It seemed like a good idea at the time...

[maddeninghatter]

Date & Time: 2698, fin-de-millenium, just prior to the formation of the United Earth
Location: Las Vegas
Characters: Break, Kevin, Gilbert, Oz, Elliot, Alice, Allen, Lenalee, Rosette, Chrono, Chrysos
Summary: Fear and loathing
Warnings: Showgirls and Gilbert weeping.

The statement “Let’s go to Vegas” exists as the multiverse’s quintessential definition of, “well it seemed like a good idea at the time.” Even in this case, it really had, between zombies, insurrection, and the day to day tedium of life on the moon. Besides which, Xerxes Break has a new sentient (sentient-er) weapon, which in a stunning show of good judgement is too dangerous to test on the moonbase, nor in any concentration of people. Las Vegas, set against the backdrop of the vast, desolate Mojave desert, seemed to be a perfect choice.

When our heroes wink into existence, squinting against the early-morning desert sunshine, they’ll find themselves duly welcomed. Come play in the casino. When you feel a bit peckish, indulge in all you can eat. Take your winnings and go shopping; at night, take in a show. And if you’ve done really well gambling, unwind in a ridiculously luxurious suite.

…or is this how you’re spending the night?

Thirty-six hours in Vegas, what could possibly go wrong?

(ooc: feel free to start threads willy-nilly, name your time and place, threadjack and mingle)

Comments

[retraced]

[Assuming the worst sounds like the best course of action, even if it means ignoring logic in order to do so. But hm, Oz, where would Oz be if given the chance to run free into the depths of Las Vegas...]

Let's see...

[He lets his eyes sweep back over the floor.]

Oz is a person who doesn't really understand the value of money...and he has no problem tricking people when it comes to proving a point. If someone [ie - Rosette] convinced him to try gambling, he'd probably do it.

[And then his expression drops into despair.]

Ah, but it's been so long since I've been able to make him proper sweets, he might be out searching for something to eat instead. If that's the case, then it's my fault that he's lost...

[retraced]

That doesn't make it easier-!

[Quickly approaching levels of sobbing tears.]

[retraced]

[He's about to explain that this was the work (as odd as it seems) of Break's Chain and that possession is unlikely if he was able to seal it away, but he's interrupted with that terrible, wet cough. Gil turns back to look at Break, sees the blood, and then turns back to Rosette with a small sigh. He takes the crosses, eying each one carefully as he arranges them how she's instructed. It never hurts to be overly cautious, he supposes.]

What are these?

[He's never seen Pandora use them in the past. Once they're arranged properly, he pulls out a handkerchief and wipes off Break's face. He's moving slower than he was before, but he doesn't look ready to pass out as he did the last time that he used Raven.]

[soul_sister]

Cross barriers. They're extremely strong spirit barriers. Most spirits will be separated from their hosts with it, but really strong ones ...

[She frowns with concern as Gilbert wipes up the blood.]

Their movement is just restricted to that area.

...

Is he okay?

[retraced]

[This must be some new tool that had been developed later. But the Mad Hatter is definitely one of the "really strong ones" that she's referring to, so leaving the crosses where they are will be fine for the meantime.

Once Break's face is cleaned off, he sits back and stares at the man a moment, letting silence linger after her question is asked. There's no way to tell if Break is okay or not; this sort of thing has never happened before. The confusion and stress of the situation is obvious on his vacant face.]

He's...

[But the reality of the situation is that Xerxes Break has always been the strongest person he's ever known. So he cracks a small, semi-comforting smile as he turns back to look at her.]

Don't worry, he's going to be fine. He just needs to rest a while.

[There's enough hesitance in his voice to be obvious that he's not convinced himself. He tenses his left hand into a fist, fingertips pressing against the seal currently suppressing the Hatter.]

[soul_sister]

[It's enough to make her fret. Maybe if they went slowly back, taking a long way around. They still might have to abandon the car and walk some distance, but she could get them much, much closer... The trouble was... do we even have any healers on this mission? Maybe Kevin ...

In the mean time, she rubs at the side of her face, thoughtfully. What had Oz called it... Chains, right?]

