bakerstreet | thursday pic prompt

thursday pic prompt

the picture prompt meme

i. COMMENT WITH CHARACTER
ii. OTHERS LEAVE A PICTURE (OR TWO OR THREE....)
iii. REPLY TO THEM WITH A SETTING BASED ON THE IMAGES.

THIS POST WILL BE IMAGE HEAVY.

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[He automatically scans the interior of the shop before he steps in behind her. It's a habit he picked up in his year as a prisoner, looking for potential secondary exits and threats but the habit also lets him catch the recognition, for both of them, that's happening. And, honestly, up until this point it hasn't occurred to him what the two of them together will add up to in the public eye. Mostly because until a few minutes ago he wasn't aware she was anyone people would recognize. Questionable vanished deep space pilot and Overwatch mecha star pilot...

that was something the gossip columns would have a hey day with.

She seemed capable of handling the media attention if it came though and he - didn't know that he'd still be around. He didn't have to feel guilty and he could focus on her teasing instead. Which brought a long slow grin to his face and he leaned in just enough to tease back.]

I won't say a word. Just don't live stream us, okay?

[She's full of energy again, the melancholy chased away by Cloud and she gives another little spin.

She doesn't see anything wrong with being a protector and needed someone to protect her at the same time. Or in wanting to save people and wanting to be saved herself. Life is like that, no one's every only one thing and even young Tifa already gets that. So Cloud will go off and become SOLDIER and she'll stay here and - find a way to become a protector too. And one day, hopefully not too far away, they'll find each other again and then -

and then she's willing to let whatever happens after that wait to figure out. What matters is that he'll come back. He won't forget her. And she'll be someone that was worth remembering by the time he comes back.

She has utter faith in him.]

You'll be good too, Cloud. You'll be great! We both will. All we have to do is get there. [She laughs, flashes him a wide smile and challenges:]

Race you to the end of the lake.

[And she's off like a shot before he even has a chance to agree. The future doesn't look so lonely anymore, or so empty. They'll chase the stars Cloud's found for both of them. And, one day, they'll even catch them.]

[According to their address, they're up in the NE corner of the county, I believe? What got you across the pond to England, then?? Heck of a jump!]

"You and I have that same hope. I... we have seen what happens when a small group of hated people try to rise up and make their voices heard, in this world. It's a very slow process, difficult and tiring, but... I cannot sit in silence and allow nothing to happen. We've become a voice, a rallying point, and I wish to see that continue. We can show people that there is nothing to fear in the average mutant, despite our gifts, no more than they fear their neighbor. I'm not afraid of that uphill slope."

"As for Ventari... I would have to agree with you, rather than him." The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. The X-Men remained a secret thus far, and he planned to keep it that way. "If your mind and body are trained, you are more likely to avoid the battle to begin with as well."

[If it was my roomie's and I didn't know them I would probably hide away. XD /can be totally anti-social, is okay with that - I did have a good time! She was a really fantastic person. I just get stressed because I think the house has to be perfect. @_@]

"That is why you are one of us," Charles said softly, knowing that the statement could mean something completely different if someone happened to over hear them but instead, for Kurt, would mean the team he had joined. He nodded slightly in thanks for opening the door and rolled into the dining hall, one that was mostly quiet except for a table of younger students in the corner with one of the staff, clearly working on some kind of arts and crafts. A little late for breakfast and a little early for lunch, but it meant things would be quiet at least.

"What class do you have next?" he asked as they approached the wall that connected into the kitchen. Breakfast was usually a buffet style of food but lunch was locked down to only a few choices, though the choices were never poor ones. Today it seemed hamburgers were the main fair, with some form of spiced chicken and ravioli as well. Unless he felt the need to, he mostly didn't bother going off the menu and was happy enough to order some of the chicken.

[Oh it's all my partner's fault (mostly). He's British. (Also I came over here to do my PhD.) We might relocate stateside sometime in the next year or so though. Seems we just can't decide what side of the Atlantic we want to be on.]

"And more likely to appreciate every day that you are not called upon to fight it," Aurus added with a nod.

