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① Pick a character ② Pick a prompt (or DIY) (shamelessly and selectively pilfered from ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small} bakerstreet's Random Scenario Meme)③ Do the thing!. table code by betterdolphin | |
[The pause doesn't escape Garrus' notice. Neither does the almost surprising positivity. Not that Kasumi isn't an optimistic individual; Garrus had found her to be one of the more chirpier members of the Normandy Crew back in the day, but she also had some kind of quip hidden up her sleeve, and boot, and hoot, and so on and so forth. It's not something that needs notice called to it just yet, and Garrus' detective tendencies pushed him towards worming his way down to the source rather than demanding it outright. Sometimes. Other times he preferred to try and force the answer another way, but Kasumi never did anything to earn any such treatment.]
Glad to hear it. It's good to see you, too.
I hear Shepard's been putting you to work. Find anything interesting?
Glad to hear it. It's good to see you, too.
I hear Shepard's been putting you to work. Find anything interesting?
[ She tilts a head at him and, shrouded as her expression may be, quirks a brow. ]
Garrus, please. Nothing I ever do produces uninteresting results. But I've been hitting Cerberus bases and such here and there to... curate some pieces for the Crucible.
[ By "curate," she means steal, of course. ]
So, a lot of rare tech. And I still do my own jobs on the side, of course.
[ And then she shrugs. It wouldn't do to delve into too much detail about things like her running heists to help refugees (because how awful would it be if anyone found out she was being altruistic) or about her team-ups with a rather peculiar group of misfits from another quadrant of the galaxy, one of whom she may or may not be intimately involved with...?
Even so, even through her shop talk, there's a general... difference about Kasumi. Where her playfulness and chipper personality usually has that undertone of melancholy beneath, today she seems... genuinely happy? What? ]
Garrus, please. Nothing I ever do produces uninteresting results. But I've been hitting Cerberus bases and such here and there to... curate some pieces for the Crucible.
[ By "curate," she means steal, of course. ]
So, a lot of rare tech. And I still do my own jobs on the side, of course.
[ And then she shrugs. It wouldn't do to delve into too much detail about things like her running heists to help refugees (because how awful would it be if anyone found out she was being altruistic) or about her team-ups with a rather peculiar group of misfits from another quadrant of the galaxy, one of whom she may or may not be intimately involved with...?
Even so, even through her shop talk, there's a general... difference about Kasumi. Where her playfulness and chipper personality usually has that undertone of melancholy beneath, today she seems... genuinely happy? What? ]
Of course.
[The galaxy's elevators had a shared habit of grinding along at an almost painfully slow pace, so there's plenty of time for Garrus to narrow his eyes and analyze Kasumi a bit more, because hey, that's what paranoid ex-cop turned vigilante turned advisers do. He leans against the elevator wall and crosses his arms across his barrel shaped chest, his mandibles flicking with each thought.
Then it hits.]
So, does one of those jobs have a name, or am I gonna have to do an extranet search for him?
[The galaxy's elevators had a shared habit of grinding along at an almost painfully slow pace, so there's plenty of time for Garrus to narrow his eyes and analyze Kasumi a bit more, because hey, that's what paranoid ex-cop turned vigilante turned advisers do. He leans against the elevator wall and crosses his arms across his barrel shaped chest, his mandibles flicking with each thought.
Then it hits.]
So, does one of those jobs have a name, or am I gonna have to do an extranet search for him?
[ --Wait, what?
Shit, Kasumi. Were you being that obvious? It's time to revisit that "cool and collected" demeanor you thought you'd perfected to a tee, because apparently Garrus can see right through it now.
Well, she could give the turian some credit, too.
Which is absolutely why she's going to deflect, and make Garrus really work to confirm his (rather correct) assumption. Gosh. ]
I don't know what you're talking about.
[ Smooth. ]
Shit, Kasumi. Were you being that obvious? It's time to revisit that "cool and collected" demeanor you thought you'd perfected to a tee, because apparently Garrus can see right through it now.
