milliways_bar | (no subject)

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It's been a long time and Tess isn't sure she's ready for this, but she's supposed to get her schedule back to normal, right? That's what they keep telling her and based on what she can remember, Milliways was normal.

The Tess who enters, however, doesn't quite look the same. She's a little older, a little more haggard. A little less smug than she usually has been.

She's dressed normally when she comes in through the door, same old black dress pants and a nice, silky blouse. No makeup. Everything in moderation so far. She sits at the bar proper and merely starts to look around, regain her bearings. See if she can find any familiar faces.

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Jim likes it when smug people look a little less smug, particularly if they're people who he's been pissed off with.

Still, he is also curious as to what exactly happened to her, which is why he looks friendly as he slides onto the stool next to her.

'Darling. It's been forever.'

The look she gives him isn't anywhere near friendly.

"Five years, to be exact."

She stares at him for a moment, eyebrows knit together, as if she's trying to place him in her memory.

'So what'd they do to you?'

Bar produces a coffee, which he picks up and sips.

'You look old.'

Edited 2017-10-03 21:26 (UTC)

She does remember you, Jim. That doesn't make her demeanour any more amicable.

"What do you care?"

'I don't. I'm curious.'

Did you expect any different, Tess? Five years is not going to change him.

'Who was it, in the end? Last I heard, someone scary was stalking you. Then they dragged you out of here, and-'

He shrugs.

Of course. Everyone's just here for his amusement. She hasn't forgotten that, either.

She smiles slightly. "They're scarier when you get to know them."

'And it sounds like you did.'

Hmm, he needs nibbles. Bar produces peanuts, and he tosses one up to catch it in his mouth.

'But you're still not giving details. Or is this one of those-' he pulls a mock-sympathetic face, '-situations where I'm not supposed to ask?'

"Why should I give you details when all you want is the satisfaction of knowing? I might, if you were nicer." She smiles again, unpleasantly. "But I don't think that's happening anytime soon."

Edited 2017-10-03 22:05 (UTC)

'Maybe I'm also concerned for your welfare. You do look like shit, darling. And it was quite a dramatic exit, as exits go.'

Not that Jim did a thing to find out what was going on, or help in any way.

'You've never wanted me to be nice before.'

She leans forward a little. "You, a scrounging little beast who doesn't know his place, should be more pleasing to those who have evolved beyond you."

Then she leans back again, tapping the bar and being presented with a simple glass of water. "However, if you reallymust know, I was taken for a vacation on Apokolips."

That makes him snort with laughter, and chuck another peanut into his mouth.

'Now who's getting airs above her station?'

This conversation is going to be dull, he can tell.

'And I have no idea what Apokolips is, beyond some hideous bastardisation designed to sound like the end of the world, and perhaps a play on 'Metropolis' as well. Both? Either way, do tell. I'm agog, my dear.'

She just smiles a little more and allows the first comment to slide.

"It's a hell planet in another dimension." Which is the simple explanation. "I'd offer you a trip, but you'd die too quickly."

'I'm already dead, darling.'

Lol, et cetera. Plus, he wasn't inclined to go anywhere with her even before that comment. He's still pissed at her from before.

'What did they want with you?'

That she doesn't remember. Only that they've rarely been on good terms.

"They wouldn't care."

She sips her water.

"My brain connects to their world. Apparently I've got something they want. As far as I understand, they didn't get it."

'And you don't know what it is?'

The whole thing sounds annoying.

"I have part of an equation He wants. I'm not consciously aware of what it is."

And before he asks, "The equation will bring about the end of existence everywhere."

Jim perks up.

'Useful! If you figure it out, can I have it?'

"It's useless without the rest of the parts." That'd be a no, Jim. "And I don't know those, either."

Sounds like Tess is useless without the rest of the parts. Jim pouts, and sips his coffee.

'So they just let you go when they found out you weren't useful?'

Hard to believe.

Not useful? ...has he been listening?

"No. They brutally tortured me for five years until my team rescued me."

'Wow. Sucks to be you.'

