(Open Log) You gotta know when to hold 'em

[bindlestifflost]

Who: George Milton, Nick Valentine, and anybody who shows up
When: April 22, starting around 6 PM until
Where: Apartment A-3
Summary: A night for playing cards, drinking beer or b.y.o.b. if harder, snacks and unwinding. Feel free to thread jack and jump all around, at least in my threads. This is just for some relaxed down time and catching up or introductions in a smaller, casual space.
Warnings: None expected. If your characters get to discussing anything triggery or get up to anything spicy, please CW in your individual threads.



Over the past week or so, hand printed signs drawn in sharpie on plain paper have shown up taped to walls around the apartment complex and on any easily accessible bulletin boards at ADI. A couple of them were also delivered to the flophouse with the request they be displayed somewhere the residents might see them.

They read:
Cards and Beer
Friday April 22 6 PM
Apartment A 3
George and Nick's place
You want more than beer
or chips and popcorn
bring your own.
Extra decks appreciated.

The night of, the door to A 3 is propped open. In addition to the dining table, a couple of card tables and cheap folding chairs are set up for games. Two bowls on the coffee table contain chips and popcorn respectively. There's a cooler on the floor in the kitchen filled with ice and cheap beer.

George or Nick will greet people as they come in and tell them to make themselves at home.

((OOC: Feel free to top level with your own character and make whatever prompts you like. George is generally easy-going, but if he catches anyone stealing, getting too hot and heavy in a bedroom, or otherwise being a general jerk about the apartment or the other guests, he will try to throw the offender out. If you want that kind of thread or want to succeed at something nefarious, let me know so we can work it out.))

Comments

Andrew Jaeger | OTA (will match brackets or prose)

[bloodalwaystells]

1. Arrival

Jaeger is doing his best to be social and friendly with the people around him, considering that at this point they're more than co-workers. They're all stuck in this situation together, and fostering a sense of trust and comfort, well, that's important if they're going to be relying on each other for their lives.

So the big man is present at the party, with a grocery store fruit tray in hand and dressed in as casual a look as he ever manages: jeans, long-sleeved work shirt, boots. The collar of his shirt doesn't quite come up high enough to cover the old, pale scar around his neck, but...well, they're all friends here, right?

He's quick to offer a nod of greeting to familiar faces, and new faces will get a moment of consideration, of sizing-up with faded blue-gray eyes, before a polite, "I'm sorry, I don't think we've met? Orientation aside, I mean."

2. At the Table

Jaeger is, under most conditions, a good card player. He's thoughtful, meticulous, and quick to read the tells of those at the table around him. However, there's no supernatural advantage there, just the occasional wise moves on a good hand.

On the other hand, though, he knows when he's swimming with sharks. And he's amiable enough about it when his chips are gone, content to sit back from the table and take a break when luck has been a little less than favorable for him. He's keeping with his usual habit of nursing a couple of beers over the course of the evening, keeping his head clear, but he's comfortable with it, content to absorb the company in his own quiet way.

3. Outside/After the Party

Jaeger doesn't have far to go to get home, being in the next apartment over from George and Nick's. But for a little while both during and after the event, he can be found leaning against the wall outside, just taking in the fresh air and keeping alert eyes on the surroundings. He's got a flashlight with him, the kind of heavy steel Maglight that could deliver a beating in a pinch, and he paces slowly outside the apartment with the deliberate step of someone used to patrolling.

Just making sure everything is okay, and that everyone gets to where they're going safely.

After the Party

[whisperedone]

This has been...good. He'd nearly backed out of accepting the invitation, but the idea of being overwhelmed by the shouted sounds of friends and allies simply having fun rather than an unknown cacophony of city life sounded like a nice change of pace. And he'd had fun, he hadn't realized how little cause there'd been for laughter since arriving here until he found himself more prone to it tonight.

Eventually, however, he reaches his limit, finds George and Nick to thank them both briefly, and slips outside. He loved people, but he was...out of practice. There's a familiar height and build with a familiar gait pacing outside and Garner hesitates just by the door with a small smile in Jaeger's direction. "Is there a password for passing, road-watcher?"

