Shenanigans!

[phaselocknroll]

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[phaselocknroll]

[ When she spots Tukkir out of the corner of her eye, she resolutely averts her gaze. If she dared to even look at him- really look at him- she'd break character in a split second.

Instead her gaze falls on the stage, and she offers Peter a fond smile. ]

I was just reminiscing. Do you remember that fancy party we went to? The one with the big crystal chandeliers?

[ Which is code for I'm about to cause a distraction. And she does, raising her hand as if to brush something off Peter's shirt- but what she does instead is set the podium on fire with her phaselock. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ The effect, naturally, is immediate. Once the podium bursts into flames, everyone in the immediate area splutters and cries out in shock, with shouts of, “get an extinguisher!” and “what the hell!” and “holy shit!” ringing out in unison. Once again, Peter has to stifle a laugh in favor of looking surprised as well – though after a quick glance around, it seems pretty pointless. No one has any eyes on them. He backs them up to the entrance and palms the control for the door, nodding his head for Maya to go first. ]

[phaselocknroll]

[ She slips through the door, which puts them on the road to the mines. There's something like a car port nearby, that holds about a dozen small buses, likely for shuttling workers back and forth. She can see a few other structures along the road- supplemental housing and other facilities for water and electricity. Nice little empire he's got set up here.

There are no guards outside the doors, but she supposes they don't have to really worry about people trying to break in from this way. Not when the population has either been brainwashed or is directly working for Tukkir.

She glances back at Peter. ]

What do you think, husband dearest? Shall we find a spot to hunker down and call in the cavalry?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He smiles, and a lot of it is from sheer relief from having gotten in and out without dying, defying every single logical outcome saying they should’ve gotten captured or turned into Swiss cheese.

(Probably not worth thinking about the "what-ifs" right now, seeing as how they’re kind of freaky.) ]

Darling wife, I think that’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.

[phaselocknroll]

[ She breaks off from the road, heading out into the wilderness, just in case someone happens by. There are large enough trees a short distance from the edge of the road to keep them hidden. Honestly, she just kind of picks a direction and goes. ]

Doing okay?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He keeps up with her, walking side-by-side toward the forest. At her question, he gives her a slightly puzzled look and a small smile, then slips his hand into hers. ]

Pretty sure that’s my line, actually.

[phaselocknroll]

Maybe it's both of ours.

[ there's a pause, as she turns her gaze upwards, looking at the glimpses of sky showing through the trees ]

I'm... better. Is it weird that I think that whose excursion helped a little?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ That-- actually makes him kind of peer at her thoughtfully, but then he shrugs. ] I guess it’s kind of like, an immersion therapy type of thing. So-- it kinda makes sense, in a way.

That, and like, I guess shooting down a bunch of red shirts must’ve helped, too.

[phaselocknroll]

Could've done without the part where I thought they were gonna brainwash you, though.

[nostalgiabomb]

-- Well, you swooped in and saved the day yet again, right? It turned out okay. [ He tries for a reassuring smile, batting his eyes in true Disney Princess fashion. ] My hero.

[phaselocknroll]

It this the part where I sweep you off your feet and take you away to my castle so we can live happily ever after?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ That stops him dead in his tracks as they reach the edge of the overgrowth, and he feigns a look of astonishment. ]

Hang on. Is this the first time I’m hearing about your castle? Have you been holdin’ out on me all this time? Because "I have a castle" is totally something you should tell someone on the first date.

[phaselocknroll]

[ Totally deadpan: ] Yes, Peter. I have pretended to be a lowly commoner all this time. It was the only way I could escape the pressures of castle life.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ With a knowing nod, ] Somehow, I’ve always known. Your secret is safe with me, Lady Maya.

If you’ll excuse me, though, I believe I have some fire and brimstone I need to call in. [ And then he bows low, sweeping an arm out, before withdrawing his helmet attachment from his digistruct and stepping away. ]

[phaselocknroll]

Go forth, noble sir.

[ she gives him a mock curtsy in response to his bow, and moves to sit on a nearby tree stump. While she's there, she clips her shield back to her belt, just for comfort's sake, and takes her sniper rifle in hand again.

You know. Just in case. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ She may overhear snippets of his conversation, which includes a lot of choked-off expletives and Sorry, Nova Primes, and Yes, ma'ams. Clearly Peter would never thrive in a professional setting.

When he steps back, he-- blinks at her and the rifle. ]

Did I miss something?

[phaselocknroll]

Just keeping us covered. How'd it go?

[nostalgiabomb]

They'll be here in the hour. Any longer than that, though, and I'm pretty sure we get our money back.

[phaselocknroll]

I didn't realize that the Nova Corps had a "sixty minutes or less" guarantee.

I guess we just hang out here in the meantime?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He answers that question by plopping down, his back against a tree and facing away from the facility. ]

Like I said, we let them do all the hard work. The guys should be landing with the Milano along with the rest of the troops, so we can take it easy till then.

[phaselocknroll]

Works for me.

[ She falls silent for a moment, shifting her rifle to sit across her knees ]

... I didn't know you were claustrophobic.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He answers pretty quickly. ]

'Cause I'm not.

[phaselocknroll]

[ she sloooowly raises an eyebrow ] Aren't you? You were freaking out pretty bad after that laundry chute.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ That gets him to pause, but only for a brief second. ]

Well, we were getting chased by brainwashing sociopaths, so I think I deserve some leeway, there.

[phaselocknroll]

Okay, first of all, there's nothing wrong with not liking small spaces.

Second of all, kind of something I need to know before I suggest we throw ourselves headlong into a long, dark, cramped tunnel.