for striker_eureka

[gipsy_danger]

((starting here))

True to her word, Gipsy waits.

Of course, she can't do much other than that -- she's fairly constrained by previous injuries, and though her arm has been reattached and repaired she still can't quite walk on her own. This, Gipsy makes abundantly clear in beeps and grumbles, but it's mostly ignored because there's nothing they can do about it quite yet. Progress is being made, but it's not nearly fast enough for her satisfaction.

It's why she's grumpy as hell when he comes the next day; beeps decidedly irritated and far too loud for someone that had been drifting solo with a jaeger the previous day.

(( other conclusions Here. ))

Comments

[striker_eureka]

Nothing outside of the usual, no.

She's an affectionate girl, Gipsy is, and maybe that's part of the reason Herc likes spending time with her so much. She makes him feel appreciated.

I'm glad to hear it.

[gipsy_danger]

You are spending a lot of time with me.

She points this out, because it seems prudent to do so.

What of Striker?

[striker_eureka]

Striker likes to spend time with my son Chuck.

Herc doesn't mind, Striker is a Mark V Jaeger and Chuck is a young, cocksure pilot. They're kind of made for each other.

And I don't like the thought of you standing here all alone with nobody to talk to.

[gipsy_danger]

A quick 'look' inside his mind confirms what Gipsy already suspected -- as do his words.

You are very kind. A good man.

This point is pressed; because she doesn't think he hears it enough from the people that matter the most.

[striker_eureka]

He smiles.

Well thank you, love. I'm glad you've warmed up to me.

She's got a point, though. Herc doesn't often have people telling him what a good guy he is. Mostly because he spends all his time with military folk and his ungrateful son, both of them aren't big on compliments.

[gipsy_danger]

You made me.

Another tease, though there's truth in those words. She'd protested his being there -- he wasn't one of her pilots, he wasn't Raleigh or Yancy, and he hadn't exactly been welcome. It had not been hard to accept him though.

You are always welcome here.

That's a lot, coming from her.

[striker_eureka]

Well, I'd hoped...

If she had continued to protest his presence in her cockpit he would have left. There's no way he'd win an argument with a giant robot, not a chance.

Thank you, Gipsy. That means a lot to me.

[gipsy_danger]

You are one of my pilots, now.

She knows he's officially Striker's pilot, but he fits here, too. He has a 'home' here, as it were.

You are welcome, Hercules.

[striker_eureka]

He feels a surge of affection for her which he doesn't try to hold back.

Alright, alright, let's stop talking about all this emotional shit, you're going to make me cry.

[gipsy_danger]

The surge makes her trill quietly.

Consider it recompense for making me blush.

[striker_eureka]

Competitive little thing, aren't you?

It's laughable that he's calling Gipsy little, but there you have it.

[gipsy_danger]

A chuckle.

Perhaps. Are you any good at chess, Hercules Hansen?

[striker_eureka]

I'm alright.

He likes hearing her laugh. It's less of a hearing thing and more of a sensing thing; her laughter echoes all around him and makes him feel like his skin is vibrating.

Are you?

[gipsy_danger]

Oh, I'm alright, I suppose.

If she had eyes, they'd twinkle.

Shall we attempt?

[striker_eureka]

He narrows his at her, or at least, at the nebulous idea of her.

You're going to whup my arse, aren't you?

[gipsy_danger]

That is entirely probably.

Pleased, she situates them with a simulated chess board, and purrs.

By all means, start.

[striker_eureka]

He's still mentally narrowing his eyes suspiciously at her, but he does start with a fairly conservative opening gambit, not pointing out the futility of playing a game of wits when they can both read each others' thoughts.

[gipsy_danger]

Gipsy is as casual as he is, moving conservatively in turn.

Your move, Hercules.

[striker_eureka]

Why do I get the feeling you're mocking me when you say it like that?

He's basically laughing, though, as he takes his turn on the imaginary chessboard. He doubts Gipsy has enough of a grasp of classic literature to understand who Hercules was or what a herculean task is.

[gipsy_danger]

She doesn't, but still she smiles as she swipes one of his pieces.

Would I do that?

[striker_eureka]

You know why.

If he were anyone else, Herc would probably find it weird that he's flirting with a thousand-ton robot. But, this is the reality of his life, so he doesn't really make a big deal about it.

[gipsy_danger]

Enlighten me?

She won't beat him right away. She will at least take her time.

[striker_eureka]

Girlie, you tease me more than anyone else in this 'dome.

He appreciates her restraint.

[gipsy_danger]

Laughter echoes and she steals another piece.

Do you dislike it? I could stop.

[striker_eureka]

I never said that.

He manages to steal a piece of her own, but like he predicted, this is going to be a short game. Hercules never really had the patience for chess.