[ with weyland in nyc ]

[tragic_mask]

They step through the door, and find themselves on the cracked sidewalk outside of a lively bar. A sign glows: "Blue Owl."

It's nighttime, but the city still glows with all kinds of light, and shakes with the noise of honking, shouting, music, the clinking of glasses, all blending together into the cacophony and symphony of the city.

Melpomene looks around. "Well, we're back... Right where I started."

Comments

[tragic_mask]

She ducks her head, and grins sheepishly. "Not always... Rarely, in fact. I try not to abuse that particular power."

[mechanicalswans]

"I would have offered to help pay, but all I have with me are credit cards," he says. "And I don't know if they work here. In the old days I could find lost coins easily, but things are more expensive now..."

He offers her his arm. "It wasn't a very long trip, so it's not like he is out a lot of money."

[tragic_mask]

"No," she says. "It's just that I try not to take advantage of people just because they're... people." She takes his, and goes towards the apartment building as the taxi pulls away.

[mechanicalswans]

"It isn't something to make a habit of--well, I don't think you could, anyway. It's not what you are. For some, it is. For me, I would avoid it if I could, but if I couldn't, I wouldn't worry very much."

He looks up at the building as they approach.

[tragic_mask]

She fiddles in her coat pocket, and comes up with a key, unlocking the main door and heaving it open.

[mechanicalswans]

He will follow her into the building once the door is open, a brief scan of the names on the mailboxes if there are any in the entryway.

[tragic_mask]

And the door swings shut behind them.

"I'm three floors up." Melpomene's voice echoes around the building as she begins to climb the stairs.

[mechanicalswans]

"Mine's on the second floor, over an Indian restaurant," he says, following her. "I find that living over restaurants is very convenient."

[tragic_mask]

"Yes," she says wryly. "Until you get sick of the food they offer." They continue up the spiral staircase, up and up.

[mechanicalswans]

"It was an Italian place when I first moved in, and then it was a Turkish one for a while, and now Indian. By the time I move out, it will probably be a sushi bar, if it continues its eastward move."

He doesn't mind stairs, at least. They're not as awkward for him as they had been before his metal alterations.

[tragic_mask]

She stops in front of her door, and gets out another key, and fiddles with the lock. "There, finally home."

[mechanicalswans]

"Do you have any pets?" he asks, glancing to the door. "Anything that may escape when you open the door, anyway."

[tragic_mask]

"Only metaphorically." She pulls him inside.

[mechanicalswans]

"Wonderful," he smiles, as he is pulled inside.

[tragic_mask]

"Yes, that's me," she says, a bit wryly, and switches on the light.

[mechanicalswans]

He glances around as she turns the light on, then looks back to her. "'Has a way with words,' that's on the list too."

[tragic_mask]

"I'd better," she says, with an unabashed smile.

[mechanicalswans]

"Are you still feeling tired?" he asks. "Or do you have something in mind?"

[tragic_mask]

"Oh, I wasn't tired. Just comfortable."

[mechanicalswans]

"Well, we shall have to get comfortable again. Unless you want to go back to Milliways tonight, but I think one door is enough for one night."

He unbuttons his jacket and slides it off.

[tragic_mask]

"Yes, I agree." She takes his jacket, and hangs it neatly on a hook by the door. "Too much jumping across the universe and there might be side effects."

[mechanicalswans]

"We wouldn't want side effects, would we," he murmurs, watching her. "I don't suppose you have anything to drink? Anything without caffeine would be fine, alcoholic or not."

[tragic_mask]

"Oh, so you don't want caffeine because you're not ready to party all night?"

She goes into the kitchen and examines the contents of the refrigerator. "Let's see... Tequila reposado, or... iced tea. Those are all the non-drugged options I have for you."

[mechanicalswans]

"Tequila, I think," he says, following her toward the kitchen but loitering in the doorway. "I can party all night without the caffeine, and without being jittery. Some days I can handle it perfectly fine, but I think that tonight I have had enough excitement that it would not go well. You don't really want to see me with lower inhibitions and my thoughts going much more quickly."

[tragic_mask]

"If you say so," she says, attempting not to let her imagination take her places. She gets down two glasses from the cabinet and pours a fair amount of tequila into each, then comes towards him.

"Here you go."