Ventari could hmph at him in his head all he pleased. Ultimately, Aurus knew, their disagreement was far less pronounced than would be the case for many people. And Aurus did still consider himself to be a disciple of the old centaur sage, even if he was rather unorthodox about it.

"It's interesting to hear you say that though, as nothing I've so far seen here gives the impression of anyone being trained for combat. If it's taking place then it is very well hidden. And though I don't doubt you have your secrets, Charles, you strike me much more as a diplomat than a fighter."

He didn't mean this as any sort of insult or even as a supposition based on Charles' chair. Aurus wasn't nearly so naive as to think Charles defenseless. The man just didn't have a warrior's demeanor about him. If it was there at all, it was masterfully disguised.

[That's really sort of romantic, though. My girlfriend is moving up here - will officially be moved in this upcoming weekend - because I had the established job and house. Very excited for it, really nervous. How was it moving over there?? /also, borrowing a tiny bit from the comics to fill in Charles' missing years...]

In many ways, what Aurus thought was true. When he had been able bodied, he had been trained in martial arts and had been quite capable, but his mind, and mouth, had always been his most used tools. Today, that was even more true, but his mind had developed newer abilities, things that made him possibly more dangerous than when he had been able to deliver a punch. Things that sometimes frightened him as he learned them, but kept them tucked away for if they ever needed to be used.

"I would definitely consider myself a diplomat," Charles agreed. The X-Men... that wasn't something he was quite ready to discuss with Aurus, not yet. This would always be a school first, a preparations for battle second. "There are those among us who have seen combat, and would be ready to fight if necessary, but this is a school. I wish peace to reign here, above all else. I want a place where children feel safe, not that something could happen. I don't want this to become a battle ground."

[Haha I suppose it is, though we're dorks and never really think of it that way. We had like the Least Romantic civil partnership ceremony ever and are always so pleased with ourselves for it. But congrats to you guys though! Moving in, especially across a distance, is a big thing. Relocating over here was hella expensive (and took forever). Also lots of substantial lifestyle changes I didn't really expect. We live in London, but even here the shops all close at 5 or 6. "Open Late" means open until 7pm. Ugh. Aaaaaand I admit to being totally blind re: comics verse X-Men, so all's good with me!]

"Let's hope it never does. But you may be more trusting than I would be if you're willing to take it on faith." He considered this for a moment and then added, "Though I suspect I'd probably be a fairly bad diplomat. I don't think I have the patience for it."

The statement was made quite dryly, so it wasn't really clear whether he meant it seriously or was being facetious. He didn't let it settle for long before deciding it was time to shift the topic a bit though.

"Speaking of. You've been impressively patient on the topic of my leaves." A crooked, teasing smile here, "Most humans don't make it half so long when they meet a sylvari for the first time. Is that just well-schooled manners, or are you really not troubled to know?"

[...5 or 6-- oh my god. I don't even get out of work until 5 how do people LIVE?!]

Did having the X-Men mean he didn't trust? Perhaps, but he wasn't a fool, either. There would always be the need to fight, to be able to push back against forces humanity wouldn't otherwise be able to stop. Still, he gave a small smile. "Sometimes, it needs someone more blunt who is willing to speak his mind than the constant forced politeness and bantering. It takes all kinds, though patience does generally end up being required."

The commnent about having 'waited' to ask his questions made him chuckle, gesturing to himself. "You're speaking to a man who can listen in on your mind. I generally don't want to be asked questions, most mutants don't. I've learned the patience to wait for a proper opening or be polite about it, given how I would want to be treated." He shrugged, clearly amused by it, then pointed as he leaned forward. "But as you've clearly offered an opening... you'll have to forgive me if any of my questions are rude out of ignorance. Do your people consider yourself more botanical or more hominina?"

[I've lived here for like 8 years and I still don't know. I mean there's fuck all you'd actually want to buy in most shops anyway. The selection is enough to make any American weep. But Sundays are legit the worst. Run out of milk at 4:00 on a Sunday? You're probably screwed until morning.]

