rendez-vous + APPOINTMENT POST

[tearmeanewone]

[This is an appointment post for Elizabeth at luceti.]

[When making a new thread, please mark the subject with Action/Video/Voice/Written and the date the thread takes place.]

Comments

[voidseeing]

Not the whole time. There's usually a fair amount of downtime on these missions.

[He rubs her back in soothing circles, just tracing mindless little patterns over the fabric of her shirt.]

The best kind of mission is the one where nothing too exciting happens.

[tearmeanewone]

[Elizabeth frowns and looks up at Gai.] How many of these have you been on, anyway?

[voidseeing]

[Now he grins.]

This'll be my fifth one. I've signed up for every one that comes up, but I guess they didn't want me around for a while.

[tearmeanewone]

Fifth? [Elizabeth gapes a little.] No wonder you signed up so quickly.

[voidseeing]

[His expression darkens slightly, settles into something almost resigned.]

I told you, fighting is the only thing I know. I don't like sitting around and feeling useless even without the threat of the GHQ hanging over my head.

[tearmeanewone]

[Ah... yes, she remembers now but she hadn't made the connection. Elizabeth nods and tucks her head back against Gai's chest.]

I suppose this is like visiting home for you, then.

[voidseeing]

Something like that.

[He's not proud of it, that much is for certain. It's ironic, really, that even here, in a place where there's nothing compelling him to fight, he chooses to do so anyway.]

[tearmeanewone]

[Elizabeth lets that hang for a moment, debating whether she should put on a brave face and let the subject drop or say something else. In the end, she decides to do a little bit of both.]

But if you have expertise, it only makes sense to use it. Otherwise they might send someone who doesn't know what they're doing.

[voidseeing]

[And Gai is glad for that-- it's the response he wanted to hear, to know that she felt his skills were needed and that she wasn't going to try to talk him out of it.]

You've got a point. The MSF have a low enough opinion of us as it is; the last thing we'd want is to prove them right by botching a mission.

[tearmeanewone]

[Elizabeth snorts into Gai's chest.] I don't care who thinks what about us. I just don't want you hurt.

[voidseeing]

I managed to make it through my other missions, didn't I?

[He pulls back just enough to reach down and poke her nose with his finger.]

[tearmeanewone]

[Elizabeth wriggles her nose after Gai pokes it.] So you don't need me watching your back? Is that the bottom line? [She arches an eyebrow at him.]

[voidseeing]

[... he's been behaving himself up until now, but he can't help it-- what Elizabeth said is just asking for this.

The hand that had been rubbing circles on her back slips down just enough to give her rear a quick, light squeeze, though he keeps his face perfectly innocent.]

And here I thought you'd enjoy the view.

[tearmeanewone]

[Elizabeth shrieks quietly, an affronted scoff following close behind. She steps back out of his arms, looking both shocked and afraid Booker was about to come charging in with a carbine in hand.]

That... that isn't the point! Technically I'm supposed to split your lip now, given we're in my apartment.

[voidseeing]

[Yeah, he would deserve it if she did decide to do that. Okay, so the shriek was sort of cute, but she looks genuinely irritated at him, and that's enough to change his expression to something more apologetic.]

I'll hold still if that will make it easier for you. I deserve at least that much for that.

[tearmeanewone]

[...is Gai joking? Is he not joking? Can her arm stretch that far even with him standing still?]

[Still frowning, she closes the space between her and Gai, listens carefully to any activity in the hall, then reaches around to repay the grope.]

[voidseeing]

[He is both teasing and being entirely serious about this, if the smile that makes its way onto his face isn't enough of an indication. He's also curious to see just how hard she can hit, although that's beside the point.

So he stands there watching her, fully expecting to receive a good punch to the nose... only to get a grope of his own rear instead. Well. Okay, that's a good tradeoff in his eyes.

... and Elizabeth will find out that yes, he is indeed pretty much solid muscle.]

[tearmeanewone]

You got off easy. [She points at Gai, half-warningly.] Next time I won't be curious what that's like, and I will punch you in the mouth.

[No she won't.]

[Because damn.]

[voidseeing]

I seem to recall you making a comment about things happening whenever you put your hand near my mouth...

[He won't actually do anything, though, even though her finger is rather close to his face. No, it's more fun to make her think that he might and then behave himself for a change.]

[tearmeanewone]

[Elizabeth retracts her hand and frowns. It's more of a pout, but she's a little afraid that Gai might actually follow through on that threat.]

You want me to punch you somewhere else? [Her eyes flick down to Gai's crotch and she gives him a pointed look.]

[voidseeing]

And damage something that important?

[At least she doesn't seem to be worried about the mission anymore, so Gai will count this as a success.

As long as she doesn't actually punch him there, that is.]

[tearmeanewone]

I'll try splitting your lip first, then I'll move onto that if I have to.

[She sighs and nearly runs her hand through her hair and ruins her ribbon.]

What was I going to hit you over again?

[voidseeing]

Don't know. I forgot.

[Which is a lie, but there are more important things to be thinking about right now. Like pulling her back into his arms where she belongs and kissing her forehead as a sort of apology for his misbehavior.]

[tearmeanewone]

[She sighs again and tries to relax. The argument did loosen her up a little, but Elizabeth feels tired now too. Perhaps from all the stress.]

Are we going to have some time alone?

[voidseeing]

We can make time alone if you want. Law will cover for you, no questions asked. Besides, everyone needs breaks now and again. I doubt they'll have me out there sweet-talking our hosts the whole time either.

[He tries to keep things light to help ease her worries. Free time will be a thing if only because he will make it a thing, and no one gets in Gai's way when he's set his mind to something.]