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]

Oz...

[Even Gilbert had started to let his guard down around the end of that night.]

No one expected it.

[velveteened]

( he only exhales in response to that — it's true, and it's not like he doesn't realize that — and goes on after a beat )

Anyway, that's probably everything important. ( more like probably not even close, but who's counting. ) Sorry, your ice cream's melted, too.

( rip ice cream )

[retraced]

[Everything important? No, Gilbert ha simply said the wrong thing and forced Oz to stop talking about it before he's finished. He can tell that there's something he's holding back, and after the information that he's been so open with, he can only let his imagination run towards the worst case scenario.

His eyes move back towards the table, refusing to look at his little sad melted bowl of ice cream.]

You're more worried about the ice cream than you are about yourself...

never mind

[velveteened]

Well, I wanted to eat it.

( #PRIORITIES )

And I'm fine now.

1/2

[retraced]

[Gilbert had once begged Oz to take better care of himself in the middle of a drunken stupor. He isn't drunk now, but he still feels his eyes go wet as he stares down at the table.]

It's nothing to joke about! If you don't...cherish yourself more, then you'll...

2/2

[retraced]

[Whatever Super Cool Thing he was about to say there, he never has a chance to finish it. An old woman walking by their table at that exact moment leans over, puts a gentle hand on Gilbert's shoulder and tsk's softly at him.

"Don't worry, dear," she says with a shake of her head. "You'll find someone better."

She then walks away, leaving Gilbert wide-eyed and confused as fuck.

The ice cream continues to melt.]

1/

[velveteened]

Gil, I — 

2/

[velveteened]

( HE WAS GOING TO INTERJECT WITH SOMETHING REALLY EMOTIONAL AND TOUCHING AND FULL OF FEELINGS )

[velveteened]

( except wait what

what? )

[velveteened]

( WELL THAT SURE IS A THING THAT HAPPENED )

5/5

[velveteened]

( in the end, there's only one way to really react to something like that.

he starts to laugh. )

[retraced]

[OZ YOU'RE NOT MAKING THIS ANY EASIER he was going to be cool you don't understand.]

E-eeeeh?!

[velveteened]

Well, this is supposed to be a vacation after all. Maybe that was a little too serious.

( POKES AT HIS ICE CREAM MELT WITH THE SPOON AGAIN wow this is so unsalvageable. )

[retraced]

T-that didn't seem like a strange thing to say to you?!

[BECAUSE IT WAS PRETTY FREAKING STRANGE TO HIM.]

[velveteened]

Well, I did wonder if you'd had something to drink before I found you...

( JUST SAYING )

[retraced]

I-I DIDN'T-!

[Too flustered to realize that he's being teased. Oz pls have mercy.]

[velveteened]

Then, that's good! I was happy to hear you able to say something like that.

( before gil can recover from the teasing! )

[retraced]

[There are no words.

Only angry, blushing cheeks turning away from his young master to stare down at the ground.]

Oz. Eat your pizza.

[Grumble, grumble.]

[velveteened]

( he laughs, moving obediently to do just that — he really is hungry after all!!! — and leaving gil's hat in his lap for the time being. )

This is delicious! Even if it's a little cold, it's good.

[retraced]

[Oz's genuine, cheerful voice helps to calm him down a little bit, but he's still upset by - well, everything that's just happened in the last few minutes. Did this really look like a break-up between lovers?!

Gil rubs at his eyes, leans over to put his elbows on the table.]

Good, then you can eat mine too.

[Appetite officially lost.]

[velveteened]

( that makes him stop, frowning. )

Didn't we come here in the first place so you could eat?

[retraced]

I don't remember anymore...

[velveteened]

( sets down his pizza definitively! )

Well if you're not hungry, then neither am I.

[retraced]

[NO WE'RE NOT PLAYING THIS GAME.]

Yes you are! I can hear your stomach growling from here!

[An over-exaggeration, but.]

[velveteened]

What! No you can't!

( THAT'S REALLY RUDE )