"And for all I know you've been doing so all morning," Aurus seemed completely unconcerned at this possibility though. "For the most part these days I generally presume that someone is listening. Even when they're quiet at least one or two of the Legends are almost always still there. I find nothing objectionable about having you in my head--I like you, and some of them I don't get on with at all well."

It did make sense to him, given what he'd learned thus far, that mutants would prefer that people not pry. It was also worth a mental note for when he met the students here. Aurus was much more subtle and tactful than most sylvari, mostly because he took notice of how his race's proclivity to ask blunt questions so often made people uncomfortable. (Being aware of that fact meant that Aurus could use it to deliberate effect instead of random accident.)

Personally, though, Aurus's perspective was completely different: being a de facto ambassador for his race meant that questions simply came with the terrain. And he couldn't not be an ambassador for his race when he'd set off to travel the world before most of the world even knew what a sylvari was.

He leaned forward in his own chair, elbows resting on the arms, and mirrored Charles' posture. "You needn't worry about being rude--there's very little you could ask that I'd consider indecorous. And there is no 'more' about it. I am thoroughly a plant."

[...Suddenly I'm pretty happy to be an American. Even in my mother's backwater country area you can get milk at 4pm on a Sunday (maybe not until 11AM but still...)]

"I have not," Charles said in a voice like a promise, hand coming briefly to his chest. "I don't, usually, unless I believe there to be an issue. I've... grown since I was a teenager." The corner of his mouth lifted, briefly, remembering how he was in his youth. "However, there is nothing even similar to you in our world. The most notable movement in any plant might be the Venus Fly Trap, which actively closes on prey that it is able to, but even that is rooted to the ground. Definitely nothing on the level of intelligent life. Does that mean you were-" His brows pinched, searching for the word, "grown, rather than birthed? Is it from another of your species? Seeds, perhaps?"

He paused in his thoughts coming aloud, expression utterly curious. Aurus was used to Humans, to whatever degree, and he seemed to have no issue with the idea of mutants, but Charles had to wonder how common something as wild as a talking, walking plant was across the universes. This meeting had certainly become more and more eye-opening with every minute passing!

[ Sure enough, Hana doesn't seem the least bit bothered by the attention; she's gotten used to it. In fact, before they inevitably part ways she'll likely ask to take a selfie with him to post on social media. But for now she giggles, sparing a moment to think that he wears his smile pretty well, and nods in agreement. ]

Deal. D.Va's on a day off today, anyway. Come on!

[ So, hey, there will be an attempt to grab him by the non-mech arm to pull him over to the ice cream counter. ]

Have you ever had patbingsu before? 'Cause if not, we totally have to get that.

[He hears that giggle and it makes him feel - proud. As if he's done something worthwhile to earn it. He could understand someone going out of their way to make sure she did that often.

The catch at his arm is a surprise but more than welcome and he follows her without any resistance. His mecha arm does feel things, the same way the metal has its only heat that still isn't as warm as his body temperature and the metal has a slight softness to it but - he's glad its his human arm she grabs. Her fingers make the fabric of his shirt slide against his skin there and the pressure of her hand is a nice reminder of his humanity.

She has no idea how badly he craves simple human touch.

So he comes to a stop next to her, making no move to get his arm back, grinning, perhaps a little too goofily at the couple on the other side of the counter. He hasn't been dragged around like a teenager in years. It's nice.]

No. [He shakes his head, scattering white hair across his forehead. Japan loves its 'foreign' food and he's had several Korean dishes growing up there but patbingsu isn't one of them and he looks curiously at the ingredients on the other side of the counter. He gives her his trust to abuse if she wants to.] You'd better order for both of us.

[LMAO as I write this, at after 5pm, I have just had the horrifying experience of realizing that, because of a load of convoluted crap that I shan't bore you with, I am in actual DESPERATE NEED of a rental car. Tonight. Literally the ONLY thing that is going to save my ass is that I can get to a London airport where things will still be open. Otherwise I would be beyond fucked.]

"I was grown," Aurus confirmed. "From a tree."