[bloodalwaystells]

Jaeger is watching his surroundings with more care than most people, and when the door opens, he turns his attention to it directly. Familiar voice, familiar silhouette, and he gives a small nod of acknowledgment. Habit, no matter that Garner can't see it, but Jaeger speaks soon enough anyway.

"Just here to keep the rabble out," he says, a note of joke in his tone. He's still in good enough spirits, though it's in his own subdued sort of manner. He will never be a social butterfly, but he manages well enough when needed.

He's just...still getting used to the idea of being around people who aren't trying to kill him. Give him a little more time, and he'll get there. Probably.

"Having a good time?"

[whisperedone]

"Ah, an important job." Garner nods sagely and steps away from the door to move closer to where Jaeger is, better he move in case anyone else comes out, anyway.

"I am! Was. I ought be heading back, I'm...not so used to so many people at once anymore, having fun or otherwise." He smiles a bit for the fondness of the evening, but it fades quickly.

He and the others back home had spent a night in a bar that first night in Emon and they'd been set to do the same right before he'd arrived here, but there was always something...off about it for him these days. Something disconnected that dimmed the happiness of the moment.

It would sort itself in time. Probably.

"What about you? I know you were in there for a little while, I heard you...but now you're out here?"

[bloodalwaystells]

That gets a small chuckle from Jaeger, because yes, it's an important job and one the big man takes seriously. In spite of the flash of humor, he's still on alert, careful and watchful of what's going on and the people coming and going.

There's been enough trouble lately, better to keep an eye out.

He's quiet for a second, before he responds. When he does, it's the slightest bit rueful, a painful self-awareness of just how much of a loner he's become.

"I enjoy the company, it's just a little more than I'm used to, these days." He leans back against the wall with the rustle of jacket on brick. "It's strange to be around people who are...'normal', I suppose? Not having to watch my back quite so constantly, being able to relax a little now and then."

Not completely, of course, his life is still too deeply ingrained for that, but to have a couple of drinks and play some cards and not have to worry about being shot in the head? That's a relief and he'll take it.

[whisperedone]

He listens, his expression one of understanding. It was a familiar feeling, what Jaeger described. He thinks a moment, but then tilts his face up a bit as he thought back. It was already starting to feel like a long time ago, even if it truly wasn't.

"When I first started traveling with my friends, I felt like that too. For a bit, I couldn't put my guard down, they rarely had theirs up or had it up in the wrong ways...but recently, they had started to become people I could rely on to watch my back for me."

His smile turns wry and he looks down again. "Not that I think I actually let them, but it was...getting there. It can be difficult to shake old habits, especially when those old habits have kept you alive upon the basis that you have usually been alone."

He couldn't say it was the same for Jaeger, but Garner knew he usually clocked how many people he could hear in a room, how many he considered 'capable' and how many were 'innocents' who might need protecting at the drop of a hat. A threat could show itself at any moment and it would be better if he knew how many people he was responsible for protecting. It could get exhausting.

1

[outofthepast]

Nick does his best not to be awkward or uneasy about saying hello. This is his party after all, and his apartment. And folks can either get used to the idea of a synth in their midst, or "carry themselves," as George so eloquently puts it.

Still, there's just the slightest trace of nerves when he greets the new faces. "I don't think so," he agrees, leaving out the unspoken "because you'd definitely remember." "Nick Valentine. I'm George's roommate. Want me to set that out for ya?"

[bloodalwaystells]

Jaeger is used to rolling with a lot of things, but Nick's appearance does get a brief pause, a second glance of mild uncertainty.

There are no synths in his world, and it's a concept straight out of science fiction for him. However, having met Cortana and having past conversations with a talking cat, he's learned to take things in stride. Especially when he's being addressed politely, openly. The hesitation becomes a brief smile, then, the big man inclining his head in polite greeting.

"That would be great, thank you." He's happy to hand over the plastic-wrapped tray. "I'm Andrew Jaeger. Investigations. I also live next door, in A2."

[outofthepast]

"Neighbor, eh? Good to meet ya. I promise we're not the sort to throw parties every night." Nick takes the tray, mildly relieved that it spares him the eternal awkwardness of figuring out a handshake. He'll go put it with the rest of the food in a moment.

"Investigations, is it? Remind me to chat with you later about joining that department. I'm in Technology for now, but I'm still tryin' to decide if someone thought they were being funny." He chuckles. "But I don't wanna talk work while you're meant to be taking a load off."

