resort_link | Niko Bellic

[It takes him a little while to respond.]

It's probably not worth it. [He is reminding himself it's better to get pushed around. Standing up for his pride just gets people that he likes hurt.]

But... What if they do something like this again? But take it a step further? There's no telling where their line is.

[Elle is starting to frown the more she thinks about this. She can imagine this just kind of... escalating... maybe spiraling out of control...]

What is done is done. [As Roman would say. No one listens to retractions, anyway.]

Maybe, [Elle admits. But she's still frowning.] But they may just get worse from here... But a documentary could still be really helpful for this place, right? So we shouldn't just let them treat you like that. ... us like that, I guess. We should at least try to talk to them and get them to listen. I'd like to think there's gotta be someone on that team who will care about what we'll have to say... but even if that's not true, then at least we'll be doing what we can.

You don't have to make the stand alone, y'know? This affects everybody, in the big picture.

The thought ah... I appreciate it. But I think I am a little tired to worry about it.

Maybe as long as you guys know I wouldn't, that is enough.

[Though his pride still needs some work, and it's hard to resist the urge to do something. Maybe later.]

[Private]

Can I ask you something about Boone? I know what happened with his wife. I don't know if you do- so I am vague. But is there something special from Vegas that would make him happy. I'd like to get him a pretty good gift.

[... well...

Elle would be lying if she said that didn't strike some chords in her. She offers a small smile, and her voice is lighter.] Okay. I guess they can have another chance. But if they do something like this again, I'm gonna file a complaint myself, even if it wasn't me they did it to.

[Private]

[Elle's first reaction is to blink, hard, in surprise. Boone... told him... He really -- They really must be good friends. Everything about her expression softens.] Yeah... Yeah, I know.

[She hmmms quietly in thought.] Boone's hard to buy for... when it's not practical stuff, I mean... umm. [Something special. Elle sits back and stares up. After a moment, she laughs a little.] I know he likes Fancy Lads, but those are just snack cakes, y'know? Nothing really significant. Um...

[... oh.] Did he bring any magazines with him, do you know? Comic books or anything?

No, he didn't bring anything special. I can get him snack cakes [which he says like 'snek cehks']. And whiskey, but I get him whiskey often.

It sounds like a pretty rough world you guys come from.

[... snek cehks. That's kind of adorable.]

Maybe you could order some Grognak the Barbarian comic books. I know he reads the ones from Arcade's stash... [beat] Um. Arcade, he's a friend of ours.

Yeah... I mean, it's not like we don't have ways to have fun, but... A lot of it's just simple stuff, I guess. Card games and stuff like that. And books, if you're into reading, but the hard part's... y'know. Finding ones that're intact, and not ruined.

...He likes comic books about Barbarians? Shit. I know some guys. I can do better than that.

[He's not going to say exactly what guys he knows.] Maybe I get him a bat'leth ["behtlet" as he says it]. Have you ever seen one?

[Elle laughs at his reaction.] Yeah? Like what?

No, I don't think I have. [Elle sits forward a little in her curiousity.] What is it?

It is a big blade that you use two handles for. You can swing it like a sword, you can hold it in front of you do block. It is sharp all the way across one side and you can hold it evenly.

If you want to go barbarian, Klingons are the people to go to. Good drinking songs. Shitty wine. [Blood wine is gross.]

[If Elle is getting stars in her eyes, it's because she's imagining Lily swinging one of those things around.]

Man, maybe I need to save up so I can get one to send back to one of my friends... Actually, I can think of a couple of 'em that'd probably appreciate it... [Veronica likes melee weapons, too, even if she prefers options that still involve punching people.]

Grognak is all about this, well. Barbarian guy, and he beats up all kinds of bad guys. Like the Antagonizer, and Man-Saurian, and the Virgin Eater. [pause.] Which, um. Is a kind of... snake thing... with a bird head? And wings? And it breathes fire.

Sounds like some of the shit that he says is walking around back home for you guys.

I'll be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if I saw a real one. Nooooot in the least.

[Though. If she did, she would have to go and have Words with the Think Tank, because it probably means that Borous decided to make his childhood fantasies reality. Again.]

I bet this place is a good vacation.

It kind of is for me, too.

Yeah, pretty much. It's already going a lot better than my last vacation. That one just landed me in the middle of a small war... [Thanks, Zion.

Elle tilts her head.] What's your world like?

[He's trying to find a way to put it.]

I think your world makes better people than mine, and that is said knowing what happened to Boone's wife and child.

[Yes, he knows about that, too.]

[Okay, if Elle was surprised he knew about Carla --

She just. stares at him for a long moment. This... shit, this has to make Niko the first person Boone's willingly told about the child, doesn't it? She really doubts Boone's told any of their other friends back home. And Elle, she... she only knows because of the bill of sale. Boone never had a chance to choose to tell her. There's an odd twinge in her chest.]

Then... [she starts slowly, but works out what to say quickly enough.] This is probably even more of a vacation for you than it is for us, huh? [Another pause.] I'm... I'm happy, that you were able to have this chance. To... get away from it all. [And... to meet Boone. It's a weird kind of thank you, almost.]

I miss my family, but that's about it. And I shouldn't be around them. I bring bad news being around them. There is a lot of trouble in my world, and it all can find me.

[If anything should explain it...]

So this isn't really a vacation. I can't go back.

[... shit.

... Elle wishes this was a conversation they were having in person. Because then she could reach out and touch his shoulder, do something simple like that. Maybe she should think of a way for them to... meet up, or... something. If he's willing.]

I'm sorry... I'm so sorry. [Her voice is soft. She hesitates. How should she... This would be so much easier if she could drink.

... wait. No, she's got it.] Hey -- um. I know this is kinda -- er, really off-topic, but... I was thinking about maybe trying to tame a hound. D'you think you could show me some pointers, since you've done it before? [In all honesty, she's made this decision on the spot. But. Y'know, it's an excuse to meet up with him.]

Don't be. They're okay now, and that's the best thing for them.

Sure, hounds are good to have around.

But don't use fish, I accidentally tamed my beast that way. Do you want to go out to the woods? I could show you where they are for you to look later.

No fish, got it.

[That's the best thing for them. It hurts her to hear it, even from someone she's not close to.]

Sure, that sounds good. I haven't really been sure where to start... I really appreciate it.

Where would you like to meet?

We can meet up by the gate, if that works for you.

[About fifteen minutes later there's Niko at the gate, his duffel bag of museum supplies over his shoulder, but also some meat. By his side? A dog that is high on him but Elle could probably ride if she puts her mind to it. It blinks at her with four eyes, flops its tail against the ground. Then it stands and stalks out, ready to follow Niko as he goes off.]

Wolves like the trees. Maybe because the animals they eat see them coming less. I brought some food- some steak from the oxen.

[And the animals roaming around are truly unusual looking, named for only remote resemblance. They're patient, too, not especially alarmed by their presence. The sheep aren't even bothered by the presence of a tamed hound.]

[He gives her the wrapped meat out of his bag, and scolds his dog for thinking of stealing it.] You are ready to tempt in one? It might take a few times. It turns out they like the skeleton bones, too.

Niko Bellic | Network 002

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