[ Twenty minutes later, Stiles is knocking on the front door. He’s anxious and jittery, too preoccupied with thoughts of the full moon to appreciate the opportunity he currently has to snoop on her personal life through windows. ]
[Sheva hadn't bothered to move into a smaller place after she lost Chris, the familiar, lingering scents of both him and Bucky were both comforting and painful, like the ache of an old, deep scar. It was worth the comfort.
While she's dressed, she's not finished putting away her weapons, which she'd been cleaning when he texted her. Layers of clothing with laces plus the belts and holsters to hold her weapons and supplies weren't exactly quick to toss on by herself.]
Come on in! I'm in here.
[She calls out as she continues methodically put away her firearms from home. Both the pistol and shotgun are still on the coffee table, the former in a few pieces still, and she's currently on a step stool, pushing a long, leather case onto the shelf--it's her sniper rifle. It's not a weapon that's helpful in close quarters, so she's okay with storing it a little out of reach.
Stiles receives a toothy smile as she hops down from the stool, tail swishing behind her as she stretches her arms over her head, arching her back. Just cat things.]
[ Granted permission to enter, Stiles slides inside the home with a curious air. Naturally, as soon as he spots her, his eyes hone in on Sheva. And then widen, dramatically. ]
Holy shit.
[ He drifts closer, regarding the impressive arsenal that she’s collected. Though he knows better than to touch, his interest is palpable. ]
Dude, you’re loaded! Did you arrive with all of these? I didn’t think the people here were familiar with firearms.
[ No, Sheva. Your house was not too hard to find. Sorry that he’s so easily distracted. Thank you for welcoming him into your home. He forgot his manners at the door. ]
[Wow that was an enthusiastic reaction from the son of law enforcement, but it's oddly endearing, particularly since he doesn't start getting handsy with the ones still out.]
I was mid mission when I was brought here, and they were all on my person. These in particular are not much good here against magical threats, though.
[Which is why she has the blades stashed on her person to compliment the brutal magitech bow and arrowheads made by the late Tony Stark for weapons.]
Even if you don't fire them, they need to be cleaned and maintained. For me, it's soothing. [A beat as she moves to start reassembling the handgun.] Do you know how to shoot one?
[ “Mid-mission” must surely be in reference to Umbrella. It’s a grim reminder, one that helps to temper his visible excitement at the weapon cache. As badass as this may seem, this is a glimpse into Sheva’s life – and it’s clearly no picnic. ]
Nope. My dad’s a cop, but he wouldn’t trust me with a taser, never mind a loaded gun.
[ And for good reason. Even the idea of holding a gun has Stiles feeling vaguely nauseous with nerves. ]
I can get how maintenance would be relaxing, though. Mindless repetition when you’re so familiar with what you’re doing, right?
[One day she might talk to him about Kijuju. Today is not that day.]
Does that mean I shouldn't trust you with my weapons?
[Her eyebrow lifts, and while it's meant to be playful, her thoughts draw connection to the upcoming full moon and the task at hand that afternoon. He doesn't look too keen on actually touching the guns in that moment, so she steps over and starts putting the handgun back together in quick, practiced motions. It's beyond second nature now.
At his explanation, she nods.]
The task has been relaxing to me since I was a little girl. It's like what some would call meditating.
[The firearm back together, she checks the chamber out of habit to make certain it's clear. The safety's on, but she smooths over it anyways. Habit again. Absently, she almost moves to put it in a holster that's not there, but stops herself short and gathers the shotgun in the other hand.]
I can teach you, if you want? At the very least the basics. Can't have you accidentally shooting yourself in the foot.
[ Since she was a “little girl.” That seals the deal; expression somber, he loses all interest in the firearms. Though he continues to watch her assemble the handgun, all boyish curiosity has been appropriately snuffed out. ]
So long as it’s not loaded, I wouldn’t mind learning. I’m hoping to join the FBI after I wrap up my education. I’ll need to learn at some point.
[Yep. That's a whole other bag of dark bees, and while she missed the slip herself, his reaction gives her pause enough tor realize what happened. Sorry Stiles.]