Someone wanted an equation, which they didn't get, and Tess doesn't know, and it doesn't work without the rest of the parts, which she also doesn't know.

None of this equates to useful as far as he's concerned, but he can see why the nameless 'He' would want it. Putting it all together sounds like a fun sort of challenge.

'So, what now? You're back in Metropolis? Did LutherCorp fold without you?'

It does suck to be her, which doesn't mean she likes him saying it so casually.

A light wind circles around them.

"I'm back in Smallville. Oliver took over Luthorcorp at my instruction. I'm not quite ready to go back yet."

He raises an eyebrow at the wind.

'Oooooh, did someone acquire super-special powers when they were away getting tortured? Mystical ride-along pixies to keep track of your thoughts and protect you from nasty men?'

Jim is very happy at the moment, which results in...well, this sort of behaviour.

'I was going to invite you to my stag do, but it looks like you might be a downer. Or maybe it's exactly the sort of thing you need to get back in the saddle. What do you think?'

"Pixies?" Because really, Jim?

He's having a stag party which means he's marrying Sherlock. Oh, well. Who cares. "I'm supposed to get into social shape, so it might be helpful."

He spreads his hands and pulls the big eyes of snark, because why not pixies? He lives on a world run by them at the moment, apparently.

'I can't promise it'll be any sort of social education, given that Wilford's hosting and things are obviously going to get entirely fucked up, but it will be fun. So yeah, come if you want to.'

He would tell her not to piss Sherlock off, but she's had five years of torture to get over that, and obviously no longer cares about whatever her issue was. Which is very good. So, indeed, yeah. Fun!

Tess is just going to chalk this up as Jim being Jim. Which is probably the closest explanation.

"I more need to be around people to make sure don't kill them. I'm sure you'll agree that will add a level of excitement to the evening.

‘Is that your thing now? Randomly killing people?’

A useful skill/state of mind! He is all for it.

‘You can probably kill people if you want. People don’t always die on his world, they just come back. Just limit it to locals, and not anyone who comes from here.’

"I am one of Darkseid's Elite, a Female Fury. It is our job to eliminate those who will not bend to His might and power." It sounds very rehearsed.

She taps her temple. "They got in my brain, too."

Ugh. Really?

‘You’ve been brainwashed?’

Ugh ugh ugh. Boring.

‘Can you get them out?’

"I was."

It was fun.

"They're mostly out. There's just-- sometimes it takes over and I can't stop it.

'Sounds awful.'

He doesn't sound sympathetic. Because....well. Y'know.

'Is this as good as its going to get?'

"It's hard to say."

She takes another sip of water, wishing it were something else.

"Anyway, enough of my trauma. Do I hear wedding bells?"

'Why else would there be a stag do?'

There's no snark in the question - or, not much, anyway - and his grin is wide and happy.

'Not that there'll be bells, because we're doing it here. Christmas Day. It'll be perfect.'

He'll make it so.

"I thought you hated Christmas."

At least, it's something he'd be likely to hate.

'I'm entirely ambivalent about it either way.'

Obviously.

'But the decorations and colour scheme suit me wonderfully.'

Green really goes with his hair.

"Well, if it suits you wonderfully, then who am I to say anything."

That gets a small smile out of her.

"Sherlock gets the bridal shower?"

'God, no.'

Ugh. Jim hates emasculation. He pulls a face.

'The stag is for both of us. He's not my wife.'

"That's fair."

She sets her chin on her hand.

"Now, what to get for the couple that has everything?"

'I'm still holding out for the volcano lair. Failing that...I don't know. Surprise me.'

If you can, Tess. He'd appreciate it.

Sorry, the volcano lair didn't make the mass of memories that came back.

"I'll do my best."

Eh. He'll live.

'I'm sure you will, my dear.'

He slides off his stool, and smooths his hair back with one hand.

'Better get your drinking back up to speed before the big party. Wouldn't want you falling behind.'

"I'm working on it."

Even if she's not supposed to, alcohol being a precursor to bad ideas and potential brainwashing episodes.

'Oh, I have no doubt.'

He grins sharply, and wanders off without another word. Stuff to do, et cetera.

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