Bright Interval

[Kauket]

"Energy Whiskey? You know, I can memorise the specifications if you want. " She tapped the side of her head, "Having an AI in your brain is pretty useful for memory. Ah, doesn't matter. I'll just see if they even have it. "

She shoved her hands into her pockets, shrugging. Unlike him, she was not particularly phased by willingly walking into a crowd of people. Although there was some element of distrust, exposure, certain vulnerabilities put her on mild edge. In reality, she knew went through a concealed scanner earlier, and now once more as she entered the bar, another wave of coldness streamed down her spine for that brief moment as the implants detected the disturbance. The crowd was vast, vibrant and varying with the on-going events being presented upon various screens around the interior. At first, it was a little too much to bare so much going on all at once, to grasp and analyse every action, particularly roused to be on edge by the quick jolt of the concealed scan that tickled the inner machinations. Still, the moment was admired for how intricate social meets up can be, and how so much could happen within a tiny area.

Dulling out the noise with a release of air to reorientate herself along with her optic, she pressed on to the bar regardless, slipping past the assortment of clustered tipsy people to join a busy queue.

Sighing, she silently muttered to herself, "Oh, it's going to be a long noon. "

She waited for what appeared to be a prolonged amount of time, but was merely three minutes. Idle chatter had helped speed the process up, inquisitively inquiring to another person in the queue about the races. Raven would be otherwise occupied for those ten minutes of attending the bartender.


Later, she ventured out with two glasses, one 'energy whiskey' and one that appears to be a kahluá of sorts. A dumb smile was upon her face as she scouted out for Vincent's table, careful as to not trip up. Spotting him drooping into his personal device, she chuffed, expecting nothing more from him. Arriving with the goods, she placed down the glasses to each side, sitting adjacent from him, briefly peering over to the view of the sea side before glancing back to him.

"Sorry about that. Big queue. Had to ask the bartender some, uh, questions. "

The stupid smirk remained on her face, seemingly being amused by something. Or maybe she really was excited for the drink.

---

[Caliban]

While Raven was gone, Vincent drew up some random lines at first, seeing what would come of them. Two lines at the botton, filled with dots and then a random wave of lines over the center, followed up by a ball in the middle. The drawing started to take shape eventually. Stars came to exist. Smaller objects around the main one had also come to existance, followed by a ring at the edges of the drawing.

Minutes later, Raven seemed to have arrived. Vincent closed his phone and flipped it over with the screen facing the table, then slid it to the side as Raven left the drink he asked for on his side. He leaned back, playing around with the closed phone by spinning it with one finger over the table.

Vincent glanced at Raven for a second, then turned his head away only to realize she had an odd smile over her face. He turned his head back at Raven, confused.

"Well, looks like someone's having fun here. I have to say, that smile looks good on you!"

[Kauket]

Taking a sip on her coffee-rum based beverage, she peered down to see him playing with his personal device.

"Mmm?" She glared back up at him, placing the drink down, "Oh, uh, I was toying with some people. Jokes were had. And I've come to learn that there's a new head of security... What did you do? I see you didn't fall asleep waiting for me."

---

[Caliban]

Vincent took a quick taste of his whiskey. He was unsurprised by Raven's attempts regarding the kind of security going around.

"I kept myself occupied with some drawing. Random stuff, at that. Anything beyond that was just me contemplating about things. How- well. How things are progressing. And deteriorating at the same time.

He raised his glass to take another sip. Though this time he took in a bit more than intended. His eyes got watery for a brief second.

"Hooh- man what brand are they using for this?"

[Kauket]

"You draw? That's very -- excuse my hip slang -- cool. I hope you haven't been thinking about the recent music tour though. "

Sipping on her drink, she furrowed a brow, pondering something.

"I am unsure what they use here. It would have been prudent to check if I was going to destroy my own replacement organs, but oh well, where's the fun in that, hmm? "

---

[Caliban]

"The last music tour, hm? I've almost forgotten about that, thanks for reminding me."

Vincent looked down at the drink. This could have been the one lie he got out successfully without stuttering or giving of hints of such. In truth, he couldn't exactly stop thinking about it. Eventually, he took another sip from the glass of whiskey. He quickly straightened his back, as if his muscles suddenly had a spasm of the sorts, though painless, then shivered visibly for a brief moment.

