gunsforhire | Log: Settling In

Entry tags:

Log: Settling In

Who: Agent Washington (OU)+open!
What: Adjusting to life in Gulch
Where: Scoping out the city (Shopping District, Park, a cafe)
When: Between October 26th and 30th
Warnings: None

York's safe house really had turned out to be a good choice. The security was good and it does make him feel better knowing that it was there. Lets him sleep more easily, when he actually manages anyway. It's better than staying in the casino with the constant noise of people outside leaving him on edge.

Getting to grips with the city is a top priority though, and has him heading out . Exploring. Scoping out is probably more accurate, treating it like he would a mission.

The shopping district seems the best place to start, busiest at least, and a good place to figure out what's normal here. The helmet store has a wide variety of them in the window, and he scans a catalogue showing enhancements and mods that are available. Some of those would be pretty useful if he's honest with himself. There's weapons shops too; nothing as heavy as the weaponry he's used to having at his disposal, but it's a start. There's a nice set of knives in there too. Now that is something he's going to have to get hold of.

He spends lunches in the park. It's a little surreal to see the covered ceiling up above and know that the sky outside could kill him, but it's nice to take off his helmet for a while. The place is climate controlled, and considering the last places he'd been at home had been a desert, an icy wasteland and a humid pit of a canyon, he's not complaining.

There's a little cafe a few minutes walk from the safehouse that stays open all night, and it's a better option to be there than sitting awake and twitchy in the safe house when he can't sleep.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"It's a big city," Wash replies. There's something about this guys voice that niggles at him, right at the back of his head. Something that just... no, he doesn't know. "Washington. Do I get the same courtesy in return?"

Epsilon smirks. "Yea, but I've traveled a lot of it working. And I'd like to think I'd have noticed a face like yours."

Washington. Odd name. But it's not impossible that multiple people have the name. "And of course you can. My name's Epsilon. Nice to meet you."

It throws him for a second, confused. Is this guy trying to hit on him? Maybe? That's not anything he's all that used to and he knows he looks like hell. "Right. If you go for the 'chronically exhausted' look."

The guy introduces himself and it's as though everything goes still and silent for a moment, everything around him pushed to the background. He'd last seen Epsilon on the ice and snow of Sidewinder, when he'd had every intention of dragging him kicking and screaming back to Control if he had to. Of course the Meta had other ideas. He wishes he was still that angry, instead of tired and still reeling from being dragged here. He thinks he'd take it better.

"Epsilon." It's a shaky exhale. No wonder the voice had pinged something in the back of his head. "Interesting name."

It's a lame response, and he knows it, but there's memories clamouring in his head and it takes most of his willpower to hold that off. First Alpha and York, now this.

Epsilon laughs at that. "Hey, if you weren't so tired, you'd just look that much better." Admittedly, he hasn't exactly been the choosiest in past relationships as well. But this guy doesn't need to hear that.

He moves to pull his own helmet off and show his face. And those eyes that, while actually a shade of blue... It's not a normal shade for eyes. "It's a family thing, being named like that."

Definitely flirting, not just friendly. And that... he doesn't know what to make of that, not when all of his attention is caught up in staring as the helmet comes off. He isn't sure what he expects. Maybe something flat and featureless, a machine. Maybe something more like Sigma in features. His Epsilon, his AI, had never had chance to decide on an appearance.

He stares. he knows he's staring. Taking in Epsilon's features, trying to fit them to the disconnected sense of self that was left behind. And his eyes... bright shining blue. It fits. "I bet." His voice sounds weak, even to himself. Has to hold it together. Too busy here, too many people. "I should... I should go."

Don't say goodbye.

Fuck.

Epsilon is a believer in a mix when he's interested in someone. And this guy hadn't pushed him away outright... But now, he's worried. And it shows very clearly in this eyes. "You okay? I wasn't trying to make you uncomfortable, Washington. If you aren't interested, say the word."

His name is Agent Washington. He is a soldier of the UNSC, not a scientist, not an AI. He was born on-

It's a litany of cold hard facts, things he knows for certain are true. Dragged back together from files and the memories that he trusts.

"I'm fine," he says, looking back up sharply, dragging his attention back to the here and now. "You just... reminded me of someone I remember."

He should be doing more. It feels like he should. He's got a mission to complete. But there's no-one here who can do anything to help him back at home, and this Epsilon wouldn't provide anything useful for them at home.

Epsilon watched Washington carefully. "You really don't look fine. Well, not in that way." Yea, Epsilon may be letting himself ramble just a little as he tries to get a better feel for the guy. "Want to talk about it?"

Has he been taking lessons from York? That definitely sounds like a York line. Whatever it is, it manages to raise the faintest of smiles from him. "That isn't a good idea. I guess you could call it a bad break-up."

He is hilarious. Obviously he missed his true calling as a comedian.

No. Epsilon definitely hasn't taken lessons from York. Just... He spends a fair bit of time in shitty bars in his wanderings. Sorry if he's not up to more sophisticated standards.

"Bad break up? Really? I've had bad. That seems like a massive understatement with how you look."

Actually, he feels a little sorry for Washington. You don't look like that for no reason. And he's out here on his own.

It's okay. Wash wouldn't know sophisticated standards if they hit him with a Warthog.

"I didn't say it was all from the breakup," he replies. "I've just had a few really terrible years."

Even before Epsilon, he hadn't always slept well.

That's really good. With Epsilon, he won't be getting much more than awful pickup lines that work when he's drunk and he's pretty sure sound awful now that he's sober.

Epsilon nods. "If it was all from the breakup? I'd be saying you're lucky to have gotten out of it. You look awful. Still, if you want to talk about it? I'm willing to listen. Either now or maybe over a drink later. My treat, and I know plenty of places for them." He's actually more curious about the guy now than anything. So, he's not that easy to push away.

