Summertime [Open]

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

Zouichi sat by a the mirrored black water of a small pond. Nearby, a wisteria plant was coming into bloom, dangling its delicate, curved violet flowers toward the earth.

As promised, a tray of chilled watermelon slices was set to the side, near the wooden steps leading down to the garden and free for any passersby to take. For his part, however, Zouichi occupied himself with feeding a small group of googly-eyed baby goldfish, who darted back and forth through the water to gobble up stray flakes of fish food.

It was nice to take a break from exploding ghost wolves lions once in a while.

Comments

[quick_strike]

Oh boy, Alend got the message and if there was one thing she jumped at on this ship, it was fresh fruit. She may have not known what a watermelon was exactly but the term 'melon' was pretty universal. So she invited herself without warning. Without any greeting, she grabs a slice and takes a small bite of it.

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

Zouichi looked up to see Alendian there; he gave her a little wave. "I didn't know you were such a fan. You can get more of them on the planet, you know."

Maybe it was a good decision to set aside the rest of the melon inside.

[quick_strike]

"Fresh food should always be relished." Any hot comment she had was washed away by the fresh, cleansing taste of watermelon. Alend did make a note to visit the planet at some point to get some more fruits if required. But right now, what mattered most was what was in front of her.

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

Well, Zouichi wasn't a huge expert on food, but he imagined it was nice to get fruit instead of slop once in a while. "Well, if and when the trees here start producing cherries, I'll be sure to keep you in mind. Did you enjoy the movies?"

He was guessing the answer was 'no'.

[quick_strike]

"Awful and unrealistic." She plucked a seed from her mouth and kept it in her hand. There were uses for these kind of things. "But in a somewhat acceptable way."

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

"Well, I do believe that was the point. Although I'm still not quite sure why people find bad movies so enjoyable." He glanced over at Alendian, noting the seed. "Planning to plant one?"

[quick_strike]

"Ask yourself that." She flicked the seed up into the air with her thumb and caught it again.

"That is what I plan on, yes."

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

Zouichi tried not to smile at the mental image of Alendian with a watering can and a shovel. "Do you have a place already staked out? Alastirra is maintaining a garden in Hydroponics."

[quick_strike]

"No but I will find something." Alendian would like to remind Zouichi that being a warrior didn't mean being one 24/7. Laugh it up.

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

He would offer to get her a garden trowel and a big, floppy mom hat to go with it, but.

"Have you been enjoying our shore leaves?"

I SAW THAT

[quick_strike]

Not willing to risk the consequences? Alendian may just be that scary.

"Yes and no. It is something to do but not something to enjoy."

NO YOU DIDN'T YOU'RE NOT MY REAL MOM

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

"Oh? And what is something to enjoy?"

Seriously Alendian did you just walk around the ship not having fun?

DON'T MAKE ME DO THIS

[quick_strike]

She gives him a nasty smile in response. Do you really want to know what she enjoys? "The things I like are most likely beyond your understanding."

OH IT'S MAKEDED

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

What was it, weird alien porn? Canasta?

"Don't tell me; you're secretly the Scrabble champion of the entire multiverse." Well, whatever, if Alendian wanted to be secretive about it, so be it.

/PUNCHES

[quick_strike]

"No." She doesn't even know what Scrabble is. "I enjoy humor. Not the sort that you would."

Now Zouichi is imagining stand up comedian Alendian.

/HRRGH

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

"Everyone's a critic. All right, so tell me a joke."

Do it Alendian do it do it.

[quick_strike]

Instead of complying, Alendian shook her head. To handily stave off a reply, she took another bite of watermelon. Try again, Zouichi.

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

All the disappointment. Zouichi had been looking forward to hearing all about whaaaaat is up with those Black Templars.

Oh, well. He removed his gloves, placing them neatly on the bank, then rearranged a few of the rocks at the bottom of the pond to give the baby fish a place to hide. Apparently, they'd need it with Emergency Rations around.

"Has the Farseer spoken with you about the Daligig?"

[quick_strike]

No Seinfeld jokes for you, Zouichi.

"I have heard words about them here and there but nothing in depth. My opinion is already formed, however. I wish to have nothing to do with them."

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

What awww.

So the answer was no.

"Then it might be a little difficult for you to help capture one," he said, not looking up from the pond.

[quick_strike]

You worded it like that on purpose, didn't you Zouichi. You now have Alendian's complete and utter attention.

"You are going to...? I insist on being along."

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

He was sneaky that way.

Zouichi shook his head. "First, we need to plan -- watch their movements, see which of them might have the information we need. And there is also the matter of who else to include in the operation."

There. A nice, shady hiding spot. One of the little fish approached it, curious.

"But I believe it was more or less a given that you'd be asked."

[quick_strike]

"Of course I would be asked. Which among us can arrive and leave without a trace?"

She wasn't worried that she hadn't heard about it yet, though. Farseers had their ways and messing with the skeins of fate would always prove to be bad without guidance.

"Now I do know about it, however."

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

"Speaking of which, how many people can you carry when you're teleporting? Just yourself?"

Well, was she worried that Zouichi did know about it?

[quick_strike]

"I can carry others if it came down to that but I would not take you." And there were good reasons for that.

"You would fall prey to the Warp. Become taint and influenced in ways you would never wish to be. That flailing black and white Space Marine may be a fool but his thoughts on those who have been tainted are appropriate."