(open) the stars gaze upon us too

[stefanged]

Who: Stefan Salvatore and YOU
Where: all around the Citadel
When: April 1 - 4
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Space adventures start out so calm and then you end up running from the law. Sounds about right.
The Story:
a. presidium commons

[ When he had first arrived, Stefan had been told about another him, traveling across the galaxy on a spaceship. Until this very moment, the idea had seemed ridiculous.

Now that he's here, embarking on a similar journey, he wonders how he could ever grow used to the wonder, the ambiance, and even the sound of his slow, purposeful footsteps. Stefan orients himself quickly with everything the Commons have to offer, from the wide range of shops (cue him browsing for new space-age jackets) to even admiring those Blasto posters.

Mostly, though, he spends the mornings crawling through every single cafe and coffee shop the presidium has to offer. When he spots someone he thinks is from Wonderland - which isn't hard, they've got that equally tourist-y look to them - he gives them a wave and slides over his current coffee of the hour:] Try this.

I know the menu says something else, but trust me. Nothing else wakes you up more.

b. a photo says a thousand words

[ Or perhaps you'll catch Stefan with an old Polaroid in hand, stopping all along the Citadel for that perfect shot.

He's no photographer - his composition leaves much to be desired, and the windows' glare prevents him from capturing the best shot of the stars outside the station - but he wants to savor every moment. (He has no idea that those photographs might leave him, once Wonderland returns back to normal. He also knows that he has to try, to at least remember the past with something more tangible than one of his handwritten diaries.)

Stefan does, however, remember the importance of consent and so, before he even tries to get a shot with other people, he'll lower the camera and motion towards it, then to the people in the frame.

He's gonna ask before he captures it on film forever. No question about it. ]

c. the perfect swim (presidium)

[ Well, this blows.

After discovering the foreign booze in one of the Citadel's less prestigious bars, Stefan returns to the Presidium with slightly wobbly steps and an even more wobbly outlook on life. The lakes in the Presidium look so tempting right now. They're an oasis in the desert, and Stefan's the parched man who could use a pick-me-up. He doesn't know it's his last night in the Citadel, but he has this insatiable urge to dive in.

Even in the temporary darkness, the water seems to sparkle as he approaches the edge of the lake. The coast should've been clearer than the water awaiting him (and the faint stench of alcohol that he wants to douse off).

He flings his shoes and socks off, tentatively dipping his feet into that surprisingly cold crystal water. He doesn't take much longer to wade in and-

And those sure are C-Sec officers staring back at him. Stefan doesn't even try to nab his shoes; he's got bigger concerns. Like trying to evade some pretty unhappy law enforcement officials. Don't mind the drenching wet vampire running past you, or the officers intent on mowing him down - it's nothing personal. Especially if he accidentally bumps into you on his way out. ]

d. wildcard

[ Want to do something else with Stefan that wasn't mentioned here? Shoot me a PM and we'll get the ball rolling. ]

Comments

[stefanged]

Of course I don't. [ He wouldn't have offered if he had, after all! ] Like I said, it's more fun with someone else.

I'm Stefan, by the way. I don't think I've seen you around Wonderland before.

[uncaging]

My name is Elizabeth. I've been in Wonderland for a little over a year, but I don't think I've seen you around either. [People came and left so often that she'd stopped trying to keep track of them all.]

[stefanged]

It's only been seven months for me. [ Which is a pretty long time, now that he thinks about it. ] Don't worry - it's hard to keep track of people when the mansion changes so much.

[uncaging]

It is, isn't it? [She had always felt bad about not paying more attention to everyone, especially after spending so long completely on her own, but with everything that went on in the Mansion it was all she could do to keep up with the few friends she'd made.] I'm very glad to have met you now, at least.

[stefanged]

Likewise.

[ He stuffs his hands in his pockets, turning towards one of the nearby cafes. ]

So when we're not thrust into another universe, what do you usually like to do?

[uncaging]

Oh, all sorts! [She follows him over toward the cafe, glad that he seems to know where he's going.] I read a lot, and swim, and paint, and walk in the gardens.

[stefanged]

I'm a fan of reading myself, actually.

