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]

You are deceptively attentive.

[ That might be too close for comfort. Thats what he gets for letting his guard down. ]

But you are correct. Zhe point was to get you off base and to remember how to relax and have fun.

[sentryslinger]

Which you mentioned a couple of times yourself.

[He turns from Spy, looking out the window as he continues on those buttons.]

But why you'd go and do all that for a man you've only dealt with on the battlefield and in a blizzard was beyond me, so I got to thinkin' of why. I'm not sayin' you aren't all that altruistic, but puttin' yourself out there like that -- riskin' your life by fraternizing with the enemy, even if we aren't at the same base and are off-duty -- doesn't seem like a thing any of us would do.

So I start askin' myself this: what is it you get from all this?

[not_onyourside]

A respite from crushing lonliness. Someone to converse wez. And time away from zhe base for myself.

Even I sometimes forget how to relax.

[sentryslinger]

That's one conclusion I came to. Another was that maybe you saw somethin' in me that you see in yourself. You want to help even if you don't know how. You want to do what you can to defy the people who own us now, even if it is somethin' as simple as a vacation with the enemy.

It makes ya feel like you're still alive, don't it?

[not_onyourside]

Makes me feel dangerous, oui.

[He grins.]

How about you? How are you feeling about your brush wez zhe law?

[sentryslinger]

I can't say I am. I can't say I haven't enjoyed this, though. I did need it.

[He glances back at Spy.]

Well? Was I close?

[not_onyourside]

Indeed you did.

[He has a private smile to himself. Engie was very observant, except for one glaring exception.]

You are shockingly accurate. Do you feel better now zhat you have solved zhe mystery?

[sentryslinger]

A little. I get the feelin' there's more to you than that, but some things I can't solve on my own. I'm not gonna figure out your real name without a hint, I'll tell you that.

[He turns back to his companion, sliding into his shoes.]

[not_onyourside]

Well I must wezzhold some secrets oui? I am hardly a man of mystery eef I give everyzzing out on zhe first try.

[sentryslinger]

[He chuckles.]

Fair enough, my friend. Fair enough.

[He gets back to his feet.]

Ready for that walk?

[not_onyourside]

Very much so. I am going to miss zhis place, even wez zhe unfortunate weazzer.

Mostly because I have not died once zhis weekend.

[ He holds the room door open for Engie. ]

Where will you tell your team you have been should zhey ask?

[sentryslinger]

[He steps into the hallway, waiting for his companion.]

Guess I'll tell 'em the truth. I went on vacation.

[not_onyourside]

I would like to see zheir reactions of disbelief. Especially Scout.

[He tucks his hands into his pockets as he follows.]

Do not damage zhem too much by letting zhem know you wore somezzing ozzer zhan overalls.

[sentryslinger]

It'd be easier to not mention the additions to my wardrobe. I don't think many of 'em have even seen me in a suit.

[not_onyourside]

You had better keep all zhese new outfits. You look quite handsome een zhem.

[sentryslinger]

[He rubs the back of his neck as he presses the button to call the elevator. He will never get used to compliments regarding him rather than his marvelous machines.]

That's all thanks to you. I wouldn't have known what I oughtta be wearin' otherwise.

[not_onyourside]

As your personal stylist, masseuse and holiday planner, I am honored.

[He gets into the elevator, leaning against the wall.]

But I zhink you could easily spend time on yourself and learn what works best for you. Not just clozzes, but time and social obligations as well.

[sentryslinger]

I don't have much in the way of social obligations, you know. And when I'm spendin' time with myself, it's with my machines.

[not_onyourside]

Zhat ees precisely what I mean! You are more important zhan your machines, and you would do well to remember eet.

[sentryslinger]

[The smile that eases its way onto his face is probably the most genuine and appreciative smile can make.]

I... [He laughs.] I don't hear that as often as I probably need to, I'll admit.

[not_onyourside]

[ Gosh you're handsome when you smile. ]

Perhaps you would eef you enjoyed zhe company of people ozzer zhan coworkers.

[sentryslinger]

You know that's not that easy. We bring trouble wherever we go.

[not_onyourside]

No, our work brings trouble. We just stand by and let eet.

[sentryslinger]

It might as well be us bringin' it, then.

[The doors open to the lobby, but Engineer waits for Spy before exiting the elevator.]

The point is that I'd rather just let the folks unfortunate enough to live by the bases be. With as often as I get moved, chances are I wouldn't be around long enough to fix whatever mess I'd made.

[not_onyourside]

Zhat ees a dismal outlook for someone who ees a solver of problems.

I cannot argue wez zhe logic zhough. I suppose all zhe more reason I shall have to take you on holiday more.