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

[maddeninghatter]

Hm, well. I suppose it might probably be all right if just the two of us slipped off to admire it...

[ He lets that hang for a moment; then shakes the ice in his glass and tips it back, drinking off the last drops of whatever inadvisable substance was in it. ]

But that wouldn't be very cute or lovable, would it?

[velveteened]

No, ( ruefully ) it wouldn't.

( but what he wonders is where this is coming from, now, whether it's a matter of thinking something has changed or just wanting to confirm either way — or if he thinks, perhaps, that he's found something that can help. a healing, maybe even, capable of working on a contract that's been tampered with; kano had suggested looking for something of the sort months ago, but then as now oz hadn't been especially eager for — well, more fiddling at it. )

I'd have to talk to her about it — she might not like having to wake up early!

( and she really wouldn't like the story behind why any of this is necessary at all. )

[maddeninghatter]

[ A dismissive wave, as the waitress pulls the empty drink from his hand and replaces it with another full one. ]

As for that, there's nothing easier. Tell her that you're going on a secret meeting tomorrow and she's not invited.

[ Emily pipes up: ]

THAT STUPID RABBIT WILL FALL FOR IT, YOU KNOW SHE WILL!

[velveteened]

( that really does make him laugh, warm and amused. )

She'd insist on coming along no matter what!

( apparently it really does take oz the time for break to knock back two drinks to finish the one, but whom that's more of a reflection on is perhaps hard to say. in any case, he nods after a moment. )

Okay.

[maddeninghatter]

Goo~oood~!

[ He scrabbles in his pocket, producing a pile of gambling chips, which he proceeds to stack up on the table in a precarious tower. ]

Eight o'clock then. It gets unpleasantly hot in the desert later in the day, so we'll do well to get it over with. Don't be laaate!

[ If there's any implied threat in that last word, that's just your imagination, Oz. ]

[velveteened]

( the chips earn something of an eyebrow raise, but it'd maybe be more surprising if break hadn't built up a collection of them by now. the cruel implicit threats do not go unnoticed, but only serve to bolster an irritatingly bright tone when he answers. )

If that's the case, I'll be sure to hurry. If it gets too hot even for you and Kevin, I wouldn't want to get stuck outside that late!

[maddeninghatter]

[ ...time for a spittake! ]

What?

[velveteened]

( big

smile )

Isn't that right?

1/3

[maddeninghatter]

[ ...aaaaand it occurs to him that if Kevin's mad crush had been obvious to him, then Oz must have spotted it a mile off. ]

[maddeninghatter]

[ Something like this probably makes him seem weak and foolish....

Which is how Oz has seen him, probably, ever since that night at the Opera house. "Weaker than I imagined, but stronger than you think you are." And hadn't they agreed, that night, that living for other people (without using them as an "excuse") makes a person stronger. ]

[maddeninghatter]

That's riiiight!

[ Also, confirming a rumor is just the same as dispelling it. But he'll still take the opportunity for a forehead poke. ]

And speaking of late, it's time for beddy-bye~! Go go go!

1/2

[velveteened]

( BULLIES EVERYWHERE )

[velveteened]

( well, the initial reaction was satisfying enough to laugh over and then go back to not thinking too hard about, so it's just as well to let the topic go. )

Wah! It's not that late at all!

( but fiiiine he's going, he's going )