He let that settle for a moment before continuing. "That would be a rather stingy answer though. Let me tell you the story:

"Some two and a half centuries ago, during the time of the Krytan Civil War, a human soldier named Ronan was separated from his unit. Alone, he made his way into a cave where he found a clutch of strange seeds, one of which he took--a seed the size of a man's fist.

"He intended to take it home to his village and show it to his daughter, but when he returned, he found the village burned to the ground, his family murdered.

"There, he forever lay down his weapons, and planted the seed on his family's grave, and there he stayed until the end of his days. He was joined by Ventari, the centaur sage of whom I've spoken, and together they tended the Pale Tree which grew from that seed, building a sanctuary of peace and friendship all through their lives.

"It is from that tree--the Mother Tree, we say--that sylvari now grow. We mature in pods on her branches, and when our time is right, we drop to the ground and awaken. We are fully grown and we know much more of the world than a human child. We can read and write and speak; we know the foundation of Ventari's teachings--all these things come to us in what we call the Dream.

"The more we live and experience, the greater the Dream's pool of knowledge. But we are still a young race. The Firstborn only awoke about twenty-five years ago."

[GOOD LUCK THOUGH! I hope everything turns out okay :( ]

Charles did not move or speak during this story, his gaze intense and yet at the same time, almost childlike. It was like just that - listening to a story being told from a children's picture book. Something out of legend or movie or book instead of the reality of someone else's existence. His hands came up, folding under his chin, as he imagined what this tree must look like - in his mind, it was as large as a great oak, smooth, a pale off white, spreading out to a glorious field of those same dark purple leaves as Aurus' hair or perhaps the brilliant blue of his skin.

A centaur! That explained the equine sound he had picked up in Aurus' mind. At least that was something familiar to him, to some degree, from stories. People hurt by war often wanted to either find revenge or find peace, and it sounded like these two had chosen the later. A species born of a tree, intelligent fruit that came to bear when the time was right. It was utterly fascinating to him!

"What a site that must have been, when the Firstborn came to be, for those there to experience it when they were 'born'." Like finding an alien, he briefly mused, then decided it would have been much less... screaming involved, or at least he hoped in that place of peace. "So this journey... does your knowledge pass to the Dream as you journey, or will it only pass on when you do as well?" There was nothing at all like this that he had ever heard of (before the internet was a thing) that would match something like this, but it was somehow easy to imagine. A vast Network, like roots, somehow connecting the entire race.

Perhaps it's a sort of desperation that gets Sirius to smile. Perhaps he shouldn't think so hard about it. Remus was often funny, is often funny. If he hadn't been, he wouldn't have lasted. Straight humour, delivered in an even tone, deadpan to the end. Brief spells of mania are just that, these days: brief. Sirius has become better suited to these quiet sort of jokes.

"Ah." Very serious in return. "So it was intended for me, and now you're only drinking it as a gesture of noble politeness. Not outside your character" --without adding a politer no offense; they're friends, old friends, they don't need to soften blows-- "but still, Lupin. You could have gone a bit more upscale, if it's meant to be repayment."

That's not to say he won't keep drinking, because he will. Proof to the point, Sirius takes another swallow as he turns to cross the room and take up by the fireplace. There's chairs, a sofa. He opts instead for the floor, sprawled out somewhat ungainly but with his mug of brandy still unspilled; the bottle on the floor beside him, ready for refills--and, once settled, gives his mug a cultured sort of swirl, twist of the wrist--more obvious bullshit, as well as a gesture weirdly anachronistic with, you know. His everything.

[ Luckily for Shiro, Hana would probably act like a teenager even once she's well into her early twenties. For now, at least, she has the excuse of being nineteen. Still, her demeanor belies all of the burdens that have been placed upon her. But--well, not having to think about those burdens has been pleasant, even if only for today. And having Shiro for company helps; he didn't recognize her at first, but even after he did, he didn't change how he treated her. Hana likes that. And it's probably why her hand remains on his arm even after they've gotten to the counter. ]

Even better--we'll share! Their specialty's this huge bowl. There's no way I can finish it all by myself before it melts.

