world hopping: locked to [personal profile] athelstanthescribe

[soldier_blade]

Outside Sonya's door, the Georgian summer heat would've struck them both in the face, as she said. The summer heat would've gone on until late October, and certainly would've been different than either Denmark, England or even millliways. A look up showed that the humidity was close to bringing in rain: sonya didn't think it would make the heat any better.

"This way." The buildings around them were basic, three-story and red brick. The barracks were nothing if not utilitarian, but they were nothing to look at unless they were home. Everywhere one looked, there were people in various army dress and the occasional civilian. Sonya deliberately put him as military though because only family of personnel or civilian occupations were allowed on base outside of Sunday, and blending in was easier than asking questions.

Every so often an enlisted would salute them. Sonya returned the gesture as they headed to her jeep. The bar itself was just some blocks away from the area, but she didn't want to put him through the strain.

"Inside,' She opened the door for him. "Normally it's within walking distances, better safe than sorry." Also, air-conditioning.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods. "Well, I think people from any time and place would have gladly listened to him sing."

[soldier_blade]

She laughed. As with most times with Athelstan, she felt more relaxed and at ease. "Not entirely. A lot of the more religious and some of the older generation call it heavy metal as 'devils music' because many of the song lyrics can be disturbing."

Bullshit really. Metal of any sort could be depressing and make a person angry, but then sometimes that's what she needed. "There are a few artists who do exploit this sort of notion. The more shock value they add, the more people want to buy their albums."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I didn't say they would have wanted to hear him sing this", he says with a quick half-smile. "But a good voice is a good voice."

[soldier_blade]

Sonya didn't bother holding in a laugh. "They'd have to buy the album first, which would give the impression that they like his works in the first place."

The song faded on the radio, replaced by the voice of the dj for the timeslot. Outside the jeep, the sky was turning greyer and a few splashes of rain started splattering on the windshield. Sonya turned on the wipers before it started raining hard.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Now this is more like home", he says dryly, looking out at the rain.

[soldier_blade]

"Won't cool anything off." Not in this weather and humidity. If anything, summer rainshowers made the heat worse.

A commercial started playing on the radio when Sonya thought she saw someone in the distance with a car by the driveway. They were waving their arm and with this weather, it wasn't hard to guess why.

Sonya had a natural reserve against helping hitchhikers, but she got closer she noticed that the person wasn't just waving an arm-they only had one arm to wave.

"Okay, detour time-holy crap, think I know that woman." She slowed the car down to stop by the road. "Athelstan, see the knob on the side of the door, wind it down, will you so the window opens."

Stopping by the road, the woman by the road was indeed one-armed, but other than looking very wet she was otherwise uninjured. Her dress was civilian and casual. "Jesus...Laurie Walker..that you?"

Laurie nodded, that she recognized Sonya seemed inconsiquential to the chance to go inside. "Yeah, your car unlocked."

"Get in." The woman didn't need to be told twice and quickly got into the backseet.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Your car is broken?" Athelstan asks, twisting to look at her.

[soldier_blade]

Sonya turned on the heat: not blasting, but enough so that Laurie wouldn't chilled.

The woman in question nodded, ringing out her hair. "Battery died, and then this rain before I could actually go anywhere for help."

"Where were you going?" Sonya looked at her through the rearview mirror. "Oh, this is Athelstan..visiting medic from overseas. Athelstan, this is Laurie Walker, we were roommates at the military academy."

"Hello..I was going to the base." She held up her hand, showing a wedding ring. "Guess the military stuck longer than I figured."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan smiles at her.

"Your husband is still serving? Or you as well?"

There are things she could do with one arm, he knows well enough.

[soldier_blade]

Sonya kept an eye on the road, but she couldn't help be curious as well. She hadn't actually heard from Laurie since graduation.

"Hubbie's serving, not me. He's a paratrooper for Echo Company" She laughed. "The academy was enough military for me. I've been teaching elementary school kids for a few years now."

Sonya smiled. She hadn't changed much. "Perfect match then..both of you are crazy. I'll drive you over to base, don't worry."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Teaching young children isn't crazy", Athelstan objects. "Older children may be difficult, but little ones are a joy."

