meadowlarklogs | Pictures of last night ended up online, I'm screwed

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Pictures of last night ended up online, I'm screwed

WHO: Thor (

ofmyth), Loki (

selfimage), a bunch of booze, and everyone!
WHERE: Safehouse 2.0
WHEN: Late afternoon, evening, night on the 28th.
WHAT: Some people took down the monster, some people kept the group safe, some people snuck off to steal booze. They can all celebrate together.
NOTES OR WARNINGS: This is a post-event mingle! Loki stole a bunch of alcohol and Thor is going to make sure everyone gets some. Debrief, have fun, get wreckt, prepare for tfln the next morning.
Tag your own/check individual threads for specific warnings.

[When Loki hears the news of the Godzilla's demise, it takes a moment to sink in. There were doubts when a handful of the refugees wanted to run out and play hero, especially with their lack of abilities (for those who had them). He expected Thor to come back content on his involvement at best, broken and nursing his own failure, at worst. This? This is better than the best, and it's worthy of celebration. I's hard not to be pleased, hard not to congratulate; it's Thor's victory post the fall of Asgard, and Loki's sure that he's reveling in it.

Then, comes the booze: all different bottle shapes and sizes, some dark with lighter liquid, others opaque filled with something that has a more amber tint. It's unloaded carefully by all of them, messily lined up on the frames of one of the cots..

Thor looks to be almost a different creature than the moping, sullen thing he'd been since they arrived in the safehouse. Getting to his feet he stands taller, shoulders held back, a bright look in his eyes. Loki backs him up, tinking a metal spoon against one of the bottles to get everyone's attention. As Thor speaks he looks around the room, seeking out the eyes of everyone present.]

Seven days ago we were strangers. We were brought into an underground bunker, unsure of who we were and how we had come here. Some were angry, some afraid, others unsure. It's thanks to the aid and kindness of Gaby and El that we survived at all, here in this foreign city. Today, we have proven we will not merely surivive here.

[Thor hasn't met everyone here, but that's ultimately not the point. In his mind they are in this together, for better or worse. There is a 'we' who celebrate together now just as much as there is a 'they' who are responsible for their being here.]

Today we have repaid Gaby her kindness. Today we have protected not only her people here in the safehouse, but the people of the city. Today we have proved our strength to ourselves, to the city, to any who are watching us. Today, we set fear in the heart of our captor. [He seems to relish that last one most of all.]

Seven days ago we had little to celebrate. Today we raise a toast—[Up goes his bottle, held high and triumphant.] To us! To what we have done today! To victory!

[Loki chimes in, shaking the little bottle in his hand.] To New Amsterdam!

[Thor's arm is held high while others raise their drinks, then Thor upends his to drain it in a long pull.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Looks like you've got everything already planned out. That's good.

[ It's better than him, at least. He was drawing a complete blank on what to do here. Without the conflict of his home driving him forward, he really was rather aimless. The recognition of that fact made him feel more hollow than he ever had before. Which was why he tried his best to focus on someone else. Namely, Akane. ]

You seem like the type to stick to what you know. I can't say how that'll treat you here, but it's always been my M.O. [ There's a pause as he looks down at himself, at the layer of grime covering him from head to toe, at the arm in a sling from a wound he had taken while keeping her covered. He seems unaffected. ] I'd like to say it's worked.

It's planned out because, like you said, it's a backup plan.

[She doesn't want to use backup plans, but they're necessary, especially now. "If I die, I can just go to another timeline" isn't a valid response here and that's terrifying to her. This power that saved her is gone. If she had something like Eren's ability, she might try to be a little more reckless, but she can't.]

And you're right. I stick to what I know will work. Maybe it's playing it safe, but that's what is best to do right now.

[There's an inquisitive look that shows up on Akane's face as she throws that question back at Eren.]

What about you? What are you going to do?

There's nothing wrong with playing safe. In your case, I'd even prefer it. As for me...

[ Having to face the question for real made his head hurt. Thanks, Akane, he might be in danger of having an aneurysm now that he's got to face the facts. Whatever the case was, after pondering it for a second or two, he finally came up with a solution - an answer that was either ingenious or inscrutably cheap. ]

Before, when you were - [ He groans and grimaces in one. ] Messing around with that vehicle. I had to clear the area. That's what I do best, you know - fighting things off. I might just make a living off of that.

[There's almost a knowing smirk on Akane's face. The childish expression is replaced with one that's joking.]

You make it sound like you care about me.

[Is that a joke? Is that a question? There's something in Akane's voice that almost depicts that it's a silly thing to do. But fighting, mercenary things... there's a time and a place for that, and this place is one of them.]

Maybe someone needs a bodyguard or maybe you'd work well as a bouncer somewhere.

[ Neither affirming nor denying her, he seems to completely disregard her statement. On a surface level, at least. The more prevalent topic seems to take up most of his attention. ]

Bodyguard. [ He repeats it like he's never heard the word in his whole life, before nodding a few times as if he understands entirely what she meant. ] Yeah, that would do it. Maybe not as intense compared to I'm used to, but - something like that must thrive here.

