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 Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 1:52 pm
[[This is just something Dre and I were toying with, if it ends up just being a one one we we won't mind. But you are free to join. Pretty much this takes about 22-25 years after what our current RP. Characters from then can be retired, dead, or just the old blood members passing the torch. Your choice.]]
A two-jeep caravan pulled into the sandy front of the old wooden base. One was a red Wrangler, the black canvas top down, showing the driver to be a younger woman, the second, an old military-style one following suit with a couple who looked like they were in the middle of a petty squabble, which seemed to be put on hold when the driver, surprisingly the man, killed the engine.
The younger woman hopped out first, looking around, as if this place was completely knew to her. It wasn’t, but how does expect an infant to remember. The older pair took their time meeting up. It was obvious they were reminiscing. Aden, which was the young woman’s name, overheard the little comments. The other pair were her parents. Her father, a tower of man whose age was showing by the slight hint of grey on his sideburns, blue eyes he passed on to his girl, stopped and looked at her mother, a woman still in her prime, with auburn-red hair with matching knowing grins.
Fate was funny thing. This base had been an important part of their lives, even if they never visited after retirement. It was at was the spot they were standing they first met, and where her father proposed to her mother. Had it not been for this place, she might have not been here. And now things came full circle with her growing up and following their footsteps.
“Aw man! Rhys, you think they’d let me go sneak into BLU for old times sake?”
“I don’t think so, hon. We’re civvies now.” He narrowed his eyes. “And don’t even try. That’s Adi’s job now. Right?” Rhys was honestly not happy at the prospect of his daughter joining RED, his time as an assassin was a different chapter from his life he ended and didn’t really care to look back on. But, he understood, Aden was a grown woman capable of choices. He had to let his little fledgling out of the nest sometime.
The two of them met up with their daughter, she caught her father snaking and arm around her mother’s waist. She chuckled. “Yep. Don’t get any ideas buir. You’re retired.” Not that it would stop her mother, to be honest.
“Alright, alright…no security check.” She made a show of looking dejected, and then quickly turned back to her normal self. “So, this is it.”
The hesitation between the family was palpable. They all knew it wasn’t really goodbye, but even so, departing would be difficult. “It is.”
“You need any help moving in? Maybe a tour of the base?”
“I’m fine mum, really.”
Suddenly, Aden felt her mother break all restraint and take her into a huge embrace. “Make me proud, Ad’ika.”
“I always do.”
“I love you.”
“Mum, it’s not you’re never going to see me again. I’ll be back in a few months for Milo’s birthday. Okay?”
“Okay.” Having said what she wanted to say, she released her daughter and started back to the jeep. Rhys sidled up to his girl and draped an arm around her, giving her a squeeze. She noticed he was bit teary-eyed himself. “Don’t be afraid to call at anytime. And I mean anytime.” He planted a kiss on his daughter’s forehead, then suddenly, pulled off the slouch hat from his head and plopped it right on hers, something he’d done so many times before. Like her mother before her, her head was small and dropped comically over her eyes.
“Daaaad…” Aden chuckled, despite the mild embarrassment, removed it and replaced it back on his head. “You take care, you two. And you and mum have fun at your signing, too.”
Rhys gave a wan smile at the girl, and one more squeeze. “See you soon.” He finally added, before returning to the car. Aden waved them off, a little teary herself. She stood there for a few good moments after they were gone, then decided it was high time to unpack.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 2:07 pm
Jr had actually gotten there the evening before, and had picked a room that was on the west end of the base. It was a large room, with two beds. He took the bottom bunk and had rearranged some of the arbitrary pieces of leftover furniture so he wouldn't bang his head on the dresser every time he got out of bed. After removing his room of pieces of left-behind clothes and the discovery of a plastic lobster that had a tiny sombrero glued to his head, he'd unpacked most everything. He was on his way back out to his truck when he heard the mini caravan pull in. He stepped back behind the base wall, and tried to place the voices. They sounded familiar to him, and he felt like he should know who they belonged to.
He shrugged a shoulder and when he heard the second vehicle drive off, he made his way to his truck as if he hadn't been hiding behind the base for the last five or so minutes. He started rummaging around in the covered tailgate. He pulled out the last duffel bag, and slung it on his shoulder. He turned, and squinted at the girl standing in the sun. She certainly looked familiar. He looked around for a moment before calling out to her. "Hey. You new here too?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 2:51 pm
She perked at the voice and turned around. "Uh, well, yes and no. My folks used to...wait. Pete?" She hadn't seen him since he joined the army, but she knew that face. "What are you doing here?" Her surprise slowly turn to mild hurt. A small frown crossed her features. "I've got the right mind to smack you, ner vod. Five shabla years, and you didn't have the time to pick up a pen or phone to write or call?"