[soldier_blade]

"Clearly you haven't dealt with a group of thirty children." This was said by Laurie, not the least bit offended. "Especially after vacation when they're clearly not happy about waking up early."

"Which is why it's crazy to deal with it for a living." Sonya answered.

Laurie rolled her eyes, leaning forward to stick a hand infront of the vent. "So says the woman who deals in special ops. Give me stupid kiddie dares and 'homework excuses any day."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan doesn't know what to say next, since the two women are friends and he doesn't want to put his foot in it, so he smiles and falls silent.

[soldier_blade]

"Laurie had a...reputation at the academy." Sonya felt that her former roommate needed an explantion. "something that hasn't changed."

Laurie made an aside. "That crazines helped you get out of a jam on the '83 winter formal."

Finding an exit, Sonya finally turned the car around to go the direction of the base. "She's the one that gave me the 'pet brick'."

Hense the reputation.

[athelstanthescribe]

"...I don't understand", Athelstan admits. "I remember the pet brick, but the winter formal...?"

[soldier_blade]

Sonya watched Laurie lean back against the seat. While that was over a decade ago, the whole sphiel seemed a trigger point for everything else.

"The winter formal was a dance they held every winter before break. High class event with formal wear and everything..guy I had a crush on invited me to it. At the time I didn't know it was just a mean prank."

"I lucked out of the whole thing by catching the flu." Their passenger interjected. Sonya only rolled her eyes and continued.

"Spent money on a dress only to find I couldn't go..wasn't proper to go without a date. So, paid a guy, sneaked in just long enough to punch the other guy out and make a run for it-and you know the rest with the brick."

In retrospect, the entire thing was a waste of time and money.

[athelstanthescribe]

"That was cruel of him", Athelstan says quietly. "And uncalled for."

[soldier_blade]

Sonya let out a snort. "Teenage boy, they're hardly models of empathy and reason."

Laurie nodded. "One of the reasons I chose not to teach high schoolers. I'd have grey hair before my time."

She could see the base up ahead, only a little disappointed that their drive was cut short. "So, Laurie..there a reason you haven't kept in contact with me the past few years?"

"Yes, there is...you know how hard it is to find a mailing address overseas. Especially for Spec. Ops, and don't get me started on the cost of a phonecall."

Sonya was tempted to roll her eyes, but what she said was true on both accounts. "Point taken. I'll drive you over to charlie's, you can use his phone to contact the PX station and they'll direct you to where he'll be."

Much as Laurie was capable of it, Sonya wasn't about to have her walk around aimlessly in this weather.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Are we not taking her home?" Athelstan asks, surprised. "I thought you lived here, Laurie?"

[soldier_blade]

ooc: *flails*

"I do, but if someone's willing to pay..." She looked at Sonya, who kept her eyes on the road. "I wouldn't say no to surprising him on the base either. We can get a ride home from one of the guys and still call a pick up for the car."

"Only because I consider you a friend." That's all she was going to say. "Though, I'm impressed you're able to drive at all."

Laurie grinned. "I know some people. They custom made a car where it's one hand on the wheel and lever by the breaks to switch gears."

[athelstanthescribe]

[ooc: sorry, I thought she lived with her husband on base...]

"People can do wonders", Athelstan agrees. "But it's still quite impressive."

[soldier_blade]

ooc: Let's go with them having a house near base *doesn't recall with enlisted men*

"It was either that or hitching rides when Cole's away." She gave her husband's name. "I prefer having some other means of independence."

Sonya couldn't argue with that. Much as her mom raised herself and her brother on her own, there was no way she could've done so without the help from neighbors and family..they couldn't have done it without family.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Driving for yourself must be safer than hitching rides, as well", Athelstan says with a nod.

[soldier_blade]

"Depends if you know the person or not." She'd hitched a ride with them after all. "Lot of the people I live around with are usually willing to give me a ride, it's just a hassle finding someone who's able to take the time."

The base was up a head. Sonya made a mental note to trade contact information with Laurie: she couldn't believe she missed talking with her this much.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Many telephone calls?" he guesses. "So easier, at least."