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

[sentryslinger]

Yeah. Maybe I could use the river to power an entire base, along with the security system to go along with it. Somethin' real fancy and automated, that might...

[And he trails off.]

You know, on second thought, maybe I oughtta look into a base that's near Double Cross rather than Double Cross itself.

[not_onyourside]

Eef zhat keeps you from filling me wez holes zhan I am een favour of eet.

Also I would be required to break all your precious machines.

[sentryslinger]

Not that I think two mercenaries like us couldn't do our jobs, but it might be a conflict of interest.

[He tries to say that so casually, but his brow knits together. Yes, it absolutely would be a conflict of interest for him.]

[not_onyourside]

Eet would be a shame to ruin so many suits.

[And he'd feel bad stabbing Engineer. He doesn't want that.]

But zhere are many bases nearby where you could maintain your experiments and I could remain upright and alive.

[sentryslinger]

There are. At least I've got plenty to think about when I get home.

[Like how this friendship thing is probably a bad idea that's going to get them both killed, and how people like Sniper might have the right idea by practicing distance. Not everyone can live like that, though. People are social creatures some more so than others. Some would rather be dead than alone with their conscience for too long.

He casts his eyes past the shoreline to the water, his mind turning too hard on this subject. It's the hardest machine to shut down.]

[not_onyourside]

All right, zhat's enough of zhat.

[He puts his arm around Engie's shoulder, gently shaking him.]

Focus on zhe here and now.

[sentryslinger]

[He gives Spy a small smile, trying to assure him that he's all right.]

I know, I know. I can't help but get wrapped up in my own head sometimes.

[Or a lot of the time. He is a thinker, after all.]

[not_onyourside]

As long as you remember to come out from eenside your head and revisit society occasionally.

[sentryslinger]

I will. I just might need you to remind me on occasion.

[He looks out over the lake, stooping to pick up a rock. Spoiler: he's good at skipping them, as he demonstrates.]

[not_onyourside]

Zhat ees what I am here for.

[He raises an eyebrow, impressed.]

At least some skills never fade.

[sentryslinger]

What? Oh, that.

[He picks up two more, offering one to Spy.]

[not_onyourside]

Oui zhat.

[He turns it over in his hand before flicking his wrist and sending it skimming over the surface of the lake.]

[sentryslinger]

[He grins approvingly.]

This is one of those things my father taught me, way back when I hardly came up to his knee. Feels like yesterday, sometimes.

[not_onyourside]

Somehow I imagined you only learning practical skills.

[sentryslinger]

Could be practical, if I get into a stone-skippin' contest.

[not_onyourside]

Mmm yes. Zhose do seem to occur quite frequently.

[He stoops to pick up another rock, smooth and flat, and sends it gliding across the flat surface of the lake.]

[sentryslinger]

[That one went far. He'll have to do better.]

You figure this out on your own, or someone teach ya?

[not_onyourside]

Eets similar to zhrowing knives. Which een my case actually ees practical.

[sentryslinger]

I can't imagine I'd be any good with throwin' knives no matter how well I can skip a rock across a lake.

[not_onyourside]

Zhis ees simply horizontal razzer zhan vertical. Just a difference een how eets zhrown.

And far less lethal.

[sentryslinger]

I expect it is.

[They come up to a log sitting by the lakeside, and Engie is happy to take a seat on it to watch the people on the other side. Life goes on over there: people enter and exit the hotel, some walk toward the stores, others are getting out on the lake themselves. None of them are heavy-hearted, or haunted by demons. It's a good life.

He leans back, taking in a deep breath. Ah, fresh air.]

[not_onyourside]

[Spy pauses by the log, pulling out his cigarette case and lighting one up, eyes on the lake.]

Everyone certainly seems to be enjoying zhemselves. Zhat would be nice at zhe base.

[sentryslinger]

I wonder if we'd even get along if we weren't workin' together.

[not_onyourside]

Me and you or our coworkers een general? Because I zhink we would get along fine.

[And it would sure be a lot easier to try and seduce him...]

[sentryslinger]

[He smiles.]

We might. Not sure where I'd would've crossed paths with you without this job, though.