milliways_bar | (no subject)

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alanna of trebond

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These horribly cold early morning workouts still don't sit well with Goldilocks, but she can't deny that they are doing her a world of good. Notwithstanding that her sleep patterns are well and truly fucked up, she's finally getting to grips with some of Liam's Shang techniques, and she's getting some much-needed exercise at the same time, all in exchange for some second-nature marksmanship skills.

Goldy can't remember the last time she felt this healthy or had this much energy. And that's pleasing. She hasn't even taken a nap since Wednesday afternoon.

Tonight she's at the bar with a contented smile, quite radiant and oozing more than her usual class. Her outfit consists of a white turtleneck and tan suede pants over her usual heeled boots. A light gray calf-length coat is folded under her stool, and there are brown leather gloves on the counter near her glass of Chardonnay.

Basically, she's got the Look.

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*Although not the Look, Alanna has a look which is mostly comprised of dark circles under her eyes and a perplexed expression as she leans on the bar.*

Hullo. I haven't seen you in a while. *She smiles, patting Bar.* More coffee please, Bar.

"Well, hi you." Goldy's smile is almost hypnotically warm. "I've been around, as usual—down here for lunch and supper most days. I just, well, not to put too finer point on it, I cycle in and out of sociability."

*Head tilted, Alanna considers the last forty eight hours and gives her a small smile.*

I've been doing a bit of that lately. *She considers further.* Well, okay. To be honest, I've been entirely too thoughtful and perhaps even sulking.

"Oh?" A little blink and a waver in the smile. "I haven't noticed, really. What's going on?"

I didn't think you would. I spent the entire day outside yesterday. Thinking.

*She shrugs, blowing on her coffee.*

Nothing. Just... my brother.

"Nothing tends to require less than a day's worth of thought."

*Alanna shrugs again, averting her eyes.*

Perhaps it's just that I do not know how to put it into words. We aren't fighting, so why should I be so bothered?

Anyway. How are you?

Goldy looks a little dissatisfied at the segue. She crosses her legs and takes a long sip of wine to emphasize the fact.

"I'm wonderful, thank you."

She draws a semi-resigned breath and forces brightness back into her demeanor. To be honest, she doesn't suit anything less tonight.

"An old friend of yours is teaching me a few combat techniques at stupid o' clock twice a week, in return for some gun lore. I feel great, regardless of the crazy hours I seem to have ended up keeping as a result."

*Alanna nods, trying not to laugh. She isn't fond of Shang hours either.*

Aye, Liam mentioned it. Are you having fun?

"It's... educational," she resolves with a tight-lipped smirk.

*drily* And by educational you mean insane. I understand. Have you mastered falling down yet?

Her laugh is knowing. "It seemed like I spent the entire first lesson on my butt in the snow. It took me several hours to thaw my behind out, and then a couple of days to walk off the limp."

"I think I've got it down now though. It only took me one day to recover from the stiffness and bruising this week," she says wryly.

He's really rather impressive. *She smiles.* You should see him in a real fight - everything's a blur. He hasn't taught me much, but what he taught me he made me practice until it's near perfect. Maybe he'll pit us against each other one day.

*Sipping her coffee, she gets an odd look on her face.*

It means more than I can say to have him here with me now. Training me again. I missed him.

"He's a nice guy, and, yes, I can imagine he's a sight in the heat of battle."

Returning to the earlier remark, Goldy looks a little skeptical. She doesn't fancy her chances against Alanna's stubbornness in anything really—even her own field of expertise.

"However, I don't think I'd be a match for you, really, unless he tied one of you hands behind your back."

*Alanna grins. Liam would be so disgruntled that he only rated a "nice."*

Bah, I'm sure you'd be fine. But I'd do it like that if you wished. I'm not yet up to full speed, and he wipes the ground with me all the time.

Liam is somewhat lucky to have earnt the distinction of 'nice' considering he blew Goldy off within two minutes of their first meeting.

"It would be interesting," she concedes. Then she chuckles. "I'm a little leery of giving you the chance to unleash long hidden grudges on me."

She is very obviously not being serious. There's also a friendly little elbow nudge in case her tone wasn't enough.

*Alanna flushes and lowers her head, becoming very interested in her coffee all of a sudden.*

I'd not do that, you know.

*She turns her head, smiling a little.*

How's Liam with a gun?

She nods a trusting and almost apologetic acknowledgement.

"He's not at all bad actually. He was a bit uncertain to start with, and he was compensating the rifle like a bow. I'm not sure he's a hundred percent comfortable with the style of weapon, but he's definitely a very quick learner."

Shang are masters of all weapons. It's uncanny how quickly and well they learn new things. That being said, yes, it's entirely outside his -our- realm of experience. I think he'll master it too, however. In time.

Did I tell you I put your lessons to use?

She straightens with wide-eyed interest. One can almost sense the pride lurking.

"No. Please... do share."

Indy, Meg and I went on a little adventure to Loompaland... *She lifts her hand and points down.* Where we got attacked by giant spiders. One snagged Indy. The only way we could get him down was to shoot.

She blinks a few times, not least at the mention of the unknown underworld. "Goodness, that sounds exciting. Well done, you."

"Meg was there too? In this... Loompaland?" Her tone indicates that she's unfamiliar with the name.

Aye, she was. They were helping me retrieve a very important item. *Her eyes flash for a moment.* Very, very important.

She nods her understanding. Magic items, treasure.. it's all the same to Goldy—not really her kind of thing—so she doesn't probe about the quest objective.

"And it sounds like you were successful. Congratulations."

She looks quizzically to where Alanna had pointed.

"There's a world down there?"

*Nodding, Alanna stares at the floor.*

The Oompa Loompas clean the bar and seem to have an extraordinary interest in chocolate. Yes, there is a whole world down there, full of chocolate and candy.

I do not know why.

Sometimes it is wise just to accept these things here and move on.

She curls her lip at the oddness.

"Agreed."

"And I'm glad my training helped."

She continues to eye the floor for a moment, then shakes it off as she recalls something else.

"Oh. I have some interesting news for you."

Oh? *Alanna tilts her head, leaning forward.* Of what sort?

"Well, to do with that security role I'd proposed to you," she elaborates. "I chatted with a certain Ramon Salazar the other morning. He took a bit of a shine to me. Nothing major, but he seemed to think we had some things in common."

"It was friendly enough though. There could be trust formed at some point down the line, perhaps."

*Alanna nods slowly, considering this.*

He thinks I'm useless. That bothers me more than I'd ever let him know. He's not entirely what he once was, but still... thanks, Goldy. I appreciate it, and I will speak to Bernard soon.

"I know you will," she says with a smile.

Good. *Alanna nods and stands, answering Goldy's smile with one of her own.* I should turn in. Enjoy your evening.

*She lifts the coffee, bows her head a little and walks toward the staff quarters.*

"You too."

Goldy raises her wine glass in a little farewell toast.

"Take care."

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