Then it's settled. I'll teach you. [Her eyebrows scale towards her hairline.] Go for it. [If he ever makes it home.] Would your dad approve?
Oh? [She's a bit curious, but doesn't push. It's bittersweet, regardless. He's stuck here for the foreseeable future, which means he can't pursue his hopes and dreams.
His questions halt her, disarming her of any easy response.]
I... [She genuinely tries to remember what it was like before Umbrella, before she lost everything and filled the void with vengeance.] I was eight when an Umbrella run bioweapons manufacturing plant had an... Accident. [There's a pause as she finishes with her firearms.] My parents, the whole village, worked there, and they... Well, they covered it up.
[She was the lone survivor.]
Before that, I just wanted to be a normal girl. Grow up, maybe go to school, and find someone who loved me. [There's another pause as she tries to control the emotion slipping into her voice, and she stands to busy herself with putting away the two firearms.] I was naive, unblemished by the darkness of our world. It's strange to think about after everything.
[ The admission doesn’t come as a surprise. There’s a part of him that suspected this kind of history when she first mentioned finding weapon maintenance relaxing since childhood. No little girl with a family to protect her would have had to worry about that sort of violence. Still, he can’t imagine the devastation this must have caused Sheva when she was younger – trauma that she probably carries with her even now. ]
You were just a kid, [ he says gently, needing to defend that young girl and her unbroken dreams. ] Kids are meant to be naïve. And now you defend your world for future generations of kids, so they can stay unblemished. When you’re done, there’ll be time for you to choose your next dream.
[ It’s optimistic, maybe too optimistic from someone as pessimistically realistic as Stiles, but he has to offer something – especially after he was the one who dredged up her past. ]
[With the last of her firearms tucked away, Sheva finds herself required to face him and the subject of her broken childhood. He's right, of course, but even now it's hard to look back and not play the 'what if' game, even if it always ends in self-loathing or anger.
She offers him an appreciative smile. It's small and moderately forced, but it's something.] Remember how I said you were a good friend?
[It's part deflection, part giving him a taste of his own medicine. She does appreciate his optimism and kind words, and it shows in her eyes.
Scooping up her bow and arrows from the corner, she glances up with him, the weight of the less heroic portions of her life visible.] A lot happened between the accident and when I was finally able to leave Africa. I wasn't always a victim.
[Can one really be forgiven? Can a ledger be wiped clean enough to not feel that guilt anymore? Probably not.]
[ As someone who operates on a scale of gray morality, Stiles meets this admission unflinchingly. ]
I haven’t always been a victim either. [ In his mind’s eye, he pictures Donovan and Theo, all the questionable things he’s done to protect his loved ones. ] Sometimes, you do what you need to to survive.
[ It’s the closest he’s come to forgiving himself for his own past actions – the closest, but not quite making the finish line. With a crooked, half-hearted smile, he nods toward the front door. ]
[This comes as a slight surprise, but it shifts seamlessly into a quiet empathy. She can see he's not lying, and it's unfortunate that he can relate to her on such a level.]
Sorry to hear that. [There's not much she can do about it, but she does briefly place a hand on his shoulder if he'll allow it, with a quick squeeze of apology.] And to protect those who need it.
[Those they care about, most prominently of course. She offers him a grin and motions him back to the front door. She'll lock it on the way out.]
Yes. Onto lighter topics like surviving the full moon with minimal casualties.
[ Physical contact has always been something that Stiles welcomes, so long as his relationship with the other person is a positive one. Under her hand, his smile warms and shifts into something a bit more genuine. Though they haven’t had many interactions, Sheva has quickly become someone he feels he can implicitly trust – a rarity, considering how wary and paranoid Stiles tends to be of strangers. ]
Fun! [ he chimes in, heading toward the front door with one last thoughtful look at her weaponry. ] I personally love not waking up with gore in my teeth. So, let’s make sure I don’t have to pick out someone’s innards from my molars.