[bloodalwaystells]

Jaeger smiles a bit at that. He's perfectly okay with skipping the handshake, and his big, scarred hands go back to his sides casually, comfortably. He's a watchful man, but he's had a bit of time to settle here.

"I'm used to a bit of noise, it's actually kind of reassuring." He glances around the room at the gathering crowd. "Something that feels normal. It's a bit of a rarity these days."

Most days, if he's honest. Gloucester might be different from where he was, but it's got its own...peculiarities.

"I'd be happy to talk with you about it sometime. Investigations come up pretty frequently, so it's good for everyone to know the basics." His smile is faint, a bit crooked. "It was my line of work before I came here, so it's familiar ground for me."

[outofthepast]

"Same here. Back home, I'm a private eye." This may or may not be the least surprising thing ever to hear about him, what with the getup and the old-timey hardboiled drawl. "Not that I'm not fluent in machinery too, but I can't help feeling a little wasted fixing hardware and straightening out crooked circuits." He does enough of that on his own time, thanks.

But he promised not to spend all evening grilling folks about ADI and the work they do. He'll have plenty of time to deal with that later. "Anyway, make yourself at home. Can I grab you a drink? We've got beer and do-it-yourself cocktail fixins."

2.

[bindlestifflost]

It's after Jaeger has excused himself from the table that George follows suit. He feels no qualms in admitting defeat, besides which, he's at the bottom of his beer can. On his way past him, he claps him an easy one on the shoulder with a nod at his can. "You doin' alright or need a refill? I'm hittin' the chest."

It's strange to him how easy it comes playing host when he never has really. The bunkhouse never belonged to anybody living in it. They all treated it about the same, nobody territorial over anything but his own bed space and stuff. But he'd thought about it plenty, all that time on the road talking to Lennie, painting a picture of how it would be for them when they had their own land. Inviting people over or sending them away at their whim.

Regardless of the answer, he'll continue his trek to the kitchen. Only real difference is whether he'll be returning with one or two cans.

[bloodalwaystells]

Jaeger's pacing himself on the beer, but having just gotten up from the table, he's happy for a refresh and he nods amiably at George. "I'd appreciate it, thank you." He follows to throw his own empty can away, lingering in conversation distance as he takes the moment to stretch his legs.

"You seem like you're settling in pretty well," he observes, scanning the kitchen idly to take in the differences from his own apartment. Of course, they're essentially the same, being built from the same floorplan, but it's still interesting...if just for the lack of salvaged junk scattered everywhere.

Tony can be very, very draining as a roommate at times.

[bindlestifflost]

George nods and bends to fish out a couple of cold, dripping cans. He leans to offer one over to Jaeger, then pops the top of his own with a quick suck at the foam to keep it from making a mess. An idle wipe on his sleeve cleans his lips free of the last traces of it.

His kitchen is largely bare aside from the food and drink offerings others have brought. The only real personal touch so far looks to be a heavy iron skillet, well seasoned and clean, resting on the range top. "Yeah, it ain't too bad," he agrees.

"Tryin' to get to know some a' the folks I'm gonna be workin' with. I ain't used to a quiet house, neither. Ol' Nick there, he's quiet as a churchmouse at night." He gestures with his can, his expression easing to something pleasant. Nick's alright.

[bloodalwaystells]

Jaeger accepts the can, popping it open and performing the same quick interception of the foam that bubbles up. He's a bit neater and more precise about it, but with the same effect.

Jaeger understands minimalist entirely too well, though the cast iron skillet gets a second look and a faint smile. The most useful piece of cookware someone can have, he appreciates that even though it's been entirely too long since he's had a real kitchen for any length of time.

"I've only just met him, but he seems nice enough," Jaeger agrees thoughtfully. "I'm still meeting a lot of people for the first time, too. Some, I've at least seen at orientation, but never really spoken to."

He tends to keep his head down, at work, and knows not everyone is quite as...invested in their profession as he is. While he does his best, sometimes he just doesn't get to it.

"But between living together and working together, and not being able to leave town, it's good to have some mingling. Getting to know each other, because we're all stuck here."