I guess that means he's not your Chain. I'd kind of wondered.

[retraced]

He - who, Break?

[He frowns again, that vacant expression taking back over his face.]

No, of course he's not...he's a Contractor. If he told you otherwise then he was lying.

[soul_sister]

No! He hasn't mentioned it at all.

It's just... he acts a bit like one.

[Maybe a lot. But then, she tends to have a particularly positive view of demons, for the most part...]

[retraced]

Well, it's true that he's...a bit strange.

[No arguments there.]

It's just the way he is.

[soul_sister]

Mm. That's fine.

I like him even if he's a stupid idiot.

[With that, she turns around and starts the car up again.]

[retraced]

[Had the situation been less tense, Gilbert might have even let himself laugh at her words. They sum up pretty much every relationship that Break has with anyone who can stand to be around him.

He settles back into his seat, but doesn't think to put on a seat belt. Instead, he busies himself with propping Break's unconscious body up a little more comfortably in the seat next to his.]

[overclocking]

I never said you weren't.

[ This said over his shoulder as he beats another retreat to the kitchen.

When he returns this time, he's wise enough to do the diplomatic thing — puts the glass on the bedside table rather than handing it to her directly. (Hasn't forgotten that she's actually really scary and dangerous) ]

[maddeninghatter]

[ He is duly propped up, though his head lolls forwards. But as soon as the car starts moving, he slides right back over again, slumping against Gilbert's shoulder. ]

Snnnnnxxxxxx....

[ It's somewhere between a groan and a snore. ]

1/2

[anklets]

[anklets]

You presume.

[anklets]

[Did he stutter? And he's fidgeting, too! She softens even further and even tries a smile for him.]

Well! Something like that, I'd be happy to lend a lady's advice.

[anklets]

[She casts it a doleful look, as though this second glass were an utter impingement. The reluctant inertia she had earlier succumbed to has drawn back some, leaving her irritated by all but the tiny child doing his best to mother her.

She'd never really had the chance to experience it, before.]

They'd better hurry up...

[soul_sister]

[In the mean time, the drive is.. surprisingly sedate. She takes her time, avoiding the busier roads and triangulates back towards the Strip.]

Do you think you can carry him?

[overclocking]

—Really?

[ He seems genuinely taken aback by a rare fortuitous twist of fate, and practically deflates with relief (though still red in the tips of his ears). Terrible fate avoided: attempting to pretend he knows anything about dress shopping. ]

Thank you, Lenalee.

[retraced]

I'm sure I can.

[He answers with a groan, clearly speaking from experience here. As soon as Break slumps over onto him, he leans away far enough that he can focus on whether or not he's drooling on him.]

[overclocking]

It is not your fault!

[ Says it adamantly- for both of them. The Blame Game is far too easy to play. (They can play it later, once everyone is accounted for.) ]

—Wait. That first thing you said. [ "doesn't really understand the value of money" ] I knew it. That explains so much...

[bunnivore]

Hmph.

[ even if she is clearly upset, alice doesn't protest as he tugs her along to the staircase. instead she takes this change to look around, making a minor attempt to create a mental map in her head. it doesn't work too well. ]

I dunno. [ it's hard to think about these things when gilbert is the one paying for everything! ] But if we do we'll just have to take it!

[ it is obviously impossible to take a show so she probably means the tickets... if there are tickets. whatever it takes! even forcefully. ]

[overclocking]

I'm sure they're fine.

[ His eyes drift from his impromptu charge to the sliver of Vegas skyline visible through the gap in the drapes. It's true that he's worried, but for all of his fretting, he believes his own words. He certainly wouldn't be sitting here, otherwise. ]

They'll just owe an apology or two for making us stay up late worrying.

[soul_sister]

We'll park a little ways off then.




Maybe pretend he was drunk? .... and in a fight...

He lost.

[retraced]

But he doesn't have any bruises. His clothes aren't even messed up. Not to mention that he doesn't smell like alcohol at all...

[What he fails to mention is that this isn't an invitation for her to create any of these scenarios. Just stating the facts.]