(no subject)

[almosthonorable]

[ oom: this cowboy keeps his word ]


He didn't expect to see the bar just yet.

Doesn't mean he doesn't appreciate the happenstance.

Ben Wade heads toward the counter to order a whiskey. He's in a damn good mood.


[ tiny tag: the russian astronaut ]

Comments

[almosthonorable]

"Then we should go flyin' sometime."

[aimedforthemoon]

A slow smile.

"So we should." A beat, a tilt of her head. "But I do not have a plane. So. Maybe I should buy you a drink, and may be I ask if you are interested in...that other thing?"

[almosthonorable]

"Damn shame there's no plane."

A beat and a slow-spreading grin.

"Good thing I'm very interested in that other thing. And another glass of whiskey."

[aimedforthemoon]

"Oh, good," Esfir says, cheerfully. "Bar, comrade? A glass for Ben, of whatever he'd like?"

[almosthonorable]

A glass of Whyren's appears in front of Ben, and Esfir gets a short, appreciative nod.

"You been here long?"

He's genuinely curious; he doesn't remember seeing her while he was Bound.

[aimedforthemoon]

"Maybe, a month? Not much longer."

[almosthonorable]

"Likin' it well enough so far?"

[aimedforthemoon]

"I...yes, I do. It's...For someone who dreamed of the stars? And who...who worked to fly among them? This...is as good an afterlife as I can get." Beat. "And the people aren't bad, eider."

[almosthonorable]

"Pearly gates and streets of gold might get a little dull, anyhow."

Flash of a grin.

"No, the people ain't bad. Especially the pretty ones."

[aimedforthemoon]

"Oh which there are a high proportion. But, no. I do not think I could cope with pearly gates, even if I managed to get there."

[almosthonorable]

"None of 'em quite measure up to you, though."

Smirk.

"No? Is it the pearls or the gates?"

[aimedforthemoon]

Drily,

"Try the entire concept of an exclusive heaven. Although, the pearls don't help."

[almosthonorable]

"But if it ain't exclusive, don't think most folks would care 'bout gettin' there."

[aimedforthemoon]

A crooked smile.

"Now that's cynical."

[almosthonorable]

"Cynical?"

He shakes his head in protest.

"Just realistic, darlin'."

[aimedforthemoon]

"The two are not, uh. They do no cancel each other out."

[almosthonorable]

That earns a slow grin.

"Think it's possible to be optimistic and a realist, then?"

[aimedforthemoon]

"I do."

[almosthonorable]

"Well, then, by all means, enlighten me."

[aimedforthemoon]

"Optomism does not mean...blind. Bad things can happen, people can be...not nice. I know this, very well. But if you expect the worst all the time...you are not anymore prepared. You, um. You can plan for bad things, be realistic and not stupid, but you can still hope for good.

Just, don't be blind and assume the best will always happen."

[almosthonorable]

"Suppose that's true enough," he concedes with a small smile. "Might even work."

[aimedforthemoon]

"It does, thank you."

[almosthonorable]

That earns a quiet laugh.

"Glad to know it does for you, Miss — "

Half a beat and an apologetic half-smile.

"Esfir. Just Esfir."

[aimedforthemoon]

"Yes. Just Esfir." Pause. "You could always call me Lieutenant, if just my name is too hard."

[almosthonorable]

"Ain't hard, Lieutenant — just a habit I'm gonna hafta break around you."