vatheon | 7 ♐ I've gotten pretty good at telling myself it's fine

Yessssssss.
I knew it!

[ That is enough of a summons for Mindfang, and the ghosts are being annoying tonight; she packs up a bunch of liquor in her sylladex and heads straight for the elevator. When she sees Darkleer it's instantly time for hugs. ]

Oh my god, you actually made it! You are the best. The best the best the best.

[That is indeed a giant robotic spider curled up amongst the nearest foliage by the elevator. This isn't a creation made for traversing sand. And that is definitely Darkleer standing by it. Although he isn't as prim and prissy as usual. In fact, he doesn't even look like he cleaned up properly before absconding up here. His hair is still in a tight ponytail, oil is still slick up his fingers and near his neck..]

[Obviously he's been throwing his all into this, for whatever reason.]

[Blinking as he's suddenly tackled by the pirate, Darkleer just pats her on the shoulder. He's tired; the action isn't thought much on.]

So easy to please...

[But then, she is still a child, really.]

You look good! If tired. But you always look tired and good and happy after a project. This is great.

[ She's actually surprised; normally he wouldn't throw himself into something like this unless 1) he was really into the design or 2) he was trying not to think about something. And he's not showing the kind of pride that he would on one of his favorite pet projects so...hm.

She curls around his back, smiling against his shoulder. ]

Wanna take it for a test drive? I've got plenty of booze, we can christen the little fucker.

[Oh lord almighty.]

You do realize that most responsible individuals would avoid driving any kind of vehicle while intoxicated, particularly something like this, don't you?

[But he knows it's useless to argue with her.]

Well, you said it yourself, we won't be bothering anyone. And who said we're taking around a giant mechanical spider to be responsible?

[ She fetches a bottle of scotch from her sylladex, handing it to him with a grin. ]

Come on, it'll be fun.

[This is a bad idea, and as a responsible adult troll, he should do his best to avoid it. There's absolutely no reason to go drinking-]

[An image flickers through his thoughts of a campfire and a warmer presence at his side, bottle in his hands, and of course the last time he went drinking was with...]

[Darkleer takes the bottle and nearly tears off the top with his lack of care towards it. A hard swig of it and then he's pulling back with a wince.]

I'm going to regret living tonight, aren't I?

Don't be so depressing, we'll have fun.

[ Her bubble is full of excitement, nights spent on deck singing shanties with her crew, arms all round each other, each of them nicking the grog right out of each other's hands and laughing till dawn. Mindfang was never terribly close to anyone, no, but it felt good to be respected, adored, and as long as she could control them they weren't a threat.

She takes the bottle back, knocking back a few gulps herself and making a face. ]

That stuff's strong. So, care to show me my present?

[Darkleer's bubble isn't nearly so light-hearted. It keeps going back to that same stupid night no matter how much he tries to think of mechanics or computer codes, or anything. It's frustrating. Darkleer turns to the large mechanical creature behind him and taps on his metallic husk. It's the size of a tank and shine silver in the moonlight.]

Enjoy.

I meant show me how to use it, Chiron. C'mon.

[ She hands the bottle back to him, taking a coil of web from her sylladex to throw up on the great silvery husk and scaling up its side. She likes climbing things, okay. ]

[Another almost careless swig from the bottle and then Darkleer is pulling himself up as well. Unlike her, he doesn't need any equipment to do it with, even while he's holding a bottle of booze. Taking a seat, he reaches towards the very back of the spider's head and flips a panel open. A few buttons pressed...]

Say your name.

[ She hesitates a moment. Then- ]

Inansa Arakni.

[Something deep in the spider seems to click and whirr before settling, and Darkleer gives a satisfied nod as he shuts the panel.]

It recognizes your voice, now. [Thin lines of cerulean begin to spread over the machine and its eight eyes light up dimly with the same color.] Give it an order.

Let's take a walk down the beach.

[ She tugs the bottle from Darkleer's hand, knocking back another few swigs. ]

Inansa, I don't think it's really...

[But, obediently, the spider begins to move along the terrain, adjusting as needed for the sand. Darkleer leans back with a shake of his head.]

No, do what you like.

What, would you prefer I ask it to laser down all the trees or something?

[ She grins, lazing back as the spider meanders along. ]

So what's up? Your thoughts seem kinda dark.

[ For once, her paranoia seems to be under control; probably the Expatriate's calming influence on her. She's just thinking of good nights on the beach, relaxing and enjoying life for what it's worth. ]

You're assuming I gave it that capability.

[Please. He's not giving Mindfang anything that would cause mass destruction. The fact that there's a giant robot spider for her enjoyment should be enough. Her question, however, has him glancing at his thought bubble. It flickers, slightly, before he gives up. He doesn't feel like putting forth the effort into changing it.]

I think I'm a bit too sober to be discussing that sort of thing with you, you know. It's nothing but foolish expectations at any rate.

[ She hands the bottle back. ]

Then drink up and we'll talk. Always works for me.

Of course it does.

[Hope you didn't have any plans for the rest of the night, Mindfang, Darkleer is just going to swirl the liquid inside a bit and look morose. Waaaaangst.]

Sometimes I wonder if indulging in quadants is a foolish thing to do.

Tends to be what I think. Even if it changes when I'm older I'm still not really sure it's all that great.

[ She just...gets another bottle out of her sylladex...that way they can both drink! ]

But hey, you're the romantic here. Thought you'd be the one all over that shit even if you're kind of terrible at expressing feelings.

[ What a hypocrite, Mindfang! ]

[Such hypocrisy. He's just going to turn his head to stare at you, Mindfang.]

What? You are! You have to get drunk just to talk to me, and you've known me since we were like three!

I'm not sure if I should be taking romantic advice from you in hindsight...

The hypocrisy is nearly smothering. [More swing! Jeez he is almost done with this bottle, where does the time go.]

Hey, hey. Nothing you can say about me cancels out the fact that what I'm saying is true! Get off your high horse for once, huh?

So c'mon, what has you of all people losing faith in the quadrants? Thought that was my job.

[ Hands him a third bottle...god they're gonna be so blasted soon. ]

I'm not on a horse, if we are being technical, I am on a giant spider I constructed because apparently I always end up doing these things for you no matter what.

[So blasted. Mindfang, you are a bad influence on all decent Empire citizens and computers.]

[But even drunk, Darkleer is more or less polite and shakily places the bottle in his sylladex before he accepts the new one.]

It hurts. Being exiled. I think I would have liked dying better.

[That's totally in connection with the conversation they were just having right?]

I didn't think anyone would want something ruined...

Stop thinkin' that way.

[ Oh boy, she is feeling it too. DRUNKTOWN. ]

You are fine. You are the same now as you were b'fore the exile thing! Anyway if we're talking about. Uh. Handlebars. Yeah. You really think he'd like you if you were still, y'know, imperial pet kinda thing? He's a rebel, right?

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