canon is Vertigo's 'The Losers'

[vaquero]

... Now what?

Comments

[shockjock]

Now you sit back and wait for your dweeb to make a mockery outta your life, same as everybody else.

[vaquero]

[why are you blue?]

Not worried.

[shockjock]

Yeesh, you're either a heck of a killjoy, or stuck livin' way too dull a life, cowpoke.

[vaquero]

[At that 'cowpoke' comment, he pushes his hat back a little. It's not a self-conscious gesture so much as one of slight affirmation.]

No harm in dull.

[shockjock]

Yeah, well there's no fun, either.

[packing_again]

Well! Now you go out and have some fun, of course!

[vaquero]

[It's been so long since anyone on the team - save Jensen - knew how to have fun that Cougar actually kind of grimaces, even as he touches his fingers to his hat in greeting. Because lady.]

Ma'am.

[packing_again]

Oh, my, aren't you polite.

[And she does catch the grimace, eyes crinkling. She understands that one fine, thank you.]

Don't worry, you don't have to try to have all the fun all at once, you see? Just relax, dear, everything can be fun. Eventually.

[vaquero]

Not everything.

[Nightmares. They're a thing.]

[packing_again]

Not yet. Give it enough time and just a pinch of crazy, and you have it. Just no overdoing on the crazy, mind you.

[She knows those. Not that she remembers her nightmares, it's not possible, but the not-remembrance is terrible enough, a big gaping hole inside her that she must stop from swallowing her whole.]

[brynkitten]

Hmm, no "Where is so-and-so" or "No don't send me to that game" or even a well placed taunt?

[vaquero]

Not my style.

[By the time he has to start making threats whoever deserves them is already in the reticule of his rifle. Otherwise, he doesn't have a reason to get up in arms.]

[brynkitten]

Oh.

[Well that's refreshing. Bryn reaches up a hand to scratch her nose as she makes a face.]

Well then I guess then in answer to your question, whatever you want? Whatever that may be...

[vaquero]

[He's silent for a time, and then,]

Peace.

[brynkitten]

[And then it's her turn to be silent, because she can't imagine anyone would answer like that unless they'd had a great deal of the opposite.]

Not always easy to come by around here but it's not out of the realm of possibility. Stranger things have happened.

[She offers her hand after a moment.]

I'm Bryn.

[whitescalesbigmouth]

Well now's the time when you sit back and normally wait for your mun to do something fun with you. Or alternatively you can go and find your own fun!

[vaquero]

[... Okay, now he's pretty sure he's dead. Because that--]

... Dragon?

[whitescalesbigmouth]

Only sometimes. But right now? Sure.

[Count yourself lucky, she doesn't normally introduce herself in dragon form so you're like a rare case or something.]

My name's Saft. How about you, what's your name?

[vaquero]

[... welp. Okay then. He can accept that.]

Carlos.

[whitescalesbigmouth]

If it's weirding you out or anything I can change into my human form if you want.

[teething]

[ Pearl smiles like a cat that's just gotten to the cream. ]

That depends on who's the boss around here.

[vaquero]

[Well, she's a pretty lady and he recognizes that smile, so he returns it just slightly.]

Not me. Used to it.

[Military life, man.]

[teething]

[ Pearl knows what it's like, not to be the boss. Trying to make at as an actress in Hollywood taught her that real fast. (Taught her and then broke her, only to be made something burnished and new.

There's a new boss in town, boys. Sometimes she misses California, but never Hollywood.) ]

Oh? That sort of thing can get a man into trouble. Depending on who's calling the shots instead.

[vaquero]

Used to that too.

[His tone is... wry.]

[teething]

[ Her smile brightens (sharpens), like she's recalling a very funny, very private joke. ]

Then you must got pretty thick skin.