Birthday Present
A/N: Girls' night out. Alexa is behaving herself and not nattering endlessly about skells Skells SKELLS. Which leaves a vacuum that can only be filled by trash talk.
Minor swears, alcohol, and trashy innuendos. Spoilers to Ch. 5, set just after then too, definitely pre Ch. 8.
All the good stuff belongs to the geniuses of MONOLITH SOFT, except Lila. Enjoy this festival of fluff.
And before we start, dear reader, I'd love some advice. Everything after this story is high in violence, worry, or adult situations. I'm inclined to start a Part 2. Is that appropriate? Or should I just mark the whole thing as M and plow onward? Advice and opinions are appreciated.
'A birthday present, knew I should have brought one…' Lila couldn't help but worry.
"So who's it gonna be? You're the last one to vote."
"Huh, what?" Lila looked up from her plate, and focused on the cheerful crowd around the table. The patio table was full of other women, mostly Outfitters, mechanics or fellow skellheads, but also random techs, some shop workers from the commercial district, Mediators, and one coolly elegant woman from the administrative building. Alexa had a wide range of friends, and had declared that all of them, absolutely all of them, were invited to her first birthday party on Mira. They were the loudest, biggest group at the Repenta Diner, and that was saying a lot, considering the drinking contest going on in the parking lot and the busy industrial center surrounding them.
"Jeez, Lila, you're so quiet, enjoy a little. So which would you prefer?" Alexa teased her former employee.
"Skell model?"
The crowd erupted into laughter. "Now THAT is a good question," crowed Alexa.
"And we all know we'd be here all night, with only you doing the talking," someone chimed in.
"Yeah, well, we'll schedule that lecture for, say, the rest of my life," sighed Alexa, a smile on her face. "No, no, we'll stick with the simple question: Lao or Phog?"
Lila gave a little choking noise. "For what?"
More laughter. "You tell us."
"No, no way, neither!" Lila blurted, then blushed deeply, wishing the words unsaid. It was a change from the unhealthy pallor and beads of sweat along her brow that had up until now marked her face, if anyone had cared to notice.
"Ooooh, what WERE you thinking?" hooted a young mechanic she recognized from the Administrative hangar.
Lila looked prim. "Well, neither of them would be any good at the refueling station."
Alexa smiled happily. "I'll make it easy on you, since you are clearly behind the curve. Which one would you like to date?"
"What is this, high school?" snapped Lila.
"Come on, you owe me a present." Clearly, Alexa was not going to be thwarted.
Lila sighed. "Neither. Honestly."
"Another man-hater," chimed someone.
"No, I like them well enough. Just, not those two, at least, not for that, they're okay just for talking I guess."
"Come on," said the elegant administrator. "You honestly just want to TALK to Mr. Sexy Pants?"
"Not really."
More catcalls and side arguments. "So what's so wrong with them?"
"Nothing's wrong, just, I don't really think they're good date material." Lila looked unhappier the more she said. Suddenly, her posture changed. Shoulders back, eyes up, face blank. Alexa's grin broadened, recognizing the signs. Former Petty Officer Brown was about to lay out a report.
When she spoke, her voice wasn't loud, but it was clear and precise. "Lao leaves his teams behind. Not an attractive quality, not ever. Phog is better, but it's hard to tell if he's thinking anything sometimes. Certainly not attentive to his group."
"I think you are being a little hard," said a dark haired Mediator, hurt hidden in her tone. "He's very intelligent and perceptive, very sensitive."
"He could well be, but he isn't able to share any of it. If you look deep, you'd probably find treasures, but it has to be somebody else, because I don't have the patience."
"You prefer his brother, maybe?" asked Alexa, slyly.
Lila flicked a glance towards the edge of the diner parking lot and the man in question. "Frye would be a loud, fun date, until a fight broke out or my liver gave up. No thank you."
"You want fun, how about Yelv?"
"Phog may seem dumb. With Yelv, there is no doubt." More catcalls and growls, with more side arguments on the merits of smarts versus a nice ass.
Alexa was clearly enjoying the whole ruckus. She leaned back and said, with a slow, wicked smile, "You need brains, huh? Well, then, which one, H.B. or Bozé?"
Lila looked almost angry, for a second, then returned to a calm demeanor. "Bozé is bound and determined to be everyone's teacher and has no respect for anyone outside his training. I choose to remain outside. And Hector…" She couldn't control her face anymore, looking so disgusted that Alexa had to laugh again. "Have you MET Hector? Because I have. Mira has not improved him. If somebody could fix him, I will buy them a beer."
"You like him," said Alexa, smugly.
"I like parts of him, and I wish him well, but preferably far away from me. He's always a royal pain when he rolls into the station," Lila complained. She made a small, gagging noise. Then, suddenly, she smiled. "Actually, I'm glad to see him, because then I know my day can not get any worse."
