apocalypsehowcomm | Log - OTA! - What’s the difference between a corpse and a shirt?

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Log - OTA! - What’s the difference between a corpse and a shirt?

Who: Everyone.
When: Wednesday evening, Jan 11th
Where: A rented out bar, downtown.
Summary: The wake for George Milton.
Warnings: N/A (will update as needed)

If anyone of the forcibly kidnapped to Gloucester deserved to be remembered, it was George Milton. In many ways, he was the best of them. He had been kind. He had always been willing to help and lend a hand. Unlike some whose first choice was violence (because what else was there), he had chosen to forgo that route and had come up with a much more clever solution. The solution saved lives.

It had not felt right to have a formal service for him. To put it simply, he was not a formal person. And so after much calling around, a bar had been found where they could rent out the entire place before business got too busy. It was just for a couple of hours. People could come and say nice things about George. It's what he deserved after all.

So come on in, have a beer or two, and sit a spell. Maybe you'll feel like sharing a story about George or maybe you're just there to pay your respects. There's a break in the weather, the clouds only filling up half of the nighttime sky. No acid snow for tonight.

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Jaeger nods quietly. It's a bit more cynical than even Jaeger usually tends to, but he can understand completely how some people feel that way.

He's been there himself.

"Especially here," he agrees ruefully. "There are some here that I've come to like and trust, at least. That makes it a bit easier, but nothing's certain." He pauses. "If it was, we wouldn't be here now."

At a funeral, for one of the most *peaceful* of all of them.

Hickey'll admit that much. After all, he's here. He's at the funeral. He doesn't know if he trusted George but he certainly liked the man. He exhales some cigarette smoke as he looks back at the building.

"I do wonder who's funeral is going to be next. We've had a lot of them recently."

It's entirely possible to like people without trusting them. Some people conflate the two, but Jaeger isn't one of them.

"Too many. Funerals, and disappearances. As much as I'd like to believe people are returned safely home..." He shrugs, then decides to continue...much as he's tempted to trail off.

"I'm not really optimistic on the chances. Though some have disappeared and then returned, that only muddies the possibilities further." With no cigarette to take up his attention, he simply stands steady, watchful eyes taking in the night between glances back at his current companion.

He's not going to even try and guess who might be next. It's grim enough as it is, and to be completely fair he would have to put himself in the pool.

Hickey also isn't optimistic at the chances. He lets out a little chuckle before shaking his head.

"I've heard people joke that when someone's vanished, they're spirited away to the ADI basements for experimentation. After a while, you start to wonder how much of a joke that really is."

"I don't know that they were joking at all," he says solemnly. "Some people sincerely believe that, especially since ADI has kept prisoners in the past. Those too dangerous to be let loose, but controllable enough to be studied."

His lips pinch: he's not sold on the idea, but he doesn't really like the idea of more avatars running free, either. People tend to die when that happens...if not sooner than later.

"I dont know that its the case for everyone who vanishes, mind you. But I think if we start to give in to our worst compulsions, it's definitely a possibility."

"Well, there's only one answer for that then. Give in to our worst compulsions where they can't find us."

There's a pause before Hickey gives Jaeger a smirk of a smile. "Joking, of course."

He really isn't.

It gets a small cough of laughter from Jaeger anyway- one of the benefits of having these little get-togethers somewhere away from the constant watchful eye of the ADI.

"Half in jest, all in seriousness, is that how the saying goes?" And Jaeger can't throw stones, not with the thrill of magic so close to the surface. The wild and pure joy of power, of satisfaction, of the Hunt.

He knows himself a little too well, but at least that helps keep him steady. Balanced. For now.

He lets his breath out in the chill air, that wry smile still on his face before it fades.

"For now, we have some of the same goals. That's something, at least. I did similar work for a very long time...as strange as it is, it's comfortable to me."

Strange as it is, that at least makes sense for Hickey. People like the familiar. He nods, taking another drag on his cigarette. It's burned close to the end at this point, but he's not going to waste what little he has left.