Well, she could give the turian some credit, too.
Which is absolutely why she's going to deflect, and make Garrus really work to confirm his (rather correct) assumption. Gosh. ]
I don't know what you're talking about.
[ Smooth. ]
Oh please, Kasumi. I grew up with a younger sister and a father who would polish his whole damn gun collection whenever she brought a guy home. I know when someone's hiding a boyfriend.
[He tilts his head down and just kind of stares at her, waiting for her to break. His arms stay crossed and he otherwise stays silent. Just like he'd seen Papa Vakarian do so many times before.
Goddammit Kasumi you're making him act like his dad.]
[He tilts his head down and just kind of stares at her, waiting for her to break. His arms stay crossed and he otherwise stays silent. Just like he'd seen Papa Vakarian do so many times before.
Goddammit Kasumi you're making him act like his dad.]
[ She chuckles and shakes her head. Hard to argue against that, and although Kasumi has more than enough reasons to not talk about her relationship out in the open--this is Garrus we're talking about, here. If there's anyone from her time on the Normandy that she'd trust with her personal details after Shep, it would be him.
Still, that doesn't mean she won't be cheeky about this. ]
Uh-huh. Good to know that I make your big brother instincts kick in, Garrus.
[ Her lips curl into a smile for a moment before she continues on. ]
And what makes you think you could do an extranet search for something like that? It's not like "who is Kasumi Goto seeing" would produce any results.
Still, that doesn't mean she won't be cheeky about this. ]
Uh-huh. Good to know that I make your big brother instincts kick in, Garrus.
[ Her lips curl into a smile for a moment before she continues on. ]
And what makes you think you could do an extranet search for something like that? It's not like "who is Kasumi Goto seeing" would produce any results.
[ Peter Quill, a.k.a. Star-Lord, and his band of former criminal misfits are still moonlighting as good guys, somehow, despite every odd saying all five of them should've been tossed into so dark, clammy dungeon somewhere to rot away. They manage to toe the line between not bad and total asshole, and while a few of them experience a few stints in jail now and again, they almost always have a good reasonf or it, and they almost always bail one another out.
(Except that one time when Rocket got impatient, rigged together an explosive, and busted himself out. They were owing favors for months after that fiasco.)
Since then, Peter hasn't really crossed paths with a certain world class thief; he wonders if it's because he and his crew were always on the move or if it was because she didn't want to be found, or some combination of the two. Most likely, she simply preferred working solo, which Peter can totally understand. Somedays, he wishes he could work solo, too. (No, Groot, toilets aren't for drinking out of. Stop staring at that guy, Drax -- you're gonna make him piss himself.) He figured the job the two of them worked together was the beginning and end of it, contented himself with having at least one cool story under his belt.
But then they were pressed for cash and hired to guard a thing, and evidently Kasumi Goto had decided (whether by contract or personal preference) to steal said thing, and there was no way the band of five ever stood a chance. Reviewing the footage later showed how seriously outclassed they'd been -- in one frame the object was there, the next it was gone, without so much as a flicker to show where Kasumi had been. In its place was a rose -- and how the hell did she get a real rose? It wasn't impossible to grow flowers in the settlements, but growing anything aside from food was considered a frivolity entertained exclusively by the rich.
They weren't even mad. That was impressive. Their employer, on the other hand, was incensed, and only Drax's intimidating form glaring down at him had ensured they were paid at the end of the day.
Currently, Peter has gone against his usual modus operandi, and rather than find himself in the seediest bar in the grimiest corner of the settlement, he's in a nice bar -- one of the few available, actually. Not too nice -- he wouldn't be caught dead in one of those pretentious places that was all marble statues and dudes in black ties -- but it was, at least, the sort of place you could sit down and not expect to catch some sort of disease. He figures if Kasumi would be anyone, it'd be here.
