Shenanigans!

[phaselocknroll]

Comments

[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.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He huffs a laugh. ] Good. We'd have to get your head check, otherwise.

[ He casts the light around, sees more of the raw eridium and rock and not much else. ]

We lookin' for something in particular? Like, a sign that says "Abandon Hope, All Ye Who Enter Here"?

[phaselocknroll]

Well... to be completely honest, Hyperion had pretty much already dug everything up by the time we got there, so I don't really know what an unopened Vault looks like.

I'm just hoping we'll run into a door or something.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ As they travel farther down the tunnel, the light from the plasma ball reveals a flat, stone surface straight ahead, etched with intricate, swirling lines. ]

Something like that, maybe?

[phaselocknroll]

Yeah, something like that.

[ Those marks seem oddly familiar, and she can't help but glance down at her tattoos.

No fucking way it could be that easy, but she presses her hand to the stone surface. Her tattoos flare to life, and blue light pours into the engravings. The door rumbles, and begins to slide open ]

... I honestly did not think that would work.