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

[overclocking]

[ YEAH OZ SEE. Think about this next time.

Even while very inebriated, Chrono reasons that plopping down in the middle of the sidewalk will get them trampled, so he hangs left and plops down at the mouth of a nearby alleyway instead. ]

I thought we were going to the hotel... [ He says AS HE SITS ]

[velveteened]

( he trails after chrono, just as pleased to minimize the possibility of someone else commenting on his "ink" FLATTERING AS COMPLIMENTS ARE see he totally is hardcore to pass off having a tattoo

anyway.

oz moves into the alleyway as well but remains standing, leaning against the wall. )

Soon, soon! How are you feeling?

[overclocking]

Everything's fuzzy.

[ Tilts his head to look up at Oz properly, and the motion makes the world swim. ]

... Come down here.

[velveteened]

( BUT WILL HE END UP GOING BACK TO THE HOTEL SHIRTLESS IF HE DOES, HE WONDERS.

oz does after only a brief hesitation crouch down though, sitting near but not too near chrono. )

You definitely had too much to drink.

[overclocking]

I'm fine... [ Firmly, which clearly brooks no argument whatsoever. ]

[ Once Oz is more-or-less level with him, he squints through the gloom at what he can see of the incuse—not that it's necessary. He remembers what he saw. ]

[velveteened]

( oz is still fussing at what remains of the front of his shirt, pulling it as close to closed as he can. there's a lot he can and will play off, from silly to morbid, but this is one of the harder things. )

You should sleep as soon as we get back.

[overclocking]

[ Not even a drunk person would take that bait, Oz Vessalius ]

It's halfway full.

[velveteened]

You're drunk.

( while we're stating the obvious here and all. )

[overclocking]

Don't get smart with me! This is- this is a serious conversation happening.

[ It takes a moment of fishing, but he manages to procure the gold button and throw it at Oz's head. His aim is bizarrely good all things considered. Must be the power of his spite. ]

You never actually told me what happens once it's full.

[velveteened]

( AND IT LANDS, making him scowl and wince. but chrono brings up something he's been wondering, himself, and —

isn't it convenient, he thinks, the fuzzy, malleable, oft-missing memory of those who've had too much to drink. )

I've been meaning to ask you the same thing.

[overclocking]

The same thing about what?

[ HE IS INDEED SUPER FUCKIN DRUNK ]

[velveteened]

( WELL THAT'S GOOD, makes him braver in asking )

Contractors. What happens to them in your world, in the end?

[overclocking]

[ He doesn't respond for a long moment—long enough that it might seem as if no answer is forthcoming—when something in his expression seems to slam shut, going oddly blank. ]

They die.

[velveteened]

( he notices that — of course, chrono must've had other contractors before rosette, must be dreading this for rosette, and it makes him hesitate before continuing. )

That's it?

( still horrible, but a quiet death seems less... )

[overclocking]

[ Even through the fog in his mind, Chrono manages something like quiet, disbelieving anger. That Mary's death and Rosette's suffering might be reduced to two insignificant words like that. ]

"That's it"?

Their souls are destroyed slowly and painfully. Yes. That's it.

[velveteened]

— sorry.

( it was a thoughtless way to ask, and an insensitive thing to in the first place. )

I was wondering if there was...

( anything else. but never mind that; he moves to stand. )

If we stay here too long, the others will probably come looking.

( if there's anyone sober left, anyway )

[overclocking]

[ He's jolted from his anger as quickly as it came, blinking up as Oz stands. ]

What time is it...?

[ Moves to follow and- has to catch himself on the wall behind him. WOW GROUND OK YOU JUST GO WHEREVER YOU WANT. ]

[velveteened]

Late.

( he doesn't actually know, and heaven forbid he say a time that chrono thinks isn't too late at all. )

We should hurry.

[overclocking]

[ Steadies himself and manages to get feet functioning properly once more, glancing around in vain. He has no idea where they are. ]

Lead the way.

[velveteened]

( luckily, oz does know where they are and more or less the way back — the tall, flashy buildings with clearly designated names help too — and so he leads the way without hesitation. )

[overclocking]

[ Chrono follows along slowly but steadily, occasionally bumping shoulders with passerby, but otherwise silent as they make their way back to the hotel and up to their rooms. ]

[velveteened]

( oz pauses when they reach chrono's, expectantly.

did he take a room key with him.... )

[overclocking]

[ Chrono looks back at Oz, just as expectantly. ]

What...? [ Key??????? ]

[velveteened]

Do you have your key?

( he's not optimistic here )

[overclocking]

[ He digs through one pocket, slowly... the the other pocket...

... ]

No?