Basically, he's waiting her out. If she wants to be found, she'd come to him; his lot is just to make himself available. ]
(Except that one time when Rocket got impatient, rigged together an explosive, and busted himself out. They were owing favors for months after that fiasco.)
Since then, Peter hasn't really crossed paths with a certain world class thief; he wonders if it's because he and his crew were always on the move or if it was because she didn't want to be found, or some combination of the two. Most likely, she simply preferred working solo, which Peter can totally understand. Somedays, he wishes he could work solo, too. (No, Groot, toilets aren't for drinking out of. Stop staring at that guy, Drax -- you're gonna make him piss himself.) He figured the job the two of them worked together was the beginning and end of it, contented himself with having at least one cool story under his belt.
But then they were pressed for cash and hired to guard a thing, and evidently Kasumi Goto had decided (whether by contract or personal preference) to steal said thing, and there was no way the band of five ever stood a chance. Reviewing the footage later showed how seriously outclassed they'd been -- in one frame the object was there, the next it was gone, without so much as a flicker to show where Kasumi had been. In its place was a rose -- and how the hell did she get a real rose? It wasn't impossible to grow flowers in the settlements, but growing anything aside from food was considered a frivolity entertained exclusively by the rich.
They weren't even mad. That was impressive. Their employer, on the other hand, was incensed, and only Drax's intimidating form glaring down at him had ensured they were paid at the end of the day.
Currently, Peter has gone against his usual modus operandi, and rather than find himself in the seediest bar in the grimiest corner of the settlement, he's in a nice bar -- one of the few available, actually. Not too nice -- he wouldn't be caught dead in one of those pretentious places that was all marble statues and dudes in black ties -- but it was, at least, the sort of place you could sit down and not expect to catch some sort of disease. He figures if Kasumi would be anyone, it'd be here.
Basically, he's waiting her out. If she wants to be found, she'd come to him; his lot is just to make himself available. ]
Edited (how do close tags) 2015-04-10 23:39 (UTC)
[ If one were to ask Kasumi Goto, perhaps the greatest thief in the realm, if that job had been by contract or personal preference, she would answer, "Why not both?" After all, the contract had come from a long-time client of hers, but when she'd looked into it and found that a certain merry band of misfits were hired to guard the target, she decided she simply must take it.
Perhaps she'd wanted to gently remind a certain Star-Lord about her existence by intentionally crossing paths with him, see how he would react upon realizing they would be up against her. See what he would do thereafter. So she'd stuck around to see them discover their charge long gone, now in her hands, and smiled to herself when they seemed to collectively decide that they were more impressed than anything.
After that--well, she suspected they would go their separate ways once more; maybe their paths would cross again on the field.
She certainly hadn't expected to find Quill at one of her usual posts (odd as it may be for someone like her to even have those), but the moment she spots him, she's convinced that he's not really here to just pay more money for drinks, avoid the risk of disease, and inhale incensed air. He looks an awful lot like he's looking for someone. ]
Well, look who we have here.
[ it's almost like she's appeared out of nowhere, and she trails her fingers along the back of Peter's shoulders as he walks past him and then slips into the seat next to his, leaning forward onto the bar and tilting her head to cast him a sidelong glance. ]
Star-Lord.
Perhaps she'd wanted to gently remind a certain Star-Lord about her existence by intentionally crossing paths with him, see how he would react upon realizing they would be up against her. See what he would do thereafter. So she'd stuck around to see them discover their charge long gone, now in her hands, and smiled to herself when they seemed to collectively decide that they were more impressed than anything.
After that--well, she suspected they would go their separate ways once more; maybe their paths would cross again on the field.
She certainly hadn't expected to find Quill at one of her usual posts (odd as it may be for someone like her to even have those), but the moment she spots him, she's convinced that he's not really here to just pay more money for drinks, avoid the risk of disease, and inhale incensed air. He looks an awful lot like he's looking for someone. ]
Well, look who we have here.