[Honestly, Sheva's thankful to have met Stiles when she did. The list of people she could trust and considered friends had grown dangerously short and as had her motivation to keep fighting here. Having people she wants to protect and help gives her more purpose, and purpose has always been a key to pulling her out of the darkness.]
That absolutely won't happen. [It's said with a seriousness, but there's a wry smirk at the edge of her mouth. She really shouldn't be making light of it, as it's a genuine concern to her and hopefully Stiles, but she can't help herself.] Because you're more apt to be picking bits of flesh from your incisors rather than molars. They do most of the tearing.
[Is she speaking from experience? Probably not, but she's definitely thought about it.]
[ That initial statement, confident and solemn, is met with a likewise earnest nod of agreement from Stiles – but then Sheva continues speaking and he can only gawk at her in shock. ]
Oh my god!
[ And he’s laughing, louder and harder than he has in weeks, the lines of exhaustion in his face momentarily eased by his mirth. Stiles actually looks his age. ]
Touché! [ he replies in between snickers. ] Wow, am I an amateur Monster or what? Good thing I have you to keep me straight.
[You're welcome Stiles. His reaction is pure and delightful, and it takes quite a bit of self-control not to laugh along with him. She knows more than most how rare genuine joy and laughter is here.]
Oh now I have to keep you around.
[It's so terrible. She sighs dramatically, but she's smiling, more at ease as she can almost feel his tension lift a bit. Her tail swishes behind her, amused.] You laugh at my terrible jokes.
[ Turning his head, Stiles brushes tears of amusement from his eyes with a sleeve. It feels so good to laugh these days, especially without the edge of hysteria creeping in like it often does. The stress of his Monster transformation, the upcoming full moon, his fight with Jonas – he’s been more fatigued than even when the Nogitsune possessed him. ]
Uh oh. Should I start running?
[ As they walk toward the Bright Wall, he decides to share his adventures from the previous night. ]
So, last night, there was a meteor shower – not sure if you saw. But anyway, it caused all these weird firefly things to come out of hibernation or whatever. And if they landed on you, it… I don’t know how to describe it. They influenced you to do wacky things. For me? It meant I was flirting with everyone. Like a total asshole. [ Fortunately, he doesn’t actually sound upset about it; the cometflies helped him reconcile with Jonas, after all. ] No one appreciated my super smooth pick-up lines! Like, for example, my roommate’s name here is Jonas. He told me that people back home would call him “Jonah” on purpose. So…so, I told him, “The only time anyone should call you ‘Jonah’ is in bed.” Get it?
Good luck. I'm genetically even more inclined to pounce now.
[He's stuck with her, barring any conscious betrayals on his part. He doesn't seem like the sort.
She's more than happy to listen to his stories, especially since she's far more wary of the magic in this place that it's caused her to be a little more reclusive than usual. Considering that some of the things that have happened with the magic have gotten others hurt (the mists come to mind), she doesn't exactly feel bad for it. The fireflies had been visible from her windows, and that had suited her just fine with some alcohol, which now that she thinks about it is rather depressing.
His mention of him flirting gets a solid lift of her eyebrows and a curiously amused side glance. Apparently the idea of him flirting in itself is a bit comical, but there's no malice in her grin.]
Flirting like an asshole requires being an inconsiderate asshole. [Sheva points out before letting him continue.
Wow. Oh that's something else. And now it's her turn to laugh out loud.] I presume the quality of such a line immediately gave you an opportunity to test your statement? [She's teasing, but it's about to get worse.] What sort of quality pick up line would you have victimized me with I wonder?
[ While the nature of his nosy, irreverent personality has all but stripped Stiles of any sense of shame, the idea of testing his “statement” with Jonas – whether Sheva meant it as a teasing jest or not – has the tips of his ears burning hot from embarrassment. Carefully, his mind shuts down that line of thought before his overactive imagination can take off running with it. After the mortifying things he said to his roommate last night, Stiles probably shouldn’t even indulge in considering Jonas under a homoerotic lens. Probably. Fuck. ]
I’m sure I would have flagrantly abused every cat-related pun in the book, [ he snorts, shooting her tail a pointed look. ] Thank god I didn’t run into you. I can already tell you wouldn’t ever let me live it down.
