Fifth Transmission

[allfunandgamesuntil]

[York's image comes up on the communicator, and even with armor on he looks fairly confused. He's sitting in the hotel, and Sparky's in his usual position on top of York's head.]

Okay, so I know I've been kind of distracted most of this week, but what the heck happened on the Mother of Invention? Is everyone okay?

Comments

[unrecovered]

Where the hell have you been?

[allfunandgamesuntil]

You know, meeting with Carolina, catching up on old times.

[unrecovered]

[York would be completely distracted by Carolina's arrival. Then again, Wash isn't exactly one to talk, given the way he'd been acting when Ziva returned.]

If you see her, tell her she needs to make nice with the Moogles. They're taking whatever she did out on us.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

Wait, taking out what she did on us how?

[York doesn't think he likes the sound of that, but he can't think of what the moogles could be doing to them.]

[unrecovered]

They raised prices for anyone in armor. They're calling it hazard pay.

[He's not whining; he's just pissed. Of all the dumbfuck irritating things to happen, it had to be this.]

[allfunandgamesuntil]

I'm sure they'll calm down about it sooner or later. We can try to talk with them.

[unrecovered]

Or she could go fix her mess like a fucking adult.

//threadjack~

[guerriera]

[ Something blue-ish tilts into view over York's shoulder; when did Carolina get there. Her reply sounds puzzled - probably because someone only heard this part of the conversation.

The relatively relaxed mood she's in (for her) is about to take a nose dive, isn't it. ]

What mess?

[unrecovered]

[Speak of the devil.]

Whatever you did to the Moogles, fix it. They're taking it out on the rest of us now.

[guerriera]

[ Does the song about devils in blue dresses count towards armor too?

There's a distinct pause, before her helmet tilts. ]

What are you talking about?

[ It's not like Carolina's seen any since she got here--oh wait. Her tone flattens. ]

What are they doing?

[unrecovered]

They're raising prices for anyone in armor and calling it hazard pay. Whatever you did, fix it. [He pauses for a moment, figuring he'd better specify.] Don't threaten them - that'll just make it worse.

[guerriera]

'Hazard pay'. Because of--oh for God's sake.

[ The helmet tips further; that's definitely a glare as she leans in over York's shoulder. (Poor York.) ]

I'm not threatening anyone. [Yet.] I haven't even seen any around here. [because they're all hiding. ]

[unrecovered]

Probably because they're avoiding you. [Wash had done it himself in the old days - angry Carolina was scary as hell when you were new.] What did you even do?

[guerriera]

[ There's a distinctly withering tilt of her helmet to one side. No really, Wash, what gave that away.

Carolina really hasn't gotten any better when she's angry. Just ask Epsilon. ..Actually, don't do that, that'd be a bad idea. She stops leaning on York, if only to draw back in defensive hostility. Well, muted hostility. Mostly.]

Made a poor first impression. [ya think, Carolina.]

[unrecovered]

[He'd probably watch his words more if Carolina were right there, and he'll probably pay for this later, but right now his temper is doing the talking.]

No shit. What did you do.

[guerriera]

[ Watch your mouth, not-so-rookie. ]

It was a mutually bad first impression, Wash, just leave it at that. [He's not going to though, is he. There's less snap, but definite disgruntlement in the words that follow.] I'll sort it out. How much of a hazard pay increase is it, exactly?

[unrecovered]

[That helmet tilt? Yeah, that says he's not impressed and he's not going to just leave it.]

A forty percent increase from a group that's usually pretty friendly is more than a mutually bad first impression. What did you do.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

[Okay, that got York's attention.]

Forty percent? Jesus, and it's already expensive already.

[unrecovered]

No kidding. That's why I'm asking.

Hey, did you pick up any rifle ammo while you were on the Mother? I'm running low. Damn giraffes take half a clip.

[There are distressed whinnies from offscreen, and Wash looks over his shoulder, exasperated.]

Not you. The Nightmares.

[guerriera]

[ How much? York at least can hear her half-choke at the increase. He'd made a point to warn her about the cost as it was, but that was a bigger hike on top of an extortionate price than even Carolina expected. ]

I mentioned what happened when I arrived. [In vague one-liner fashion, but she did tell him. Her hand lifts, touches her helmet in annoyance.] [grumbled] Christ.

I'll take care of it, Wash. [Soon as she's figured out where to find at least one moogle.].

[unrecovered]

[Right. It attacked her. Somehow he doesn't exactly believe that.]

You did. [He was pretty sure it's total bullshit.] I was hoping for details.

Fine. Just don't make it worse.

[guerriera]

I'm sure you were. [ It's not total bullshit, it was aN incredibly bad first impression. And Carolina doesn't appreciate you thinking she's a liar at her, either! :|

She scowls, even if he can't see it. ]

I don't intend to.

If you're desperate for clips, you can have mine. I'm not using the rifle I brought with me.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

Yeah, there should be more there too. Truth be told I'm getting used to punching things to death these days.

[Maybe he should get more dream eaters. That would probably help the punching idea.]

[unrecovered]

You- what? Really? You don't even have a knife or anything?

[allfunandgamesuntil]

Of course I have a knife too.

[It's not like he's going into battle unprepared.]