[OPEN] Fatality Is Like Ghosts In The Snow

[speakveryclearly]

Date & Time: December 8th onward
Location: Snowsilium
Characters: Kanaya Maryam and you
Summary: A day in the undeath: meandering through the snowy landscape hunting for prey; work at the seamstress's house where she wrangled residence for herself, Mami, and Alice; evening gun lessons in the Mekakushi Dan mansion; and night shift in the Transporter facility.
Warnings: Noon prompt has potential vampirism; closed McGill-Brown prompt will lead to discussion of war, death, and such intersections as erasure phenomena


[Closed to Mami and Alice]
She "gets up" early to "help make breakfast", a convenient reason to never take meals in front of her mistress. Though Kanaya derives a little pleasure from doing chores for the woman that has accommodated herself as well as her two friends, the hologram she has on practically twenty-four/seven is not one of them. Here her short black hair "is cut" more conventionally, her skin is a less sparkly sort of pale, and her teeth are supposed to be flat. She practices expressions in the mirror for a few minutes a day, to make sure that the physical presence of her fangs doesn't interfere too much with the purely visual illusion. Then she turns away and places her empty plate on the countertop, ready to engage in conversation with her coworkers.

[Open: Outdoors]
By noon she's gone out "for lunch". It's an opportunity to explore, the only one she really has during the day... though sometimes as she glares at snow hares or penguins with blood thirst in her eyes, it seems like she wishes her excuse were true. Maybe if she went far enough into the forest nobody would notice. God, though, does she hate the cold. At least she has a practical black coat from Christmas last year. Soon she'll have to go shopping - her midday socializations are a little tainted with this anxiety, whom to give gifts and whom to ignore.

[Closed to Saul, Steph, Ahiru, and Dick]
On the 10th of December she has a destination in mind. A quick phone call has verified for her the location of Saul Goodman's current sanctuary. She knocks on the door and a dusting of snow falls off her black gloves. Who'll answer? Who else will be there? She doubts, upon thinking, that Saul lives alone...

[Open: Clotheshop]
And in the afternoon? She's back to work, of course. The future sewing machine is a different model from what she bought with her first paycheck in Exsilium, and she's never seen a future loom in person at all. The smile on her face as she works behind these machines is a decent approximation of happiness, less artificial than when she's selling clothes from behind the counter.

[Closed to Mekakushi Dan]
When she "goes out for dinner", her dining establishment of choice is the Mekakushi Dan's mansion, and she's glad for it because this is the only place where she keeps the hologram off long-term. In their common area she takes up as much space as she likes on the couch, wearing a T-shirt and loose skirt, and dismantles firearms blindfolded. "This is how Kano should learn," she insists with a good-natured imperiousness, "aren't you part of the blindfold brigade anyway." Part of the pretense is to delay the progression to outdoor practice, when her holographic facade will have to go back up.

[Open: Transporter Central Building]
Only at night, sneaking out of the shop when she's supposed to (need) be asleep, can she log her hours of temporal programming. Inside the complex, too, she retains her supernatural appearance if only for increased recognizability. The terminal where she works is separate from her tablet; both devices see a lot of use, though, as this is the place natives are least likely to look over her shoulder.

Comments

"mcgill-brown" did you really

[controlledvariable]

The answer to the first question is easy enough: Steph is the one who pulls open the door, having checked the camera feed she's set up (Bats). She's got a few hours between one job and the next, so she's at home for a little while, at least.

"Kanaya, hey. I hope you didn't have too much trouble finding the place," Her smile is easy and warm, as she opens the door wider and steps back to let Kanaya in; Saul gave her a heads up about the potential visit, so she's not surprised.

I did and I'm not even sorry

[speakveryclearly]

Kanaya comes in gracefully and doesn't linger on the threshold. "No, it's not too hard finding your way around here once you get accustomed to it." Still, Kanaya was glad she hadn't been on the scouting mission and could now look for a place to hang her coat - for one thing, the physical presence of her horns underneath the hologram meant she couldn't wear a hat, and she was even a little paranoid about the two spots on her head where apparently no snowflakes had fallen, to the outside observer. The crystalline precipitation might be pretty, but it was inconvenient and came with an aching cold. Maybe she would sit down under a blanket soon too...

"So you've been renting this, then? It shows." Her own accommodations might have been cozy in a way, but she hadn't chosen them. "How many people are sharing the cost?"

how did this happen to me etc

[controlledvariable]

There's a coat rack, but Steph still holds out a hand in an offer to take Kanaya's coat for her, even though it'll end up in the same place no matter which of them does it. It's just polite.

"There's four of us, but I'm pretty much the breadwinner," She isn't gonna make Ahiru get a job, Saul's focusing on DITR stuff, and while Dick does put in a little money towards rent, Steph is loathe to accept it.

When a human man and woman love each other very much

[speakveryclearly]

Ah, that helps; Kanaya lets Steph make the gesture, giving herself time to finally find a seat.