[ In a place like this, where gunfights in the streets were common and assets needed protecting - Akane had certainly given him a bright idea. Though he can't quite express his gratitude immediately, the tone of his voice and the expression on his face become several magnitudes more enthused than before. Which is to say, fairly minimal overall, but it's better than absolutely nothing. ]

Guess that'll be my cover story. You're a clever girl, Akane.

[She can't help but clasp her hands together in delight, happy she could help someone with their story here. It just made sense to her that Eren was fit to fight. That and she wouldn't worry as much about him with his regenerative abilities. One less person to worry about.

One less person to worry about in a world of people she needs to worry about.

It's a heavy burden, and technically one she shouldn't need to carry in this place. Not with her powers to access the Morphogenetic Field gone.]

I figured it was fitting for you.

[There's a gentle giggle from her as if foreshadowing the next thing out of her mouth is a joke.]

Maybe you should protect me. [A beat.] Just kidding. You've already done that once, you shouldn't have to again.

That wouldn't be so bad. [ He relaxes a little. ] I'd rather it be someone I know.

[ When it came down to it, his job mostly consisted of punching things until he didn't need to punch them anymore. He was part of the vanguard, the assault. The ones that do the attacking. In other words, as far as you could get from someone that did the protecting. But in his own way, that was how he protected others. It was the only way he knew how. ]

Though, you're right - I'd rather it not have to come to that. [ Where Akane giggles, Eren frowns. It's a sign he's at least a little invested in the conversation. ] You shouldn't be getting yourself into danger in the first place.

[She watches Eren and his reaction, especially with his answer. If she's being honest with herself, she's surprised he even would care about protecting her. She must be doing a good job with her 'ideal lady' act. Though Eren's seen more than just the demure side of her, she thinks.

She'd like to wonder why that is, but she knows exactly why. Akane just won't admit that reason to herself. She refuses. She refuses to admit that Eren reminds her of Junpei.

And as if overcompensating, she wears a wide smile, seeming too happy for this conversation.]

I didn't intend to last time. But with that said, I also didn't want to sit idly by in the safehouse while people were getting hurt.

[ He spends a long time just staring at her, her and her smile, and at the end of it he's still as confused about how to respond as he was at the start. ]

I know the feeling. Restlessness that only gets worse the worse things get. [ Bluntly. ] And you managed to make it work. Which makes it all the better.

[ While he was running through the streets goring anything that moved the wrong way, she was out there thinking about others. In a way, he's jealous. She's able to do what he can't. But he can't help wondering if that's really the case. ]

Aren't you happy?

Happy?

[Her smile fades as she has to think over this. She made it work, yes, but only because she didn't want to be useless. There's a moment where her expression seems to look hopeless before that gentle smile returns to her face.]

I probably am. Things worked out in the end.

Did they? [ There's a hint of humor in his voice, for once. ] I couldn't find that vehicle of yours anywhere. What ever happened to it?

[ If there was something he was trying to get at here, it was that in the time he was stuck outside, he was still trying to look for her. After all, the chances that she didn't make it back were pretty high. ]

[The look on her face becomes petulant at that question.]

Gaby told me to ditch it.

[Something about it's tracked and the police will find them and put their safehouse in danger if found, blah blah, stuff like that.]

I worked hard to get that car too.

[Steal it, she means. Steal it.]

Smart. I'd have said the same thing. [ He nibbles on a bit of sausage before continuing. ] I'm just glad you listened. Means you're smart too.

[ Come to think of it, he never did get the full picture about what she was doing with that thing in the first place. ]

You manage to figure out why those wires were acting so funny?

[If only Eren knew she died in multiple timelines for a goddamn voodoo doll. But she does shift her weight as she giggles a bit.]

I'm not really smart, but I'm not going to put everyone here in danger because of a selfish decision.

[But she'd still die for a voodoo doll.]

But the wires, huh? I'm still not sure.

[And she knows it was just her making them repair themselves. It's weird.]

I have powers-- rather abilities-- but nothing like that. And what I could do before, I can't access it now so I really don't know what's going on.

[ As someone who puts people in danger all the time over his selfish decisions, Eren can only smile self-consciously before readily hopping onto the next topic. ]

Seems like that's the case for everyone around here. They've all got something new. [ He clenches and unclenches his hand. Curiously, he begins to unset his arm from its sling and talks as he undoes the bandaging. ] Well, mostly new. I'm pretty much the same as I used to be.

[ He bares the back of his arm at her. Where there should have been egregious scarring and bruises, there was only pale, unblemished skin. ]

Though it's far less convenient, it looks like I can still heal faster than most. Anyone else would have had to give up their arm after the beating I took.

[It's definitely a remarkable ability he has, one she almost wishes she had, but it's not the same as what she's used to. She'd rather bad things not happen, and learn from the future to not make the same mistakes in the past.]