[ it's almost like she's appeared out of nowhere, and she trails her fingers along the back of Peter's shoulders as he walks past him and then slips into the seat next to his, leaning forward onto the bar and tilting her head to cast him a sidelong glance. ]
Star-Lord.
[ To his credit, Peter does not jump completely out of his skin at her sudden arrival -- though he does stiffen in surprise; once the initial shock passes, he smiles and turns to face her, leaning one arm on the bar top.
Oh, and she used the call sign. He knew there was a reason he liked her. ]
If it isn't the illustrious Kasumi Goto. You've been busy.
Oh, and she used the call sign. He knew there was a reason he liked her. ]
If it isn't the illustrious Kasumi Goto. You've been busy.
[ She look up for a moment, as though in wonder. ]
Have I?
[ That is her way of saying yes, of course. ]
What brings you to a place like this?
Have I?
[ That is her way of saying yes, of course. ]
What brings you to a place like this?
Well, I got paid pretty well, earlier, but it was a pretty close thing.
[ He turns to sit properly in his chair, but he's giving her a sidelong glance. ]
Damnedest thing. Job went south in a big way, but, hey, shit happens, right?
[ He turns to sit properly in his chair, but he's giving her a sidelong glance. ]
Damnedest thing. Job went south in a big way, but, hey, shit happens, right?
[ Her lips curl into a smile. She has a faint idea of where this conversation might be heading. ]
Oh? Tell me more. I'm sure it must have been a rather eventful job, hm?
Oh? Tell me more. I'm sure it must have been a rather eventful job, hm?
Actually? Not so much on the eventful side during. But after? Wow, all hell broke loose. Boss got pissed as hell -- I was sure his head was gonna explode.
[ He drains the last of his drink, then signals the bartender for another. ]
Screw 'im, though. Guy was a complete dick.
[ He drains the last of his drink, then signals the bartender for another. ]
Screw 'im, though. Guy was a complete dick.
[ Kasumi gives the bartender a look to signal that she'd like a drink, as well, before turning her direction back to Peter. ]
How'd you end up working for him if he was such a jerk, anyway?
[ Something she'd earnestly wondered when she caught wind of their involvement. ]
How'd you end up working for him if he was such a jerk, anyway?
[ Something she'd earnestly wondered when she caught wind of their involvement. ]
[ He shrugs, sighing. ]
Money got a little tight, and -- here's the really weird thing -- the guys really like having food? For some reason? So it was either work for a dick or petty thievery.
[ The bartender returns, putting the drink in front of Peter and taking Kasumi's order. ]
-- Anyway. The petty theft didn't really fly with them, so. [ He waves a hand as if to say, "The rest is history." ]
Money got a little tight, and -- here's the really weird thing -- the guys really like having food? For some reason? So it was either work for a dick or petty thievery.
[ The bartender returns, putting the drink in front of Peter and taking Kasumi's order. ]
-- Anyway. The petty theft didn't really fly with them, so. [ He waves a hand as if to say, "The rest is history." ]
[ She quirks a brow, and with a sarcastic tone: ]
Really? Food's overrated.
[ Her drink is simple enough that the bartender returns rather quickly enough with it, and she gladly takes it into her hands for a quick sip before she continues. ]
You know, if you're looking for jobs, I think I can help with that...
[ Definitely not a usual offer from someone like Kasumi. ]
Really? Food's overrated.
[ Her drink is simple enough that the bartender returns rather quickly enough with it, and she gladly takes it into her hands for a quick sip before she continues. ]
You know, if you're looking for jobs, I think I can help with that...
[ Definitely not a usual offer from someone like Kasumi. ]
[ He pauses, drink halfway to his lips, and he turns a little to look at her. After a moment, he puts on a smirk. ]
Is it recovering a highly valuable and recently stolen artifact? 'Cause I bet you'd be just the person to ask about finding it.