"What have you been doing to earn a salary like that? There are three of us living over the clothes maker's shop and we all have to work there." She's more impressed and curious than skeptical.

how about i just blame heather and be done with it

[controlledvariable]

It's not a big place, so the entrance leads right into the living space, which includes a couple of beat up couches and a small dining table in the adjoining kitchen. The place is clean, though, because Saul is kind of fussy.

"I've got a few jobs, but fortunately we had some stuff that we traded to get us some decent start up cash, so we're mostly saving for when that runs out," Once Kanaya's coat is hung up, Steph makes her way into the kitchen to fill the kettle with water, "Tea, coffee, or hot cocoa?"

Crude but effective

[speakveryclearly]

Kanaya blinks repeatedly, uncomfortably. "Actually, could I just have some warm water?" She knows the request is odd - her refusal to drink outright, though, would be odder, and it was awfully cold outside.

"I hope this didn't turn out to be a bad time, but if Mr. Goodman is really busy then I may have to come back later... I'm supposed to be on lunch break, you see."

also true

[controlledvariable]

"Yeah, sure," She still puts the kettle on to boil, but she'll take it off before it actually gets there, since that's quicker than trying to coax warm water out of the taps.

"He should be out in a sec. What did you wanna talk about, anyway?" It's idly curious, as she fusses in the kitchen a little, getting mugs and tea bags ready for when the kettle's done.

[speakveryclearly]

"Thanks. It's..." Oddly personal, when she thinks about it - her friend is the direct reason she actually came to this, after all. She traces the concern back to its genesis: "You were involved in Roslyn's recent parole post, weren't you? The one where Peter Rumancek and Isaac Lahey were so morally outraged." Unlike Roslyn, the first man's surname in particular is one she's never before had cause to say out loud. "Since public relations are at stake I thought I should discuss it with the director."

[controlledvariable]

There's a flicker of - something in Steph's expression at the mention of Peter and Isaac, especially when she remembers quite clearly the discussion of hands being removed. She might have been frustrated by both Isaac and Peter during all that, but they're still hers, which means she has to fight down a surge of protectiveness. Peter wouldn't want her to get into an argument about it, and Saul doesn't need her snapping at anyone.

"Not publically, but I kept up," The kettle heating up is welcome distraction, and she pours warm-but-not-boiling water into a mug for Kanaya, before putting the kettle back on so it can actually boil for Steph's tea. She manages to keep her expression neutral as she offers the mug to Kanaya, "Not really sure what it has to do with the DITR."

That's a lie, but she's curious to hear Kanaya's explanation.

[speakveryclearly]

The mug is heavy in Kanaya's hands; she accepts it with a soft "Thanks" and takes quite some time to drink before speaking again.

"There are a lot of accusations flying around lately. Doomed timeline this, erasure that, generally phenomena inclined to make passions flare high. So I thought it could help to flesh out the party line. The last thing anyone wants to do is proliferate further misinformation, right?" She looks up to Steph for confirmation if the older woman is within view at the time.

saul's gonna pop in after this!

[controlledvariable]

It's not a bad idea, even if there's another moment of defensiveness at the phrasing, because it feels a little bit like an accusation or a judgement, but she ignores it just like she ignored the protectiveness.

Kanaya is a good ally to have, and Steph isn't jeopardizing that over some possible moral differences.

"That sounds like a good plan, yeah," With the Initiative gone, she's not even sure what the official party line is, "I know Saul's been thinking about handle the New Initiative, so that should be something to discuss, too."

Adventure Time Creature With Eyes Getting Big.gif

[speakveryclearly]

Human morals are not so much a mystery to Kanaya as a mental oxymoron. She does not dwell on this thought as she takes a briefer sip of water, because she doesn't see the doubt in Stephanie's face.

"Yeah, I still haven't directly dealt with the New Initiative at all. We've found them, at least, is there a good start?"

HONEY I AM HOME

[5055034455]

"A good start, but maybe of little to no use."

And there's Saul, freshly showered and sporting an undone tie. His hair's still a little wet and he's missing shoes, but whatever, whatever. He's here. He's ready.

"From what I've gathered, it doesn't look like they have any actual power over what we do, aside from what's ingrained in our heads from previous experiences. Doesn't seem like they're all that interested in it, either, but that's jumping to conclusions. I still need to sit down with them and have a chat. Welcome to our humble little abode, Kanaya."

WELCOME

[speakveryclearly]

"Director," she says, voice rising but not enough for an explanation point as she turns to him.

"I guess that means our deficiency of top-down orders is going to continue? Combined with the public relations problem that erasure phenomena are starting to pose we might see a serious decline in meaningful mission participation..."

you don't even go here

[controlledvariable]

Steph can't help but wrinkle her nose, "Please don't call him that, his ego doesn't need it," But there's laughter in her voice, and she's more amused than annoyed or anything.