All those years go, one of the many summers Peter stayed with her family, one night when they were camping on the beach, they had pinky-sworn to each other they'd be best friends forever, not matter what. They even used their secret handshake on it. It was legit. Peter's family were still somehwat aruetii-- outsiders, but one of the things she was taught by her mother and uncles that a promise, a vow, or contract, even if it was verbal was binding. And Aden saw this a breach of contract in a way. When he left, he promised to write, and didn't.
"You promised." She said softly, almost child like.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 3:09 pm
Jr blinked. He hadn't been called 'Pete' since.. Well, forever. He swallowed hard and looked at the ground. "Er.. Hey Adi..." He rubbed the back of his neck, and glanced up at her. "Got contracted after I was discharged." Suddenly he was glad he'd waited for her parents to leave, if only because he knew they both probably would have jumped on him. "I know I promised but it was hard to write. You can smack me if you like, an' I won't hold a grudge." He said, before looking away from her for a moment.
He knew he'd have to cross this bridge one day, he just didn't expect it to be so sudden. He looked back at his friend. She'd grown up into a fine young woman, and he knew he'd let her down. Which was horrible, since he knew she'd never do the same. "I'm sorry. I should have tried harder, and I didn't."
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 3:48 pm
Aden straightened up, jutting her chin up. She was silent for a few beats. Finally, she strode over to the man and gave him a swift slap to the the back of his head. She glared at him for a moment...then took him into a hug. "I'm letting you off easy this time. If it happens again, I'll follow you to the ends of the earth and kick your shebs." She almost added 'I missed you', but decided not to. Before anyone else could come across them she left go. "And that's a promise."
She looked over to the red Wrangler, her things were still in the back. Finding that Peter had been fine all along had taken precedent.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 4:13 pm
Honestly, Peter had expected her to test out the respawn. He flinched slightly at the slap, and let out a mental sigh of relief when she hugged him. He hugged her back, and nodded. He understood the quickness of the hug, and smiled at her. "I completely understand." He sighed, and followed her gaze to the Wrangler. "Your stuff still in there?" He asked, adjusting his duffel. "I could help you bring it in if you want." He said, looking at the base.
"Most of the rooms have jammed windows for some reason, and one of the rooms smells very strongly of cigarettes." He said. He'd picked what he thought was the best room, in which the window still opened and a very old-looking ceiling fan still worked. "I dunno where the rest of the team is. I think maybe we're early or something." He said, returning his gaze to Aden.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 4:31 pm
"I didn't really bring much. just Bianca and few other things." Bianca was her father's own rifle, he finally passed it on to her when he finally accepted the fact she was working for RED. The old Remington still had fight in her. "You look like you've got your hands full too." Aden strode over and got her things while he explained everything. She gave a glance at the old base, luggage in tow. "Looks like they haven't really changed anything since my parents left. You'd think they could foot the bill for a little repairs, eh?"
She shrugged, "Yeah, maybe. I don't mind though. Mum and dad wanted to say goodbye, and this was on their way. Dad's got a signing in LA for his new book and all..." She trailed off, readjusting a strap. "So, shall we stake claim to best rooms?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 4:38 pm
Pete looked at his duffel and shrugged. "I had a few more bags, but mostly it was just weapons and a cleaning kit... Some linens..." He said, before gesturing to his duffel. "Clothes." He looked over at the base and shrugged. "I dunno... Seems kind of backwards to fix something what's only gonna get broken again. Besides, I kind of like it. Makes it look rustic, like it belongs in a horror movie." He laughed, and raised an eyebrow at her. "Well, I picked the room I liked the best. If you want to share, I don't have a problem with it." He said, before shrugging a shoulder.
"Wow. He's got a signing? That's great. I'll have to get a copy. I got a feeling the inside will say something like 'I will break your spine' or something." He laughed quietly. "I think the best room is probably the one next to mine. The window doesn't open but I think if I looked at it we could fix it."
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:13 pm
"We'll see..." She gave a small sigh. He was right. It kind of looked like a haunted house. She remember stories from her parents about one base that was actually a haunted house. She made her way back over to Peter, toting her stuff. "Yeah, he just published a new novel, and he's visiting a few places for it. I also heard someone was thinking of asking for the rights to Gideon Swift and turning it into a movie."
The title in question was an adventure novel, with some very slightly autobiographical hints in it. Her father started as sort of a way to kill time here on base. When he finally retired, the man refined it and published it. It did fairly well, royalties on it paid for the construction of their guest house, which still stood right next to their main house. It made family visits less chaotic. "They think it could be the next Indy Franchise." That would be something, he was huge fan of the films, and on more then one occasion Aden remembered him dressing up as Indy when he took them out on Halloween.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:23 pm
Peter smiled and nodded his head. "That'll be freakin' awesome. He should do it, but only if they are going to include him in the directing. Otherwise I get the feeling the film will let him down. You know how Hollywood is." He said, turning to lead Aden to the base entrance. "This place isn't haunted, but I've got a bird that keeps tapping on my window in the wee hours of the morning and there is an odd amount of cats around the base." He said, scratching the back of his head. "So, how's the rest of the family? Does my dad still come around for visits?" He asked, pushing the screen door open.