[ She gives him another one of her winks and a thumbs up with her free hand before she turns to the person at the register, ordering the patbingsu in her native tongue and despite her earlier excitement at getting treated to free ice cream, she tries to pay for it herself. He is, after all, a space pilot. Hana feels like this is her way of welcoming him back to Earth. ]

[He notices the continued contact and, sure, it feels good because she's pretty and friendly and he likes her personality but it feeds something so much deeper inside of him too. Maybe they're both escaping from their usual lives for the day and if they can escape together -

having someone along for the ride makes things seem even more warm and welcoming.

The sound he makes is a coughed laugh at both her enthusiasm and her decision to share and that's not a protest of any kind. His head cocks, just the slightest bit, listening to her talk and if he doesn't understand a word of it, he likes the way it sounds and the flow back and forth between her and the couple behind the counter. As cheat at it 'dates' go, he thinks his is going really well and he watches without even trying to hide his curiousity as the meal is put together in what is, she wasn't exaggerating, a huge bowl of - things. Ice and fruit and what looks like bean paste and - maybe ice cream and by the time they're done he's not really sure what's in it anymore, just that its going to be impressive.

She beats him to the draw with paying for it too and his mouth opens to protest - before he shuts it again and picks up the bowl with his free hand instead. He doesn't want to argue with her, not if it means he'd lose her touch. He doesn't think he's off in his guess that she can afford a bowl of ice cream. He can treat next time. He'd like to think he might get a chance at a next time. So he just gives her hand a light squeeze, pressing it between his own arm and his side and heads them both for a booth that lets him sit with his back to a wall and a good view of the doors.]

Next time, I treat, Hana.

I hope so, yeah...

[He smiles at her, shyly, and hopes he can do this--- a thought broken off by the sudden challenge and Tifa immediately shooting away. Half a second Cloud's left blinking, then;]

Ah---!

[Frowning, he immediately takes off, for a moment not thinking about how much or little she might even mean anything at all she's said while they've been out here on the lake, the chances of him messing up, of failing...

It doesn't matter. Because Cloud Strife is nothing if not competitive enough to try and not just catch up, but win. A crush or not, he's not about to let Tifa win just because she's Tifa without trying to win himself.

So he sets off after her as quickly as he can, heedless of the uneven lake ice and only thinking about the goal. A pretty small goal, given, but that'll work for now.]

[ Hana's sure to swipe two spoons at the counter for them as Shiro leads them away to a table, where Hana is happy to take the seat facing the wall instead, completely oblivious as to why Shiro might prefer being able to keep an eye on the doors. She's pretty excited to dig in and it being Shiro's first time eating patbingsu makes this even more fun as she sticks the two spoons in, one on his side and one on hers. ]

Deal! I'll even let you pick what we get next time.

[ So, yeah, there's a pretty good chance of there being a next time. Hana is just a friendly person by nature, but she's been having a nice time so far and doesn't see why there shouldn't be a next time, apart from her schedule being a little hectic and the yet-unmade realization that Shiro could be gone from Earth for some time after this. As if it's second nature to her, she pulls out her phone and takes a picture of the treat on the table before she puts it down on the table and looks back up at Shiro, now with her chin resting on her hands. ]

You get the first taste since it's your first time.

[His eyebrows go up a little at the sudden phone picture but he supposes if she livestreams so much else of her life, why not the food, especially when its as good looking as what's in front of them. The important thing is she puts the phone down afterward and he appreciates what that says.

He prefers her attention on them.

And its cute the way she sets up the spoons and then settles in to watch. He shoots her a smile under his bangs and picks up his spoon.]

I'm going to hold you to that. [The spoon points at her for a moment.] Next time, Hana.

[And then, because she's waiting, and because he honestly is curious, he takes a good sized scoop of the concoction in front of him, trying to get as many of the different ingredients in the mix as possible.

He's a long way from the suspicious green glop he's been stuck eating the past however many months.

-

and he lets his face speak for him. Because - ]

This really is good.