[bindlestifflost]

"Been hearin' a lot a' that," he says, backing up until he's in a comfortable lean against the counter behind him. He takes another swig of beer. "Things've been busy with bad news. Fightin'." He nods off towards Winter out there in the living area.

He nods. "Truth is that's prob'ly the hardest thing for me to get used to so far. Bein' settled in one place." Already, his feet were itching to carry him elsewhere. He has been on the move for so long he doesn't know how to do anything else.

"Afore I forget, thanks again for that day. I never did give you a real proper thank you for it. You'll find me more cooperative if we ever wind up in a bind in the same place again." Not that Jaeger was in the bind. He believes he'll know what he means.

3

[failedpromise]

Oh hey there! She recognizes Jaeger of course: they're roomates.

"Hey buddy." She lifts a hand up in a wave and slows down to walk next to him.

[bloodalwaystells]

"Cortana." Jaeger is hard to miss in any case, but he nods amiably at the familiar face, his broad shoulders relaxing slightly from his squared posture. He's still keeping an eye on the surroundings, on the shadows beyond the pools of light in the yard, but a little friendly conversation? He can spare the time.

"Having a good time tonight? It seems like we had a pretty good turnout, including some new faces."

[failedpromise]

"You could say that." She got to show off her capabilities by winning several poker matches in a room full of card sharks. She also got to talk to friends.

It occurs to her that she might have more friends now than she ever has in her life, and she can't help but grin at the thought.

"You?"

[bloodalwaystells]

Jaeger hasn't been nearly as successful at the card table, but it's still been a good time. He's lost only as much as he could afford to lose, before bowing out gracefully to enjoy the rest of the evening and let someone else take their turn at the table.

It's nice to see her smile, to see anyone in this place be able to shake off the stress of the day to day work and sincerely enjoy themselves, and he's content to express the same. His smile is quieter, more subdued, but honest.

"It's been a good evening. I'm getting to meet some people I haven't before, and a reminder that I'm not nearly as good at cards as I wish I was." Okay, maybe taht latter isn't a great thing, but he'll take it with gentle good humor. He's not a sore loser unless far more is at stake.

"staying a little longer, or would you like me to walk you back?" Not that it's far to the next apartment, but Jaeger is on watch and takes it very seriously. Better safe than not.

[failedpromise]

"Being a gentleman tonight, I see." Cortana can't really smile any wider, but she would if she could.

"I'll be going back. The party looks like it's starting to wind down." It's probably for the best: she knows you organics need to go to bed eventually, even if she doesn't. Not precisely, at least. She should probably try running a maintenance cycle. Hopefully that doesn't turn out to be a disaster.

"I'd be glad to have you join me."

1

[conning]

Neal approaches Jaeger early on in the party, smiling at him without reserve.

"Hey. I'm a little surprised to see you here--in a good way, for the record. It's good to get a little socializing in outside of the office."

Neal pauses, making a squinched-up face as he mentally plays back that sentence. "I can't believe I just said 'outside the office' like being inside the office is normal."

[bloodalwaystells]

Jaeger returns the smile with something faintly self-conscious, but amused nonetheless.

"I'm right next door, and I really should be doing my best to meet people," he says. There's no offense taken, the big man's shoulders relaxed as they ever get and his posture easy as he glances around the room. Watchful, but not straining with it. A beer or two and he might actually relax completely!

"I think 'The Office' has become a new sort of normal for us, with the way things are around here. It's such a huge part of this town." This world, this existence. "It's good to step away from that, though. I'm glad to have the chance.

"How have things been going for you? The past few months have been...very involved." Translation: kind of horrible.

[conning]

Very involved. Neal smiles crookedly.

"I'm... okay, actually. Mostly. Do you know Malcolm Bright?"

[bloodalwaystells]

Jaeger is choosing his words carefully when it comes to ADI's less-wholesome activities. Not just for the sake of delicate sensibilities, but also because he doesn't want to talk about burning bodies or carnivorous mind-controlling phone cases in detail if he doesn't have to.

Discretion is the better part of not ruining the night.

The mention of Malcolm gets a slight nod, a brighter subject to discuss, and Jaeger goes with iht. "We've talked a little, though I don't know him well. He seems pleasant enough, if a bit intense." A look of question follows it, because there's surely a reason that Neal is bringing him up.