etraya | un: butterfly

[it's hard not to notice how that sadness shows in Vander's eyes. and there's not much she can say to chase it away.] Staying quiet is something you can do as an adult. Not as many people to tell you to shut up when you're a kid. [best to keep the talk light in regards to children, she thinks.]

Brave offer when I was asking about being sick. [she's joking but she does look fine. and she hasn't started coughing. it's the small things.]

I can't deny I'm not curious about the fights. Call me a gossip.

Ha, not many people feel comfortable telling me to shut up. [When one as big as he was, Vander tended to be able to get away with a lot more. That or little guys specifically tried to pick a fight with him. It was generally one of two reactions.] You'd think a fourteen year old would learn the meaning of quiet in their own house.

[He shrugged his shoulders at her comment. He wasn't worried about getting sick. Besides, she could use a straw.] If you were actually contagious, I don't think you'd meet for a drink. Besides, straws exist here I assume?

[He reached over the bar and plucked said straw from the container and offered it to her like a gift.]

Just people from my world. We tend to solve eighty percent of our problems with a fist fight. And the other twenty percent with a drinking contest that then ends in a fist fight. [A gross exaggeration but you know, it was bound to be amusing.]

[she has only talked to Vander twice but it is hard to consider the man threatening.] Your size has nothing on a fourteen year old and their inability to keep quiet.

[she does take a drink and hums in approval. before taking a napkin and wiping off the lipstick stain. she isn't a total heathen here.] All people in your world? This a custom of yours?

Apparently! It isn't right. [He made a point of lifting hand to press it dramatically against his own forehead, smiling hugely.] Is that what you were like when you were fourteen, huh? Speaking from all that youthful experience?

[He appreciated her cleanliness, but that was her straw now. It was a little too on point even for him to share a straw.] Just my city. I've been assured that most other cities aren't like that. We're a unique eclectic bunch.

Yeah, you could say that. I definitely wanted to get the hell out of my small town and never look back. [that was one way of wording it. not a lie.] Your everything feels so small and big when you're young, right?

But you're bringing the custom here, huh? Well. Who knows. Maybe it'll serve you well. Pretty sure we're going to be expected to all duke it out at some point. Last one standing sort of deal, you know?

Agreed. Did you manage to travel a lot? Or were you stuck in that small town of yours? You do seem worldly and wise. [She was so mysterious, so restrained. His curiosity only grew with each encounter.

He smiled at the idea of duking it out. He hoped it wouldn't come to that.] That would be unfortunate. I've been told that death doesn't stick all that well, but it comes with a cost regardless.

[she laughs into her drink.] I think the last thing anybody would ever call me is wise but thanks. [she certainly doesn't feel it!] Never did leave. Couldn't, really.

[there's a nod and she hums as she looks at her drink.] Everything always comes with a cost, huh?

Well, maybe they didn't see your wisdom because it was so youthful. [Look, he had compliments for days.] Couldn't, huh? I feel you there; I was poor most of my life.

[He nodded his head in reply, lifting his glass for a toast.] It does seem like it. So, mystery lady who indulges me, do you skimp on details for any particular reason? [He tried to soften the question with a smile.]

[she can see how he's a good bartender, that's for sure! she does consider using the poor angle but well, she's not gonna use that on Vander. he's been nice to her. no need to lie about something like that.] Life never really gives you a break, does it? Not really for anybody. [and that can be said of anybody, anything. rich or poor.

there's a smile in return at his question.] A girl has to have some intrigue to her, right? Otherwise, nobody keeps asking for more. Simple rule. But I guess in a place like this, it's a red flag. [and she's still not sharing anything.]

[He shrugged his shoulders and made a point of sipping his orange drink, mulling over her comment.] Ah well, if we sit back, think of all the punches we are missing from life due to inactivity? Where's the fun in that, right? [The corner of his mouth twitched for a smile, but it was a touch of a struggle.

He tipped his head to observe her, appreciating her skillful dodging. He moved to rest his elbow on the bar so he could rest his chin on the on the palm of his hand so that he could provide her all of his attentions.] Oh, you're intriguing alright. So, so secretive, which means I'm definitely interested. However, only when you're ready to talk to me. No pressure. Just know I'll keep asking you until you tell me to stop.