"Ooo, ooo, I know. Nagi!" screeched a rather drunken clerk.
Lila smiled more broadly, her eyes softening, looking relaxed for the first time, but she didn't say a word. All around the table, women were nodding and laughing.
"Too bad he's married," said the administrator snidely.
"Really? To who?" screeched the clerk again.
"To his work," sniffed the other woman. The clerk blinked, then tipped her head back and laughed loudly.
Lila could have added all of this, but kept quiet. Instead, she said, "The Captain is perfection itself. But too high octane for me."
Alexa leaned forward. "So, what do you need, besides smarts?"
"Loyalty. Strength. A sense of humor. Patience, because I need all the help I can get."
"Sounds boring," said the woman next to Alexa.
"Sounds like a skell," sighed Alexa, almost dreamily.
"Skells have a sense of humor?"
"Well, they sure are fun."
The screeching clerk wasn't finished. "I got it, I got it! Doug Doug DOUG!"
Alexa looked at the woman with a touch of dislike. Lila said quickly, "Yes, Doug is a pretty good choice. He's really nice."
"Really? I'm not seeing it." Alexa's face was darkening further.
"Very nice, and rather attractive too. Nice voice. Baritone, would you say?" said Lila, hiding a smile. "And gentle, under all those muscles." She gazed very carefully in a direction that did not include Alexa. Strange, you could practically feel the anger radiating from the Number One Skellhead. Lila took pity on her, speaking very clearly now. "I don't think he's interested in many things outside of his job, though. And skells, of course."
Alexa's face cleared, and cheerfulness returned to her voice. "Yeah, he's had the chance to try out some of Lin's wildest combos. He's so lucky. I love talking to him about it, makes my day." Her smile was pure and innocent.
All eyes, except Lila's, fixed on Alexa, and the chatter dropped to nothing.
"What? What?"
No one answered, although the table bloomed with laughter. Alexa shrugged, not interested in whatever the joke might be.
"So somebody like Doug," declared Alexa. "But NOT Doug." Clearly, that topic was closed. In fact, the topic rapidly switched to jobs, credits, and skells Skells SKELLS (it was Alexa's party, after all).
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Alexa was happy as a clam. Ridiculously happy. She'd gotten quite a bit of loot, even though she'd told people not to bring presents. Some Ma-non perfume, and a rather tight pink t-shirt, and best of all, several skell magazines. Very best of all, a ridiculously detailed schematic based on the skell fanfic by SuperKoolX3. (She had her suspicions about the identity of the author. Maybe Elma?) The skell was completely impossible, of course, jet black and way too heavy, with a row of shoulder guns almost the same size as it, and flying too, with pink wings, of all things, glowing electric pink wings. She rolled over on her bunk, careful not to crinkle it, to give it one more loving look. She just had to show this to everybody tomorrow.
She frowned slightly. She felt a little guilty. Some of the man-based trash talk had gotten kind of crude. She especially didn't like the thought of Doug being pestered by that screeching shop clerk. He'd be all polite and suffering. He was a good guy, always willing to help.
Of course, some of the criticism had been dead accurate. Unlike practically everyone else, she actually HAD been on a date with Mr. Lao Sexy Pants Huang. A complete misunderstanding, but she had been game for a night out and some good talk about skells. It was all because one morning at work she happened to be moaning about not getting any, by which of course she meant not any time actually using those amazing beautiful machines. Somebody from Sakuraba had misunderstood, and the next thing she knew she was set up for dinner that night with the nephew of the college roommate of a younger brother. Strange how family relations continued, even after brothers and roommates and colleges were long gone. Well, she hadn't been able to refuse, so at eight that night she was sitting in Rosemoss, feeling fairly game for the whole prospect. After all, a girl's gotta eat, sort of. Besides, she had some questions that required field experience, and maybe he'd be able to answer them.
The date, if you could call it that, lasted at most 15 minutes. He'd been unhappy from the start, twitchy almost, and had pulled a completely obvious "Oh I have this really important comm call I forgot to make" play before he had even ordered. Like anybody was dumb enough to believe that. He didn't even bother with the follow up of "Something's come up, let's reschedule for the Saturday after Cauldros freezes over," just mumbled a half-hearted goodbye and scooted for the door. Leaving Alexa a bit miffed. She was used to people sometimes edging away when she got talking, but usually they were more polite. And she really had wanted to get his opinion about balancing distance and accuracy in long range guns.
He'd slammed into another BLADE as he went through the door. Alexa was watching shamelessly, because, well, the whole thing was rather shameless. Lao had gestured in her direction and then evaporated. The other BLADE had come over, blushing hard, and introduced himself as Douglas Barrett, a Harrier. He was stumbling through an apology for Lao when Alexa interrupted him.