"I'll admit that there are aspects of this world still strange and unusual to me. Fortunately, I'm good at adapting to change."

"It would seem so," Jaeger observes thoughtfully, taking in the other man with a quiet, intent look.

"You've probably had more to adapt to here than most of us. The fact that you're getting by, that is pretty impressive all on its own."

He's not the type to offer false praise, simply observation.

Unfortunately for Jaeger, Hickey takes any hint of praise as actual praise. And Jaeger is instantly registered in his mind as someone who he wants to continue to impress.

"Course it's impressive," he grins. "Half of the people here already are used to things like electricity or running water. And here I am, getting used to what everybody thinks as commonplace."

There are worse things to base a relationship on, and if nothing else Jaeger is unflinchingly sincere. Respect? They seem to have the beginnings of it and Jaeger doesn't ask much more than that.

"Its a lot to asjust to, but there is a lot to be said for hot showers, easy travel, and light whenever you want it." Some developments are worth the growing pains. "So hopefully some of it is comfortable once you get used to it."

"Christ, you do not know how thankful I am for the hot showers," Hickey laughs. "I was a sailor before arriving here, y'know? Stuck on a ship with a hundred sweaty men, limited soap, no hot water...we tried our best but the place ended up smelling quite fresh."

Jaeger chuckles, soft and raspy. "I can only imagine. It's one luxury of our times that I'd have a very hard time giving up."

He considers the information he's been given, then. Life on the sea isn't something he'd choose for himself, but he knows that it's got a call nonetheless.

"Are there parts of it you do miss? We're close to the ocean, at least, but I don't know that's quite the same."

Are there parts of home he does miss. An interesting question. Sure he says that he doesn't miss home all the time, but for this one moment, he actually thinks it over. Hickey actually takes time to think about, pausing for a moment as he mulls it over.

"No," he answers. And it's an honest, truthful answer. He shakes his head slightly before continuing with, "No, I don't miss anything. Bugger home, bugger England, bugger all that. It's better for me here anyway."

Jaeger is happy to give the other man a moment, because it's a pretty heavy question. Had the sea been Hickey's passion, or just a job?

He isn't surprised by the response, and nods quietly as he listens.

"I miss a few things, people mostly. But even with the difficulties here, I've found good things, too. And I'm doing work I know and am good at."

Jaeger is a bad man who breaks things for good reasons. He's come to terms with that a long time ago.

Hickey can understand that. What matters is doing what you're best at. Keeping yourself going. Doing what suits you and what you're best at to keep surviving.

"As far as I'm concerned? I'm never leaving this place."

"If we're going to be here, it's good to make the most of it." He nods sagely. It may not be the easiest place, but they don't really seem to have much choice.

And at least it's good work. Though that's more applicable to Jaeger's martyr complex than most others.

"If there's anything I can do, let me know. It's been a year here for me now, I think I'm as settled as I'm going to be."

"Of course," Hickey says, with a little nod. "But I'm coming up on six months here. I think I'm settled as well."

Not entirely. He's still striving for more. He's still trying to push his own boundaries. But he can keep that to himself.

"I'm glad to hear it, then. Time seems to get away from me, here." He's been out of the loop, something he needs to be more alert to.

But it's been a rough few months, he's trying to take that into consideration too.

He casts a glance over to the barroom door, unbothered by the cold but weighing his social obligations. "I should let you go, then, unless you need another light?"

Hickey shakes his head. "Go in there and go through the motions," he nods. He suspects Jaeger has more social obligations than he does anyway.

"If you get tired of it, I'll be waiting."

Jaeger gives a tiny grin at the recognition, the open acknowledgement of social expectations he might not be entirely enamored with. It's a moment of understanding that he appreciates.

He likes most of these people well enough, but it's a bit of a struggle. He's just entirely used to it...which doesn't always make it easier but is something at least.

So he returns the nod. "Nice meeting you, then. I'll see you around, I'm sure."

With that said, he heads back inside for a while...and probably a fresh beer.

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Log - OTA! - What’s the difference between a corpse and a shirt?

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