[he doesn't know but that comment hits her. her face doesn't even show a hint of that because she's become adept at hiding things. she's had to.] Touché. [she lifts her glass for a toast before taking a sip of her drink.

nothing shows that she's bothered by what he says and she shrugs a shoulder.] You can ask questions all you like. I'll consider it a compliment. [truly, she's just happy to talk. happy to be around people. she had been denied that simple thing and so even things like this made her day.]

Maybe some of the answers will even be true. [she smiles in a way that makes it seem like this is a joke but it isn't.]

[He sensed something in her body language, but he couldn't put his finger on it and wasn't in the business of making someone he was sharing a drink with uncomfortable in the pursuit of a hunch. That was a good way to ostracize a good thing.

Oh he planned on asking questions now and again, and he expected she would duck, dodge and evade most of them. She was clearly someone who guarded her secrets, and he was someone who enjoyed learning people's secrets when they were ready to tell him.] Will you? Even if the answers aren't true, it's nice to have a conversation. I'm very adept about talking about the weather, trade industry and old wife gossip.

[He was just going to extrovert on her if she let him.]

So, what's your favourite topic of discussion to avoid pointed questions, hmm?

You're good at talking. It comes with the job, huh? You have to be everybody's friend as you serve them. [it isn't meant to imply it's all fake but well, he has to be extroverted for the sake of business.] I understand it. [given her backstory of being an exotic dancer, it was a bar, right? you did what you had to.

a cough starts to form before she can answer and she takes a napkin to clear her throat and gives him an apologetic smile.] Sorry. Cough just won't leave me. But let's see. I feel like everything's got its tricky parts. Can't talk about politics or religion. Friends, family, lovers? Still tricky but juicier, right? Lately, people like to ask me about my hobbies.

[she's still working on getting those!]

I've always been good at talking, and I'm woefully short on friends since arriving here. I'd like to think we are friends though. [He was suffering some a complete detachment from his support network, his friends, his family, his allies and even the familiarity of home.

He watched her as she coughed, and he reached out to lightly set a hand on her shoulder in a show of support. Maybe she should see a healer instead of drinking with him.] Does it? Well, some people are easy going about topics than others; I figure we're in this together so we may as well try to get to know one another. It's a good way to learn how to manage all the competing agendas anyway.

[He wasn't certain about hobbies either.]

Well... do you have any hobbies?

Good thing I consider us friends too, then, so you are a little less short on friends. [and she absolutely needed friends, too. Vander was nice, extroverted, and just the energy she needed. Maria herself could be playful and outgoing when allowed. hopefully she could be a positive friend for Vander as well.

truly, she walked into the hobbies question and she laughs.] Not really? It's a boring answer, huh? I just never really had the chance, I guess. I was always running around at odd hours. When did I have time to take up knitting or I don't know, gardening? [not a lie!]

It feels like something I should get around to. What about you? Any hobbies?

I appreciate that. I knew you and I would be good when you decided to talk to me when I wasn't at my best. [Throwing up in any garbage can that he could find while oversized drug-addled mess. She had been kind to him when she had no reason to be. They had good chemistry, friendly and she was calm.

He smirked, sipping from his drink and wiggling his eyebrows at her.] Odd hours, huh? I'm sure that's as exciting as it sounds. [He considered, making a thoughtful face.] Not sure I picture you as the knitting and gardening type.

[He lifted a hand and looked at the back of it.] Unless you considering exercising and bulking up a hobby then... no.

Believe it or not, I've seen worse. Would have been real crappy of me to judge you. Seemed like you needed someone. [and she'd been given the advice to make friends and so she did. someone who needed help was a good place to start with that. luckily for her, Vander ended up being a decent person.]

Yeah, strangely not as many customers watching me dance during the day. [she gives him a smile and takes a sip of her own drink.]

Maybe you can try gardening? Definitely not my thing. I'd suggest knitting but I think your hands are too big for that.

Oh, you've seen a man double his size on a drug-addled bender, have you? Well, you are truly a saint to withstand worse than that. [He liked to think that he would have not been a threat to her, but in that state, there had been no guarantees. She had taken a risk being close to him that day.] A friendly face had been a boon to me that day. I don't think I'll be able to to fully repay you for that kindness.