"Sit on down," she'd invited him with a big smile. "The hamburgers here are the best, and you won't have to wait for a seat. So, can I ask you about weight factors in skell cannon accuracy?"
And that was how she'd met Doug. They'd actually had a blast that night, two hamburgers each, and a large side of fries, and talking about pure skells. He went on a good rant about Lin and her tests, and the more he said, the greener with envy she got. She was practically drooling by the end. She suspected he was thrilled by all of it too, even the failures, despite his laundry list of complaints. He'd listened to her current problem, how to increase range without reducing accuracy, and given her really good advice based on his experience. Skells were left or right handed, just like their pilots, she knew you couldn't just switch weapons wily nilly from side to side, but she hadn't considered what that meant for balance. You couldn't rebuild a frame to factor that in, but in his experience, a few good augments helped, stabilization for example.
She wondered if maybe she should warn him about the clerk. Nah, probably not, he was a big boy and besides, he was pretty busy, not much of a shopper, she'd guess. Well, she hoped not. But she WOULD show him the schematic tomorrow, it would give him a good laugh. Anyway, it was an excuse to wander by the hangar, not that she bothered with excuses usually.
She fell asleep and had that really excellent dream where she was shooting across the California desert, except it looked a lot like Oblivia now, dodging the Joshua trees, kicking up sprays of sand, riding in the big, strong skell, the nice one that talked sometimes, really just a calm, baritone growl in her ear. It was just about her favorite dream, and she woke up so happy whenever she had it. All in all, best birthday ever.
xcxcxcxcxcswitchxcxcxcxcxc
Gwin hadn't been mentioned at all, thought Irina with some satisfaction.
xcxcxcxcxcswitchxcxcxcxc
The dark haired Mediator didn't feel like going home, certainly not back to work. Even though people were counting on her, she knew that, but she just didn't feel ready to help them. She compromised by taking a very long way back, wandering through the commercial district. The area was nice, with fountains and benches, but it needed flowers, in her opinion. All of New LA needed flowers.
She sighed. The party had left her feeling, well, unhappy. She'd loved meeting all of the other women, and the conversations had been fun. Mostly fun. Well, a little boring at times, because she wasn't much for talking about skells. But it had definitely been cheerful and carefree, so unlike her job as a Mediator.
Don't misunderstand, please don't think I don't love my job, she whispered to the stars. I love it; it is part of me. But sometimes I feel like it isn't enough. Compared to the loss that everyone had suffered, how could kind words bring any comfort?
Phog disagreed with that. The memory was bittersweet and strangely strong. They'd met over breakfast in the ship's canteen, no one else around. She'd already become something of an unofficial counselor at the time, but she would have shied from claiming that title. It just seemed so unimportant. They'd sat in silence, until she just couldn't stop herself. She was surprised that it came pouring out, her doubts, her sorrow, even a touch of despair. She'd been keeping it in, hiding it from her partner, not wanting to burden anyone, and here she was, dumping it on a total stranger. She apologized, but he had looked directly at her, deep respect in his gentle eyes.
"The ship just carries us. It wouldn't have a job if we weren't here. Everything that you call pointless is more important than engines or shields. It's the blood of the ship. And you're sort of the heart, keeping it moving. Keeping it alive." He'd stuttered to a stop. "Sorry. That's just what I think, anyway." He hadn't spoken again, before leaving the table shortly thereafter.
It wasn't fair, what they'd said about him tonight. He was a great team member. She'd only recently gone on a mission with Cross, exciting and humbling, and Phog had been a party member, very strong and exact, even as he sounded unsure. But he had been brilliant at screening her, letting her get in ranged shots, giving her breathing space to send out needed buffs. They'd worked well together. So what if he wasn't much for talking, that every second sentence was half an apology. He didn't need anyone to reveal his treasures. She liked him fine the way he was.
Well, wasn't she just getting huffy about something unimportant? She smiled, and finally turned her steps towards the Residential District. She was ready to listen again, ready to help the other citizens of New LA find some comfort, maybe some happiness. But she realized now, she also needed something to shake her up, get her moving. Maybe she could convince Cross to take her out on a mission again. With Phog, maybe. Because they really made a good team.
xcxcxcxcswitchxcxcxcxc
The party had broken up a while ago, but Lila had stayed behind. She wished she could have enjoyed it more, but the patio seating had been just about the worst possibility she could have imagined. She stood now, back against the wall of the diner. Not even the awning had helped to block the sweep of sky over New Los Angeles, the ring of deceptively protective walls in the distance. There was a lot of parking lot, and street, and more streets, and open platforms between her and the safety of the refueling station, tucked back and below the overhanging administrative district.
