(no subject)

[tragic_mask]

Melpomene slept deeply without dreaming, and only woke up when the light between the curtains fell across her eyes.

It was a nice way to wake up. So now, as she opens her eyes, she stirs only slightly, and then settles back into a comfortable position.

Comments

[mechanicalswans]

"I was a Boy Scout," he says, as though that explains it. "On the one hand, a barrel will protect you, but on the other, it can also fill up with water. You've got to have a lot of faith in your barrel."

[tragic_mask]

"Sounds very philosophical."

She sighs. "Well, I guess we don't have to go over... but we should certainly do something thrilling while we're there."

[mechanicalswans]

"I have a secret wish to spit watermelon seeds off the roof of a tall building," he admits, "but this is probably not the right season, and I'm not sure it would count as thrilling. Unless it involved nudity and a subsequent police chase, but imagine having that be all over the news."

[tragic_mask]

She laughs. "That'd be exciting. Maybe not the ordinary vacation, but hey."

[mechanicalswans]

"My mother would be horrified," he says with a chuckle. "You know she'd find out. She watches the news every day, morning and evening. Just imagine the phone call I'd get--there'd be a dozen messages on the machine when we get back, and I'd never hear the end of it."

[tragic_mask]

"Oh," she says, shaking her head. "But wouldn't it just be worth it?"

[mechanicalswans]

"...shall we find a grocery store, then?" he asks, eyebrow raised. "There is that tower by the falls, and I think it has an observation deck..."

[tragic_mask]

"Oh, really? It sounds perfect," she says.

[mechanicalswans]

"Just to be clear... are we talking about watermelon and height, or are we adding the part with the nudity and the police chase also? So we know how much watermelon to buy, you see."

[tragic_mask]

"I think watermelon and height... but I'm sure we can incorporate nudity somehow..."

She trails off, and tilts her head. "Yes, I think it's possible."

[mechanicalswans]

"I'm very good at getting undressed very quickly, if the need arises," he says. "Also, dressed again. It's a life skill. Boy Scouts, you know."

[tragic_mask]

"Mmhmm," she says, with an 'I'm wise to you' look. "They really taught you the essentials."

[mechanicalswans]

"There's not much else for a teenage boy to do in Minnesota," he says, mock-seriously. "Someday I should show you the merit badge I got for that..."

[tragic_mask]

"Oh, I'd like to see it."

[mechanicalswans]

"You have to be able to undress in twenty seconds," he says, "and dress again in another twenty. I managed fifteen and seventeen."

[tragic_mask]

"Impressive," she says. "And what exactly was this good for?"

[mechanicalswans]

"The Boy Scout motto is 'be prepared,' so... that's what it's for. You never know when you might need it."

[tragic_mask]

"Ah, well, looks like they were right," she says, winking. "It will come in handy. However, I have no such skills prepared."

[mechanicalswans]

"I can teach you," he grins. "I've also got my 'instructor' merit badge. I've got all of them."

[tragic_mask]

"Wow," she says, affecting shiny eyes. "Teach me, o sage."

[mechanicalswans]

"Take your socks and shoes off all at once," he says. "Trousers with all buttons and no zippers may come off more quickly, if the buttonholes are loose enough, but they will take longer to fasten again. Pullovers are your best bet."

[tragic_mask]

She blinks.

"I will keep that in mind."

[mechanicalswans]

"You could also just wear a tracksuit and sandals, but that would be cheating," he says, idly toying with her hand. "Not to mention unflattering."

[tragic_mask]

"Oh, yes, well, wouldn't want that," she says, looking wryly down at her t-shirt and ripped jeans.

[mechanicalswans]

"You look beautiful," he says. "Classic. Timeless. I love it."