"True to that. But for god's sake they could've used something better in terms of which energy drink they mixed the whiskey with. It sure tastes like some random brand you'd find in a store across the road. Cheap. 'Suppose they can't have everything here that screams 'quality', can they?"

Somewhat relaxed despite the noise, he takes a glanced at the sea. The view sure was something to behold, much to his comfort that another human being he could relate with was around.

"So. What about you? Enjoying yourself so far?"

He added to his last sentence with a half smile, though just as he was about speak again, the reflex of laying a cough struck. He chuckled to drown the cough, however. Effectively muffling it.

"Or you're still concerned about the Security Guards popping in.

[Kauket]

"You... did? You seemed pretty shaken like the rest of us. I... I admit, I somewhat can't stop either. The prospect of it all, it is very intriguing to speculate about the energy... Oh goodness. I need to find a solution - a way to partition it, or at least find a distraction of the same calibre. "

A content sigh was released, simply staring down at the coffee coloured beverage.

"I suppose you could always ask the bartender for another one with different ingredients, if you want. Either way, I'm enjoying the burns I'm accumulating on my skin right now. You know, the sun.

I know the Guards detected my uhm... replacements, but I do not think they are bothered at the moment. I'll follow up on that later. "

She took a steady sip of the beverage, although relatively calm with the relaxing environment, there was a sense of sorrow yet discomfort.


"You really worry me sometimes, I hope you know that. Particularly after these music tours. The last few - ... Well. "

---

[Caliban]

Vincent looks down to his phone. His eyes were fixated at the screen for a brief moment. Whatever he'd say wouldn't make up for the things Raven has gone through for him. Either by choice or circumstances. Eventually he broke the silence.

"...don't be. Whatever happens, happens. I can't help it but keep pressing on no matter what. But please, don't press on with me if you feel like your own life is at risk. I don't want to...you know. See you suffer any more than you already do."

He took the entire glass of whiskey and drank it in one go in one fast move. His eyes got watery fairly quick, forcing him to close his eyes. He slid his phone towards Raven, already opened with the drawing he'd done while she was out getting drinks.

"Let's have it this way. Before I die, I'll tell you one big secret of mine. Could be in a few months. Could be in the next 90 years. Think about that secret when you thoughts drift to that music tour. Deal?"

[Kauket]

She placed her beverage aside, leaving only it quarter full. Peering down at the personal device, she analysed the picture. The connection was instantly made, the pattern of light sinking in to a singular point of the canvas. It was that place again. Clearing her throat, she replied, although the drink was certainly trying to take hold of her tone,

"I don't understand why you are failing to er - grasp - the situation. Whatever you do, is going to affect everyone else. I'm not sure what this all -- ehm -- pertains to, but I know you can cause great harm by waking something up that shouldn't be disturbed. "

An exhale was released as she shook her head - rubbing her face, recalling the sink hole of light they both witnessed days before. The memory of sheer wrath from the guards was still a fresh sensation. Blankly staring out of reality towards the table top, she snapped back to reality, slowly looking up and calmly saying in realisation.

"Er - Yeah, you are pretty much going to get yourself killed. It isn't worth your secrets... things, or what have you... "

A quiet grumble was had, once more rubbing her left eye.

"I think... I think the drink was a little too strong for me too. Maybe -- I was dehydrated."

---

[Caliban]

Vincent looked downwards in mild disappointment. He knew there wouldn't a real way to get back to simpler times. When he was all new to Liberty, when he didn't have to hide in the Independent Worlds...when he didn't have to lie to every single person he'd meet, just so that he would keep his version of truth a secret.

"What if that thing wakes up anyway? The Order will look into these things if I don't. And you know how they are. They realize what I've been doing and I'll be a goner. An outcast, again."

He was well aware of the risks. Well aware of all possible outcomes, too. Though neither would really stop Vincent. The wheels had been put in motion, and little could be done. He stood silent for a brief second, staring at the partially drunk Raven. "What can I reply with? Think, Vincent. Think!" he said to himself within the confines of his mind.

"Yeah, you probably had a little too much booze. We should probably move out before you are not able to fly at all...and before the energy drink in the whiskey wears out and the alcohol kicks in. I chugged this one and I'm afraid to see the results now, heh...-heh.