That's a good thing, right? To have an ability that you're already used to?

[Makes the learning curve a lot better, especially if she's still trying to figure out what her's is.]

Then again, I would think abilities would have a long learning curve, so I'd like to think you're lucky.

[Espeically when she feels like she's been alive for hundreds of years by now just because of how many timelines she's experienced. It's after a bit her expression changes a bit, a softer smile, one that could be said is more sincere.]

I'm glad you have that ability since I was really worried about you after what happened.

Worried? [ He sounds surprised. But his face is turned away, and it's a little dark, so it's hard to tell what he's thinking. ] Well, I hope this means you don't have to bother anymore. It's tough, doing what I do, if I know someone's wondering what the hell I'm up to.

[ This is just him trying to deflect. One look at her face was enough to know she was being pretty serious about what she said, and that thought was troublesome. He wasn't here to make friends. He wasn't even sure why he was here. But it definitely wasn't to get himself mixed up in the lives of other people. ]

So you piece together machinery and I...heal quick. [ He scoffs, faintly. ] We're well on our way to being superheroes.

[She doesn't have to bother anymore?]

Huh?

[The sound from her is sharp and almost sounds offput by Eren's words. Her hands clasp together as she brings them to her chest, fidgeting as she looks down. There's an attempt to have her hair hide her eyes, but it doesn't quite do the trick. Maybe part of it is an act, but part of here is sincerely upset that he's brushing her off.

It's not like she can talk after what she did.

And it's in that instant she smiles again like she was never sad. Hiding it all.

Hiding the fact that she's alone here. She doesn't have her brother, she doesn't have her organization. She left Junpei after she used him for a 'greater good'. This is probably her punishment.

So she's not here to make friends either, but she's realizing how much things kind of suck when you're truly alone.]

Yes, I guess we are like superheroes. It's kind of neat!

[No mention of her not bothering him, it's like she's purposely ignoring that part of the conversation. She acknowledges it, but she doesn't want to deal with it.]

[ Neither of them wants to deal with it, which should mean it's really easy to move on. Eren notices the sharp turn in her voice, and he doesn't bring it up. He figures it's probably for the best. ]

... [ But that doesn't mean it's easy to disregard. The more he thinks about it, the more he feels like he stepped on a landmine. It's not a good feeling. ] Well, I'm hardly fit to call myself that. I'm not the one that managed to put an end to that monster.

[ 'The ones out there were.' That's what he's trying to say. Whether it's jealousy or respect, he's feeling like he didn't really amount to much when the chaos was rampant. All he did was save a single girl. ]

I'd disagree. You-- ['You saved me and fought those monsters.' But she's not sure if that's something she wants to get into. After all 'no one is a comrade' and he obviously doesn't want to bother with her, from the sounds of it. So she cuts herself off from what she was going to say and combs her fingers through her short locks as she tries to buy time for whatever topic she wants to bring up next.

There's nothing really coming to mind right away causing a bit of an awkward silence between the two.]

Anyway, the monster thing, we shouldn't have to worry about them anymore, I'd hope.

You and me both. [ He looks aimlessly towards the ceiling. ] I took care of as many as I could. I just hope it was enough to make a difference.

[ Whether or not his actions have any meaning to them, he acts regardless. It's all he knows how to do. Sticking his foot in the door where he doesn't belong is how he's lived his whole life. What reason would there be to change that here? ]

Still. [ For the first time in a while, he makes an attempt to look her straight in the eye. ] Try to play it safe from now on. I'd hate to see you next in a bodybag.

[It definitely made a difference. She wants to say it, but she feels like it will backfire if she does. Instead, she takes a deep breath, swallowing the words she wishes to say to him to lift his spirits, but she's accepting she's probably not the person who can do that.

After all, out of everyone here, she's probably the biggest liar. Who would believe her after they found out her entire persona is just a mask? Maybe not all, but it's easier to hide pain with a smile and pretending that everything is okay.

Fake it until you make it, right? Haha, that sounds like a dirty joke right there, but she doesn't even have someone to throw her dirty lines at and pretend she's innocent.

So instead she takes a step or two away from him, before placing her hands behind her back and swinging around to face him with a smile that even those gullible would know is a lie.]

It's okay. I'm used to dying, if that's what you're worried about.

[It sounds like it's a joke, but there's a force to her words that spell out it's a truth.]

You don't need to worry about me anymore, though. I'll be good. [She's not sure if she can handle much more of this conversation so...] Anyway, I'm going to go back to cooking.

[There's a gentle wave from her before so goes back to resume her task. No 'take care' or 'I'll talk to you later'. Just leaving him with her announcement that implies she wants to be left alone for a bit.]

[ How the hell can he respond to something like that? As he mulls it over in his head, he realizes quickly that he's unwanted, and makes his leave. He doesn't wait for her outside. He knows she's not coming. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Pictures of last night ended up online, I'm screwed

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