Private to Selina

[with_my_teacup]

Selina. Guess we're talking business today.

Got your file this morning-- we should probably get introduced a little more formally.

Hit my room around midnight? Cabin twelve deck one.



[Spam for Selina]

[Riddick's room is a little better lit than usual-- more low-power bulbs turned on. Not too many more, it's still just a step above twilight, but it's a sign of welcome.

He considers his weapons, and leaves them on the rock walls, just double-checks the gravity traps that keep idle hands from walking out with one.

Then he makes tea.]

Comments

[with_my_teacup]

Pretty much. The barge, it's a cute little microcosm, we have more of a chance to keep things equal without getting bloody. I'm not actually against bloody.

[He laughs, low and rumbling, giving her that look of real empathy--oh, he understands the urge.]

Just.. you gotta be a little discriminatory about when it's actually necessary, when there's a better way that's gonna be more effective in the long run. I'll try to always listen to what you've got to say, make sure that if there's a low-level problem it gets stepped on. Between us, you can make me look like an a+ prison warden and I can keep you outta trouble while you sort through shit at your own speed. Business partners-?

[silvestris]

This may shock you but subtle is hard for me. [There's a coy smile teasing at her lips. It's rare she makes fun of herself.]

But I think I can manage as long as you have my back. [She holds out her hand] Partners.

[with_my_teacup]

[He takes her hand and squeezes, but not as if to crush. He's always been better at seeing eye to eye with women, for whatever old hidden instinct. He nods agreement to her, the start of a partnership.]

I know you're more a city type, but I'd like to take you out into the CES in a couple weeks, see how your feline side manifests. Up for it?

[That one really is mostly for his better understanding-- he's willing to drop it if she's uncomfortable.]

[silvestris]

[Selina typically views men as tools, scratching posts even. But Riddick has the same restrained savagery that she and Bruce Wayne do, and it's magnetic...and soothing.]

Of course. I haven't had a chance to stretch my legs in weeks.

[with_my_teacup]

[He releases her hand and leans back, taking up his own tea and sipping. He considers the timeline-- not today, everyone's nerves still jangling from Port. Soon.]

We usually get a day or two of normal after a flood or a breach. If neither of us are death tolling at the time, want to call it an appointment?

[silvestris]

You're top of my day planner. What can I expect in there?

[Selina would have rushed into the CES if he'd said they were going, but it's wise that they aren't. It's been rough. She takes a cue from him, and sips her tea--

well. Actually she laps at it with her tongue.]

[with_my_teacup]

[The effect is surprising-- makes him wonder how much is artifice and presentation, how much is the real animal in her. He almost smiles.]

If it's feeling nice, a woodland, or rocks. Someplace we can play 'tag' in all three dimensions.

How's your night vision.

[silvestris]

[If asked, even she wouldn't be able to say for sure. But that's part of why she's here: she no longer knows who or what she is.]

It's perfect. I could beat an owl in the dark.

[with_my_teacup]

[At that, he does grin.]

Then you and me are gonna have some fun. It's gonna be a novel thing to have someone who can keep up in the dark.

[silvestris]

[And she returns it, leaning forward.]

You should tell me about yourself, Warden. How is it you can see so well in the dark? You know all my secrets now...it's only fair.

[with_my_teacup]

Like all my good stories, this one starts in prison. [He stands, setting his tea carefully aside, and goes to dim the lights a little more so he can pull his goggles off.]

Specifically, a double-max they called Slam City. A floating penitentiary station in the ass end of space. I've never really liked being incarcerated, so the first thing I did was break out of my restraints and jack my bounty off the greedy little merc who brought me in. Took his cigarettes, too.

But it's space. Where do you go in space? I bolted for the dark parts of the station, abandoned maintenance tunnels...didn't realize there was someone already there. A gang of cons and psychos with shined-up eyes. They took my cash, left me for dead. Nearly did die.

I don't know why the surgeon saved me down there, pulled me out of the dark. He was nobody-- a veterinarian, I think, in there for debt or something.

I gave him the merc's cigarette as a down payment. He gave me these. [Riddick gestures at his eyes, smiles.]

Went and got my cash back. Paid him. Never seen things quite the same since.

[silvestris]

[When she sees them she's quite positive that he has her beat for night vision. She stands, moves closer, fascinated.]

What does it look like with these? Is it like daylight?

[with_my_teacup]

[He shakes his head, watching her approach.]

Nah. It's not like seeing before. Whatever he put under my corneas, it doesn't just focus the light, it... Bends it, makes more of it visible. A little UV, a little infra-red-- can see heat like a shadow. But my color vision is shot to shit. I usually don't miss it, considering.

[silvestris]

I'd trade up, too, if that's the package deal.

[Selina, being mostly dead, doesn't have much heat; she'd have more of a heat signature in her Catwoman costume, but in regular clothes she's lukewarm at best.]

When does UV come in handy?

[with_my_teacup]

Not often. It's just... interesting. To see what puts off light I couldn't've seen before. To see what reflects it-- strange patterns where there weren't any. [Another headshake] Had to get used to seeing like this. Worth it.

[silvestris]

I've always been a little jealous of all those animals that see colors humans can't. I know there's a trade-off...but it could be so useful. Especially if you get into jewel heists [that last part might be a joke]

[with_my_teacup]

[He makes a show of considering this] I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to discourage crime. Then again.... eh.

[silvestris]

Crime is such a sticky area. So many crimes are justified, how can you think of prosecuting?