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

[ratkicker]

Anything they can make with what we can afford. My uncle is usually in the workshop and I'm sometimes out working, so a lot of the kids can cook. But they have fun, which is what's more important. [She gives the photos a gentle smile as she reminisces about home.]

Oumi once tried to make strawberry cake, but we didn't have enough flour. Still was pretty good.

[domesheriff]

[Linda offers the photos back to her] They look like they must have a lot of it.

[but the waiter comes up then, and she hurriedly opens her menu back up] You go first. [since she's just guessing anyway, she figures she'd rather quickly pick something than send the waiter away]

[ratkicker]

[Jade sends the photos back into her digital compartment and picks up the menu. She scans the soup menu, since those tend to be the least expensive meals.]

I'll take the spicy ramen bowl, please. [With such decent meals nearby, she's taking advantage and treating herself.]

[domesheriff]

[she raises an eyebrow at that choice] You know, that sounds good. I'll have one, too. Thanks. [being new, Linda also has to watch her spending--not to mention she plans to make good on her offer to pay for Jade's meal as well as her own]

[she offers her menu to the waiter, thinking that she's lucky that, after sharing so much about her own home, Jade hasn't yet asked her about hers. really, she's not sure whether it would be helpful or painful to think about some of her happy memories from there]

[ratkicker]

[The ramen bowl isn't that expensive compared to a lot of the restaurant entrees, but it sure is delicious.]

[Jade hands back her menu and rests on the table. A minute of awkward silence passes before she comes up with something to ask and continue the conversation.]

Do you go out to eat a lot back where you're from?

[domesheriff]

[she nods] I used to with my co-workers, yeah. And when Rusty and I had shifts that ran close-- [abruptly, she cuts herself off, surprised by how easily the words came out. it's the first time here that she's even said his name. without thinking about it, she's started rubbing the ring on her left hand between her fingers. there's an awkward pause before she manages to finish, a note of melancholy in her tone now:] We--sometimes we'd just go out to eat if we didn't have time for anything else.

[ratkicker]

[That gestures does not go unnoticed, and it's the first time Jade even noticed the ring on Linda's finger. Her expression grows serious, with a hint of sympathy.]

So you and Rusty were...really close? [Just to be sure she wasn't assuming things.]

[domesheriff]

[she nods again, not meeting Jade's eyes] He's my fiancé.

[is, not was, because she knows that Rusty is still out there somewhere even if she has no way to get to him. but the whole reason she's here is to avoid going down that path today, so she shakes her head, looking back up at Jade] Sorry. He's...on my mind today. [she tries for a smile, but it doesn't reach her eyes] But that's why I wanted to do things like this. I know there are a lot of people here who will be great to spend time with! I just have to get to know them.

[ratkicker]

It's alright. [Her voice is gentle, trying to be supportive.] I miss my family and friends, but I'll see them again. And look, you invited me out for lunch! [She smiles.]

[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]

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.

[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!

[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]

[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?

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.

[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]

[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.

[ratkicker]

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

[domesheriff]

Planetary? [Linda looks surprised by the concept. she shakes her head] No, we don't have anything like that. [focusing on the positive, she adds:] But I'll probably be staying here for a while, so I think you'll be able to reach me.

[ratkicker]

[That look makes Jade curious.] So how do you send things to other planets? I mean, you're in the government, so you'd at least have that kind of privilege, right...?

[domesheriff]

Uh, we don't. I mean...we don't have contact with other planets.

[it'd be amusing to her that Jade finds contact with other worlds so natural if it weren't so mind-blowing first]

[ratkicker]

Not where you're from? But, I thought everyone that came knew did...

[She leans on her elbow, wondering why would the resort bring in workers from systems that primitive.]

I mean, my planet's only been in contact for a few hundred years, but you know other intelligent species are out there, right?