056 - Pretending Truth or Dare never happened...

[major_west]

I thought that hangover would never go away...

I feel as though I've exhausted the possibilities for recreation here. I almost wish there were another port, flood, anything to break the tedium. I can't believe I'm asking this... Does anybody have a board game?

Nevermind that. I'm not that desperate yet.

I just need... to get away something to do here before I go completely mad. Something more to strive for than 'don't try to kill anybody for X amount of days'.



What's the point of this?

Comments

[major-west.livejournal.com]

...is that an explanation or an invitation?

[lady-mandarin.livejournal.com]

Depends on which you want, love. I am always up for a decent snog.

[major-west.livejournal.com]

Sorry. I don't mess about with strange women.

[lady-mandarin.livejournal.com]

I can make myself unstrange, or we can go another route towards a means of entertainment.

[major-west.livejournal.com]

The latter would probably be more fruitful.

[lady-mandarin.livejournal.com]

I could play the piano for you.

[major-west.livejournal.com]

There's a piano here?

[lady-mandarin.livejournal.com]

Aye, in the common room.

[major-west.livejournal.com]

I've never seen one.

Then again, I haven't been to every common room yet.

[lady-mandarin.livejournal.com]

Is this your way of saying yes then, or shall I keep thinking for you?

I'm sorry he's a grumpy, catty man!

[major-west.livejournal.com]

Fine. Alright. Which floor?

xD! I'm used to grumpy with Joker. We can deal.

[lady-mandarin.livejournal.com]

No one's forcing you, you did ask for a means to avoiding going nutters.

I found one on the fourth floor, in the common room near the stern.

[major-west.livejournal.com]

Very well.

[Action]

[lady-mandarin.livejournal.com]

[She closes her journal and makes her way to the common room, one place she feels at home besides the bedroom made to fit her own. While she waits for the West bloke, Elisabeth starts to play a Dir en grey song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ryp1US381Kc) via improv.]

[Action]

[major-west.livejournal.com]

[Well, he's never been to the common room on this floor before, so he's surprised that it actually looks a bit nicer than the one he and the others had staked out for 'men's night'. So, as the completely unfamiliar song plays, he stands in the doorway, choosing not to interrupt]

[Action]

[lady-mandarin.livejournal.com]

[She's aware of the additional presence in the room the moment West steps into the doorway, though she finishes the song.

Lis looks at him over her shoulder, smiling.] Hullo, love. You can sit with me, you know. [She pats the wooden bench.] Any requests? I know both modern and classical.

[Action]

[major-west.livejournal.com]

[He returns the smile, stiffly, and walks further into the room]

Hello.

[Then he looks over at the bench and reluctantly joins her at the piano, maintaining as much distance as he can] Ah-- no, nothing in particular. Is there a style you enjoy best?

[Action]

[lady-mandarin.livejournal.com]

[Elisabeth points her lips outward, eying him and his proximity.] Rrriight, I don't bite straight away, yeah? [She scoffs and extends her hand] Proper introductions first; I'm Elisabeth. The hand is clean, just in case.

[She winks, teasing.]

[Action]

[major-west.livejournal.com]

[So, it seems he's never really been able to get on well with women. Still, he's going to make an effort tonight, try to less exclusively male in his company. So, he takes her hand and shakes it with his usual firm professionalism--

--alright, so he's pretty awful at relaxing, too]

Nice to meet you, Elisabeth. Major Henry West.

[Pause] What brought you to this place?

[Action] - swear this isn't a link whore show

[lady-mandarin.livejournal.com]

[Lis keeps from giving an amused laugh and keeps her smile polite and welcoming. He's an odd one, alright. Not as much as that Prefect though.

Once they let go of hands, she starts to play Stay Gold (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uRB1MtPLQg) and is able keep her eyes on him for the most part.]

Major? Very impressive. Would you prefer Major West or Henry?

[She licks her lips before answering.]

Another mission, I'm sure. I was on a team back home, so I just assume this place pulled me here to be a leader for someone else: my Inmate. My best mate is here too and I am sure that has to tie in somehow as well. What about you?

[Action]

[major-west.livejournal.com]

[He resists the urge to shrug] Henry's fine.

[He listens to the song for a moment before answering Elisabeth's next question] How... fortunate for you-- having familiar company, that is. [Although he is being sincere, there isn't a lot of conviction behind his words. He looks down at her fingers before responding in a flat voice] I'm an Inmate.

[Action]

[lady-mandarin.livejournal.com]

Oy, you've no sodding clue how thrilled I am to have him. Honestly, this place is full of nutters and I will need him for sanity's sake.

[She hears the tone in voice and manages to lightly elbow him (she's in the middle of the bench after all), shaking her head with a half-grin.] Is this the part where I remember sudden plans and stop talking to you, Henry?

[Action]

[major-west.livejournal.com]

[He blinks, then nods a little. He can understand the sentiment, after all] It is, that.

[He does manage to smile a little now, dropping some of the dour demeanor as she makes the joke.] It's the part where you threaten to lock me up for bad behaviour if I don't like your music.

[Action]

[lady-mandarin.livejournal.com]

[She throws back her head and laughs, not missing a key, not one note, looking from him to the piano.] Major West, if you do not enjoy my music and as such my efforts to entertain you, I shall lock you up for poor behaviour, yeah?

[Lis winks and starts to play Only the Strong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZKb_nWXhAA)] I could sing too, but I'm afraid it's slightly rubbish. Have you been getting on well enough here?

[Action]

[major-west.livejournal.com]

Hm. My singing is much the same, I'm afraid. [He watches her hands on the keys for a moment, then nods] Well enough. Some of the people here are absolute pri--

[Stops himself]

Are not worth my time. Overall, it's an improvement on where I-- came from.