[Well that was a reaction, and Sheva hums softly at the sight of his embarrassment, but doesn't take it further than that. Not yet, at least. She's storing that nugget away for later for certain.
For now, she far keener on teasing him about his theoretical attempt to pick her up with cheesy, feline pick up lines. Said tail flicks dramatically at his leg and smirks his way, already planning on never letting him live it down.] Try one on me now then.
[And she's docking points if he starts with any involving the word 'pussy,' for the record.]
Dude, I can’t think under pressure! [ Patently false. Belying that claim, he’s already responding with the first thing that’s come to mind: ] “Are you feline the connection between us baby?”
[ And he waggles his eyebrows at her for added effect. ]
Then this is good practice. [One might call it a prerequisite to being able to think quick in a combat situation, but it's far more entertaining.
She groans at his response. And terrible. Apparently it is also absolutely terrible. But she's laughing while shaking her head. It's actually really endearing, but she's not admitting that yet.]
Strangely, my panties are still dry and not at risk of dropping. Points for creativity, though. Try again.
[ Her blunt, vulgar response startles a huff of laughter out of him – his eyes momentarily dropping as if he’s about to check on the state of said panties before he catches himself. Down, boy. Fortunately, it helps that his libido has all but shriveled up and died in the wake of his breakup with Malia. Well, except for that one moment during training in the Wildes. But he’s absolutely not thinking about that. ]
“Babe,” [ he begins, pressing one hand to his chest for dramatic effect, ] “I’d spend all nine of my lives with you.” Eh? Ehhhh?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2020-04-07 12:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-04-07 02:59 am (UTC)While she's dressed, she's not finished putting away her weapons, which she'd been cleaning when he texted her. Layers of clothing with laces plus the belts and holsters to hold her weapons and supplies weren't exactly quick to toss on by herself.]
Come on in! I'm in here.
[She calls out as she continues methodically put away her firearms from home. Both the pistol and shotgun are still on the coffee table, the former in a few pieces still, and she's currently on a step stool, pushing a long, leather case onto the shelf--it's her sniper rifle. It's not a weapon that's helpful in close quarters, so she's okay with storing it a little out of reach.
Stiles receives a toothy smile as she hops down from the stool, tail swishing behind her as she stretches her arms over her head, arching her back. Just cat things.]
Hey Stiles. Hope it wasn't too hard to find.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-07 05:31 pm (UTC)Holy shit.
[ He drifts closer, regarding the impressive arsenal that she’s collected. Though he knows better than to touch, his interest is palpable. ]
Dude, you’re loaded! Did you arrive with all of these? I didn’t think the people here were familiar with firearms.
[ No, Sheva. Your house was not too hard to find. Sorry that he’s so easily distracted. Thank you for welcoming him into your home. He forgot his manners at the door. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-04-09 04:49 am (UTC)I was mid mission when I was brought here, and they were all on my person. These in particular are not much good here against magical threats, though.
[Which is why she has the blades stashed on her person to compliment the brutal magitech bow and arrowheads made by the late Tony Stark for weapons.]
Even if you don't fire them, they need to be cleaned and maintained. For me, it's soothing. [A beat as she moves to start reassembling the handgun.] Do you know how to shoot one?
no subject
Date: 2020-04-09 04:33 pm (UTC)Nope. My dad’s a cop, but he wouldn’t trust me with a taser, never mind a loaded gun.
[ And for good reason. Even the idea of holding a gun has Stiles feeling vaguely nauseous with nerves. ]
I can get how maintenance would be relaxing, though. Mindless repetition when you’re so familiar with what you’re doing, right?
no subject
Date: 2020-04-10 05:24 am (UTC)Does that mean I shouldn't trust you with my weapons?
[Her eyebrow lifts, and while it's meant to be playful, her thoughts draw connection to the upcoming full moon and the task at hand that afternoon. He doesn't look too keen on actually touching the guns in that moment, so she steps over and starts putting the handgun back together in quick, practiced motions. It's beyond second nature now.
