just this once, everybody lives!

[sageprincess]

Characters: Everyone.
Setting: Anywhere.
Format: Party style.
Summary: Post-Ex Machina catch-all mingle.
Warnings: See individual threads.

[After a long, drawn out battle, the infiltration team returns to the residential portion of the Tower, weary, battered... but victorious. Some catching up is in order.]

Comments

[midgarhorizon]

Dee... [Reno's tone is edging on serious.] Remember how you were talkin' about being more than a Turk a while back? Some things I can't just let go, and not just because I can't, because it's smart. Gettin' the info out now before I pass out...

[Agh, he gives up. Heaving a sigh, he takes a deep gulp of that cider down, then pauses, staring at it with a very disturbing, though vague look on his face.

Rick...]

Fine. Tell Waver we might be successful gettin' control of downstairs, but somethin' went wrong and if he wants to know about it he can come see me.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid frowns, both because of the look on Reno's face, but also because of what he has said.]

Something went wrong? No one has really said anything about that.

[Unless Reno means them having to fight Riki at all?]

He will want to talk to you right away, then. I know him. It might just be best if I go get him for you...

[midgarhorizon]

Diarmuid, missions like what we just went through is what I'm trained to do. Hell, by the best on my fucking planet even. It isn't even been the worst one I've had. The others? I don't know.

[For a moment it's almost like another person sitting there. Hard lined, serious, professional, but still somehow the same old Reno. Not at all like the mask he wore when he was trying to hide how the failure in December affected him. No, this is more like Reno grown up and tempered in a hell for two years.]

It's Waver's op, and I got to report in.

[oathshackledbird]

I suspect that Waver would rather you just rested first, but...I understand.

[Diarmuid points at the plate Reno is holding.]

Eat. I will go find him and send him over to you so you can give your report. Just do me a favor. Don't mention to him he's the one in charge or the leader. All you will end up doing is arguing about it. I've already been down that road with him and it's a dead end.

[midgarhorizon]

[Yeah, what? Reno gives him a disbelieving look.]

For being a practical guy, Waver sure can have his head in the clouds with denial.

[oathshackledbird]

When you spend so long being told you are worthless and won't amount to anything, it kind of leaves a mark. He's getting better, but these things take time.

[Especially when the person's default way of dealing with things is to ignore them.]

Eat and I will send him over.

[Diarmuid turns to start to leave, pausing for a moment to look back at Reno.]

I'm glad you made it back in one piece, brother.

[He is then off to find Waver.]