[I have arranged to collect the car at the ass crack of dawn on my way down to teach (which, P.S., is like 2 hours away). /hair turns gray in great clumps]

It didn't take half a moment for Aurus to know that he would quite enjoy showing Charles the Pale Tree. It did take half a moment for him to realize that maybe, between the Dream and Charles' abilities, it might in some sense become possible. That would be something for them to discuss. But not just now.

As for the Firstborn, Aurus seemed comparatively less awed by them. "Well they do certainly have a well developed sense of self-importance at having been first," he said a little dryly. "There were a dozen of them, and it was almost two years before we--the secondborn--awoke. Now there are more and more every day. But in the beginning, the Firstborn could not know if there would ever by any more but them. Sometimes I think they were not entirely glad to see us." Sibling rivalry? Oh yes, there had certainly been some of that.

"As for the Dream, it is always present in some sense, even when I am awake. It ebbs and flows, like a tide. When I sleep the tide rises--washes my ankles, if you will. But it is not as though a thorough awareness of all that I've done each day is instantly conveyed to every other sylvari alive.

"You might think of it as a sea, or a vast lake perhaps. When you wade along one shore, only a small part of the water touches you, and if you poured a cupful in, it would disperse so that no one could say where 'your' water would touch or what other wading feet it might wash against.

"Only the most significant of deeds create a ripple that all of us will feel, and I think then it tends to be because so many are so aware of the news while they're awake." Perhaps interestingly, for Aurus, 'roots' was not the metaphor that most directly presented itself.

[ Hana just watches him with a smirk on her face when he points the spoon at her, but it turns into a smile that just brightens when he tries the treat and she sees the look on his face even before he verbally says it's really good. Shiro may be unofficially a giant, but he's... pretty cute. ]

Well, you can't go wrong with a recommendation from me! Especially for food.

[ Then, with a confident nod, she picks up her own spoon and proceeds to dig in, too. She's a little less careful than Shiro was with her side of the dessert, but the look on her face once the spoon is in her mouth is just-- pure delight. ]

No argument.

[Because it really is good and he doesn't hesitate to dig in for his next bite. He always ate fast, thanks to his time in the military but after his year with the Galra he had the habit of inhaling his food. He makes it a point now to slow down and really enjoy the meal though.

He does stop, just to watch her take her first bite because the way her face changes is -

is something he'd really like to see again.

Getting another spoonful, he asks:]

How often do you get to sneak away?

[ She has to make sure mouth isn't full of ice and ice cream and red bean paste and whatever else she got a chunk of in her spoonful before she purses her lips with a thoughtful look and she answers, ]

I dunno, once every couple of weeks?

[ Frankly, she's lost track. When it's not going on missions with her MEKA unit to defend her home country against omnics, it's being shipped off somewhere for an Overwatch operation, and when it's not either of those things she has responsibilities to make appearances as someone who's become a public figure, too. Surely, she has days that are freer than others, but days like this when her schedule had been completely clear are few and far between. She's digging in for another scoop as she gives him a curious look. Her turn to ask a question. ]

What about you? How often do you get to come back to Earth? What's that like?

[He absorbs the information, chewing his next mouthful while he lets it ride. Once every couple of weeks. That's not bad. It's not great but - he can wait a few weeks. It would give him something to look forward to.

As long as he could stick around that long.

Her question is only fair but he takes his time with a second mouthful. Because - that's the kicker. The second he answers that she's either going to realize exactly who he is or -

well, she really would have to live under a rock. Which is possible if she's busy with what amount to crisis all the time but she seems too hooked into media flow to miss it entirely.

Somehow, it doesn't bother him as much as it did before though. So he answers straightforward and with a slightly crooked smile because it isn't going to be the answer she expects. But his eyes watch her and he doesn't take a next immediate bite.]

This is my first time back in the solar system in over a year. So - not very if we're going by my recent track record. It's amazing what you realize you miss once you're gone and can't come back.

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Page 36 of 61

thursday pic prompt

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good place to wrap it up?

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Re: Kurt and Charles

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:D I think so, yes!

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