Aw hell, it's about time. [Open!]

[expendable-mind.livejournal.com]

After he sent the message over the comms, Splicer relaxed back at the DJ booth and closed his eyes, losing himself to the beats of the music... Alex would have been happy here... he thought, remembering one of the people who had helped him with the idea, but wasn't with them anymore.

Down the street and around one of the many corners of the city,  stands a large building. Four floors worth to be exact, of what could have been a warehouse, or an office building of sorts. Now however, the windows are tinted, and there’s a big neon sign up front with the words “Hunter’s Pad”. The black double doors of this building are never locked, for the owner of the place wants anyone who wishes to come and enjoy themselves at any time. Agent 779, code name Splicer, has been hard at work, making a place that people can come and hang out at.

The place works as both a club, and an arcade, so anyone of any age group can just come to relax and enjoy themselves. Granted the place only has water, it was meant as a hangout spot for those who wanted somewhere else to relax aside from the options already available to them on the ship.

The fourth floor is reserved for his home, where he can be reached easily through the comm. system if you ever need him for anything. The third floor holds the Arcade, where he hooked up and fixed many of the machines that he could get his hands on and uploaded his vast collection of games unto different styles of arcade style machines including but not limited to driving/flying sims, shooters, fighters, rpg’s, fps’, survival etc. The second floor was made into a lounge of sorts. Couches he brought up with some help and tables set in a comfortable black and blue futuristic space style. It’s meant for mingling or to just kick back for a few.

The first floor is where the magic happens, a dance floor large enough for a large party and a DJ booth where he usually throws some electronic beats but is not opposed to getting requests for specific styles of music. The music never stops, whether he’s at the booth or not. Why limit people’s fun when he’s sleeping? There’s monitoring and an automated system on the booth for when he’s not around as well as a security system.

The basement has a game area of sorts as well as the supply room where he tries to keep things stocked. The items usually kept there are extra water, snacks (which are used sparingly between shore leaves), as well as normal establishment supplies like napkins, table cloths, holiday decorations and other miscellaneous items.

Anyone’s welcome to crash if they need to, and anyone’s welcome to have a good time at Hunter’s Pad!

 

[[OOC: Feel free to make a post or join the subthreads/locations and from now on you can use the place to start your own threads or meet people or plan parties!]]

Comments

[morphitudinous]

"And you're the life of the party now," Billy complimented, reaching up to brush her hair back. "How do you dance like that? So...free."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

She blushed and looked away embarrassed at the compliment.

"I... I jus' had a lot of time to do so in the privacy of my room... Well that and... And the fact that my fighting style relies a lot on that sort of movement. Which is why I'm a blade dancer."

With a small smile she paused, looking up at him with a happy expression. "It makes me feel really good, both on and off the field. It feels so alive and free and just... real I guess." She didn't know how to exactly explain it. It was all emotional to her and it made her feel right.

[morphitudinous]

"I'll bet that you're fantastic on the battlefield." What a sight. One that Billy would never match, no matter how competent he became. "When I watch, I feel some of that excitement from you."

He was a little envious, but he wouldn't admit that. "Have you found a dance partner out here yet?"

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae blushed, but didn't look away. Instead, her hands went up and around his shoulders, pulling him down to her just as she stood on the tips of her toes to place her lips on his.

She closed her eyes, smiling into it as she parted her lips slightly to taste his lips. It was a taste she never tired of and she imagined she never would.

Once she moved back to look up at him she giggled, "You really get excited f-from watching me?" She asked curiously before looking around, not seeing anyone else enjoying the place.

"I... I don't know, it's hard to choose with all the choices out here isn't it?" She teased, looking a bit bashful.

[morphitudinous]

Ronnae's kisses had a definite side effect of downsizing his worries. Billy returned the pressure a little more energetically than usual, reflecting how he felt. He even tried pressing against her to the beat of the music around them.

"Absolutely. I'm thrilled. You're gorgeous, hon, and you make it look so simple."

To that last bit, he blushed and joined right in. "Not that you need one, of course. You shine brightly on your own. I only see a guy with two left feet."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

She giggled, moving one of her long bangs behind her ear. "Really? Where? I only see the sweetest man ever~" She mused as she moved back, holding onto his hands and pulling him along playfully.

