Vacationing

[sentryslinger]

[Continuing this thread, in which Spy has convinced Engineer to spend a vacation with him. Fishing, fine dining, and some enemy bonding ensue.


Engineer steps into the elevator, hitting the button for their floor, pulling at his collar to loosen that next button.]

Hey, thanks again for the dinner and the suit. I'll have to put it to use some other time to justify your spendin' money on all this.

Comments

[not_onyourside]

Not so long as butterscotch exists.

[He slides into a seat, skipping over most of the menu and going right to the ice cream section.]

[sentryslinger]

[Engie takes the opposite seat, doing pretty much the opposite thing, as well: he glances over the dinner choices, ready to fill his stomach. Said stomach nearly plummets from under him as he glances over Spy's shoulder and sees Miss Pauling.

The panic on his face is immediate, but dissipates as he gets a better look at her- no, that's not her. Just another dark-haired lady about her age in cat-eye glasses. She's even wearing a purple blouse to complete the image, but it's definitely not her.

Not that she didn't give him a fright. He smiles and hides further behind his menu, a little sheepish.]

[not_onyourside]

[Spy arches an eyebrow.]

Are you quite alright?

[Spy assumes he spotted another attractive woman and is going to disintegrate into a ball of nerves at any moment.]

[sentryslinger]

Just about gave myself a heart attack is all, partner. Though I saw Miss Pauling back there.

[He runs a hand over his head, checking again- nope, still not her.]

[not_onyourside]

Well zhat would have been unfortunate. But you are allowed to go on leave you realize. Zhat ees what zhis time off ees for.

[sentryslinger]

I am, but fraternizin' with the enemy is another story.

[not_onyourside]

A story I am glad to help you tell.

[He fixes Engineer with one of his most charming smiles.]

[sentryslinger]

[Engie hisses in response to that smile.]

And what kind of story would you tell them that wouldn't get us skinned alive?

[not_onyourside]

[Well that's not the response he was hoping for.]

I can be very convincing when I mean to be. Persuasiveness ees one of my strong points.

[sentryslinger]

And I'm sure they know that and would see right through it.

[not_onyourside]

How cruelly you underestimate me.

[sentryslinger]

[He sighs, frowning.]

Sorry, partner. I guess I just get on edge when I think about gettin' caught doin' something like this. I'm not used to sneakin' around like you are, doin' anything and everything that ain't on their agenda.

[not_onyourside]

What do you zhink zhey would do to you? You are far more valuable to zhe company zhan I am.

[sentryslinger]

It's not me they might do somethin' to, you know. Some of us have families outside of this work. Lives.

[He stops himself there, realizing that's probably not good territory to wander into with Spy.]

[not_onyourside]

[He lowers his eyes to the table.]

Ah. Yes of course.

[Not that that was a problem for Spy anymore.]

Zhough considering you were going to spend our holiday fixing zhe base, eet seems you do not have much of a life outside of work.

[sentryslinger]

[Engie is quiet, his eyes avoiding Spy as a waitress makes her way over to them to order. He's just getting something simple: a burger, a drink, something to drown his uncertainty in.

Spy is right, and he knows it.]

[not_onyourside]

[Spy resists ordering nothing but milkshakes and malts and ice cream, but don't think he hadn't considered it. Vanilla malt and a cheeseburger for him.]

Maybe you should change zhat.

[sentryslinger]

[Still not looking at you, Spy.]

I'm here with you, aren't I?

[not_onyourside]

Zhen you are off to a grand start.

[He smiles at Engie even though the builder seems to have found the surface of the table absolutely fascinating.]

Zhere ees still time to live a little, you are still young.

[sentryslinger]

[My, that is a fascinating spot on the table, isn't it? He finally does bring his eyes up to Spy, giving his companion a rueful smile.]

I suppose we should live while we can, since neither of us is probably going to live as long as we should.

[And just in time, the waitress returns with their drinks, leaving them at the table and promising their food will be ready soon. Engineer waits for her to depart before picking up his glass and offering it up for a toast.]

Here's to us and the unfortunate career that got us here. Though it might end badly, at least the company's good.

[not_onyourside]

I will drink to zhat.

[He raises his milkshake.]

And to many more holidays.

[sentryslinger]

[He clinks his glass against Spy's milkshake and takes a long drink, setting it back on the table once it's half-empty.]

And this one is just about over. Guess I'll have to start puttin' in work on the next one, as promised.

[not_onyourside]

I am holding you to zhat.

Zhough zhis company ees stingy wez zheir holidays. Eets almost as eef zhey forget we are people who would like to do zhings ozzer zhan blow each ozzer to pieces daily.

[sentryslinger]

I'm not sure exactly what kind of people we are anymore. We're not what some would consider human at this point, I'll tell you that.

[not_onyourside]

Non... No we are not.

But I believe we all can be again. Eet would take some work, but eet could happen.