Is it recovering a highly valuable and recently stolen artifact? 'Cause I bet you'd be just the person to ask about finding it.
[ She shoots back with a smirk of her own and like, wow Peter way to just say things like that in the middle of the bar? Which is why she leans in close when she responds. ]
I may or may not be, depending on who's asking.
But since it's you, Star-Lord, I'll own up to it. I'm sorry I pissed your jerk boss off by stealing his stuff.
[ She's not really sorry, and the way she says it is a dead giveaway of that. ]
I may or may not be, depending on who's asking.
But since it's you, Star-Lord, I'll own up to it. I'm sorry I pissed your jerk boss off by stealing his stuff.
[ She's not really sorry, and the way she says it is a dead giveaway of that. ]
[ He waves that off again. ]
He was shady enough that I'm sure he deserved getting knocked down a peg.
But, hey, if you need a hand with something, I'm all ears. You sure you wanna talk about it here? [ And he arches an eyebrow when he adds, ] Or do you have someplace more private in mind?
He was shady enough that I'm sure he deserved getting knocked down a peg.
But, hey, if you need a hand with something, I'm all ears. You sure you wanna talk about it here? [ And he arches an eyebrow when he adds, ] Or do you have someplace more private in mind?
Still curious after last time, are you?
[ Last time, after they had gotten cleanly away from the soiree, collected their payment from her client, and celebrated with drinks at the very tavern they met at that same night, Kasumi had only indulged Peter Quill with a kiss before she turned on her heel and disappeared into the night, her parting words merely being "Maybe next time." That, in spite of the way that Kasumi had made it seem like there would be more to the "afterparty" she kept building up throughout the heist.
She didn't want to dispel all of the air of mystery she'd so carefully crafted around herself, after all, and as attractive as she found Peter to be, she has secrets to keep.
Tonight, however, the story may be quite different. ]
That depends. Are you okay with me blindfolding you until we get to such a private place?
[ Is she joking? Who knows? ]
[ Last time, after they had gotten cleanly away from the soiree, collected their payment from her client, and celebrated with drinks at the very tavern they met at that same night, Kasumi had only indulged Peter Quill with a kiss before she turned on her heel and disappeared into the night, her parting words merely being "Maybe next time." That, in spite of the way that Kasumi had made it seem like there would be more to the "afterparty" she kept building up throughout the heist.
She didn't want to dispel all of the air of mystery she'd so carefully crafted around herself, after all, and as attractive as she found Peter to be, she has secrets to keep.
Tonight, however, the story may be quite different. ]
That depends. Are you okay with me blindfolding you until we get to such a private place?
[ Is she joking? Who knows? ]
[ He huffs out a quiet laugh. ]
Believe it or not, Goto, I did actually mean, like, an alleyway or a dark corner or something. You know, the common meeting places of people up to no good.
Believe it or not, Goto, I did actually mean, like, an alleyway or a dark corner or something. You know, the common meeting places of people up to no good.
[ she leans back, resting her hand on her chin and sighing. ]
Well, I guess we could do that.
But I still like my idea.
[ and then she turns her head just enough so that she can wink at him. ]
Well, I guess we could do that.
But I still like my idea.
[ and then she turns her head just enough so that she can wink at him. ]
[ He smirks in reply ]
That makes two of us, then. It's probably a good idea not to mix business with pleasure, though.
That makes two of us, then. It's probably a good idea not to mix business with pleasure, though.
And yet here we are, spilling drinks.
[ she raises her glass at him. ]
What do you say we head on over to one of those dark alleys after this for a meeting, then?
[ she raises her glass at him. ]
What do you say we head on over to one of those dark alleys after this for a meeting, then?
Hey, I said business and pleasure, not business and fun.
[ Still, he similarly raises his glass, smirking over the rim. ]
Sounds like a plan.
[ Still, he similarly raises his glass, smirking over the rim. ]
Sounds like a plan.
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