Which doesn't mean it's not true, because seriously, he doesn't need the help, but that's getting sidetracked.

"Anyway - they aren't interested in it 'cause they don't trust us. They look at us like they're expecting us to turn around and slit their throats, and they don't have anything we need except the power supply, so I think we should stick to looking after ourselves."

[5055034455]

He doesn't need the help, no, but he and his ego appreciate it nonetheless. Kanaya and Steph get a matching smile from him, the kind he wears when he's doing business, as he finds a seat nearby.

"Our biggest problem, as I see it, is the fact that we're so scattered now. It was one thing when we were back in former Exsilium, but now that some of us are here and some of us are still on the moon... that's an issue. And I think those of us who are here — and I'm not ashamed to include myself in that — are still so over what happened that keeping some distance from one another, for the time being, doesn't seem like the worst thing. But it kinda is, considering our situation. So."

So there's that.

[speakveryclearly]

"In other words our mobilization problems are all the worse now..." Sigh. Her chin finds its way into her hands. "The conviction--" Convict-shun, a word she clearly looked up in a digital dictionary. "Completed, the court would like to recess. It's an understandable desire, just not a productive one." She looks at him for guidance again before remembering there's only so much he can give. "I think some groups that run missions are finally starting to form and could naturally expand along with the inevitable osmosis of interested lunar parties... unfortunately the desire to go on missions may be curtailed somewhat by the increasingly public erasure problem."

[5055034455]

"Like we're known for our productivity?"

We meaning the lot of them, present company excluded. He leans back into his chair, looking momentarily pensive.

"The erasure thing is going to be tough to spin." And here he glances over toward Stephanie. There's a shift in his expression, almost like he's hearing something Kanaya isn't. "Or if we should spin it at all."

[controlledvariable]

"You don't," It's as simple as that to her, so it's not really a surprise that Saul looked her way before wondering after the same point. She doesn't even think it's possible, "People who know how awful this shit is aren't gonna change their mind."

She looks at Saul for a moment, considering whether to say what she's thinking because it isn't really her place, but... she knows Saul would prefer her opinion, "Honestly I don't know if the DITR should have an official stance on how we fight this war. Focus on working things out with the New Initiative and looking after Transports, getting everyone working together on things other than the fight against the UE. The more distance you keep from that, the better."

They can be more effective if they don't get caught up in the fights about morals or strategy.

[speakveryclearly]

Kanaya tries for a little while to keep her hands from tugging at her eyes and ultimately gives up the good fight.

"I guess the cat has scraped and clawed its way out of the bag and is now free to give the same treatment to our furniture." Tension affects her in little motions, like a spring. "It would be nice if these self-proclaimed time travel experts actually dedicated themselves to solving those problems instead of just pointing them out. And maybe for some ideological consistency they could abstain from supply missions regardless of whether their stolen hair product supply is sufficiently large." She works with Vennett; she picks up a thing or two.

[5055034455]

Speaking of cats, Saul wonders where Mike is.

Anyway —

"That would be nice. I have a whole list of things that would be nice, actually. You know what that list is titled? 'Pipe Dreams.'" It's not that he wants to be this pessimistic, but.

But, but, but.

"We need someone they'll listen to."

[controlledvariable]

She hasn't missed the tension in Kanaya, but she has no idea how to diffuse it, if something like a hand on her arm would be welcome or not, so Steph stays where she is for now, attempts at making tea forgotten.

"Like who?" It's a genuine question, even if she's fairly certain there's no one the whole Transport population will listen to.

[5055034455]

In immediate response to that, Saul just shrugs.

He has no idea.

Maybe his faithful assistant does.

[speakveryclearly]

She does not. Her mood officially plummets into the basement, and in a tone of voice that would uncharitably be described as bordering on a snap, "Nobody." Over the past few minutes her sitting posture has deteriorated from the high, straight secretarial standard to a surprisingly adolescent slouch.

"Even if they have that 'election' they keep talking about, the disrespect for authority will persist." Sardonically reciting from bittersweet memory, she explains, "Transports ~take requests~, they aren't compelled."

Trying to come up with something at least a little more productive, she adds, "We should make a list of who's been going on missions and cooperating. I could do that."

[5055034455]

"Of course it'll persist. Our fine residents have such varied ideas of authority and how to react to it that there's no way we'll ever get everyone to comply. Ashraf had the right idea when he mentioned a council, but..."

Look at how far they've come with that.

Saul decides that now is a good time for coffee, so he continues talking as he moves to the kitchen, hands all over the place. "A list would be good, so long as something's done with it. Sonya and I conducted that survey a while back with that same idea in mind — forming some kind of governing body — but nothing came of it. Is this your water, baby?"

He's talking to Steph, of course. And he means the kettle, whose contents have almost entirely boiled away. Maybe they need to invest in a whistling one...