02 - Public / Video

[domesheriff]

[Linda comes onto the network today actually dressed casually rather than in her patrol uniform; she's wearing a red T-shirt under a gray sweater jacket over jeans and boots. her hair is pulled back in a braid, and the ever-present engagement ring is on her hand. today of all days, she wants to be wearing it. because despite the dome and her relocation, she's still counted the days, and she knows that if none of that had happened, this would be it--this would be her wedding day. and having realized that, it's a thought she can't get out of her head]

Hey, is anybody free today? [her tone is casual, but there's something a little anxious in the way she's standing. she has her hands in front of her and is unthinkingly playing with the ring as well] I'm off, and I don't want to spend the day sitting around alone. I'll take you to lunch--my treat. Or...I don't know, a walk in the gardens, or even some games in the arcade? Maybe a drink at Pugsy's tonight. Sound good to anybody?

[she smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. still, despite the feelings she's fighting, she's determined not to spend today moping. she's going to distract herself with new friends and fun instead]

Comments

[domesheriff]

[she nods] I hope to, too. [she smiles back at Jade's kind words, banishing thoughts of Chester's Mill and the difficulties she left behind for now] I'm enjoying it so far.

But...can I ask you something personal?

[because seeing Jade's family, she has to wonder what made her leave at all, even temporarily]

[ratkicker]

[Jade folds her hands and leans on her elbows.] Sure.

[domesheriff]

[she nods] Yeah, he seems like a good person to have in charge here. I've worked with Boone quite a bit, too, if you know him.

[at that, she makes a face, thinking again of the recent problems with Niko and Belloq] Hopefully not. It seems like that kind of thing is pretty out of the ordinary here, at least.

[domesheriff]

[she nods earnestly, her words full of emphasis:] The whole town.

[at his repeated encouragement to take this slow, however, she's quiet briefly, chewing her pie. and then, with a sigh, she nods] I know. Being able to do anything for them...it's more than I thought I could do when I came here. [and, her chin set in determination, she adds:] I won't let them down.

[even if that means waiting. she takes another bite of pie, as though to show him that she really means to follow through with his advice]

[domesheriff]

What made you decide to come here? I mean...with your family back there and all. [she pauses and, worried she's prying, adds:] If you want to answer. You don't have to.

[ratkicker]

[Jades lets a small chuckle escape.] I'm always worried about the kids, but that doesn't mean I can't find work! I'm almost always away from the lighthouse with projects or running errands in Hyllis. Besides, the Science Center back home was interested in off-planet species, so I'm getting a few hundred credits for ever photo of a new animal I find here.

[una_persson]

I know who Boone is, though I don't know him well. It's a small town; you start to recognise people eventually, even if you've never properly talked.

[She sighs.] Apart from the recent unpleasantness [Belloq, damn him; and a frown crosses her face for a moment] and the wildlife, it's not too bad. As holidays go, I'm rather enjoying myself.

[domesheriff]

Ohhh. [understanding dawns on Linda] So you're kind of...working overseas for a while. [it's a concept that makes sense to her now but not one that she'd thought of when she was first faced with the idea of coming here. in her mind, she's been assuming most imports were like her--refugees. but Jade has just opened up a whole new possibility] Well, I'm sure you'll surprise them when you get back, reappearing right when you left with everything you get from here!

[domesheriff]

[she smiles at the familiarity of that concept] Yeah, I know how that goes. But he's nice, if you ever do get the chance to meet him.

I wondered if you knew about that. [she frowns, pausing to take a drink, and staring into it briefly, still bothered that Niko wouldn't press charges against Belloq--that his almost-killer is free] I'm just glad Niko's okay.

[but at Una's words, she raises a curious eyebrow] Is that why you're here? For...a vacation?

[una_persson]

It's a very peculiar definition of vacation. But it's well away from the sort of work I usually do [fomenting revolutions, fighting wars, diplomacy, politics, and the occasional temporal rescue], and don't they say a change is as good as a rest?

[She smiles wryly, then sobers.] I'm glad Niko's all right too. Belloq's a right bastard. [This said with a certain amount of ire that she can't quite modulate, because the particular way he took advantage of her sympathy still rankles, petty revenge notwithstanding.]

