(no subject)

[out_on_the_mat]

It is sweltering in Texas and the A/C in Charlie's truck kicked it a hundred and fifty miles ago.

He walks into Milliways expecting a rinky dink gas station, hoping like hell their cooler is working. When he sees the bar his head falls back on his shoulders and he heaves a grateful sigh at the ceiling.

"Thank, Christ."

Pumping on his sweaty T-shirt to try and fan himself out he heads straight for the counter, dropping onto a stool.

"Gimme an ice cold beer, please."

He gets his order and chugs it, ready to ask for another when the first is done.

Comments

[diehard_daniel]

Daniel has escaped Atlantis, and the cold of the planet they are on. He's just happy to be in a space that isn't too hot or freezing.

He watches the other guy bolt his beer, that can't be good for anyone.

"I take it it's hot where your from," he says.

[out_on_the_mat]

"As hell," Charlie replies, wiping his sweaty brow with his forearm. "Driving across the panhandle and my air conditioning up and quits."

[diehard_daniel]

Daniel winces, "Yeah, that'd suck."

He sips at his drink.

[out_on_the_mat]

"Pretty much." He finishes off his beer and belches loudly, cracking the top on the next bottle that appears and giving the cap a flick across the bar.

[diehard_daniel]

"Daniel Jackson, Atlantis 2009," he says offering his hand.

[out_on_the_mat]

He glances down at the hand, switches his beer his right to his left, then shakes hands, his slick with condensation from the bottle.

"Charlie Kenton. 2020. At the moment in from the Texas Panhandle."

[diehard_daniel]

"I haven't been down there in a long time," says Daniel, "So, 2020? What's that like?"

[out_on_the_mat]

"For the most part? Not much different than 2009. Internet's faster, smartphones are better. Unless you're into sports I can't say too much about what's changed," he replies with a shrug.

"Where's Atlantis? Never heard of it."

[diehard_daniel]

Daniel grins, "The Pegasis Galaxy. Atlantis itself is an intergalactic city ship buit by a race of beings we call the Ancients."

[manythorned]

Rose, still in her roller skates, stops at the bar a few stools down.

"Hi." It's a little nervous and quiet. "Can I have a coke, please?"

She beams when one sppears.

[out_on_the_mat]

Charlie tilts his head at her, eyes the roller skates, then cracks a grin.

"You in a hurry, or just tired of walking?" he asks.

[manythorned]

She smiles shyly at him. "I was just trying them on when I came in here by mistake."

[out_on_the_mat]

"Oh yeah? It can sneak up on you like that. It's not your first time in, is it?"

[manythorned]

"Sort of?" She looks at him over the glass as she takes a small sip. "I think it's been a day or two."

[out_on_the_mat]

"Somebody give you the whole info speech deal?" he asks, taking a drink.

[manythorned]

She nods. "Quentin told me about this place and then I read a leaflet about the rules." That no violence one might be a bit of a problem at times.

[out_on_the_mat]

"Good, because I'm pretty sure I'd be terrible at the welcome spiel. Explanations aren't really my thing." Giving or listening to them.

"So where you from?"

[childofrebellion]

Cassian's staring at his datapad in his black leather jackeet when Charlie sits down and looks him over,

"Stars, where have you been, desert planet?"

[out_on_the_mat]

"Texas Panhandle," Charlie replies, panting now that he's finally taking a breath after downing the beer. "Hotter than hell out there."

[childofrebellion]

"No idea where that is but I've been on desert planets, they're awful. Hot or dry heat?"

He sips his caf and looks over at Charlie with a sympathetic glance.

[out_on_the_mat]

"Dry, but don't believe all that humidity crap. It's just as awful being roasted alive as it is being steam cooked."

That's his opinion, anyways.

He rests the cold bottle against his forehead and gives Cassian a nod.

"How you been? Pissed any more stormguards off lately?"

[childofrebellion]

"I don't, heat and cold, doesn't matter the kind it always gets you. Stormtroopers and I'm always annoying them, they haven't caught me lately,"

Which is how it should work but he does have close calls.

[out_on_the_mat]

Charlie grins, saluting Cassian with his beer bottle.

"That's the way to do it. Doesn't count if you don't get caught."

[childofrebellion]

"Never does and even better if they're the ones who get in trouble. How are your droids fighting?"

He laughs and lifts his caf mug.

[out_on_the_mat]

Charlie scowls, huffing a sigh.

"Lousy. My bot's gone down in two of his last three bouts and I can't book a fight anywhere."

Just his rotten luck.

"County fair season is starting, though. I'm on the way to Tulsa to see if I can't get a match for him there."