"I think I m-might ask him out." a small blush appearing on her face. "What do you think?"

[morphitudinous]

"That's a lot of men to have inspected," Billy pointed out, laughing and letting himself be pulled along.

"You'll want to watch out for him. A man with a little knowledge is a dangerous one---and he's learned how to tango," he winked.

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

A small giggle escaped her lips as they reached the center.

"Oh? I admit that knowledge is a v-very powerful weapon but... I think I've learned how to h.... h-handle him well enough I'd t-think." The thought made her blush as the words left her lips.

It wasn't very much like her to open her emotions to anyone, but Billy always made her feel comfortable. And thoughts of their more private moments couldn't help but surface at the words, making the warmth reach the tips of her long ears.

[morphitudinous]

Ronnae wasn't the only one with reddened ears. She sure handled him well. With a blush, he shuffled his arms around to hold her for a dance. Which way that went depended on the next song.

"And he likes the way he's handled," Billy grinned. "He wouldn't mind returning the favor, actually," he suggested, trailing his fingers along the back of her shoulders. "Would she trust him?"

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

The action sent pleasant shivers up her spine, making her body relax onto his as she placed her ear to his chest. There it was, that sound and feeling she loved so much. That familiar heartbeat that was hers alone. Every moment she spent besides it always made her feel as if nothing could go wrong.

Almost as if on queue, thanks to their friendly psionics user, the music mellowed, something more slow and soothing. The lighting on the place matched the mood with a pleasant mellow color instead of the vibrant erratic colors more attuned for electronic music.

Ronnae blushed and pressed her body against his, her arms moving around into an embrace. "She does... She... she trusts him more than anyone will ever know... I... I've n-never given myself to anyone willingly... Except to him.... That means more than anything ever will and nothing can take that from us..." She looked up at him, eyes watery but a smile clearly on her face.

[morphitudinous]

The odd dissonance of the vibrant and wild dance floor and their quiet moment didn't matter much to Billy. He leaned down to kiss her forehead just before the shift, happy as ever to have her there.

Shortly after, the slow dance began. Billy shifted his embrace to gently start guiding them in a dance, one step then two.

"He still can't believe he can have so much value, especially from a woman as wonderful as...you. You stole my heart, don't forget that. And I couldn't be happier."

Three steps, four steps. He's not perfectly smooth in this, but they're not doing too badly all things considered.

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

"D-did I? R-really?" She asked in a small hopeful voice. To have made such a big impression on someone she loved so much meant the world to her. To hear that she was the owner of his heart made her own swell with that emotion she had forsaken so many years ago. Maybe it was time she started to believe in it herself?

She followed his movements, not wanting to move too apart from him.

[morphitudinous]

"If not at the first meeting, definitely by the second or third. I just couldn't admit to myself that you had right away."

Billy swayed on the floor, starting a slow spin with Ronnae. He focused on the music and her eyes for a few moments, letting himself get lost in this feeling. Everything felt just fine.

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Those words sent a rush of emotions through her entire being, making her eyes gloss with emotion. She blushed, letting her body be swayed and spun around slowly as she kept her gaze on his.

As they slowed to a stop, her hands tug on his lightly, pulling him down into a slow, yet deep kiss. The wetness of the happy tears running down her face could be felt upon his skin as their lips touched.

[morphitudinous]

"It's okay," Billy whispered against her lips as they met, steadily massaging the backs of her hands. And it was okay. He breathed in her warmth, fixated on just how good things could be. This kiss was deep, almost as though they were falling together and didn't care.

When they finally started to feel short on air, he drew back just enough to nuzzle the wet spots on her cheek---that now transferred to his nose, of course.

"Even love has its limits, though. There's no way you'd mold me into a fantastic dancer like you," he teased gently.

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

She laughed lightly at his joke, smiling right after as she looked up into his gaze. He really was wonderful wasn't he?

"All it takes is practice, really! And the passion to do so, just like we are in engineering. You didn't just start being so darn good at it did you? Then again, I wouldn't put it past you!" She teased back with a light giggle.

