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]

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."

[ostro_goth]

That draws a smile from Teja.

"Give me a thing to remember, then!"

That is a challenge.

[ikissdhimbck]

Is it, now?

Kate arches his eyebrows and chuckles.

"Awlright."

He downs the shot to give himself time to think, blue eyes squinting.

"Is there anythin' you've ever been curious 'bout, when it comes t'the opposite sex?"

[ostro_goth]

"About my own, temporary, one," Teja says. "I am more like what you are just now, usually, and you like me, which is a strange coincidence."

[ikissdhimbck]

"Not an unpleasant one, though."

He grins.

"If you're more like me, then I'd suggest takin' a ride, or goin' dancin'. Or swimmin' in the ocean out back."

[ostro_goth]

"Swimming..." Teja ponders.

While female.

With breasts upon her chest.

[ikissdhimbck]

He arches an eyebrow.

[ostro_goth]

"I might do that," Teja says.

Pause.

"We might do that?"

The last is said almost shyly.

[ikissdhimbck]

He's got dimples when he smiles.

"I think I could be persuaded."

He touches the brim of his hat, and nods down the Bar.

"We'd hafta wait until the Miss comes to, of course."

[ostro_goth]

"We do," Teja says, earnestly, "or patrons might go thirsty, or stay sober against their will."

[ikissdhimbck]

"An' there's no sadder ailment on Cubefall."

He winks.

"Maybe give me an hour?"

[ostro_goth]

"I shall," Teja says, taking her drink and wandering over to the fireplace, so he may serve other patrons.-

[ikissdhimbck]

He's a man of his word. Just a few minutes past the hour he closes up shop, leaving the Bar immaculate. He vaults over — no use wasting time walking around the bar when he's got the arms and legs for leaping across it — and makes his way to where Teja is sitting.

"Ma'am."

His eyes are teasing as he tips his hat.

"You ready?"

[ostro_goth]

"I am," she says, getting up. "But I would need one of these things, that women of the future wear for swimming?"

[ikissdhimbck]

"The Miss is awake now, I'm sure she can provide somethin'."

He nods over his shoulder, asking her to follow him back to the Bar. There, Miss Bar provides a pair of swimming trunks. It's not exactly the kind of thing Kate's used to.

Where's the top?