One of the cats ran up behind him and pushed in, meowing loudly. "See? Cats. Cats out the wazoo. I think one of the past mercs here must have had a fondness for 'em." He sighed, and dropped his duffel on the kitchen table, before going into the pantry for the cat food. "There's some stuff from when I got here, but I have to run into town to get actual food supplies." He said, filling a plastic pitcher with food and walking outside to dump it in a trough that looked like what chickens feed from. The cat that had ran in behind Peter ran out, and at least a dozen or so cats started over from various locations. "I don't think any of 'em have fleas but only the one that came in is domesticated enough to let you pet him." he turned to face Aden once more. "Shall we?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:57 pm
"That story was his baby--well, until we came into the picture. But you know how he is. Not too fond of being in the spotlight." She waited until he finish feeding the pack before answering the rest of his questions. "Zoe's getting ready for her trip overseas, she's doing some sort of humanitarian thing, and Milo's in his Junior year of high school...meaning it's just gonna be him, mum and dad for while. Your dad stopped by a few times, but not so much recently. I'm sure he's fine though."
She gave a moment after his talk about the cats. "Pete, you know 'domesticated doesn't mean osik to me. I'm an Archer." She laughed, shaking her her head and following him in deeper to the base. "So what 'bout you?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 6:25 pm
Peter laughed and nodded. "I haven't forgotten, but I'd rather not have you start the first of the feline wars. There's about ten more of them lurking about outside. It's no wonder the birds have taken to trying to nest inside." He grabbed his duffel off the table and started to head upstairs. "I'll have to call him sometime. He uh, doesn't know I'm here yet." He looked up at the ceiling as if rolling his eyes in a non-sarcastic manner. "Good to hear that the rest of the gremlin clan is doing well." He grinned, but the grin sort of faltered when she asked about him.
"Er, well. You know. Military. I was pretty high in rank, considering I was just a sharpshooter, and we did some special missions for a couple of years after I got out of basic... And then I was discharged, got picked up here." He sighed, shrugging. "Spent a good six months in the hospital. They said I recovered faster than the rest of the unit. Of course, that was only because I was in the back." He sighed, and rubbed his face. "Shrapnel bomb. The scouters didn't see it and by the time the lead man started to yell it was already going off." He started up the stairs, and looked over his shoulder. "Your mom and I can compare scars now, pending your dad doesn't kick my a** so hard I'll be coughing up bits of shoe leather." He laughed, and continued along.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 7:08 pm
“Oh alright, if you say so…dad.” She gave another bout of laughter. She truly was her mother’s daughter, even to the point of driving her own father over the edge during her teenage years. Adi had always had been a fighter, and Rhys and Karlii had sat in countless meetings with the principal explaining her suspensions. Most of the time, she was sticking up for the little guy; she was the one who bullied the bullies. Then there were the obvious stupid things teenagers do in their rebellious phase. She was surprised the man hadn’t gone grey sooner.
She listened to his story; she now understood why he was so hesitant. “I didn’t know.” She stated obvious, but it was best thing Peter was going get as a ‘sorry’ about the blow up before from the Mando. Her lips quirked into a smile as he brought up her mother and comparing scars. “I think he’d be more focused on trying to get mum to keep her clothes on than trying to beat you. He’s not a monster Pete, when he finds out he might get as little angry, only because you haven’t spoken to anyone.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 7:23 pm
Peter laughed and shook his head. That was sort of the answer he was expecting, and he reached the top of the stairs. "It's really not as bad as it sounds. Though a few of the squad got it a lot worse than I did." He thought about Kar and Rhys struggling over clothes remaining on the smaller woman. He laughed, and shook his head. "Wouldnt' be the first time."
He paused to nod at Adi. "Yeah.. Neither does my dad." He laughed, and shrugged. "Not that he'd be too angry, I think. Right then. Showers are to your left and right, and all along this hallway are the rooms." He frowned, and looked at Adi. "I dunno. For sure your mom is more scary, though I've never seen it..." He sighed and nodded his head again. "Yeah, I know, I know. I dunno what I was thinkin'."
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:58 pm
“Well you haven’t. I have. Her and dad made some sort of deal that they’d keep it to minimum until we were old enough. Helping her out one night at the pub, and this creeper was leering. Mum was not gonna have none of it. She asked him once to stop, then when he didn’t listen pulled out her knife and jabbed it right into the bar. And just stared. I know she’s a former trained killer and all, but it still spooks even me sometimes.” She poked her head into one of the cleaner looking rooms. This one was the first one off on the left, not far from Peter’s pick. She decided this was it and dumped her things in unceremoniously. She’s sort it out later. “Yeah, you might want to give him a ring. Do the phones even still work in this place?”
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