Happy Hour, Cubefall Edition!

[ikissdhimbck]

It's been a pleasant enough month. After all the hullabaloo of the Shindig cleared out, Kate took some time to herself to relax. She's been around, in and out of the stables as usual, but mostly sticking to the libraries and her room.

She's pleased when she comes downstairs and gets a reminder of just what the date is.

The familiar screen pops up:

Hello! Welcome to Milliways. Today, Milliways marks the Cybertronian holiday of Cubefall, the anniversary of the day upon which the Allspark first landed on the rocky world that would become Cybertron. Would you like to sample some possible reconfigurations? (y/n)





Kate grins, taking some time to pore over the choices. The robot is a little unsettling; the horse is tempting. She was a fella two years back for the holiday, and she actually quite enjoyed the experience. Folk always like to compare what a woman can do to what a man can do. Getting some actual idea of what the differences really are...

She chews on her lip, and hits the series of buttons it takes to reconfigure her. Hell if she won't have some more fun with this.

When it's done, a napkin pops up on the Bar.

"Y'jus' like askin' me when I'm tall 'nough t'reach the shelves, don't you?" 'he' grumbles, not without amusement.

He leaps over the counter spryly, and quickly scribbles up a few specials.

Happy Hour Specials:

Robot Cocktail
Fluffy Duck
Gender Bender Shooter
Bourbon
Ice Cream
Bourbon Ice Cream

Build something for half off your drink, and an extra shot of good luck.

"Bar's open! Yeehaw."


[ooc: Open until the next Happy Hour post, or until it scrolls off the front page. All are welcome, threadhopping is encouraged, zaniness is practically required. Have fun! ^__^]

Comments

[ikissdhimbck]

"Glad y'approve."

He wipes his hands on a bar rag, and holds one out to her. Palm to the ceiling — he's gonna do this right, after all — he'll offer a kiss to her knuckles.

"Have I made your acquaintance yet?"

[ostro_goth]

"It depends," she says, slowly, "if you are again the one that I remember wearing this face another time: - are you?"

[ikissdhimbck]

His smile is molasses slow, and as charming as could be.

"I very well could be — "

He dips to give her that polite kiss.

" — Your Highness."

(It's accompanied by a wink.)

[ostro_goth]

"It could be," she says, smiling up at him, "but I would only admit to it, if you are truly the one usually known as" -- pause -- "Kate?"

[ikissdhimbck]

He lets out a burst of laughter, which crinkles the corners of his eyes.

"I won't tell if you won't."

He nods, just once, blue eyes sliding from side to side.

[ostro_goth]

"So you went one way," Teja says, "and I the other, and here we are again, ourselves but not."

She smiles. It seems to be easier for this face to smile than for the other.

"We cannot go and see my people like this, though," she goes on. "They would think us under an evil spell of the god known as Lauga, Loge, or Loki."

[ikissdhimbck]

"An' I've had jus' about enough of people callin' me cursed by gods."

It's muttered in good humor, but it's true all the same.

"Look'it us. Matchin' pieces an' all."

[ostro_goth]

Teja looks up, dark eyes gazing into blue ones with sincere affection.

"So it would seem indeed," he says.

Pause.

"Who would call you cursed by the gods?"

Whoever that was, should suffer for such rudeness!

[ikissdhimbck]

"Well."

He draws in a breath, shaking his head haplessly.

"I do believe I've lost count."

[ostro_goth]

"I cannot slay that many on mere suspicion," Teja says, leaving no doubt that he could slay that many with good reason, indeed.

[ikissdhimbck]

"Ha!"

His face crinkles up in sheer amusement, the sharp laugh hanging in the air around them.

"I appreciate the concern, but that might be too great a task at this point. Besides, it ain't no folk here. It's folk out in Texas."

He leans against the bar, arms crossed, and tips his hat back enough so his view ain't obscured.

"Didn't I ever tell you 'bout why I left Green Lake?"

[ostro_goth]

"No," Teja says, "you did not."

Kate may tell now, Teja's eyes say.

[ikissdhimbck]

"I fell in love with a man of color."

His smile turns softer.

"It's 'gainst the law. An' most folk think of it as an abomination. So when the town found out, they burned my school down an' killed Sam when we was tryin' t'run away. Called me a witch, an' said God was punishin' me."

[ostro_goth]

Teja just listens, eyes full of empathy and sympathy and deep sadness.

It is odd to exchange confidences while both in opposite bodies, so to speak.

Exchange?

"I -- know what that feels like."

[ikissdhimbck]

It's different, for sure. Kate's still herself, deep down, but there's a whole new mix of emotions going on that make the retelling — not easier, per se. Just different.

He tilts his head, brow furrowing at Lady Teja's declaration.

"I'm sorry t'hear that."

He doesn't push. He sounds truly and genuinely remorseful.

[ostro_goth]

"The woman I loved when I was young," Teja says, "died by my own hand, when we were fleeing the place where I was kept a slave, and she was to be forced to marry a cruel man that" ---

Silence.

"Unlike what we had planned, she had to steal his helmet and cloak to get away, hurriedly, before she was forced" ---

Silence.

"I did not realise before it was too late. She forgave me, and was gone."

[ikissdhimbck]

The silences speak louder than words.

Kate's still for a moment, jaw set in a rigid line. Normally he might reach for Teja's hand, murmuring soft apologies and condolences. This time, however, he soaks it all in, his distress showing clearly in his expression.

He lets out a slow breath, and finally reaches out to carefully brush Teja's hair behind her ear, stroking her temple in the process.

"I had no idea."

His voice is a touch rusty.

"I'm sorry. There ain't nothin' else I can say. I've had the blood of both my loves on my hands; I don't think there's anythin' that can wipe out that pain."

[ostro_goth]

Teja leans her head briefly into the touch, then look up at Kate's face, dark eyes barely holding back tears.

Unable to speak, for a moment.

And then, a quiet nod.

[ikissdhimbck]

He worries at his lower lip, turning the skin pink.

"Hey, now."

He smiles, the corners of his eyes crinkling with the effort it takes.

"I've gotcha."

[ostro_goth]

She nods, closes her eyes, and the tears spill between her lashes.

Awkwardly, Teja wipes them with the back of his wrist while still not pulling away from Kate.

[ikissdhimbck]

He doesn't say a word. He wouldn't rob her of her dignity like that. His hand drifts to her shoulder, touch light, and with his long arms he reaches for a clean glass with his free hand.

Water appears in front of Teja.

[ostro_goth]

Teja takes it and sips, still silent.

Then, finally, words. "Thank you, my friend."

[ikissdhimbck]

"Don't feel the need t'mention it."

He ducks his head, rough fingers gently finding their way under her chin.

"Knowin' you've been there, knowin' y'understand, gives me strength."

[ostro_goth]

"It is the same for me," Teja says, looking him in the eyes again.

There is something there in Teja's dark eyes, very gentle and almost shy.

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate ducks his chin bashfully.

"Shucks. Today ain't the day for tears, Teja. It's a holiday."

He pulls back, grabbing a shot of whiskey.

"You an' I should be enjoyin' ourselves. There's plenty of time for old memories after we've made some new ones."