When after all, it was you and me [open]

[saunteredvaguelydownwards]

Who: Crowley, Dan Palmer, Nathaniel Howe, Regis & YOU
Where: Catchall for all my characters around the Citadel
When: Event times!
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Will personal make top levels if requested!
The Story:

Comments

[mandrakes]

I thought a bar might be to your liking, though I think one in an area where we might be less likely to be accosted for our money might be best.

[For now, 'away from here' is good. They can always alter course when they decide exactly where they are going. Regis looks over to the young commander, both eyebrows lifting slightly.]

Dare I ask what you did to raise the ire of your krogan friend back there?

[Wrong place, wrong time?]

You dispatched him very ably. I'm quite impressed.

[morework]

[ Cullen nods his approval, and follows Regis' step. ]

Krogan? Is that what they're called? [ He puts a hand on the satchel at his side. ] They asked for my possessions, but I wasn't inclined to--

[ His head gives a sharp throb. Cullen groans, from it as much as from the embarrassment. Impressive, well, that is one word for it. ]

I got lucky. It was a foolish risk, I could have just given them what they wanted.

[ It doesn't sit well with him, even as he says it. But considering how little material possessions mean, even moreso in Wonderland? Even moreso in... whatever strange variation of it this is supposed to be? It was a foolish risk. ]

[mandrakes]

You could have, but our heads are often overridden by instinct in such cases, aren't they?

[He places a gentle, steadying hand on the back of Cullen's shoulder as they walk, concerned for the clear sound of distress that he makes. Though from an outside observation he has no need for medical care - a stiff drink would do the trick just as well.]

I can't imagine the request was particularly polite.

[The resting hand pats lightly, once, then drops. Regis smiles slightly, a curve of his lips that doesn't show his teeth.]

And they were just as likely to follow the same path whether or not you relinquished your possessions.

[morework]

[ That analysis only makes it worse. Cullen almost flinches. Almost, well, at least that is one instinct he still knows how to curb today. ]

No, it wasn't. [ A beat. ] And you're right, they probably would have.

[ AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. ]

...What do you think about-- all of this? I could barely find a single thing this place has in common with my world. [ ... ] Other than the back alley muggings.

[mandrakes]

[The change of topic isn't unwelcome, so Regis changes tack immediately to go along with it. He has many opinions about this place, and is quite happy to share them all.]

Nor with mine. [Aside from the back alley muggings.] But... I cannot help but wonder at it all the same. Where I came from, our most recent invention is the trebuchet.

[The idea of actually leaving the planet is... mind-boggling.]

[morework]

[ Cullen gives a quiet laugh. ]

It's not much different in mine. I can't- help but wonder, if these are really the stars we see every night. If this could be something like our world's future, or just another vision that will never come to pass.

[ It doesn't matter. Get back to Thedas, see that their world has a future at all. He knows it doesn't matter, but the thoughts fill idle time. And when they wander further--

He steals Regis a furtive glance. Every now and then he still happens upon a corner where friendship hasn't overshadowed his unease entirely. ]

I... suppose you'd find out eventually, wouldn't you?

[mandrakes]

[He knows what Cullen means to say. Regis' nature is always one that is skirted around by the Commander, and the vampire respects him enough to not draw attention to it unnecessarily. He glances across, catching Cullen's eye, his eyebrows lifting for only a moment.]

I don't know how likely that might be. [He says, pulling a deep breath that he doesn't need in the slightest and letting it out with a thoughtful hum as its final punctuation.]

My lifespan is long, but it is finite. One day, I will die. We may reach the stars before that happens. I think I'd like to see it.

[morework]

[ He opens his mouth and nearly calls it a comforting thought. Fortunately the implications hit him faster. He swallows instead, silently. Infinity is too much. Cullen can take long abiding.

He glances away from the direction they're headed. ]

--There are some viewing platforms scattered across the Citadel. I've already been to a few. I don't know about yours, but taverns already have a solid foothold in my world. Maybe we should use the opportunity to spend time somewhere that doesn't. [ Cullen smiles wryly. ] Who knows when we'll get our next chance...

[mandrakes]

A true enough point, and well-made at that.

[Regis makes a small gesture with one hand, an agreement and indication for them to alter course, though he still keeps evenly in step beside Cullen. He can't help his wry smile at the comment about taverns - he has noticed a number of bars here and it seems that no matter the universe or time period the presence of alcohol is a constant.

It wouldn't be the first time he had been to one of the platforms, but it isn't something he minds repeating.]

I certainly value your company regardless of the location.