Oh Epsilon, he has no idea. And Wash isn't sure how exactly to take this show of concern from the other man. He'd spoken to Epsilon, briefly, and he'd been like Church 2.0. The same sarcastic asshole. Which was to be expected maybe, when he'd been the memories and had never had chance to grow and become his own person.

He doesn't reply for a moment, mulling the idea over. What exactly was he going to talk about? And yet... he's curious. Can't help it. Epsilon as his own person. This whole city is full of ghosts and Epsilon is perhaps a more literal one.

"Sure, why not. I'm not going to turn down a drink when it's offered." And it gives him time to work out what to say.

Honestly, this Epsilon hasn't the same kinds of issues the one Wash had known has. He has entirely new ones instead. And he's his own person too.

Epsilon smirks at that. Maybe this will work out... At least, it could mean a new drinking buddy. "Then it's a date. Though, not literally, seeing as I don't even know if I'm your type." Real smooth, Epsilon. He doesn't always think. Something he has in common with the Epsilon Wash knew, at least. "At any rate, what kind of place you want to go and when? We've got choices."

He opens his mouth to reply to that, frowns, closes it again as he tries to formulate a reply. "I don't- There's not a whole lot of time for dating in the military." That seems safe enough at least. He's not entirely inexperienced, but it's never been a priority and thinking about dating in relation to any version of Epsilon is... he's not sure what to think about it.

"I'm free. Entirely. And some place that isn't ridiculously loud."

Epsilon nods. "I'm sure there isn't. Admittedly, my experience in dates has involved more getting a few too many drinks and things I regretted the next day... But I'll control myself this time." Especially as he'll be paying, and not someone who may have had ulterior motive to get Epsilon tipsy.

"Errera is out then. And the Eagle and Asp is out for the fact that I suspect the bartender might tell my family... And I don't want Omega on my case. He's embarrassing." Because, said bartender is family and all.

"I do know a few smaller places, though atmosphere and number of people I might need to avoid is the variable with other places. But you up for it tonight? I could use an excuse for a drink after recent events." Not volunteering any more than that.

"That I'm familiar with." Shore leave could get a little rowdy. Well, very rowdy. Usually involving everyone trying to avoid loud noises when they got back to their deployment.

Of course. Church bartended there. And Epsilon would be part of his family. Now that he was faced with Epsilon, he could understand Church being confused. They didn't look or sound all that alike. He forces himself not to react to the mention of Omega either. Not an argument to get into now. Things are different.

"Do you have to avoid many people?" Wash asks, a faint smile curving his lips. "Tonight sounds good. I could use a drink. It's been an interesting week."

Epsilon smirks at that. "I'm sure you are."

Well, long lost older brother he spent years looking for. It'd be awkward bringing a potentially dangerous stranger in for a date right now. That's for later times.

Epsilon shrugs. "Nothing major. A few people I don't talk to any more. I've been cutting back on the stupidity I used to do since school and work has kept me from wandering lately."

"I may have to hear what you mean by interesting." He's pleased though. "How well do you think you can find a place if I give you the address? Or do you want to pick a place to meet for me to get you there. It's not too bad a part of town."

Awkward for Wash because he doesn't trust Church, any version of him, to keep his mouth shut. He just doesn't have that sort of self-control.

"That makes sense. Everyone has the kind of person they'd rather not run into. Especially while drunk." Always the risk that you'd say something stupid, or incriminating.

"Well see," Wash replies. Interesting covers a multitude of sins. "I'm usually pretty good with directions so I should be able to find the place."

Hey, this Epsilon isn't a version of Church. And he's good at keeping his mouth shut when he wants.

"I have quite a few of them. But I'm going to be trying to keep from getting too drunk." Or might go home with the wrong person.

Epsilon nods. "I'll give you the direction and my contact information. Just in case."

"That's probably my plan too. It's been a while since I did. Not sure it'll be quite as fun as I remember it being." The last thing he wants is to start talking too much, using the wrong names. Seeing the wrong people.

"That sounds like a plan. What time do you want to meet?"

Epsilon smirks. "I'm not out of practice on drinking. I just don't want to end up needing dragged home. Or doing something you might regret. My brothers would kill me." Especially after things with Sigma. As for the wording though... Epsilon rarely regrets his own actions that far.

He thinks about it. "7 work for you, Washington?"

It's there, at the back of his tongue; you've already done the worst you can to me, but he won't understand and it'll make him look crazy and maybe there's part of him that wants to avoid hurting him because he'd eperienced how hurt Epsilon was. They're different people, he knows they're different, but he can't quite separate them in his mind.

Heh, sometimes he can't separate himself and Epsilon in his mind.

"It takes a lot to make me regret something. But I would hate to get your brothers on your case." He really doesn't know how he'd react to seeing Omega and Sigma. Badly maybe.

"Seven is fine."

Epsilon smirks. "Oh, trust me, I'm sure we could find something you'd regret. I just don't want you to. You look like you could use a chance to relax." He's not saying more on the family.

He smirks. "Looking forward to it." Giving the location of a small bar that he knows there's other options on the area if he runs into the wrong person. As well as his contact info. "Any questions? Or do you need me to send it as well?"

"I don't know, I like a challenge," Wash replies, a flash of smile with it. "But yeah, relaxing. Something I could probably use more of." He is not good at downtime recently. When he's had it, it's been alone, sleeping or training or sorting through memories, fitting the broken glass pieces back together.

"I can remember it. I guess I'll see you there."

Log: Settling In

Re: Friday, around lunchtime, at the park

Re: Friday, around lunchtime, at the park

Re: Friday, around lunchtime, at the park

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