02 / Video.

[heavyhanded]

[ The interior of a Mac apartment! And Jaime is slumped in a chair, holding what looks like a... solid gold wine bottle, and not looking pleased. ]

I've heard talk of "superpowers" among the imPorts. Perhaps I've found mine. If this is meant to be a blessing, then the gods here play japes just as cruel as the ones I've known in Westeros. [ A wry smile, and he tilts the bottle upside down. Nothing pours out. ] Why, I'd barely even started this bottle.

The banks here will take my coinage gladly enough, do you think they'll take my drink, as well?

[ He peers into the bottle, sighs, and tosses it away with a heavy clunk. ]

It was poor wine, anyway.

Comments

[heavyhanded]

[ wtf is a "cake walk", Tali. wtf. BUT WHATEVER he can context-ify this shit. ]

I find it easy enough. You're certain you aren't just slow?

[gofortheoptics]

[ ... :| ]

Yes, I'm sure I'm not just slow!

[He's got her flustered now, not that it's all that difficult to do.]

I'm not slow in the least. I graduated at the top of my classes.

[heavyhanded]

[ This right here? Is the most disbelieving look he owns. ]

Well, I suppose as it's rude to name a lady a liar...

[gofortheoptics]

It's rude to name anyone a liar, unless you've got a good reason.

[She shoots him a sharper look.]

And I don't think you're in any position to judge how good I am at my job.

[heavyhanded]

And why is that? I seem to be doing my job rather well so far. At least, I've seen no slain kings about, so I can only conclude I'm doing something right.

[gofortheoptics]

Some of us are entrusted with something a little more complicated than making sure archaic rulers don't rise from the dead.

[Seriously, Jaime.]

[heavyhanded]

[ pfft. ] I keep them alive. It's considerably more difficult, if three dead kings is aught to go by. But what is your task, if you're so lusty with the need to tell me about it?

[gofortheoptics]

Here, or at home?

[Because indeed, those two things are not quite the same.]

[heavyhanded]

[ PATRONIZING SMILE ]

Whichever you think is more impressive.

[gofortheoptics]

I work for a world-class researcher in this world.

In my own, I'm an Admiral.

[He's got to know what that is, right? Ranks reach across the ages...?]

[heavyhanded]

[ Neither of these things make sense to him, so he just stares, brow cocked, and waits for an explanation. ]

[gofortheoptics]

[Oh, for the love of --]

In this place, I help create new things and solve complicated problems with technology.

[Okay, that's kind of what she did at home...]

At home, I get a fancier title and more respect for doing the same thing.

[heavyhanded]

[ psh, whatever. He looks ahead again, not seeming terribly impressed. ]

I suppose it would have been too much to ask to hear a familiar answer, like washer woman, or whore, or the like.

[gofortheoptics]

Is that all women are good for where you're from?

[Not that she hasn't seen gender inequality before, but the quarians can hardly be picky with their leaders as long as they're qualified and motivated...]

[heavyhanded]

I hear they're also good for bearing children.

[ and with what might be a tiny curve of an actual smile: ] But at least one of them is damned good with a sword.

[gofortheoptics]

Did her parents just have the good sense not to warn her away from something she actually showed promise at?

[But she sees that smile and she's curious about it.]

And you were friends with her?

[heavyhanded]

[ ...Good question, he'd never asked. He'd just assumed Brienne had been dropped out of the womb holding a sword. So he'll just skip that question. ]

I doubt she would say so, if you put the question to her.

[gofortheoptics]

I didn't ask whether she considered you a friend, I asked whether you were friends with her or not.

[In other words, how does he feel about her.]

[heavyhanded]

[ He actually pauses with that, and darts a glance over at Tali. It's not a question he'd ever considered before... It's also a little more meaningful than he'd like. Good thing he has that old standby of sarcasm, right? ]

If you'd ever met her, you'd know better than to ask. The wench is even uglier than I'd imagined you to be. I've never made friends with sows, and I hadn't planned on starting any time soon.

[gofortheoptics]

[If she could only unsee that glance -- however brief -- she'd be a lot more offended. As it is, she's just going to shake her head.]

Of course. Think of how it would tarnish your reputation, being friends with people who had talent and personality.

[heavyhanded]

[ and for his part, Jaime will just be happy in the comfortable lie that he totally pulled that deflection off and was completely believed. awww yeah. ]

I have plenty enough of those about me without needing to add any cows to the lot.

[gofortheoptics]

At home, maybe.

[What does he have here so far? She's not saying he's un-likeable, she's just saying ... okay, she's kind of saying that. Indirectly.]

[heavyhanded]

[ He catches that, but only smiles. ]

Are you concerned that I might get lonely? My lady is too kind.

[gofortheoptics]

Oh, I'm sure you'll have plenty of credits -- dollars -- to spare if you find yourself lonely.

[She smirks.]

I'm sure you'll survive.

[heavyhanded]

It's worked well enough for you, so I dare say I will survive.