[ CLOSED ]

[gawdamn]

who ; Zaeed Massani and Black One
what ; Catching up
where ; A nondescript bar out in some nonspecific residential zone
when ; Backdated to the evening of June 7th
warning(s) ; This is getting uncomfortably heterosexual

Comments

[oneliners]

One was used to losing friends and family -- although, usually, on a more detached level -- so she had sympathized with Zaeed's loss. She might not have known the man who had passed, but it seemed like the old merc could have used a drink anyway. Differences could be laid aside for that

[gawdamn]

"I've been mourning that for over twenty years--nice get up."

Zaeed grunted the last part with an awkwardness to it as he tried to bring his voice down to a more conversational volume. He slides down next to her with the grace of a crumbling mountain, grateful his drink was there by the time he settled. Tossing it back before he made another attempt at conversation, he hissed when he pulled back, whiskey giving him a good burn.

[oneliners]

"That's a long time to have low self esteem, Zaeed."

It's a neutral comment, typical of One. She takes a swallow from her own drink after -- some mix of hard liquors, high proofs -- and leans forward, settling her forearms against the counter.

"Thanks." About the compliment.

[gawdamn]

"Piss on that," Zaeed choked through his drink, taking a long pull before correcting One "low self esteem is thinking you're the worst. Pride is the equally misguided notion you're the best. I'm spooned in the middle, don't need pride to know where I stand."

Zaeed wheeled around to face her, the metal of his armor screeching against the chair. "Tell you what" he pointed at her with his whiskey hand, "I'll do more than compliment your outfit. What say you and I play a little drinking game?"

[oneliners]

"Insightful." And this is why One doesn't mind Zaeed's company. For all his alcoholism and aggressive nature, he was still intelligent. She liked that in a person. In fact, it was pretty appealing to her.

His suggestion gets her brows raised though, and she dips her head thoughtfully. "You have experience on me but I have the mass. I'll ask what your idea is before I question if this is a good idea, though."

[gawdamn]

Likewise, One's veneer of tidy and collected military protocol over a savageness only years of brutal conditioning can achieve was fascinating to Zaeed. "I try not to disappoint."

"Simple, really."

Waving down a service bot to leave the bottle, Zaeed thumbs the neck of it while explaining the details of his little game. "The one holding the bottle takes a stab at some part of the other's past. Or favorite color or some innocuous bullshit like that--basically one of us takes a guess. If the guesser is right--say, you, then I take a drink. If you're wrong, you take a drink. No lying but I won't stop you. Would welcome a chance to get good and soused.

[oneliners]

One props her chin up on a hand as she listens, polishing off the rest of her drink, sucking through a straw. When he's done explaining, all she has to say about it is, "Clever."

But then she adds onto that, "Trying to get me to talk more, Zaeed? I'm not as in love with my voice as you are." She means it in a good natured way, though, a hint of humor in her tone. One wasn't really open with information; it wasn't that she was ashamed of much, but it was more the fact she's had 'keep it secret' jammed so far into her head since she was young, it's hard to shake it.

"So, who's going to start?"

[gawdamn]

"Our species regards conversation like masturbation these days." Zaeed noted without offense at One's comment. He is near impossible to truly offend.

He slides the bottle her way, "You know the saying, ladies first."

[oneliners]

One grabs the bottle and regards it for a moment, then turns her eye back to Zaeed's face.

"Alright then. I like a little competition. Let's start out small-- Your favorite color is red?"

[gawdamn]

True or not is never explicitly said, Zaeed simply smiles and takes a short pull from his not-yet empty glass.

"Keeping the theme. You're favorite color isn't black, you just got so damn used to it to broaden your color spectrum. ]

[oneliners]

"It's green."

One figures she owes him that much at least and pours herself a drink to work on. Once she takes a swig back, she turns to take her turn.

"You had both a mother and a father as a kid." Yep, ramping it up already.

[gawdamn]

"Well, I didn't come out of a cabbage patch." But he let's that one slide and takes his drink with quiet dignity.

"Alright, you actually remember them."

[oneliners]

She chuckles a little at that response, but at his question her laugh just quiets down to a small smile and she nods at his drink. "That's on you."

She thumbs her drink a little.

"Alright, fine. You were adopted."

[gawdamn]

Wordlessly taking another shot with an affirming nod--he was letting her get by on the loose interpretation of "adoption." If that's what you wanted to call it. This shot steeled him for the harder questions.

"We both were, against our will and for a reason beyond our understanding at the time."

[oneliners]

This was getting surprisingly heavy. One didn't really talk about these things, but she takes a shot, pouring herself another after to have ready.

"Your guardians taught you combat skills."

[gawdamn]

Zaeed drinks, maintaining the veneer of being unaffected by the dark corners this game was touching.

"It nearly killed you."