[ratkicker]

[Jade can't help but laugh at that.} Yeah. It's not the first time I had to leave for a while to work. And this isn't even close to the most dangerous project I've worked on either!

I'll need to bring a lot of souvenirs to make up for lost time. Maybe some toys, or some of the food. It's some of the best I've eaten in a while.

[domesheriff]

[she nods] I guess, as long as you feel like it's a good change--at least temporarily.

[Una's vehemence toward Belloq gets no complaints from Linda. she scowls] He is, yeah. I don't understand why Niko won't press charges, but if that's how he wants it... [she sighs] But we'll be keeping an eye on Belloq. [she pauses, adding firmly:] I will, at least.

[una_persson]

[Una hesitates. She's already going to be in enough trouble, and she shouldn't be admitting—bragging?—about her little adventure to anyone, much less someone on security. But maybe it's the whiskey, or the fact that she's just happy to be chatting with another woman, one she finds she already likes; she glances aside, slightly embarrassed, but with the slightest smirk too.]

I confess—I've had a few words with him myself. Rather...emphatic words.

[domesheriff]

[ooc: Sorry I'm so slow right now! Work has gone insane...]

[Jade's comment piques her curiosity] What kinds of work have you done back there?

[but this response confuses her a bit] Wait. They're not going to know you were gone, are they? You'll go back when you left. Isn't that how it works?

[domesheriff]

[her eyebrows go up at that. even though she's security, so far Una hasn't admitted to anything she wouldn't do herself, so her reaction is appreciative. she already likes Una, too] Yeah? Good.

[she frowns] You know, I didn't know him before all this, but...I don't think I'll ever understand how people can do things like that.

OOC: That's totally understandable.

[ratkicker]

I traveled a lot for photoshoots. Not too far from the city, but they took a while. [She pauses, wondering if it would be safe to tell Linda that most recently, she was the investigative photojournalist for a rebel group, but decides against it.] I did a bit of investigation from time to time, so that took a few days.

[She shrugs.] Who knows? I won't bet against it. And besides, with all the extra money I'm making here, they deserve something nice.

[una_persson]

Greed and cowardice make a man do dreadful things. Particularly if he's weak-willed. [Una shakes her head.] He'd deny the weakness, I don't doubt. But if he's so easily swayed and willing to be treacherous, even toward someone he likes—he's weak, as far as I'm concerned.

[domesheriff]

That sounds like it must have been...exciting. [as a police officer, she's seen what journalists--and photographers--are sometimes willing to get themselves into for a story. and in a world facing a war...well, she can hardly imagine]

I'm sure their faces when they see you again will be worth it either way. [she smiles]

[ratkicker]

[At this point, the waiter returns with their lunch.]

It sometimes is. But most of my jobs were pretty quick and boring. The exciting ones paid more, anyway.

[She also smiles as she grabs her bowl.] I'm really looking forward to that.

[domesheriff]

[she nods her agreement] There's nothing strong about selling out a friend. And if his only motive really was money... [she lets the thought trail off, shaking her head. she can't understand it] I don't know how he could do it, but even if I did? Niko should never have had to go through that.

[una_persson]

He'd gotten on the wrong side of the wrong people, apparently. So he was trying to save his own skin, in spectacularly craven fashion. I'd almost say "let them have him", but that's not really right. No matter how abominable his actions.

[domesheriff]

[Linda grabs her bowl, still smiling back] If you can send me a postcard somehow once you get there, I'd love to see it.

[domesheriff]

[this surprises Linda as Niko very carefully didn't mention anything about the criminal organizations to her] ...damn. But they were after the treasure, right--not Niko?

[because she doesn't want to think that Belloq tried to take Niko out on someone else's behalf. after what he went through, she hopes he's at least safe now]

[ratkicker]

That would be pretty great. Does your place at least have a planetary mail system?

[una_persson]

[Una's not quite sure what to say about that. Belloq told her that the "dangerous people" wanted Niko out of the way. Assuming Belloq was telling the truth. Not that he had much reason to lie to her at that point, but she didn't trust him. So she tries to cover all the possibilities.]

Maybe. Or they might have had something against Niko—though I can't imagine what.