincluded]

"Warden."

Even as he says it, his casual nature doesn't change. Admittedly, Luke isn't one to spook easily in the first place and so far nothing's come along on the Barge to give him reason for it.

"I imagine your Warden will be helpful in finding ways for you to pass the time til you leave."

Re: Late afternoon - Outside the gym

[lifeafterhope]

It's a good thing she's had so much practice at control; despite how much she could spit on the idea of someone assigning her makework to 'pass the time' while they tried to break her spirit, all that comes out of it is a little rueful smile. "I don't think I have one... I've never seen anything like it, at least, and no one seems to be looking for me. Do you have an Inmate?"

Re: Late afternoon - Outside the gym

[notiaraincluded]

"Oh yeah. Thin guy, not too bad, but kinda whiny. Vampire. Name's Franklin. You probably just haven't been assigned one yet. The assignments usually happen every few weeks or so, but there's no guarantee you'll actually get assigned."

Re: Late afternoon - Outside the gym

[lifeafterhope]

She doesn't recognize the name right away, but she's seen talk of vampires - enough that she resolves to discuss it further - with someone else. No point in seeming overinterested.

"How did you know when you were assigned?"

Re: Late afternoon - Outside the gym

[notiaraincluded]

"I received my Inmate's information from the Admiral."

Re: Late afternoon - Outside the gym

[lifeafterhope]

That's got her attention, but it only manifests in a blank, confused look.

"I don't think I understand - what do you mean by "information"?"

Re: Late afternoon - Outside the gym

[notiaraincluded]

Luke wouldn't really be giving out this information except for the fact that...it's not really a secret. She'd just as likely hear it from another Inmate or something.

"All kinds of stuff. Why you're here, what you have to accomplish to leave. Very detailed. Your Warden is basically the person chosen to help you leave sooner."