alnifolia | open rp post 2.0

[ He snorts. ]

I dunno, I'm a growing boy. Pretty sure I need the protein.

[ And she, in turn, chuckles. ]

Please don't. You're already a giant, Peter.

[ She pulls away from the railing entirely so she can move and stand straight just in front of him, holding her hand up flat as though to measure her height, and then his. ]

See? Even leaning back a bit you're way too tall.

[ The gesture makes his smile widen, and he tilts his head a little to one side. ]

I'm pretty sure I'm the perfect height. Sorry to say it, Hana, but I'm pretty sure you're just on the short side.

[ She uses that same hand to gesture dismissively at him before she swings her hip to one side, her hands on her hips. ]

I'm petite, and also good things come in small packages, so whatever.

[ He breathes out a laugh, putting on a slightly dubious expression. ]

You sure that's not something that short people tell themselves to feel better?

Wow, wouldn't it just be terrible if I shoved you over the railing?

[ A small smirk. ]

Probably, considering I've got a lot further to fall than you do.

[ Flatly, ] Ha.

[ She folds her arms across her chest, tilting her head as her unimpressed expression gives way for something more playful. ]

Well, at least I got you to smile a little. At the expense of my height, but still.

[ He ducks his head a little, though the smile doesn't quite leave his face. ]

Sorry.

Would it be childish to point out you started it?

Well, yeah I did. I'm an easy target for the height talk.

[ She started it on purpose. ]

But the smile suits your face more, so I think I'd call that a win on my end.

What, you don't go in for the dark and brooding type? I thought for sure most people found that attractive.

[ She can't help but give an amused grin at that. ]

Oh, so you've been dark and brooding this whole time to attract people, huh?

[ He spreads his hands. ]

C'mon. It's kinda been working, right?

[ She hums thoughtfully, then: ]

I mean, probably? I'm sure people noticed you in there.

[ And as for herself... ]

Pretty sure I'm the wrong person to ask, though.

[ This conversation took an unexpected turn, he thinks, and her answer gives him pause once again. He wonders if maybe they've crossed another one of those uncomfortable lines – more his hang-ups than hers, he grants – and he slowly lets out a breath. ]

Right. 'Course.

[ His gaze flits off again to the other guests on the terrace with them. A dozen people with them. Two more stepping out with glasses in hand, the noise from the club lancing through the relative quiet before the doors swing shut once more. All of them paying him and Goto absolutely no mind, of course, but that doesn't stop Peter from being at least a little suspicious of each of them. Old habits.

He clears his throat. ]

I'm pretty sure I owe you a drink for playing therapist, just now.

[ Unexpected, sure; as much as Kasumi would have wanted to keep playing along, the last time she flirted with him too much didn't end too well, considering he vanished for months shortly thereafter. She steps away from to take her former place beside him by the railing, this time leaning with her back against him like he is. ]

You don't owe me anything, Quill, but if this is you trying to get away for a second, then feel free. I won't say no to a free drink.

[ He shakes his head a little. ] It’s the least I can do, honestly.

[ He gestures toward the door. ] You can come with, if you want. Probably best if you do, in fact, so I don’t end up coming back with some pink monstrosity just because the bartender said, “This is the kinda drinks ladies like.”

[ She laughs a little before she crosses her arms and quirks a brow at him. ]

You sure my tagging along won't ruin your sexy, dark and brooding vibe?

Nah. You're the only one I'm looking to impress tonight.

[ but he falters even as he says it. Was that tipping his hand too much? He grimaces, hiding it by ducking his head and pulling a hand through his hair, and tries to recover. ]

So? In or out?

[ ... Huh. Kasumi could have easily attributed what he says to just. You know, the usual mindless flirtation that doesn't mean anything. But the way he falters and folds into himself after surprises her, and... he's not really lying, is he. She's seen him lie before. She knows he's damned good at it. This is different, she knows it, and it makes her heart twist a little. Because if he really wasn't lying just now, then maybe there's something there. But he'd already cut her off once; he could do it again. ]

... In. Free drink, and I don't even have to steal it.

[ She pushes off the railing and whirls around to face him, trying for a lighthearted look because that's easier than asking him what just happened. She looks back over her shoulder at the door that leads back into the bar. ]

It's pretty packed in there. Guess we'll have to stay close, huh?

... Yeah, seems like it.

[ He pushes away from the railing in turn, moving a step or two past her and hesitantly offering a hand. He adds wryly, ]

You'll protect me if that buddy of yours comes back for revenge, right?

[ She looks perplexed at first, but then-- ]

Oh. Him. Yeah, you can leave that one to the expert here.

[ She smirks at him even as she similarly hesitantly takes his hand. And tries not to think about how nice that feels. ]

[ He deadpans, ] My hero. [ Before leading them back into the club.

Goto's hand is warm in his, and if he wasn't so good at compartmentalizing, it might have driven him to distraction. As it is, he wastes an entire second thinking simply, Oh, before he spurs himself into motion.

The bar is a different animal than the terrace, and Peter waits at the door to let his eyes adjust to the dim lighting. The music's bass pulses through the floor, the scent of alcohol heavy in the air, and Peter guides the two of them to the bar once again. It takes some doing, given the throng of people inside, many of whom are three sheets to the wind and dancing wildly. Once or twice, Peter's forced to pull Kasumi close to his side as some turian or salarian flails around, vaguely in time with the music. He grinned apologetically each time.

He pulls them up to a spot at the bar and catches a bartender's attention. Once the two of them have ordered their drinks, Peter pauses, lips pursed, then, raising his voice to be heard over the cacophony, ]

This place kinda stinks, huh?

[ She doesn't mind when he pulls her in, at the very least it's much better than getting smacked in the face by turian claw hands, and at most it's--nice. To be close to Quill, somehow.

Kasumi orders what can only be described as the pink monstrosity that Peter mentioned earlier, because of course she does. She props an elbow onto the bar as they wait, resting her chin on her hand and casting a sidelong glance out at the people dancing just a few feet away. She keeps close to him so they don't have to shout too much at each other. ]

Do you mean that figuratively? Because literally works too, just saying.

[ As their drinks arrive, he takes one glance at the drink placed in front of Kasumi before turning toward her, giving her a flat look that seemed to say, Are you being serious? without as many words.

Her question draws a chuckle from him, and he tips his head to one side in concession – fair point. The sharp, bitter smell of alcohol and thick, humid air hangs in the room, even despite its high ceilings. ]

I meant more metaphorically, but you’re right. They could probably stand to hang a few pine tree air fresheners in here.

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