At his explanation, she nods.]
The task has been relaxing to me since I was a little girl. It's like what some would call meditating.
[The firearm back together, she checks the chamber out of habit to make certain it's clear. The safety's on, but she smooths over it anyways. Habit again. Absently, she almost moves to put it in a holster that's not there, but stops herself short and gathers the shotgun in the other hand.]
I can teach you, if you want? At the very least the basics. Can't have you accidentally shooting yourself in the foot.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-11 01:24 am (UTC)So long as it’s not loaded, I wouldn’t mind learning. I’m hoping to join the FBI after I wrap up my education. I’ll need to learn at some point.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-12 03:04 am (UTC)Then it's settled. I'll teach you. [Her eyebrows scale towards her hairline.] Go for it. [If he ever makes it home.] Would your dad approve?
no subject
Date: 2020-04-12 03:41 pm (UTC)Ha, he has a bit of history with the FBI. [ With Rafael McCall, specifically. ] But yeah, he’d be happy I was joining any kind of security service.
[ Happy and worried. ]
Before Umbrella…what did you want to grow up to be? Like, what was your dream?
no subject
Date: 2020-04-19 03:11 am (UTC)His questions halt her, disarming her of any easy response.]
I... [She genuinely tries to remember what it was like before Umbrella, before she lost everything and filled the void with vengeance.] I was eight when an Umbrella run bioweapons manufacturing plant had an... Accident. [There's a pause as she finishes with her firearms.] My parents, the whole village, worked there, and they... Well, they covered it up.
[She was the lone survivor.]
Before that, I just wanted to be a normal girl. Grow up, maybe go to school, and find someone who loved me. [There's another pause as she tries to control the emotion slipping into her voice, and she stands to busy herself with putting away the two firearms.] I was naive, unblemished by the darkness of our world. It's strange to think about after everything.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-20 12:11 am (UTC)You were just a kid, [ he says gently, needing to defend that young girl and her unbroken dreams. ] Kids are meant to be naïve. And now you defend your world for future generations of kids, so they can stay unblemished. When you’re done, there’ll be time for you to choose your next dream.
[ It’s optimistic, maybe too optimistic from someone as pessimistically realistic as Stiles, but he has to offer something – especially after he was the one who dredged up her past. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-04-20 02:22 am (UTC)She offers him an appreciative smile. It's small and moderately forced, but it's something.] Remember how I said you were a good friend?
[It's part deflection, part giving him a taste of his own medicine. She does appreciate his optimism and kind words, and it shows in her eyes.
Scooping up her bow and arrows from the corner, she glances up with him, the weight of the less heroic portions of her life visible.] A lot happened between the accident and when I was finally able to leave Africa. I wasn't always a victim.
[Can one really be forgiven? Can a ledger be wiped clean enough to not feel that guilt anymore? Probably not.]
no subject
Date: 2020-04-20 02:34 am (UTC)I haven’t always been a victim either. [ In his mind’s eye, he pictures Donovan and Theo, all the questionable things he’s done to protect his loved ones. ] Sometimes, you do what you need to to survive.
[ It’s the closest he’s come to forgiving himself for his own past actions – the closest, but not quite making the finish line. With a crooked, half-hearted smile, he nods toward the front door. ]
Ready to go?
no subject
Date: 2020-04-20 03:03 am (UTC)Sorry to hear that. [There's not much she can do about it, but she does briefly place a hand on his shoulder if he'll allow it, with a quick squeeze of apology.] And to protect those who need it.
[Those they care about, most prominently of course. She offers him a grin and motions him back to the front door. She'll lock it on the way out.]
Yes. Onto lighter topics like surviving the full moon with minimal casualties.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-20 11:43 pm (UTC)Fun! [ he chimes in, heading toward the front door with one last thoughtful look at her weaponry. ] I personally love not waking up with gore in my teeth. So, let’s make sure I don’t have to pick out someone’s innards from my molars.