[morphitudinous]

"My parents might've said I did," Billy answered honestly, remembering his family for the first time in a while. His mother had been so shocked. Those days, when his parents could have been a part of his life...they were nice, he thought.

Now was not a good time to start missing them, though.

"But you know...when I said I knew how to tango, that wasn't another joke. I've had lessons, and while I might not appear as fluid and...uh...sensual as you, I've managed to avoid tripping myself. So it's not all lost."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

"Really? That's pretty neat~" she added with a smile, nuzzling onto him.

"You'll have to show me one of these days. I'd like to see that for sure~"

Her gaze shifted up to meet his... There was still so much she wanted to ask, so much she wanted to know... So many doubts that still pricked and stabbed at her heart. But right now, looking at his face, his eyes, his smile... they could wait... She just wanted to be held, be wanted, be loved by him.

She held on a bit tighter, "We'll.... We'll be alright.... right?" She asked in a small wavery voice.

[morphitudinous]

"Private lessons. Gotcha." With a wink, he leaned down to pepper her face with a few more kisses. She was so cute that he couldn't help himself.

He shifted closer when he felt the serious tone take hold, squeezing her so tightly. Ronnie wasn't going to be let go. "Of course. We might have to knock down a few doors to save each other again, but we can trust each other to do that. And if you're still worried about Kimberly, don't be. She'll accept you, I know without a doubt that she will."

"...and thankfully we never thought about being more than friends," he added quietly, a blush coming up at the awkward things that had happened to them in their early Ranger days.

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

The last comment sent a sudden heat all over her face... and unpleasant thoughts surging through her mind.

Haven't you ever wondered what they meant by being bonded? You know... closer than normal right? It was as if Lash was speaking to her again... but her voice sounded colder this time... more mocking-like.

It wasn't long till the thoughts began to get mixed with the usual assortment of laughs and thoughts that plagued her mind daily... He'd be better of with his kin won't he? What would he want with you? Damaged goods were never the top of the platter remember? Do you really want to burden him? He already used you, let him play a bit longer, then he can be on his way, just like everyone else right?

Ronnae suddenly jumped back from his grip, a bit shaky. She needed to get away, and fast. She needed to shut these thoughts from her mind and her life... she didn't want to believe them anymore and yet...


"I... I'm s-sorry B-Billy... I need... I need to go f-for a few...." Her voice wavered as she turned and ran out of the establishment, not looking back. Images of the nobles laughing... Where was she? The school.... Their grins, their chatter, their words... their touch...

She ran into the city, wanting to outrun the memories that made up her reality...

[morphitudinous]

"Ronnie! Oh...man. Just a screw up once again, Cranston. You've probably really done it this time."

Just like that, any hope of a happy thought for the rest of the night broke. He slunk off to a corner of the club, starting that night's activity: banging his head against the wall. Not particularly productive, but what else could he do? She couldn't listen, not for a little while. Maybe with enough thumps he'd know what to say when he saw her again.

[expendable-mind.livejournal.com]

Soon enough, Billy would feel a pat on the back as a bottle of cold water came into view as the man holding it whistled.

"Didn't go well I take it? Should I have used another song chief?" he said in his relaxed voice, eying the man through his shades.

[morphitudinous]

"You're not the one broadcasting the wrong sounds, I am," Billy mumbled darkly, now nursing a massive headache. That was what head-banging (and not the fun rock music kind) would do to you.

"No great song can make up for my horrible mouth."

[expendable-mind.livejournal.com]

"It was less of your horrible mouth, and more of what's on her mind. Sorry if I pried into yer girls thoughts... I was jus' curious as to what made her run away so hurriedly." His words definitely sounded sincere, lending a comforting land on Billy's shoulder.

[morphitudinous]

Billy ducked his head, raking a frustrated hand through his hair. "I don't want to know. She already has problems trusting my intentions and sincerity, It would be wrong of me to willfully violate her privacy."

He sighed, then leaned in whatever direction the wall was. "I just wish she knew she could openly discuss her doubts with me, or maybe even trust my answers."