She glanced up from the ground, just shortly, in the hopes that the weather had changed. Drizzle, fog, better yet, pelting rain that dropped visibility to zero. It could be flaming rain for all she cared. Anything to reduce her world from awful openness to something manageable. No such luck. Mira was providing another night full of spectacular lunar views. Lila had never looked at the moons.
She'd made it to the diner in the loud and bustling company of other guests. They'd swept her up, leaving work from the hangar area, and she had stuck close to the center of the large group. They hadn't realized they were forming a Lila Protective Device. They'd all gone home now, most back to the residential district. No one lived in the hangar area. Except Lila.
Maybe she could ask Frye. He was busy, over by the far corner of the parking lot, demonstrating just how much vodka he could put back, as he did almost every night. He'd help, if she could convince him she really needed it. He might not even remember it the next morning. That would be a plus. She just wasn't sure she could make it over to him. All her mental strength must have been used up during the party, leaving her surprised at her weakness.
She closed her eyes, drew a deep breath. If she straightened her spine, walked directly forward, she had a chance. Pride could do wonders, and she had a lot of people to make proud. Things to make proud, even. She thought of the White Whale, that grand ship, that had made it all the way to Mira, that had done its job even as it was destroyed, that was still doing its job of protecting and serving humanity even though it was nothing but wreckage now. She was so proud of it, and she could do this.
Another deep breath, a little more posture improvement, she was almost ready.
"Headed back to the hangar?"
Her eyes flew open and her breath whooshed out. How on earth, no, how on Mira was he able to move so quietly? She'd always admired that, except when it annoyed her. She goggled at him.
"Come on, my dinner's getting cold. I was gonna eat it while yelling at someone there." He held up a small bag. Already grease stains were spreading across the bottom. "Chili dog. Disgusting but so's everything else."
"Chili dog plus yelling? Yes. Ew." She smiled, she couldn't help but smile. "Very gross, sir."
"Yeah, well, you don't know what I'm gonna yell about. Trust me, they deserve to have their asses handed to them."
He was already steering her across the parking lot, talking trash about the team that had run out of skell fuel not once but three times this week, waving his arms around, the bag swinging dangerously. She had to step quick to keep up, ducking to avoid the deadly chili dog. His voice was big and surrounded her. His form was big and felt like a wall, somehow.
She was sick with gratitude by the time they reached the station's office, which was also the shack where she stayed most nights. He'd only had to grab her arm twice on the way, to keep her on her feet in particularly open intersections. Just for a second, but it let her know he was there, and wasn't going to let her fall.
"Right, see you Thursday." He smiled down at her.
"Yes, sir."
He paused. "Soooo, how was Alexa's party? Any good gossip?"
Lila blushed again, even more furiously than earlier. "Nothing! Nope, nothing."
He rumbled a laugh. "I'm not sure whether to be glad or disappointed."
"Glad, sir. Let me suggest, glad."
"Well, anyway, those BLADEs aren't going to chew themselves out. See you."
Commander Vandham turned on his heel and walked away.
She entered her shack, correction, the Auxiliary Skell Refueling Station 1 administrative office, and went over to the hotplate. A calming cup of tea was in order. Maybe two. One to recover from the journey, one in honor of her escort.
a/n: And here we see the spark to the whole Alexa & Doug BrOTP, early game and written before the whole Bromance mess. At the time, I vowed that I would set them up. I'm not sure, after all those words, if I have, but I've gotten close and I've certainly made some pretend versions. Also, that dream from Bromance2/3, it came from this piece.
Once upon a time, I had a clear idea of Nagi's back story, but I've scrubbed that. He deserves better, and got it too, because Monolith Soft has some brilliant stuff online, look for the short story "Forging BLADE", by Yuichiro Takeda, on the official XCX JP site. There exists an English translation by Gessenkou, all hail those who translate stuff in the service of us all! Still, in my heart, there exists a slender, bespectacled entomologist in the Lifehold who is special. And, there, I've released that thought and will put it to bed now... (And if you decide to write anything for Nagi, go go go! Or anything at all! Whoooo!)
Next up: Why We Stayed, part 1: For some reason, Lila is more freaked out by the ECP than by the Ganglion. And she's plenty freaked by the Ganglion, because we've reached Ch. 8. Plenty of Gino the OC in the next few pieces, love love love him, but get ready for swears. Bonus: Eleonora.
(The next few may be delayed, because I'm toying with putting up another arc of stories as a way of kicking me into finishing them. So I may start alternating. But it'll be up by the end of Jan 2017 for sure.)
Happy holidays of all shapes and spices
Pass me the applesauce or the gluehwein, I'm a happy camper