overjoyed_logs | [closed] various prompts

[ Peter, much to his internal jaw gritting, is excruciatingly aware of the particulars here; his parents had stayed out of that mess, thank the trees, and if the time comes while he's still living, while he suspects he'll feel all the inherent nostalgia stemming from really, truly breaking away from a person's first home--in the end it's just land, and he believes in the value of the Accords. He's not naive enough to think they're not convenient shackles for the company, but they also represent the idea that hard work ultimately pays off.

So. He's used to turning an amicable but certain shoulder away this; from the sounds of what's going on just over there, the young woman he idly clocked as a person who catalogues everything about his surroundings definitely is not. It's probable he would have sidled over without the telegraphed ask for assistance, but that clinches it.

He shifts the bag he's carrying to a hip, no use putting it down unless things get dicey, but. Experience has taught him, for instance, not to wander around unarmed, so there's that. ]

Thanks, but no thanks. [ A little lift of his chin, inclined toward his very new acquaintance-- ] That goes for both of us.

[So far, Steph has found herself to be pretty capable of dealing with most things that come her way. It's reassuring, especially when she figured out that her aim with the Company supplied pistol was pretty good, but her real concerns aren't about personal safety in the immediate sense, so much as about someone figuring out that she's an imposter, that she doesn't have any damn idea what she's doing.

Should she care about this, the True Leithian nonsense? Will it make her obvious if she doesn't?

It's a relief when Peter steps in partly because he's a distraction, but also because it confirms that not everyone on Leith has to be so aggressive about the Accords.

The "preacher" is a little less appreciative of Peter's response.

You and your daughter will be on the wrong side of history if you don't support the cause.

There's a lot to unpack there, but Steph is, mostly, horrified at the apparently conclusion this guy has drawn about her relationship to a complete stranger.]

What? I'm not-- He isn't--

[Everything happens so much.]

[ Peter's ability to make unimpressed faces has been honed to a fine point by a year with Neal, so this one goes on for decades. ]

You guys make a lot of assumptions about genetics for somebody so obsessed with 'em. [ So, you know. No relation. ] Tell you what. If the wrong side of history is the not racist one? I'm okay with that.

[ He inclines his head just a little bit at Steph, brows up, amicable. ]

You okay with that?

[ It's just a guess, but he imagine she might be, ha ha. Also: what the hells are True Leithians, anyway? Planetists?? Birthers?? Whatever they are (racists), that's apparently not the answer their evangelizing friend is looking for, as he turns a couple shades redder and jabs a finger at Peter's chest. ]

[A response is on the tip of her tongue, an agreement with Peters assessment of the situation that she really isn't interested joining up with their cause.

But then the guy jabs Peter in the chest and there's a flare of anger at someone who was trying to do the right thing being targeted. It's drawing attention to herself to speak up, but she can't just ignore it.]

Are you sure you want to do this with a Company employee present?

[It isn't really pulling rank, just a quiet reminder that there are people around who take issue with True Leithians, and those people aren't really the people you want the attention of.

Luckily, it seems to give the man pause, and though he still looks angry, he takes a half step back from Peter.]

[ Peter's gaze flickers from this suddenly aggressive forefinger to Steph, seeing a new layer to someone he's just met. It make sense that drawing on Company clout would straighten a person's spine a little, so he accepts that as the Occam's Razor rationale, but--it makes him wonder, nonetheless.

Meanwhile, casually dropping the RAC agent thing might actually be pulling rank, since the Company is, in the present sense, a much more viable source of authority. Peter's glad he doesn't have to decide either way. ]

Thanks. No one here wants trouble, right?

[ This is actually directed at the man backing up, although he shot Steph a grateful look. He just wants to devote more than a single syllable to her in a minute here. ]

When you decide to serve your home, we'll still be here.

[ -- is the parting shot administered, if sullenly. The next target of this delightful sales pitch is a woman selling colored glass a few stalls over, enough that Peter keeps an eye out of his periphery - force of habit - but for the most part focuses on Steph. ]

A guy can't even get groceries anymore.

[ Delivered in an excess of dry. ]

[As soon as it's clear the man has changed targets, Steph's shoulders drop in relief, before she shoots Peter an apologetic look, feeling a little responsible for dragging him into that.

But his dry response earns a half-smile.]

You think I should've told him I'm just a pilot?

[Not anyone important, really, it's just that the Company name offers a little protection, at least on Leith.]

And miss the look on his face? Nah.

[ He stoops down ~~approximately seven miles~~ to pick up his bag, extending the other hand for greetings of whatever kind; being who he is as a person and all, Peter defaults to handshake. ]

Peter. Not-so-true-a-Leithian, looks like.

[Okay, well, that gets a proper smile, and she's more than happy with a handshake.]

Steph, a Leithian-that-doesn't-even-own-land.

[She could care less about the Accords, though she's sure plenty of people would complain about those dangerous Westies moving to peaceful Leith.]

Between you and me, you're probably better off.

[ That's a joke, but also, given the symptomatic nature of what just happened, also not. So he's only smiling with half his mouth, but it's also genuine; Peter is the kind of person who has to really work to hide his feelings from shrieking out of his face and body language, and usually he doesn't bother trying. ]

Edited (like. don't hit enter before you're actually finished, me.) 2017-02-20 22:48 (UTC)

I'm sure it must be very difficult for you.

[Unlike his half-grin, Steph's smile is all there but with a hint of a smirk to it, almost like she might be teasing him.

In her defense, he started with jokes, and this is easier territory for her.]

[ There's clearly a second where Peter is weighing something, then his whole bearing relaxes a little; apparently communicating this way will be all right. Easier territory indeed, even if Peter has to force it juuuust a little what with how they met five minutes ago. That kind of thing is easier when he knows a person. ]

Yeah, it's a real burden. So how's a person grow up here and not get stuck in all this?

[ She hasn't said as much, he's just observant. And hopefully not infomodding. ]

Edited 2017-03-04 15:29 (UTC)

[That's a question she'd love the answer to, but it's as much of a mystery to her as it is to Peter. Luckily she's good at working on the fly.]

My dad was Company, that makes it a little easier to avoid unwanted speeches.

[closed] various prompts

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lmao no you're fine