Shenanigans!

[phaselocknroll]

Comments

[phaselocknroll]

I tease because I care.

[nostalgiabomb]

Or because you like kicking a man when he's down and had his squishy parts sucked out by a parasitic alien.

I can't tell if I'm more masochistic or if you're more sadistic, but either way, you're lucky me 'n' the P'Klanntorian like you.

[phaselocknroll]

[ She pauses in walking long enough to kiss him on the cheek ]

I like you too.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ At first he smiles, but then he waves her off, like an embarrassed kid being coddled on his first day of school. ]

Maya. We're working.

[phaselocknroll]

Sorry, sorry. Sometimes I just can't resist.

[ There are more work lights up ahead, pointing into a gaping hole in the cave wall ] Looks like this is where we need to go.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He gives the hole a measuring glance, then nods. ]

Alright, cool, this doesn't seem ominous in the slightest.

[phaselocknroll]

[ She peers down- apparently the workers never got so far as to set up lights, because it's pitch black after a certain distance.

God dammit. ]

Sure is dark down there.

[nostalgiabomb]

That? Nah, that's lit up brighter than the sky on July Fourth. [ A thought strikes him, though, as he's peering into the darkness. ]

Hey, fish out my jacket, would you? Pretty sure I had a plasma ball stashed.

[phaselocknroll]

[ She does as asked- anything's better than having to either exert her powers or deal with the darkness- and hands him his coat from her digistruct device ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He takes the coat and, sure enough, he'd stashed away a plasma ball like he thought.

Lesson for all you kids at home: Always be prepared.

He fishes out the device, which is about the size of a softball, and shakes it to life as he hands back his jacket; it lets off a soft, white glow, which is more than enough to push back the darkness, and he takes a few steps further into the makeshift tunnel. ]

What're the chances of this ancient alien creature just needin' a nightlight to settle down?

[phaselocknroll]

[ Oh, thank god. She visibly relaxes, putting his coat away. ]

I doubt this is the Vault proper, but it will probably lead us to it. Once we get there, well, I suppose we'll have to see.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He's a little puzzled by the way she relaxes, then remembers -- she's afraid of the dark.

Damn, he nearly forgot.

He holds his free hand out to her and wiggles his fingers -- best to keep it light, he thinks. ]

Maybe if we're really nice it'll let us go about our business.

[phaselocknroll]

If it comes down to negotiations, I guess I'll let you do the talking, then.

[nostalgiabomb]

And I'll let you do all the intimidating and ancient-alien-zapping.

Whoever says we don't make a good team can suck it.

[phaselocknroll]

Do people actually say that?

[nostalgiabomb]

... Not that I know of. Maybe people who don't like us?

[phaselocknroll]

Psh, please. Everybody likes us.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ -- okay, at that, he just. Gives her a Look. A very, very dubious look. ]

[phaselocknroll]

Joke, Peter. Don't give me that look.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Innocently, ] What look? This is just my face.

[phaselocknroll]

Your face with a look on it.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He gives her one of his patented charming smiles. ]

Was it a sexy look?

[phaselocknroll]

It was more of a look that suggested I had suddenly started speaking Chinese.

[nostalgiabomb]

Huh. If I gave you that kinda look, you must've said something really crazy. Like, saying that we haven't made any mortal enemies, or something.

[phaselocknroll]

I think you must be hearing things. I'd never suggest something so ridiculous.