[He snorted in amusement, tipping his head to her. Of course not. Odd hours were expected in their profession. The night life was a great time to be alive.] I suppose not. Everyone is usually sleeping off their indulgences from the night before.

[He let out a bellow of laughter.] I wouldn't even know what to do with a garden. Surely there are other hobbies for these big hands, yeah?

Yes, that exact thing. [she is teasing because no, she has not seen that but she had seen worse.] I just know what it's like to need a friendly face, especially after coming here. Hearing something as crazy as saving universes and the like. It's a lot. Least I could do was offer some help. [and it had been the right decision.]

It's been strange to become a morning person, gotta say. [just one of the many things she's had to change about herself.]

Hm. What is there? Isn't there pottery making or something? You could make some big pots.

Wow, you really are a friend who's seen it all. [He teased right back at her, smile lighting up his expression.] Yeah, I'm used to relatively small stakes compared to what this place is asking for. Feeling pretty small in the grand scheme of things, which isn't easy given I'm larger than average.

[He shot her a sympathetic look.] That's quite the transition. I bet you're not actually happy about it. Or... perhaps you're chronically sleep deprived and looking great.

[Those were some ideas, but none of those seemed like his thing.] Maybe mechanical stuff. I like taking things apart, though getting them back together isn't always as easy with these fat hands. I'm also not bad at cards.

Makes you think about your place in the universe, huh? [a small joke, an amused look on her face. but it's true, isn't it? what you thought you knew really did change once you came to a place like this and had a whole universe put upon your shoulders.]

Yeah but under the make-up? [she shakes her head.] Whole other story. Just don't see me first thing in the morning and the facade can stay up.

[she considers what he says, humming to herself.] There's probably uses for that here, huh? I know one of the missions before I came here was apparently building a car? Which I have no idea why that was a thing but nothing about this place makes sense.

I'm a bartender, so I usually don't question my tiny presence in the grand fabric of space, time and universes. [He sighed, closing his eyes briefly. This was definitely a sort of job promotion he wasn't certain he would ever wish for himself.

He gave her a feigned suspicious side-eye.] I'm not sure I believe you... but because we are friends, I'm willing to take your word for it. For now.

[There were plenty of mechanically inclined folks here. He wouldn't consider himself good; maybe he should go back to his terrible roots and start looking at rocks again.] A car, huh? Sounds novel to me. We have trains. I used to mine, but I doubt anyone would appreciate me digging in the mountains much.

Right? I'm dancing to crappy music on a stage and thinking more about keeping up with the beat, not about the meaning of life and my purpose. [which is a lie because actually, that's all she ever had time for and she'd certainly thought about it. but well, she has a persona to keep up.]

If you ever see me in the morning before my make-up's on then you'll see. But that's the thing, I'm careful about that. [she offers him a wink.]

I don't think anybody's considered digging the mountains? It isn't a bad idea. But also, not much of a hobby.

Yeah right? Life was so much simpler then, just the beat of the music, the flow of alcohol, chatter of people trying to lose themselves after a day's work and suddenly bam here we are with existential priorities. [He shook his head and made a point of t'sking as he drank down the last of his mimosa, sliding the glass away from him.]

I respect that, but if you ever want to show, I will keep only a straight face and compliments no matter what lurks beneath. [He would try to only be a gentleman about it. He'd seen some grizzly disfigurements after all, and she was way too put together for those.]

Ah well, I used to be locked done in the mines. That knowledge might come in handy someday, right? Besides, better than push-ups all day.

I still think this place made some awful choices. No offense meant to you. More towards myself and some of the people I've met. But I've got no business doing here. [Maria wasn't positive why she was here. James had said it certainly wasn't because of him but she wasn't sure. it made more sense that she was here because of James and not because somebody decided she was well suited to save her universe.]

Ah, spoken like a man who knows how to keep the women in his life happy. [she was being dramatic though really, she hated seeing herself without makeup. it didn't look like her.]

Not much of a fun pass time. Well, I'm still suggesting gardening. Getting your hands dirty but way better conditions. Hopefully.

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