[ Stefan's got a decent sense of direction, and well - frankly? He's been trying to sublimate one of his addictions by replacing it with caffeine. The attempts haven't been too successful. ]

But it sounds like you've been pretty good at keeping busy, too.

[uncaging]

You are? What sort of books do you enjoy?

[The one subject she could talk about all night.]

I suppose I am. I've sort of become used to having to occupy myself. At least in Wonderland there are others to do so with.

[stefanged]

Pretty much everything. [ His expression brightens. Maybe he's found a kindred spirit. ] You name it, I've probably tried it - I like literary fiction and mysteries best, though.

Yeah. Wonderland makes everything less lonely, right?

[ He can get that. Stefan and loneliness were great friends back home, and right now? He wants to do everything in his power to ensure that loneliness is banished to another plane of existence. ]

[uncaging]

You'll have to give me some recommendations, in that case!

[She sometimes found there was too much choice to narrow down from in the library, and she doesn't really know where to start when it comes to more modern books.]

Sometimes it still feels lonely, with how regularly people come and go. But I'd take it over the tower any day.

[stefanged]

Of course. When we get back, I'll give you more than you ever asked for.

[ And then some, considering she's asking a literary nerd. ]

The tower? Is that where you grew up?

[uncaging]

Yes. [She frowns a little, looks away.] In a place called Columbia. As bad as Wonderland can be sometimes, I'm very glad to be away from there.

[stefanged]

I can imagine. [ He's quiet for a couple of seconds. Seems he's not the only one with terrible childhood memories . . . ] Makes you all the more grateful for what we have now, doesn't it?

[uncaging]

Yes, it does. [She replies softly, worried that she's strayed into the territory of unwanted memories for the both of them.] It makes me lose perspective sometimes. Wonderland is still a prison, after all. Just not such a hopeless one.

[stefanged]

Right, and with people coming and going... I think that some day, we'll be able to leave of our own free will.

[ He doesn't know how. This place can capture people stronger than he could've imagined, and yet it feeds off their memories just the same as everyone else. ]

In the meantime, um. I hope neither of us forever lose that perspective.

[uncaging]

I don't think we will. [She says it with confidence, offering an encouraging smile.] Especially with so many people with the same hope for it, to remind each other.

[stefanged]

[ He nods in agreement, stopping as they finally reach the cafe's doors. ]

True. As long as we're together, we've still got a fighting chance. [ He holds the door open, ] After you?

[uncaging]

[ She steps through the door, hovering in the entrance as he follows her, eyes scanning for a table. ]

I wonder what sort of food they serve here? Probably something that wouldn't even be imaginable on Earth!

[stefanged]

Okay, pro-tip: if anything on the menu says it's for "Krogans," don't bother.

[ He coughs, ] Their metabolism is a lot slower than ours. And by a "lot," I mean... I got seriously full the last time I tried something.

[uncaging]

Krogans... All right, I'll watch out for that. [She looks a little apprehensive, wondering just what she'd got into with alien foods.] What would you recommend?

[stefanged]

Pretty much everything else. [ He also got seriously drunk last time he tried Krogan booze, and it's not an experience he wants to re-live. ] It depends on what you like, you know?

[uncaging]

I didn't have much variety of food before coming to Wonderland, I've been trying to broaden my horizons. [ A combination of the healthy diet she was kept on by her captors and the limited range of food available in Columbia. ] I've found that I'm not keen on anything too spicy, though.

[stefanged]

Hm. In that case, order what you want, and I'll let you know if it's too hot.

[ He can't quite help admitting: ] Once we get back, you should let me cook for you. I'm pretty good myself.

[uncaging]

[ She picks out something that looks relatively unadventurous apart from its vivid colour, and brightens considerably at Stefan's offer. ]

That would be wonderful, thank you. I've never learned to cook myself, I've always admired people who are good at it.

[stefanged]

Really? It's not that hard, once you get used to it.

[ Or maybe he's underestimating the years he spent learning it. Stefan always loved how human the simple act of cooking made him feel. ]

I could show you some pointers too. Just so you don't accidentally end up burning water.