[ Gross, Stiles. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-04-21 01:56 am (UTC)That absolutely won't happen. [It's said with a seriousness, but there's a wry smirk at the edge of her mouth. She really shouldn't be making light of it, as it's a genuine concern to her and hopefully Stiles, but she can't help herself.] Because you're more apt to be picking bits of flesh from your incisors rather than molars. They do most of the tearing.
[Is she speaking from experience? Probably not, but she's definitely thought about it.]
no subject
Date: 2020-04-21 03:09 am (UTC)Oh my god!
[ And he’s laughing, louder and harder than he has in weeks, the lines of exhaustion in his face momentarily eased by his mirth. Stiles actually looks his age. ]
Touché! [ he replies in between snickers. ] Wow, am I an amateur Monster or what? Good thing I have you to keep me straight.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-21 03:24 am (UTC)Oh now I have to keep you around.
[It's so terrible. She sighs dramatically, but she's smiling, more at ease as she can almost feel his tension lift a bit. Her tail swishes behind her, amused.] You laugh at my terrible jokes.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-21 10:32 pm (UTC)Uh oh. Should I start running?
[ As they walk toward the Bright Wall, he decides to share his adventures from the previous night. ]
So, last night, there was a meteor shower – not sure if you saw. But anyway, it caused all these weird firefly things to come out of hibernation or whatever. And if they landed on you, it… I don’t know how to describe it. They influenced you to do wacky things. For me? It meant I was flirting with everyone. Like a total asshole. [ Fortunately, he doesn’t actually sound upset about it; the cometflies helped him reconcile with Jonas, after all. ] No one appreciated my super smooth pick-up lines! Like, for example, my roommate’s name here is Jonas. He told me that people back home would call him “Jonah” on purpose. So…so, I told him, “The only time anyone should call you ‘Jonah’ is in bed.” Get it?
[ Please clap. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-04-22 12:04 am (UTC)[He's stuck with her, barring any conscious betrayals on his part. He doesn't seem like the sort.
She's more than happy to listen to his stories, especially since she's far more wary of the magic in this place that it's caused her to be a little more reclusive than usual. Considering that some of the things that have happened with the magic have gotten others hurt (the mists come to mind), she doesn't exactly feel bad for it. The fireflies had been visible from her windows, and that had suited her just fine with some alcohol, which now that she thinks about it is rather depressing.
His mention of him flirting gets a solid lift of her eyebrows and a curiously amused side glance. Apparently the idea of him flirting in itself is a bit comical, but there's no malice in her grin.]
Flirting like an asshole requires being an inconsiderate asshole. [Sheva points out before letting him continue.
Wow. Oh that's something else. And now it's her turn to laugh out loud.] I presume the quality of such a line immediately gave you an opportunity to test your statement? [She's teasing, but it's about to get worse.] What sort of quality pick up line would you have victimized me with I wonder?
no subject
Date: 2020-04-23 05:50 am (UTC)I’m sure I would have flagrantly abused every cat-related pun in the book, [ he snorts, shooting her tail a pointed look. ] Thank god I didn’t run into you. I can already tell you wouldn’t ever let me live it down.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-26 04:27 pm (UTC)For now, she far keener on teasing him about his theoretical attempt to pick her up with cheesy, feline pick up lines. Said tail flicks dramatically at his leg and smirks his way, already planning on never letting him live it down.] Try one on me now then.
[And she's docking points if he starts with any involving the word 'pussy,' for the record.]
no subject
Date: 2020-04-27 10:45 pm (UTC)Dude, I can’t think under pressure! [ Patently false. Belying that claim, he’s already responding with the first thing that’s come to mind: ] “Are you feline the connection between us baby?”
[ And he waggles his eyebrows at her for added effect. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-04-27 11:27 pm (UTC)She groans at his response. And terrible. Apparently it is also absolutely terrible. But she's laughing while shaking her head. It's actually really endearing, but she's not admitting that yet.]
Strangely, my panties are still dry and not at risk of dropping. Points for creativity, though. Try again.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-28 01:03 am (UTC)“Babe,” [ he begins, pressing one hand to his chest for dramatic effect, ] “I’d spend all nine of my lives with you.” Eh? Ehhhh?
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