Even When We Win, it Seems Like All We Do is Lose

[deal_me_in]

WHO: Cayde-6 and you I guess
WHERE: Deep End and outside around the city like a maniac
WHAT: Paranoia? What paranoia? Also scooping out any stragglers stuck in this snowy mess
WHEN: During the Storm
WARNINGS: N/A
NOTES: Will match pose prefs


I. The Deep End

"I'm sure Europa gets worse," the Exo says as he tries shoving the edges of a mattress back into place from where the wind had attempted to blow it loose from the hole he'd accidentally blown out in the hallway outside of the bar. The tarp definitely wasn't doing anything but he's sure no one's using this bed anymore and it's done well enough for a quick fix.

"There we go," he says, dusting his hands off and looking rather proud of his efforts. So many things can be solved with mattresses! Who'd have thought?

He stops by the window that he usually leaves open as his choice entrance and exit, now closed against the flurries, squinting out at the whiteness before turning to step into the welcome warmth of the bar. "Lakes don't freeze all the way through, right?" he says, peering at the great glass windows across from him and the watery life beyond. The unsettling feeling that they might just burst and flood everything is a lot stronger with all the craziness. Maybe he just needs a drink.


II. Open Arms of the Storm

Somehow, being outside doesn't feel as bad as staying inside. Outside, you didn't have to worry about anything collapsing or caving in. You were already in it. Sure, it's a terrible idea but there's something about the wild winds and the frigid temperatures that stoke something in the Exo, a thing he can't quite explain, but it counters the unsettling and inexplicable sensations he's had.

Unfortunately it does nothing for the ghosts with a lower-case 'g', and he's learned from the first storm to save his bullets no matter how bad the visitors got. But then they'd only got sneakier since Taniks. The latest card played has been a low blow however, and not one he'll admit to anyone if he can help it.

Running? Is that what he's doing? No, he'll deny that too. No point in running from an apparition that can appear wherever, heedless of the churning winds. He needs to keep himself occupied, keep his mind busy. Find any other fools out here that're built less sturdier than an Exo, for starters. That's a good excuse.

Comments

[sunglassesincluded]

"Then the odds are at least even." Wesker nods and picks up one of the cues. An item that he would easily have turned into a weapon at many points during his life and only ever used to play an actual games the few times Birkin nagged him into doing so while he tried to figure out whichever issue was currently stalling his project. But aside from that, to Wesker at least, games are solely a way to waste away time. It's strange that for once that's exactly what he hopes to achieve.

He watches as the Exo sets up the colorful balls, the simple numbers on them an oddly human thing to encounter on this planet. Just a little out of place, just as Cayde's feathered pet. A thought that prompts a more casual inquiry. "Mind telling me why there is a single regular chicken in this entire place?"

[deal_me_in]

"Hm? Colonel? She's from home. Guess the Agrii thought to drop her off at some point," Cayde says as he corrals the balls within their little triangular pen before removing the latter with a satisfied grin.

"They do that sometimes, you know. Seems most likely around whatever they deem holidays, you find something meaningful to you left as a present of sorts. Usually." He pauses. "Oh, well I guess there was also that one time Echo had two crates of instant spicy ramen nearly dumped on his head."

[sunglassesincluded]

Wesker doesn't immediately respond, but he takes one of the cues and sets the white ball down in its intended starting position while considering the Exo's words. Something meaningful. He can't exactly say there's anything he'd assign that definition to that isn't just the goal he has set for himself. But the idea of getting food dropped onto him isn't exactly appealing as well.

He set up to take aim and take the first shot of their game. "Seems like the best they could come up for me was an old uniform of mine." Wesker finally remarks. This at least isn't entirely useles.

[deal_me_in]

Chuckling, Cayde picks up the other cue, bouncing it in hand as he watches Wesker break the balls up.

"I didn't say they were great at it. But you haven't been here too long either, right? I don't know how long they research these things or how long it takes for them to even do what they do. Let alone how they do it."

[sunglassesincluded]

It's not a particularly impressive shot. For the mst part it's just scattering the balls around the table, but Wesker isn't someone that takes games like these very seriously. They are a means to occupy himself with during conversation or other musings.

"Long enough to accept the ridiculousness of my situation." Not long enough yet to not feel displeased about it. "But if they can give us useless stuff, I wish to know why they can't give us something we can actually use to make any notable progress."

[deal_me_in]

It's something to keep himself busy, and at least he can try to convince himself that if Wesker's not concerned about the floor opening up or the ceiling coming down on them, that he shouldn't be either. Also Colonel is cool as a cucumber, and if there was anything potentially wrong, animals would know right off the back.

...he's not so sure how well that applies with chickens but he is still convinced Colonel is the most amazing chicken there is.

"Yeah, that's true," Cayde concedes, nodding as he waits for his turn, eyeing where the balls have rolled in comparison to the cue ball. "I think that might be more on the side of that they have no idea what would be helpful to provide since they're still not sure what to make of the problem."

[sunglassesincluded]

"A problem that has persisted for years." Or so Wesker has been told. "Let's hope they learned that chickens and instant noodles do little to solve it. No offense to your lady."

He waits for Cayde to take his turn while retreiving what was left of his drink. May as well get comfortable.